Top horses, no matter whether they develop into sprinters or stayers, generally show ability early and the Storm Bird Stakes may have thrown up a pair of exceptional two-year-olds. Alfolk and Barrack Street were the only two in the market for the Listed Storm Bird Stakes run at Turffontein yesterday although the betting did not accurately reflect the result.
Mike De Kock (Nkosi Hlophe)
Alfolk was the marginal favourite ahead of Barrack Street but the Sean Tarry yard is almost unstoppable when it comes to feature events of late and the half-brother to champion Jay Peg put one over his Mike de Kock-trained rival to run out a comfortable winner and put a disappointing last run behind him. Alfolk, an Australian-bred son of Lonrho is also bred to get a trip and was on his own in second. This pair, if living up to their pedigrees, should be worth following. Their next meeting may come in the Gr1 SA Nursery come the end of April but the pair should also be contenders for Champions Season.
Both were in contention come the 400m mark but Barrack Street showed a better turn of foot and quickly got the upper hand. Alfolk, unable to match strides, lost his action and gave the impression that he would prefer a sustained build-up rather than a dash for home.
The Listed Ruffian Stakes looked to be at the mercy of the Paul Matchett-trained Kissable, who after two victories and on all lines of form, looked nigh unbeatable. But stranger things have happened in racing and after showing tremendous early pace the light on the petrol gauge suddenly glowed red at the 400m mark and Kissable was quickly out of the door, trailing in last.
Sean Tarry (Nkosi Hlophe)
This left the back door open for the Barend Botes-trained Daring Diva with Andrew Fortune pouncing on his opportunity to sail home on the Gerald Kalil-owned and bred King Of Kings filly.
Fortune, who has been slapped with a 10-day ban and a R25k fine for deliberately waving his whip and striking a rival horse across the face last month, was at his sublime best as he tracked the hot favourite waiting to take advantage of any chink in her armour.
So when Kissable turned her cheek he was there with puckered lips.
A Tarry-trained runner was to the fore again in the next as Exquisite Touch snapped a run of indifferent recent form to get the better of a useful field in the Listed Bauhinia Handicap.
Piere Strydom looked to have timed his finish to perfection on top weight Joan Ranger as he hit the front with 50m to go but had an incredulous look on his face as S’Managa Khumalo bulleted home on his outside to snatch victory.
By Andrew Harrison
