From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

Sean Tarry is an expert conditioner, adept at winning big races. He is a meticulous planner and cleverly optimizes horses’ careers by getting them to run best when the stakes are highest.

On Saturday at Turffontein, he saddled the winners of both Gr 2 Spring Challenge’s – Callmegetrix (s/s 103) and Tin Pan Alley (s/s 98). In the Fillies and Mares race, Tarry also trained the second placed finisher, 20/1 shot Rodeo Drive (s/s 102).

Callmegetrix started heavily favoured at 13/10 and got the job done though she had to run a career top to battle past her game stablemate who raced round the field from a wide draw and lead for a long way. Rodeo Drive fought back with spirit when headed and gave her each way supporters a good sight, but Callmegetrix ultimately proved too strong. The winner was ridden by Luyulo Mxothwa who did everything right on the uber-dependable daughter of star sire, Vercingetorix.

Tin Pan Alley’s s/s 98 + race went a few ticks slower overall than Callmegetrix’s, though it did feature a slightly swifter closing sectional.

Malesela Katjedi pounced midway down the straight to get past Choisaanaada, keeping enough in the tank to hold off late rallies from 50/1 outsider Atticus Finch (s/s 97 ++, has run a best of 110, in an encouraging comeback after bleeding in the Durban July) and another longshot, Bustopinhounslow.

Tin Pan Alley, one of the best of his generation at two is by The United States. On the evidence of this performance, he is progressing nicely and should be a factor in upcoming stakes races selected by the canny, Tarry.

Confederate produced a good figure (s/s 101+) in an earlier 1450m Conditions Plate. Rachel Venniker took the Fire Away gelding to the front, sustained a strong gallop throughout, and was never in danger. Other than a flop in the Durban July, Fabian Habib’s charge has won 5 x, and placed second 5 x from 11 starts so he gives his running practically every time on the Highveld.

He is sitting on a big performance this Spring or Summer season. Given that he sees out 1800m fine (he beat Fire Attack in the G1 SA Classic at altitude on a soft course) and can make his own luck dominating from the front, Confederate is worth adding to Hot Horses lists.