Malmoos (speed figure 107) is on track to win the SA Triple Crown after producing a career best in the second leg – the SA Classic over 1800m at Turffontein. Apart from an aberration in the Cape Guineas, this son of Captain Al has won all of his six other starts, repeatedly attaining figures in excess of 100. Trained by Mike de Kock, he is high-class, consistent and game.

The handsome bay was again well handled by Luke Ferraris who positioned him in fourth place before moving up to seize control at the 400m mark. Despite lugging in towards the rail, Malmoos kept on too strongly for Second Base (s/s 104) who finished a similar distance back in the Gauteng Guineas.

Catch Twentytwo (s/s 103) tried hard but was safely held in third, with Flying Carpet (s/s 102) running on from the back of the field, matching the rating he achieved in October 2020 when beat by another top three year-old talent, MK’s Pride.

The last named was backed to win the G2 Hawaii Stakes on Saturday and duly got the job done after a protracted tussle with Got the Greenlight and Expressfromtheus. The race was not run particularly hard early, leading to a close finish with ability to quicken proving decisive.

MK’s Pride is a powerful son of Willow Magic quickly compiling an impressive CV. Got the Greenlight (ran 110 in the Durban July) emerged with credit having his first run back after a long layoff and is one to follow at upcoming starts.

War of Athena (s/s 96+, has run 104 in January 2021) was another favourite to punish the bookies as she bolted in far ahead of over-matched rivals in the G1 SA Fillies Classic. She too is poised to take out all three Legs, having defeated Anything Goes in the Fillies Guineas in mid- February, though the daughter of proven miler, Act of War’s staying ability to last home in the Oaks could be questioned by sceptics. Perhaps the stamina on her dam’s side of the pedigree may salvage the situation…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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