Thunderstruck (s/s 107) received a brilliantly time ride from veteran Piere Strydom to win a Pinnacle Stakes sprint at Turfontein, getting up in the last leap to deny Ziyasha (s/s 106). Both horses are sired by Rafeef.
Thunderstruck is poised for another productive KZN Winter as he regularly clicks out figures between 107 and 111 which is right within the range for shaping in G1’s in SA. And you can bet your bottom dollar that trainer Sean Tarry will have him primed to peak on the big days.
As for Ziyasha, getting 106 as a three-year-old is mighty encouraging and he is a young, up- and- coming sprinter to follow.
Café Culture (s/s 109) ran down lightly weighted, pacemaker San Pedro (s/s 107) to capture the main race at Kenilworth on Saturday. This was several points better than he’s managed previously (the son of Var got 102 in late January ’24) and on this career best could be a threat in stronger races up in Durban.
He is trained by Lucinda Woodruff who is doing fabulously well as she builds up stable strength and her reputation in Cape Town. Father, Geoff is back from a stint in Saudi, and it is an understatement to say that the former champion trainer in SA is a valuable sounding board to his already highly competent daughter.
Woodruff Racing are worth following – they had another winner on the Cape card when Azzurri (s/s 83 ++) romped to a stylish Maiden victory. Only Marshall Field let the Woodruff team down – reportedly not comfortable and taking awkward strides in the straight.
Dave the King (s/s 102 +) proved much the best in a Pinnacle Stakes on Sunday over 1500m. Craig Zackey used his long stride to take command at the top of the straight and the Global View gelding was never in any danger thereafter. He was followed in at a respectful distance by The Shepherd (s/s 96).
Dave the King has run figs of 111 at best. This win against lesser rivals than what he usually faces snapped a 397-day losing streak.