IGUGU failed in her quest to beat Ebony Flyer in Saturday’s Grade 1 Avontuur Cape Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth, but Mike de Kock doesn’t believe she is inferior to Justin Snaith’s star.

Igugu raced wide after the start and into the home bend and Mike commented: “This was contrary to our game plan and it wasn’t Anthony Delpech’s best ride.  He would have done better to shake her up and go past Ebony Flyer in the early part of the race. The one thing I didn’t want was for Igugu to race behind the favourite and yet she did. Igugu’s fate was settled when she remained wide. She had no chance to win given her position in the race.”

Igugu came under pressure fully 500m out when Ebony Flyer found her stride and headed determinedly for the winning post. She quickened three lengths clear and had the race as good as in bag with 200m to run. Igugu got into gear late and made up much of her leeway, but Snaith’s runner hit the line 1.25-lengths clear.

Mike congratulated Snaith and the winning connections, who have plans to race their Jet Master-filly overseas.

Mike added: “Ebony Flyer is a smart filly, she was impressive, but in my view Igugu is just as good. She had to travel 18 hours to get to the Cape to take on Justin’s filly in her back yard.  It would be nice if they can compete on a neutral playing field. Let’s hope we can see the pair of them and Hollywoodboulevard in one of the fillies features in Durban next year!”

Igugu will return to Gauteng to be prepared for the Fillies Triple Tiara.