The KZN Summer Challenge series took place at a foggy Scottsville on Sunday over 1200, 1600 and 1950 meters. Celebration Rock (speed score 89) won the sprint race, coming out fit after a ten week pause. He beat off the Mogok filly, Marsanne (s/s 88) who was already a three- time winner from only five starts.
Merlin from Berlin clinched the 1950m contest, whilst the mile race fell somewhat fortuitously to News Stream (s/s 93). Taking advantage of a good draw, this Byword gelding held off a low flying Gimme Peace (s/s 93), who had been sandwiched at a vital stage. But for that traffic jam, Gimme Peace would probably have won, though hardened punters know that they don’t get paid out on the “coulda, woulda and shoulda’s.”
That Nexus somehow got beat in the Winter Derby floored trainer Justin Snaith, but the Dynasty colt seems back on track after a fluent score in MR 104 handicap at Kenilworth. He burst through traffic to beat pace-maker Spectra Force (s/s 98) going away.
It’s Complex (s/s 97) is another sired by Dynasty and looks to have smart potential. Trying a longer route for the first time, he swept clear under Anton Marcus to beat The Second Wave and Morse (s/s 88) easily and should win multiple races based on this level of performance.