A keen bettor called Shorty revealed one of his best betting angles to a punting friend which is to focus on recently gelded thoroughbreds. It can be a powerful indicator of improved performance as the horse suddenly becomes more manageable in training, changes physically and is more determined to race than before the operation.
Charles, winner of a hot Pinnacle Stakes at Durbanville, is a case in point. The son of Trippi, out of Dynasty mare, Demanding Lady sold for R6 million @ CPYS 2017. He showed ability from the outset, beating Vardy at his second start and falling just short of Atyaab in the Cape Derby at his third racetrack appearance, whilst running quality figures of 101 and 102 as a three year-old.
On Saturday, he came out a transformed racehorse, making the sort of improvement so often associated with that ‘recently gelded” angle. The manner of his victory on Saturday over 1400m was most impressive as he raced handy, swooshed through a 22.5 closing sectional to earn an excellent speed score of 107.
He looks sure to be a big runner in upcoming feature races during the Cape Summer Season based on this heartening comeback run. Distance specialist Sacred Arrow (s/s 103) ran nicely in second spot but was no match for Charles.
Wild Coast, is another regally bred Drakenstein Stud product, being by Trippi out of the multiple winning race-mare, Beach Beauty. He can also be followed with confidence after yet again making a favourable impression after an eye- catching Maiden romp.
Wild Coast (s/s 100) attained a potentially Classic level score when winning easing up, with a rapid finishing fraction under 23 seconds. Stable companion Savvy (s/s 98) and Path of Choice (s/s 95) tried hard, yet proved inferior.
It’s still early days yet Vercingetorix has done everything right as a stallion, and clearly has a bright future. His daughter, Tallinn is unbeaten after three starts. It’s hard to rate her Turffontein score over the weekend as the final time for the 1450m contest was way out of whack with others during the afternoon. I’ll need to retime the race-replays and monitor the performances of those coming out of this form-line but have “guestimated” a fine figure of 99 for this talented filly.