VAL DE RA WINS SA FILLIES SPRINT
Monday, May 30, 2011 
Click above to watch Val De Ra winning the SA Fillies Sprint (Gr1)
(Image : Gold Circle - Footage : Tellytrack)
SOUTH AFRICAN FILLIES SPRINT (Grade 1)
Scottsville, Turf, 1200m
28 May 2011
David Thiselton
Gold Circle The SA Fillies Sprint saw the phenomenal Dennis Drier-trained Var filly Val De Ra extend her career record to nine wins from ten starts.
Val De Ra silenced the doubters who believed she would battle to beat the likes of Covenant and Gibraltar Blue over the tough Scottsville 1200m. Jockey Stuart Randolph described the race: “She has such phenomenal gate speed and before you know it is three lengths clear without being under any duress. I knew the opposition would try and make it a tough 1200m, so I wasn’t worried when Gibraltar Blue joined me and then headed me. I bided my time but then saw her stablemate Headstrong coming, so let her go.” Val De Ra fought off Headstrong to win by 0,75 lengths with the sprint-miler Covenant running a fine third from a wide draw. Two other closers, the Justin Snaith-trained State Blue and the Sean Tarry-trained Give Me Five were next best respectively.
Pippa Mickleburgh of Avontuur Stud, the filly’s owner and breeder, was on hand to greet her superstar filly in the winner’s enclosure.
SA FILLIES SPRINT (Gr1)
Final Results
| # | LBH | Horse | Kg | MR | Dr | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.00 | VAL DE RA | 60.0 | 111 | 3 | S Randolph | Dennis Drier |
| 2 | 0.75 | HEADSTRONG (IRE) | 60.0 | 104 | 4 | A Delpech | Mike de Kock |
| 3 | 2.50 | COVENANT | 58.5 | 107 | 14 | K Neisius | Mike Bass |
| 4 | 2.60 | STATE BLUE | 60.0 | 98 | 5 | F Coetzee | Justin Snaith |
| 5 | 3.35 | GIVE ME FIVE | 60.0 | 103 | 6 | S Khumalo | Sean Tarry |
| 6 | 4.140 | GIBRALTAR BLUE (IRE) | 60.0 | 111 | 1 | A Marcus | Mike de Kock |
| 7 | 4.85 | FAIR ROSALIND | 58.5 | 98 | 2 | M Mienie | Paul Matchett |
| 8 | 6.10 | ROMANTIC MOON | 58.5 | 103 | 13 | *JP v’d Merwe | Duncan Howells |
| 9 | 6.20 | CHARMING LADY | 60.0 | 99 | 8 | G Hatt | Dennis Drier |
| 10 | 6.70 | MISS TURBULENCE | 60.0 | 105 | 7 | B Fayd’Herbe | Weiho Marwing |
| 11 | 6.80 | AUTUMN GOLD | 60.0 | 92 | 12 | K Teetan | Sean Tarry |
| 12 | 6.85 | APPLE PRINCESS | 60.0 | 93 | 10 | G Lerena | St John Gray |
| 13 | 7.10 | MANA MOU | 60.0 | 96 | 9 | A Fortune | Sean Tarry |
| 14 | 11.85 | MARY LOU | 60.0 | 103 | 11 | R Simons | Paul Matchett |
| 15 | 15.10 | ROSES FOR LIZZY | 60.0 | 98 | 15 | M Yeni | Duncan Howells |
Extract from Gold Circle
