Ikigai (speed score 101 +) was most impressive winning the G3 Tony Ruffel Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday. He raced handy then blasted clear to win by four lengths from Westlife (s/s 92). Alert handicappers who noted that he’d been running way above his official merit rating after good showings behind True to Life and ahead of Riverstown, pounced at the betting opportunity. This son of Vercingetorix has a very bright future!
The G3 London News Stakes fell to Jet Start in a blanket finish after Chijmes had set gentle early fractions. The Pathfork mare loves the course and distance and was especially well handled by Warren Kennedy to sneak past Green Haze.
The G3 Three Troikas Stakes also provided a desperately close ending with a whole bunch of rivals spread across the track. The photo finish revealed that Mount Laurel’s (s/s 92) rails run got her home, albeit by a tiny wart from Victoria Paige, who was closing smartly down the centre of the course. Magic School (s/s 91) was a neck back in third spot and, like Mount Laurel, is trained by Gary Alexander. The winner is a three year-old chestnut filly by Ideal World that has only been defeated once in five outings.
Another cultivating a winning habit is Dancing Queen (s/s 103) who added a sixth victory from 15 starts when taking a Pinnacle Stakes on the same Turffontein card. Experienced horseman Roy Magner saddled the second horse, Winter Watch (s/s 99) who is not as consistent as Dancing Queen yet can run swiftly on her day. In fact, Magner completed the trifecta when Pool Party held third – a fine training feat!