Kenilworth staged really top- notch racing on Saturday where purists were treated to significant winning performances by Belgarion (speed score 115) Celtic Sea (s/s 113) and Fillies Guineas heroine Captain’’s Ransom (s/s 98 +).
The latter took care of her rivals in the G1 over 1600m without any undue bother, stalking a modest pace before accelerating clear of Princess Calla. She impressed in early October when defeating Clouds Unfold in the Diana Stakes and reproduced that stylish effort to burst ahead of struggling opposition.
The Green Point Stakes (G2) has produced some stellar milers over the years and whilst Durban July victor Belgarion is best suited by middle- distances, he proved here that he can turn it on over shorter too. He came from dead last to pass front-runner Cirillo (s/s 114) and withstand the rally of Rainbow Bridge (s//s 114).
These figures represent the very strongest SA form – even well- beaten horses like Clouds Unfold 110) and Frosted Gold (s/s 108) ran numbers that are none too shabby.
Celtic Sea’s win in the Southern Cross was also mightily impressive. Run Fox Run was punted in to 5/10 as the market took a strong view that she would prevail over her favourite trip. Yet Celtic Sea again showed she can handle different course configurations and a variety of distances with aplomb – recording one of her best-ever career performances of 113.
Run Fox Run was hardly disgraced in second with an excellent speed score of 110 whilst Roll in the Hay improved out of sight to bump up her previous best effort of 98 all the way to 109.
The preceding Pinnacle Sprint went to Rio Querari (s/s 102+) who zipped through a rapid 21.5 seconds last 400m to finish. This small son of Querari is as honest as they come (has only once missed the money from 13 starts) and his ability to quicken suggests he may have a Graded sprint win in him this Summer.