Author: Marc Weinberg

November 29 - Igugu was South Africa's undisputed champion filly last season in terms of achievements (although her failure to beat Ebony Flyer over a mile in the Guineas casts doubt as to whether she is the best of her generation), and she makes an eagerly anticipated return to the racecourse this Sunday at Turffontein.

The race in question is the aptly named Ipi Tombe Challenge, as that filly remains the gold standard by which all other Southern African fillies and mares are judged. The fact that she was trained by Mike de Kock and owned by Team Valor is extra symmetry for the occasion.

The difficulty in backing Igugu at odds of 1/4 or 1/5 is that the fated aspects of Sunday's race end in the name. It's over 1600m, a distance well short of Igugu's best; it's at Turffontein on a course that doesn't really suit her; and she's coming off a long layoff where this is clearly just a prep race. If she loses her connections certainly won't be concerned as she is being pointed at The Paddock Stakes and then the J&B Met as her main goal of the Summer.

My advice is not to bet on Igugu or even use her as part of a multiple, although finding the candidate to beat her is a tall order as the rest of the field inspires little confidence.

Engagement is my choice to spoil the return party. She comes from the right stable, that's for sure, and she is far better suited to the course and distance. Igugu will probably win a couple more Grade 1 races in the Cape but don't be surprised if she is beaten by the man of the moment, St John Gray.

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2012/04/02 09:28:58 PM