Flower Alley filly shines in Umzimkhulu Stakes win


Wilgerbosdrift’s Travers Stakes winning sire Flower Alley looks to have a top-class three-year-old filly in the form of Princess Calla.The latter showed her class when romping home to a brilliant win in Sunday’s G3 Umzimkhulu Stakes (1400m) at Scottsville racecourse and the Adam Marcus trained Princess Calla looks on course for an exciting KwaZulu-Natal winter season.

Despite returning after a 64 day layoff, Princess Calla, whose last start had come in the G1 Cape Town Met, was always expected to dominate the Umzimkhulu field, and was sent off a hot favourite.Gauteng raider Spice Market, like the eventual winner a daughter of Flower Alley, set out to make the running with jockey Anton Marcus keeping Princess Calla just off the front runner.

Turning for home, Marcus quickly sent Princess Calla to the front, and from there, Marcus simply guided the favourite home to a deceptively easy, just over two length win.

Bred by Maine Chance Farms, Princess Calla claimed her third win from just seven starts in a time of 84.31 seconds.

Fifth in the Met last time out, Princess Calla had previously made a big impression when running out an easy winner of the G2 Western Cape Fillies Championship before finishing second in the G1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas and third in the G1 Cartier Paddock Stakes.

A R600 000 buy from the 2019 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, Princess Calla is one of more than 50 black type horses sired by Flower Alley, whose other notable daughters include G1 Ashland Stakes victress Lilacs And Lace, champion My Wandy’s Girl, and US G3 winner Bouquet Booth.

By the same sire as Saturday’s Santa Anita Oaks winner Soothsay, Flower Alley is also responsible for a promising two-year-old filly in the form of Bathing Beauty who recently made a winning debut for trainer Paul Peter.