Good Queen Bess gets there under good ride

Three factors contributed to Good Queen Bess’ MR Handicap win over 1160m on Guineas Day at Turffontein: She runs well fresh; Mike’s fitting her with blinkers helped her to focus better and top-form jock Richard Fourie handled her like the star he is.

Good Queen Bess had to be well in touch with her rivals in a field with good, competitive pace and the blinkers appeared to do the trick as she raced within striking distance from the start, though shaking her head around a bit in the first 400m with the new equipment on her head.

Good Queen Bess finished powerfully (nearest camera).

But Richard had her settled before halfway and then it was a question of timing. There were four others in the front line of battle and it took good timing and balance to get her to the front for a win that was probably better than ‘workmanlike’, as she showed mettle to fend off her mostly male rivals.

Good Queen Bess races for Mary Slack in her famous silks that have been prominent again in this last week – a lovely run of wins for the stable’s long-time top patron. The filly is by Kingman from a mare by Champs Elysees, the kind of blood that has made the broodmare barn at Wilgerbosfrift so formidable over the years.