Winterinthewoods Wins Debutante Stakes at Greyville - 06-14-08

June 14 - Last weekend saw some top-notch performances at Greyville racecourse in Durban, South Africa, most notably an impressive victory by up-and-coming filly, and the race's only maiden, Winterinthewoods, in the Debutante Stakes (Grade 2).

Winterinthewoods, who is trained by leading South African trainer, Michael Azzie, proved that she has what it takes to 'clean up' in juvenile events, and notched a big-time double for her trainer, who also won the Allan Robertson Fillies Championship (Group 1) the week before in Scottsville.

During the Debutante Stakes, Francois Herholdt, a largely underrated local jockey, showed that he could bring out the best in Winterinthewoods, after she leapt out of the starting gate into a comfortable lead which she managed to maintain throughout the race.

In the winner's circle after the race, Azzie stood proudly next to the good-looking filly, particularly pleased that she managed to beat the socks off the race favorite, Consensual, a 4-time juvenile winner.

The respected trainer said that he had made the most of Winterinthewood's weight advantage over Consensual, and believed that she delivered a performance that outshone all the other juvenile racers on the day.

'Winterinthewood ran magnificently today and we are looking forward to entering her in the upcoming juvenile fillies feature, the Golden Slipper (Group 1), on Vodacom July Day here at Greyville. This race was just what she needed to help her prepare for the Golden Slipper,' said Azzie.