Sunsational Delivers Dazzling Win in Prix Du Cap - 02-25-10

February 25 - Last Saturday at Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town, South Africa, horseracing fans were treated to an exhilarating day of racing, including the R150,000 Riverworld Stud Prix du Cap (Gr 3) over 1400m, which was won in fine style by talented 4-year-old filly, Sunsational.

Under blue Cape Town skies, the Prix du Cap got off to an exciting start when Seal Of Approval of approval leapt out of the gate to grab an early lead. Hot on her heels and duelling for second place were Sparkling Gem and Temair, with Sunsational down the field towards the back of the pack.

Coming into the straight, race favorite Sparkling Gem - with renowned South African jockey Felix Coetzee aboard - challenged the lead, but betting fans that backed her were disappointed as she soon ran out of steam. And as Temair also dropped back, Sunsational started moving up the field.

Under the able guidance of jockey Karl Neisius, Sunsational put pressure on Strawberry Ice, with the latter straining to keep the pace as the finish line loomed. Up until this point Seal Of Approval was still in the lead, but visibly taking some strain. So at the 200m mark, Sunsational made her move.

When asked for more, she responded like a coiled spring and hurtled past Seal Of Approval into the lead, which she did not relinquish until she crossed the line first. She made it across the line almost two lengths clear of Strawberry Ice who rallied for second, relegating Badger's Cove to third.

It was a sterling race and one that only further highlighted the natural speed and stamina of the Mike Bass-trained filly. In last month's prestigious 1800m Paddock Stakes (Gr 1) at Kenilworth, Sunsational did very well to finish sixth against a field containing many of South Africa's strongest fillies.

For Bass, Sunsational's victory was yet another indication of his rightful place as one of South Africa's foremost racehorse trainers. In January's J&B Met, arguably one of the country's most prestigious races, his charge River Jetez delivered a dazzling win over her champion brother, Pocket Power.