Jockeys that judge the pace right are worth their weight in gold.

“Pace makes the race” is an old racing maxim which still holds true. Of course, the tricky challenge is to anticipate beforehand what will unfold – accurately compiled speed maps based on the running styles/pace profiles of each entrant can help punters visualize how the race will unfold, then bet accordingly.

Doing pace analysis afterwards can also help us interpret what happened. For example, in the Variety Club Mile at Kenilworth, front-runner FireAlley nearly got away with daylight robbery under the canny, Greg Cheyne. The duo simply jogged around the bend in front before picking it up sharply and bursting away in mid-stretch.

In the context of the race shape, Warrior was well-enough positioned in midfield by Richard Fourie, and he duly just managed to get up on the line after producing a determined finish, proving that he is a very smart horse.

There was honour in defeat for the only filly in the race – Marina came from last, too far back in a slow- early contest and the fact that she got within less than a length of the top two was remarkable. Her finishing fraction of 110%, measured as ratio of her closing sectional against her overall final time, confirms the visual impression that she was really motoring, but simply had too much to do.

A similar scenario unfolded in the last race on the Kenilworth card, albeit at a lower-class level. Here the front runner, Elusive Tango also set moderate fractions – difference being that this Elusive Fort gelding kept going under Sandile Mbhele to hold off the cavalry, including stable mate Ticket To Ride, who came from dead last, and Dollar Brand – another deep closer.

The runner up’s finishing fraction was 107% (par is around 103%) which confirms that this race was also unevenly run, and he was closing quickly. However, 20/1 outsider, Elusive Tango had conserved just enough energy by going moderately early on under a clever, Mbhele, so he could sustain his tempo to the wire and hold off the 5/2 favourite.

On such fine margins are race outcomes decided – in turf racing, jockeys who can judge pace accurately and position their horses optimally possess a subtle, yet decisive edge.

For those that follow Hong Kong racing there were some awesome performances on Champions Day. In the Mile, Golden Sixty (s/s 114, 104% completed a 14^th win in succession when just holding on from More Than This (s/s 113, 105%) in an epic tussle. Wellington won the Champions Sprint, recording a speed score of 109 + with a finishing ratio of 106% in another fantastic display of power sprinting.

Best of all though was a truly world class performance from a tag team of Japanese stars in the QE11 Cup; Loves Only You (s/s 119, 106%) defeated Glory Vase (118, 107%) and favourite, Daring Tract (s/s 118) in the 2000m showdown. Now that was a high- calibre horse race for purists to relish!