This is an exciting time of the year in SA horse racing as the better horses get underway with their summer campaigns on the Highveld and in the Cape. These horses are apt to run improved numbers which portend strong showings as the season progresses. It can pay to make note of notable early season performances and follow those promising horses when they reach peak fitness.

Heather’s Boy (s/s 99) and Bacchus (s/s 98) are two such candidates for lucrative stakes in Jozi. To achieve speed figures close to 100 so early in their three-year-old careers suggest that they are high-quality thoroughbreds, with the Dingaans probably next in their sights. The winner brings a powerful reputation to the racetrack as he apparently has put up eye-popping gallops vs older HOTY and stablemate, Dave the King, trained by maestro, Mike de Kock.

VJ’s Angel (s/s 96) is training on impressively after showcasing her talents at two during the KZN Winter Season. She was undone by a tough trip from a wide draw last time, only to bounce back emphatically on Saturday. She is an obvious addition to Horse Watch lists.

Greaterix (s/s 87 +++) did not run an especially noteworthy figure but hints at exciting potential as he saw off Pistol Pete by two lengths, who admittedly was conceding him 9kg’s. Given that Pistol Pete has a top speed figure of 99, this bodes well for Greaterix, who has only raced three times.

Older horses such as Marauding Horde (s/s 100 in a Middle Stakes) and Greeting my Master (s/s 98; who has done really nicely since moving to Joburg and went start to finish in a top division handicap) also delivered the goods at Turffontein.

Rascova (s/s 104 +) won the headliner at Durbanville, just ousting Outlaw King (s/s 103+). Glen Kotzen’s dual G2 winning filly was always going to be hard to beat over seven panels as the track suits her pace-pressing style and she was favorably handicapped. Meanwhile, the runner-up seems to be returning to best after a spell where he lost condition, and this Dean Kannemeyer entry now looms as an interesting prospect for the Merchants.

Some other notable scores were attained in 1250m sprints. Dumbledore (s/s 99) fought off Bjorn Ironside (s/s 98 +) in a tough Class 3. The runner up is probably the horse to take out of the race as he was held tight on the inside rail up the straight and still finished off strongly. He could rate as high as 102 – that’s seriously smart for a 3YO.

I’m So Pritti (s/s 90+) won R9 with something in hand against weaker foes. She too had a slightly problematic passage when bunching happened on the crowded outside so her bare speed score can be marked up.

Firealley (s/s 99) took out the 2000m Algoa Cup at Fairview on Friday. The Flower Alley stalwart is adaptable distance wise – with scores of 106 over 1200m; 105 over 1400m and 107 over 1800m earlier in his career, when trained by Candice Bass. He’s not quite at that level any longer, which is understandable because he is now seven years old, but full credit to Jacques Strydom for getting him to win again.

On My Honour (s/s 99) is a promising 3YO. He attained this neat score for trainer, Glen Kotzen on the Poly at Fairview. If he can translate that ability to the lawn, then he is yet another scopey, youngster to keep tabs on over the next couple of months.

Mike de Kock also won the Model Man Stakes at Greyville on Sunday with Artist’s Model. The son of Buffalo Bill Cody romped to an easy victory scoring 94 in the process. That’s light of what is needed to be a genuine Classic contender, but he was untroubled in victory and has scope to run even higher numbers as he matures physically.