Witwatersrand relishes return to Tapeta with triumph in Ruling Angel

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Reigning Canadian champion 2-year-old filly Witwatersrand made a triumphant return to Woodbine on Saturday with a decisive victory under Patrick Husbands in the $102,800 Ruling Angel Stakes.

Witwatersrand trailed along the inside in fifth on the backstretch of the seven-furlong event as C C Royal and Sabatini raced in front together.

Witwatersrand awaited room on the turn before finding an outside path at the quarter pole. She closed quickly to take the lead with an eighth of a mile left and then coasted home on top by four lengths, in a quick time of 1:21.99.

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Sabatini beat out stablemate A Little Frisky by two lengths for second. Rosa and C C Royal completed the order of finish.

It was the second winner on the card for Husbands, who was honored earlier on the afternoon by Woodbine for his 30th year of riding in Canada. Witwatersrand was coming off back-to-back poor showings in Grade 3 stakes on dirt and turf in Florida.

“She probably just loves the [Tapeta],” Husbands said. “She doesn’t like the kickback and can’t get a hold of the dirt. I was on the best horse, so I didn’t have to worry about how fast they were going down the back. It set up for me. I rode her like [she was] the best horse.”

Witwatersrand returned $4.60 as the favorite. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Connect banked $60,000 for owner Gary Barber and trainer Mark Casse, who were also 2023 Sovereign Award winners.

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