National Champion Trainer elect Sean Tarry has a strong hand in both the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 at Greyville on Saturday.

He is running his top class filly Siren’s Call in the Daily News and this makes good senses as not only has this season’s three-year-old fillies crop been seen as exceptional compared to the dubious reputation of the three-year-old males but the race carries a total stake of R2 million compared to the R1 million of the Woolavington. Furthermore, with a merit rating of 109 and a 2,5kg female allowance she will need to win the Daily News by a street to attain a merit rated raise, while she could risk a merit rated raise in the Woolavington by merely running close to the 114 merit rated Majmu.

However Tarry did add that the Daily News is part of the Vodacom July preparation for both her and stablemate French Navy. He said, “There will still be a little bit to come from both of them, but they should still run well. We have left a little bit to work with for all of our July horses.”

Both Siren’s Call and French Navy will love the 2000m distance, having won the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic and Gr 1 SA Classic respectively in very soft going over the tough Turffontein Standside 1800m. Interestingly, Siren’s Call’s time was 0,11 seconds quicker than French Navy’s that day, despite her having to make her finish on the inside of horses, which was the inferior going on the day. Both horses have won in fast going before so clearly go on any ground and both are known for their strong finishes from off the pace, so they should enjoy Greyville.

Tarry has two Woolavington contenders, Tamanee and Trophy Wife, and he said, “Tamanee is very well, but there could be slight improvement after this run. Trophy Wife is probably at her best.”

Tamaanee ran a cracker last time out when stepped up to this distance for the first time in the Gr 2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes and her time was actually 0,43 seconds quicker than Woolavington favourite Majmu’s on the same day, despite the fact that she was carrying 2,5kg more. That was a brilliant performance and this improving type could well finish in the first three on Saturday.

Trophy Wife, the perennial bridesmaid to Siren’s Call, has also continued to improve throughout the season and appears to be ultra-tough. She was doing her best work late last time out in the Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas and looks likely to appreciate the step up in trip.

Tarry said an improvement could be expected from his stayer Kolkata, who runs in the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m, although he could still come on further for the run. He said, “There are one or two things we have got on top of with him.”

By David Thiselton

Picture: Siren’s Call (JC Photo)