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Duchess Daba, a daughter of
National Assembly out of 15time
winner and successful
broodmare Izindaba, has now
won seven of 16 starts for earnings
of R735 450. She runs in
the white-and-scarlet silks of
the Kalmanson family, owners
of the Varsfontein Stud in Paarl
where she was raised.
Woodruff was understandably
pleased with Duchess Daba’s
performance. “We have always
known that she is a very good fi lly
and she is as game and honest as
they come. She worked very well
with Yard-Arm and anything that
can get close to him in work invariably
runs a good race. Celtic
Duchess Daba is led into the No
1 box following the November.
Grove also worked very nicely with Yard-Arm the week before. He looks
back to his best and I am also very happy with his run.”
In spite of her November Handicap triumph, Duchess Daba will be restricted
to races for females whenever possible and will be aimed at the
plum targets for her sex during the Cape Summer Season.
A fi eld of top three-year-old sprinters assembled for this event, which
last year saw champion National Currency winning from star contemporary
Surveyor. KwaZulu-Natal challenger White Wash was reported
to be catching pigeons in home gallops and was expected to fi ght it out
with local speedsters Staff Offi cer and Groundsman.
The race, however, went to Mike Azzie’s stunning charge Night Watch,
who is by Badger Land and is a full-brother to Gold Cup winner Highland
Night. The colt showed exceptional pace and, with his big stride,
proved far too strong for the opposition. He took command with 200 m
to run and won easing up from Iceberg, who stayed on powerfully ahead
of Groundsman.
“Night Watch is a super horse and will be going for the Dingaans,” said
assistant-trainer John Azzie, deputising for his brother, who was in Cape
Town preparing National Currency for a trip to Hong Kong.
There was betting support for Mike
de Kock’s imported fi lly Emerald
Beauty, but Woodruff-trained Jalberry
proved superior.
She settled behind runners and looked
to be in a spot of trouble when Emerald
Beauty picked it up at the 300 m
mark. But stable jockey Piere Strydom SUPERWOOD.
switched Jalberry to the inside of the
track and she breezed past Emerald Beauty to win a good race. “Jalberry
has failed round the bend, but she’s very effective down the straight,” said
Woodruff.
Trainer Brian Wiid’s powerhouse sprinter Magic Master faced his stiffest
task to date in a line-up that included the illustrious names of Golden
Loom and Al Nitak. But, weighted at the bottom of the handicap, he
proved more than equal to the task and led virtually from start to fi nish
to beat Trance and Al Nitak.
Unbeaten after fi ve career starts, four-year-old Magic Master has earned
over R180 000 for owners Derek and Leonora Alexander. This total may
increase many times in the months ahead as Magic Master is on course
for a crack at the big sprints during the Dubai Racing Carnival. He was
trucked to the Cape Town quarantine station after this race and will be
shipped to Dubai in December.
This race was postponed from Sunday 19 November due to heavy rain.
With the exception of Cousin John the fi eld stood its ground and Strydom,
carded to ride Cousin John, switched to stablemate Superwood
(9–2) and was smiling afterwards.
The strong chestnut, bred by the Gary Player Stud, romped to a comfortable
win over L’Esperance, Surf The Web and Hilti. Superwood won the
17