A sparkling start to 2022

Sparkling Water (S’Manga Khumalo) was our first winner for 2022 at Turffontein on Saturday, and Clafoutis  (Keagan De Melo) followed up, making it a double for the stable and owner/breeder Mary Slack of Wilgerbosdrift Stud.

It’s always nice to train dams and siblings – Mike trained stakes winner Espumanti, dam of Sparkling Water and Berry Blaze, dam of Clafoutis – and the latest pair both have good careers ahead of them.

Sparkling Water, looking good in her Betway sheet.

Mike said of Sparkling Water: “She furnished in her period of rest after the Summer Cup, where she was unlucky from a poor draw. She’s come back stronger, this was an excellent win. It’s the further the better for her, she showed that in the SA Oaks when she and War Of Athena went clear of the others over 2450m.”

Sparkling Water is likely to go next for the stayer’s race at Kenilworth on Met Day. “There aren’t too many options for us, she’s likely to enjoy that.”

Clafoutis is also looking for ground and Mike said: “She’s a nice filly. She had to go fetch a free-running older runner yesterday whilst giving her weight. And she did so well, that was good to see. She’s an Oaks prospect.”

Keagan De Melo returns on Clafoutis. (JC Photos).