THE supporters of  7-20 favourite Rumya suffered a few chilling moments when the unbeaten grey filly  had to work hard for a win in her return to the track at Turffontein on Tuesday evening, but she got her head down when it mattered, edging out 12-1 outsider Amber Orchid, and stablemate Amur Affair.

Rumya (Delpech, far side), gets her nose in front. (JC Photos).

Rumya, not at her peak after a rest, came under pressure going into the last 250m, racing green, but Anthony Delpech changed his whip-arm, gave her a few reminders and pushed the three-year-old into a gap between her pair of challengers.

Rumya didn’t shirk the issue, responding late and grinding her way to the front for a short-head success.

“She’s still dumb and lazy, doesn’t show us much at hime and as we noted before, she needs further than this to come into her own,” said assistant trainer Mathew de Kock. Rumya has been entered for next weekend’s Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m and he commented: “She gusty though, has plenty of improvement to come and the mile will suit her better. We’ll look at the Cape Fillies Guineas after that, depending on her draw.'”

At Scottsville, Rakaan, like Rumya a progeny of Red Ransom, won his 1400m Maiden at his second attempt. He was eased down for an eye-catching 3.75-length win, racing from the front of the pack. Both are owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.

Rakaan (Marcus), showing the way. (Gold Circle).