Calantha's flying finish!

Five-year-old Calantha renewed her partnership with jockey Jeff Syster to post her fourth win from 14 starts in a MR92 Handicap over 1200m at the Vaal on Tuesday. Like their last win in November last year, Syster coaxed a low-flying late run from her to win going away.

Syster said that Calantha performs at her best when she is kept settled and quiet at race time. “I was a bit worried that she’d play up in the parade ring, but she was lovely and quiet and I enjoyed the race with her. She settled nicely and found her feet late.”

Calantha won under 60kg with a few speedy fillies around her and assistant trainer David Dlamini complimented Syster on a good ride. “He carried our plan, which was to give her a chance early under that weight. Well done her owners and to our new sponsors Lucky Fish. It’s so far so good!”

There are more than 50 ladies involved in the Ladies Onamission Syndicate that owns Calantha, and they’re based in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. The mare has had a few niggles in her career but they’ve been patient with her and she has rewarded them, her career earnings now just under R450,000 for a R300,000 purchase investment.

Calantha is racing with purpose at the moment and on the strength of this win she looks to have more success to come, hopefully with some black type before she retires to stud. She is by Querari out of Simply Royal and was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein.