Captain Al again demonstrated his remarkable class as a sire during December. The son of Al Mufti goes from strength to strength as a sire, with both colts and fillies shining in stakes company. Understandably, he covered a fine book of mares this season, and the future looks very bright for him and his progeny.
Dance With Al showed great promise as a 3yo, when running second in the KZN Fillies Guineas. She put up a staggering 4yo debut when running off with the Gp3 Southern Cross Stakes, defeating fellow Hassan Adams owned fillies Servilia and Scintilla. It was a fine training feat by Justin Snaith to bring this classy filly back to win a graded race after a seven month break. She is out of the Dancing Champ matron, Dancing Miss, who has produced four other winners.
Dance With Al – Southern Cross Stakes (Gr3)
Another daughter of Captain Al to win a stakes race was Sleek ‘N Sassy.
Also trained by Justin Snaith, Sleek ‘N Sassy put up a stylish display to win the MIlkwood Stakes, over 1000 meters, by four lengths. Placed behind another Captain Al filly Flower’s Angel in the Fillies Nursery, Sleek ‘N Sassy looks capable of competing at a higher level. Her dam, Sally Slew, has produced a top class sort in Otter Trail who was exported to Dubai.
Waitani was one of the best of his age at two. The Geoff Woodruff trained colt won his second race when defeating older horses in a C Divison race at the Vaal over 1000 meters. Placed in the Gr2 Nursery at two, Waitangi is clearly a talented sprinter with more wins to come. His dam, Treaty, is a half-sister to champion Promisefrommyheart.
El Kapitaine is nothing if not tough. Captain Al’s son won twice during the month. His first win came at the Vaal, where he won by half a length, despite giving chunks of weight around. Two weeks later, El Kaptaine was again in the winner’s circle, after he defeated National Anthem by a length and a quarter. Now a four time winner, El Kaptaine is out of the Hard Up mare Yellow Rose.
Charles Laird trains the promising 3yo filly Adorable. She followed up her maiden win by winning a good race over Turffontein’s tough 1400 meters. She downed some smart sorts in the process, among the useful Casey Tibbs filly Casey Da Lady, and clearly has a fair amount of ability. Out of the classy racemare Dacha, Adorable is a half-sister to Jaroslaw, a recent winner in Britain.
Other winners for Captain Al last month include Our Smoking Joe, Rock Me and Breathtaking.
Casey Tibbs is another sire with an increasingly impressive portfolio. His offspring win at all distances, and despite beginning his stud career with ordinary mares, Casey Tibbs has made a name for himself as a solidly successful sire.
His son Cyber Case is one of the most consistent horses in training. He won twice last month and also picked up the Gr3 Lebelo Handicap. Previously second in the Gr2 Merchants, Cyber Case confirmed his status as one of Gauteng’s best sprinters. The winner of four of his last six starts, Cyber Case should go on to feature in the better sprint races. Now a dual stakes winner, Cyber Case is a half-brother to new Klawervlei sire Jay Peg.
Another of Casey’s top sprinter sons is Casey Cool. He followed up a third place in the Merchants with a defeat of the brilliant 3yo Captain’s Secret. The Daryll Hodgson trained runner has a great turn of foot and the gelding produced his best finish to outrun his younger rival. This was a top notch display from Casey Cool, as the runner up is one of the best young horses around. Casey Cool looks to have a feature race in him. His dam, Some Dame, is a full sister to former top sprinter Nobly Born.
Casey Cool
Irish Darling is a useful staying filly. The Craig Eudey trained runner won her fourth race at Clairwood recently, when defeating the useful gelding Akido. The runner up had won by over 14 lengths previously, and clearly has ability. But on the day Akido was no match for Irish Darling. She is out of the Gr2 winning mare Firestar.
National Emblem was well represented by winners last month. His Chestnut Cruiser won her third race recently. The filly won a fillies and mares handicap at the Vaal in convincing fashion. Rated smart enough to run in stakes races at three, Chestnut Cruiser looks to have more wins in her. Her dam, Yesterday’s Song, won 7 races and was stakes placed.
August Eight also won his third race in December. He put up a game display to down Gr3 winner Announce Speed over 1000 meters at the Vaal. An out and out sprinter, August Eight was rated highly enough to line up in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup last year. His dam, Western Flash, is by the top sprinter West Man.
Other winners for National Emblem include Hit The Trixie and Masekela.
Hit The Trixie
