Mauritzfontein homebred Smart Call (SAf) (Ideal World), the lone filly in South Africa's prestigious G1 J&B Met, overhauled her male opposition to win by a visually impressive 3 1/2 lengths at Kenilworth Saturday, notching her third career Grade 1 win.
“What a wonderful moment,” winning trainer Alec Laird told the Sporting Post. “I was expecting her to do well, but this was beyond our expectations. And what a top ride by JP [Van Der Merwe]–he was in the right place behind the favourite–she was travelling with her head up–but when she accelerated there was nothing coming at her. She is very special and was sent to me by Jess's late grandmother. Unbelievable stuff.”
Jessica Slack of Mauritzfontein was understandably jubilant, adding “This is the best–it doesn't feel real. I really had no idea how good she was. JP is a superstar.”
Stalking the pace set by Legislate (SAf) (Dynasty {SAf})–who was shadowed by race-favorite Legal Eagle through the early stages–Smart Call overhauled that pair with relative ease when straightened for home and kicked clear to a resounding victory. Legal Eagle stuck on for second, and Captain America got up to be third. Smart Call was ridden by Juan Paul Van Der Merwe, who picked up the ride from an injured Weichong Marwing. It has been an unfortunate week for that sidelined rider, who also missed the ride on Cape Million Dollar winner Illuminator (SAf) (Trippi) last weekend. Marwing had ridden Smart Call in all but three of her previous 15 starts, including both prior Group 1 wins.
“Mr. Laird and I spoke during the week,” said the winning hoop. “I have ridden her in work and know her as a decent filly. I kept refreshing the website to check who had been confirmed for the ride. Just after 9 a.m. on Saturday I checked again after we had landed. What a thrill–and yes, I only really had seven odd hours to think about it.” Regarding the run of the race Van Der Merwe added, “I sat behind Anton Marcus on the favourite and at the 300m she showed what she was made of.”
Although she pulled a mild upset here, Smart Call is far from a new name on South Africa's Grade 1 scene. The bay was unraced as a 2-year-old and had a rather unmemorable early sophomore campaign before jumping up to surprise at 14-1 in the G1 Woolavington 2000 going this distance for the first time last May. She finished second in the G1 Garden Province S. five weeks later before getting a winter holiday and, after warming up with a fifth in Turffontein's 1400 meter Pinnacle S., has not lost since. Smart Call took out the G2 Ipi Tombe S. in Johannesburg four weeks later, and added a conditions race again in that province Dec. 12 before following the summer racing circuit to the Cape. She earned her second Grade 1 in the 1800-meter G1 Paddock S. Jan. 9, and that form was franked last weekend when runner-up Inara (SAf) (Trippi) won the G1 Majorca S. Smart Call, however, was nonetheless disrespected on the morning line Saturday, given an opening shot of 40-1. She was bet down to 8-1 by the time the gates flew.
Smart Call's dam is a half-sister to South African champion and sire Greys Inn (Zabeel {NZ}), winner of the G1 Durban July among other Grade 1s. It is also the extended family of five-time Australian Group 1 winner and sire Zeditave (Aus) (The Judge {Aus}). Her sire, Ideal World, is a stakes-winning son of Kingmambo–Banks Hill (GB) (Danehill). Smart Call is his first Group 1 winner.
Saturday, Kenilworth, South Africa
J&B MET-G1, R2,500,000, KEN, 1-30, 3yo/up, 10fT, 2:03.17, gd.
1–SMART CALL (SAF), 126, f, 4, by Ideal World
1st Dam: Good Judgement, by Horse Chestnut (SAf)
2nd Dam: Great Verdict (Aus), by Christmas Tree (Aus)
3rd Dam: Summoned (Aus), by Crowned Prince
O/B-Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Miss J B Slack); T-Alec
Laird; J-Juan Paul V'D Merwe. R1,425,000. Lifetime Record: 16
starts, 7 wins, 6 places, R3,416,125. Werk Nick Rating: A+++
*Triple Plus*. Click for the e-Nicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Legal Eagle (SAf), 131, g, 4, Greys Inn–Young Sensation (SAf),
by National Emblem (SAf). (R425,000 yrl '13 EMPNAT) O-Ingrid
& Markus Jooste; B-Avontuur Farm (SAF); T-Sean Tarry.
R500,000.
3–Captain America (SAf), 132, g, 5, Captain Al (SAf)–Requista
(SAf), by Fort Wood. (R400,000 yrl '12 EMPNAT) O-Mesdames
Adam Gurney, D Nagle & D J Sherrell; B-Varsfontein Stud (SAF);
T-Brett Crawford. R250,000.
Margins: 3HF, 1, NK. Odds: 8.00, 1.60, 8.00.
Also Ran: Light the Lights (SAf), Paterfamilias (SAf), Legislate (SAf), Punta Arenas (SAf), Mac de Lago (Aus), Gold Onyx (NZ), Helderberg Blue (SAf), Futura (SAf), King of Pain (SAf), Krambambuli (SAf), Master Sabina (SAf). Scratched: Deo Juvente (Saf). Click for the Racing Post result, the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree or the VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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