There were four features contested as the Spring season got under way with Graded contests in Jozi and Cape Town. The best rating went to vastly improved sprinter miler Reim (speed figure 107) who has done brilliantly since trainer Glen Puller chose to fit blinkers and use forcing tactics. The track conditions suited that style of racing perfectly and Reim was able to comfortably hold off Afrikaburn‘s (s/s 103) late dart. The runner up can be slow out and tends to hang, so is a challenge for conditioner Dean Kannemeyer, but has the talent to be a live Guineas prospect. Top Jet (s/s 102) was baulked on the rail, but for that might have snuck second, but was no match again for the fleet-footed Reim.
Double Whammy (s/s 90+) dominated the Lanzerac Diana Stakes from start to finish. She was able to lead without undue pressure early on, so had enough in reserve to ward off a typically sharp come-home sectional from Lanner Falcon.
No Worries (s/s 105) raced handy to win the Joburg Spring Challenge when resisting a persistent challenge from Midnight Run (s/s 104). The winner showed great potential last season without really cracking it, other than scoring in a KZN Breeders Mile race, and is now deservedly adding to his tally. The runner up was trained by Mike Bass, who has set up a new operation on the Highveld and they scored earlier on with Supreme Sunset (s/s 94) in a rough Fillies and Mares version of the Spring Challenge. Second placed Athina objection’s against the winner for interference was over-ruled but the really stiff loser was returning star, Majmu. Repeatedly blocked on the rail, then baulked when trying to switch out for a run, she finished a close fourth and was clearly much the best.