Saratoga Dancer is by Mambo In Seattle, the same sire that gave Howells a Gr 1 winner last year in the form of the filly Same Jurisdiction, who won the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes over 1600m. Howells said about Mambo In Seattle last year,  “He produces scopey horses with lovely actions. They are big and rangy and I think they will be even better as three-year-olds.”

Saratoga Dancer won at the second time of asking over 1600m at Scottsville in comfortable and eyecatching style and the form was franked when third-placed Seeking The Dream, beaten by 4,5 lengths, came out and won easily next time out over 1800m on the poly. However, Saratoga Dancer is currently outside the top 30 on the Ready To Run log, so will need a big run next week. Meanwhile, Same Jurisdiction is still on the sidelines as she received a three month suspension for epistaxis after her Thekwini win. However, Howells is of the belief that the blood emanated from a cut on the inside of her nostril due to her banging her head on the starting stalls. He said she had never shown signs of bleeding at home before. Howell’s stable star last year was of course Via Africa, who is now with Mike de Kock and on her was overseas.

The yard also lost another of their better older horses from last season, Once Cool Dude, who has been sold to Mauritius. Howell’s three-year-old Right Approach colt Easy Lover recently achieved the highly commendable feat of beating older horses in a handicap over 1200m at Scottsville, despite running off a merit rating of 92. It is never easy for three-year-olds in early season handicaps. Howells has earmarked the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein, also to be run on November 1, for Easy Lover. This race is usually used as a springboard for the Gr 2 Dingaans over 1600m, but Howells does not believe he will stay that trip and will be going all out for the win on November 1.

Picture: Saratoga Dancer- Nkosi Hlophe