Clifton Close 2nd Gr1 SA Fillies Classic


Clifton-bred Marygold a fast finishing 2nd to Summer Pudding. Image: Candiese Lenferna

Clifton Stud’s daughter of Gr3 winner Glenrossal, aptly by Flower Alley, was a fast finishing second for major Clifton supporter and owner Peter White, in the Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic.

The race was won by Mauritzfontein’s Summer Pudding, who has now nabbed two legs of the Triple Tiara and will need to see out the 2450m on 4 April in the Gr2 SA Oaks.

Mary Slack of Wilgerbosdrift acknowledged in the presentation that she was very pleased that Flower Alley had produced the second place in the race. Mary has had associated success with Clifton – as her smart Gr2 winner Montreal Mist, by Soft Falling Rain, was crowned KZN Breeders Champion 2YO last season.

The Alec Laird trained filly Marygold won on debut and has placed 3 more times from 6 starts – 2 of them Graded Stakes races. She has earned R299,375 in stakes in the process.

Clifton Stud have a smart draft of yearlings headed to the 2020 National Yearling Sale in April – including an Act Of War half-brother to Spiritofthegroove, and a Kildonan half-brother to Gr2 winner, Montreal Mist and a full brother to 4-time winner Highland Hero. They also have yearlings on offer by young sires William Longsword, Act Of War, Willow Magic, Flying The Flag and Red Ray.