David Thiselton

MUZI YENI is bracing himself for the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas on Saturday where he will be riding the rising star, the Paul Matchett-trained War Of Athena.

Yeni said the recent heavy rains had interrupted her preparation slightly but it will be the same for her arch rival Anything Goes as both fillies are residents of Randjesfontein.

Yeni said, “She is doing well and as far as I am concerned she is flying. I have always got to respect Anything Goes and keep an eye on her as she has a tremendous turn of foot whereas War Of Athena is one who unwinds. The long Turffontein straight will be in our favour but a slow pace will favour Anything Goes.”

There are only seven runners and a small field usually leads to a slow pace.

However, War Of Athena has two stable companions, Gee For Go and Only The Brave, in the race and all three stablemates have the same ownership of RS Wentzel and RE Waterman-Wentzel.

A plan might be concocted to ensure a good pace and this looks particularly possible due to the low rating of Only The Brave. She might be the one who can afford to be sacrificed.

The tally between the star fillies stands at Anything Goes two War Of Athena one.

However, if the saying “you are only as good as your last race” is anything to go by War Of Athena has the edge as she downed Anything Goes by 1,75 lengths in the Grade 3 Three Troikas last time over 1400m. However, she was receiving 1kg from her that day and the latter likely needed it as she was returning from a layoff.

Possibly in War Of Athena’s favour is her pedigree which contains more stamina than Anythings Goes’ as the Turffontein Standside 1600m is a tough test, especially if the ground is rain affected.