Topless to defy the odds
Trainer Justin Snaith seems to have another decent filly on his hands with Australian-bred Topless. This daughter of Exceed And Excel has only raced four times finishing third in her first two outings and following that up with two consecutive victories.
BERNARD FAYD’HERBE rides Topless in Race 7 at Durbanville today. Picture: Supplied
Her maiden victory was a little workmanlike as she only managed to get up close home to get the better of Vogue’s Wood by 0.50 lengths over 1800m at Kenilworth. Her second victory, this time over 1600m at the same track, was most impressive as she accelerated well over the final 400m to beat Chrisaldame by three lengths, despite being hampered early in the race.
Today she will attempt to extend that winning streak to three when she contests a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m at Durbanville but there are two obstacles she will need to overcome. The first is the change in course.
As mentioned on many occasions, Durbanville is one of those courses horses either love or hate. It is a pure guess most of the time but trainers like Snaith are quite perceptive and should have some idea from her work as to whether she will adapt to the course.
The second, and perhaps even more serious, is that she meets Amarillo Rose for the second time. Their first clash came on Topless’ debut over 1400m at Kenilworth in which she was beaten 4.75 lengths by Brett Crawford’s charge. That was at level weights but under the conditions of this handicap Topless now has to give 4kg to Amarillo Rose.
On paper that does not bode well for Snaith’s runner but there are a few other facts one needs to take into account. Topless was having her first start and was reported to be hanging badly and she raced greenly. She has come along a lot since then.
The other is that Amarillo Rose has not raced since winning that race and will be coming back from a 121-day break so she might need the run.
But Topless does look to be improving with each start and should be up to the task.
