Sunsational capped off another big season for Mike Bass when running out a comfortable winner in the Kenilworth feature on Saturday.

The daughter of Windrush, has been a model of consistency throughout her career and this victory now moves her winning tally to 5 from 17 starts. This was her second grade 3 win, after clinching her first, the Final Fling Stakes, in August last year.

She showed her capabilities at the highest level when finishing just 3 and a half lengths behind Mother Russia in the Paddock Stakes in her penultimate start, and on that occasion was unlucky not have finished closer up after encountering traffic problems in a slow run race.

Sunsational, much like River Jetez, has always been a backward late maturing filly and she has really strengthened up considerably as a four year old. We expected her to run a good race on Saturday but faced a stiff task against the course and distance suited Sparkling Gem, who failed to run on this time. One of the question marks on Saturday was weather the 1400 may be a bit sharp for her, but having grown into a much stronger filly this year, has made her  a lot more versatile over the middle distance trips which is very encouraging.

Her recent performances have indicated to Mike that she is ready to join his KZN feature race string and we look forward with great anticipation to how she will feature in her first trip to Durban this year. At this stage a race like the Garden Province Stakes looks a likely target for her.

Sunsational is owned partly by Warne and Wendy Rippon, owners of the previous Bass trained champion filly Sun Classique, and will be delighted with the improvement and prospects of their filly. UK based Sue and Charlie Mackenzie also part owners, and in whose colours she runs, know what it is like to have a group one performer in their silks after having owned the recently retired Champions Cup winner African Appeal. Graeme Joffe and George Kahan are also part owners. She was bred by the Alchemy Stud.

Sunsational is out of the Model Man mare, Summers Sweet Song who is from the family of Eldoriza. She was purchased from the National 2 year old sale for R110 000 by Mike Bass.

Her half brother C Major, is by Dupont and has just recently entered the yard after we purchased him at the Equimark Vintage Yearling sale last year.

watch the race here