Summerveld trainer Mark Dixon will be targeting his useful filly Silent Crusade at the Grade 3 Poinsettia Stakes over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on April 26 and depending on how well she does there she might have a crack at the Grade 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg (SA Fillies) Sprint over the same course and distance six weeks later.

The Crusade filly won two of her three starts over 1200m early in her career.

She is out of the talented six-time winning Silvano mare Silver Fantasy, who won from 1400m to 1800m, including the Listed Scarlet Lady.

Dixon said Silent Crusade had just come back into work after being given a holiday after her good third behind Roy’s Riviera and Vistula in the Grade 3 Flamboyant Stakes over 1600m on Boxing day.

The five-time winner’s chief target for the SA Champions Season will either be the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes or the KZN Breeders Million Mile. 

Editors note: Spring Valley Stud are offering a Toreador half-sister at the National Yearling Sale as Lot 397.

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Bruce Le Roux-bred Silent Crusade fought back courageously at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday on the turf, after she had a fall at Scottsville in her previous start as she was beginning her run for the finish – she was favourite for the race.

She won on Sunday under jockey Keagen De Melo, who after his fall in Pietermaritzburg was sent to hospital for observation after it appeared the filly faltered at something she had seen and lost her footing.

Silent Crusade is owned by the team that raced and had enormous success with the special Mark Dixon trained London Call – closely related to Silent Crusade through her dam – owners Messrs G N Cumming, C N Larsson, & R D Samuelson, and breeder Bruce Le Roux retained a share.

The smart daughter of Crusade pushed her weight through the pack descending on the winning post to take the victory on Sunday by a length. She has now earned her connections R323,775 in stakes, and Gr2 placed behind Oh Susanna, where she finished just over a length off, beating Gr1 #kznbred winner Camporatus in the process. Silent Crusade is Merit Rated at 108.

Silent Crusade is a nominee at the upcoming KZN Breeders Awards, in the categories of Champion 3YO Filly and Champion Middle Distance Female.

She has had 4 wins and 2 places from 8 starts and there looks to be no stopping her! Silver Fantasy has a beautiful 2yo filly by Flower Alley coming through.

Well done to all concerned and to Bruce Le Roux – this family has served Spring Valley Stud very well.