Direct Hit ran right back to his excellent February figure recorded in the Cape when returning to base at Fairview. He obliterated rivals down the straight, scoring 96 ++ and is one of the best babies seen in SA this season.
It will be interesting should trainer Alan Greeff choose to send the Canford Cliffs 2YO in the opposite direction up the coast to contest features in KZN. On these numbers, he would be very dangerous.
The best speed scores at the Vaal on Thursday came from Just the Two of Us (s/s 98) & Raining Rubies (s/s 96) in 1200m sprints.
Though beaten by Just the Two of Us, Calantha (s/s 96+) emerged with honour in defeat. She found trouble and had to be switched at a crucial stage, before falling a length short. She should make amends soon – with a clearer round that is.
Night Bomber has done well since relocating to Gauteng from the Cape. He is hitting similar numbers inland as he managed on the coast all the while picking up nice stakes for new connections on the Highveld. His 97 on Saturday was good enough to beat off the consistent, Pressonregardless (s/s 95.)
Justin Snaith saddled a stable exacta in the headliner at Greyville on Sunday. Underworld benefitted from a perfectly-paced, saloon passage to edge past Get Impressed as both scored 99’s, followed by a running on, Diani (s/s 97 +.)
The third placed gelding is probably the one to take out of the race given his closing sectional of 23.1 seconds. Diani might be able to boost his figures still higher soon, as his penultimate effort to Winter Games was also eye-catching. Given his hold-up style of running though, Dennis Bosch’s entry will need a pace meltdown to get there in time.