Brett Crawford has been winning big races all around the country over the past week and he added the East Cape Derby to the honours’ roll when Fort Wood colt, St Vladimir drew clear in that listed Fairview feature.

The stable also cracked 100 wins for the season after Hudoo Magic (speed score 103) ran down companion Trippi’s Express (s/s 100) in a 1400m handicap at Scottsville. The winner, a son of Choisir, has been tried up to 2000m yet may be best at this stage of his career over 1400/1600m. He won well and is worth following.

Reviewing the Port Elizabeth card, other notable performances came from sprinters, Percival and Carlita with both earning figures of 99 in Pinnacle Stakes. Percival wandered around near the finish but was still much the best in picking up his ninth victory, whilst fast young filly, Carlita found the addition of blinkers and a turn back to the minimum trip suited her ideally. She also loves-to-win – this was her fifth success from only 12 starts.

Another trainer that has been on the tear lately is Candice Bass Robinson. She won the Fillies Guineas (Santa Clara) and Pointsettia Stakes (Freedom Charter) last week and unveiled three smart juvenile prospects at Durbanville on Sunday. Roll in the Hay, Three Two Charlie and especially, Snow Report (s/s 89 ++) show neat ability early in their careers.

Bass Racing also sent out Meraki (s/s 102) in peak shape to make a decisive rails’ run, getting past valiant Photocopy (s/s 99) in a medium grade handicap. That was a deceptively tough little field, with Orakal (s/s 99) Marauding (s/s 98), Trip to the Sky (s/s 98) and Chatachuk (s/s 98) all teed up for productive Winter campaigns in the Cape.