Sean Tarry has not yet decided upon a definite path for his Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas winner Ikigai.
Meanwhile, his Dingaans winner Shango had a minor setback which put him out of work for three or four days, causing him to be scratched from the Guineas. However, he is on track for the Grade 1 SA Classic. The promising Cornish Pomodoro had a similar setback and Tarry is also thinking of running him in the SA Classic.
Tarry will nominate Ikigai for the SA Classic, which constitutes the second leg of the SA Triple Crown.
However, the exciting prospect is looking at this stage to be best suited to a mile, so he will be keeping his options open.
His sire Vercingetorix, who is by stamina influence Silvano, won the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 but Ikigai’s dam Al Shiba, by Al Mufti, was never tried beyond a mile and her siblings were generally sprinter-to-1400m or 1400m-to-miler types.
Ikigai is an athletic colt with a daisy cutting action.
Tarry’s Captain Al filly Victoria Paige was an unlucky third in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas. She ran wide from a draw of 16, although she did have fair cover, and was then baulked for a run from the 200m mark until about the 25m mark. She looked to still have plenty in the tank at the time and did surge in the final 25m when finally getting a clear run. Her mission has always been the SA Triple Tiara. She will be a big threat to Summer Pudding in the second leg, the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m, although the latter will also appreciate the step up in trip.
Tarry had a few interesting runners on Saturday too.
Al Mutawakel wore first time blinkers to try and get him to travel better in the race, but he then probably traveled too well. The blinkers might be tried again before a decision whether to persevere with them is made. Tarry said Al Mutawakel’s main target could well be the Premier’s Champions Challenge on May 2 and an option on the way there is the Grade 2 Colorado King Stakes on March 28.
He was pleased with the filly Return Flight’s third place finish over the too sharp 1600m on Saturday. Defending her crown in the Grade Gerald Rosenberg Stakes over 2000m on May 2 is on her radar.
Tarry’s Skit Skizzle colt Tierra Del Fuego made it five wins from his last six starts, beating stable companion Warrior’s Rest in a 1450m event.
Tierra Del Fuego might be targeted at the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m on March 7 and might also take in the weight for age Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m on April 4.
Warrior’s Rest might be aimed at the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m on March 14.
Tilbury Fort ran fifth in a Pinnacle event over 1800m on Saturday and Tarry reckoned the former Summer Cup winner was now back in form. The Colorado King would be an obvious short term target for him.
Meanwhile, Celtic Sea is back in Johannesburg. The Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes, the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint and the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes is her probable big race route.
Chimichuri Run lines up in the Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m at Kenilworth on Saturday. Tarry felt the Cape Flying Championship had not panned out well for Chimichuri Run, but he had been trying his best in the finish. He might run him in the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m on May 2 after giving him a Johannesburg pipe opener. The defense of his Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint crown as well as the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint were other probable engagements.
Tarry’s long-time stable star Legal Eagle was moved to the Port Elizabeth yard of Yvette Bremner late last year.
By David Thiselton
