Chasing Happiness (s/s 105) ran a career peak to win the Senor Santa Stakes G2. Truth (s/s 101, had run 106 last time) was backed to win but could not get in a blow as the daughter of boom sire Rafeef, blasted away on the stand-side rail. Even though she shifted in under jockey Khumalo, she still had 1.75 lengths to spare at the wire. Mrs Browning (s/s 101) edged Truth out the exacta slot.
Earlier in the card, One Fine Winter (s/s 87 +) and the most impressive, Green Diamond (s/s 95 ++) proved too strong in the Pretty Polly and Protea Stakes – G3’s for juveniles. Both are conditioned by Sean Tarry.
Tarry has long shown a propensity to shine on important days. He also sent out another Gimmethegreenlight filly, the cleverly placed and best- in- at- the- weights, Let’s Go Now (s/s 96 +, can run around 103) who staved off Marauding Horde in an exciting finish to the Colorado King Stakes (G2.)
Tarry’s stable was at full strength on the day. He also conditions Mia Moo (s/s 102), a convincing victress in the Camellia Stakes (G2). She loves the Turffontein 1160 and was winning for the fourth time from six starts over the C/D.
Olivia’s Way (s/s 105) is a proven winner versus fillies and after running gamely against Legend of Arthur in the SA Derby, she came back to beat rival fillies and mares at WFA in the Igugu Stakes (G2).
Indian Ocean (s/s 104) tried to escape – and nearly did so under “Striker” Strydom’s astute pace judgement, only to get run down by an impressive closing burst from Olivia’s Way. The final time over the 2000m trip was about a second quicker than what Let’s Go Now recorded in the Colorado King Stakes, as was the come- home sectional.
Quickstepgal (s/s 87) and Elegantrix (s/s 86) won the G3 features for juveniles on Scottsville’s card in similar times. Those are about par scores for the better babies at this time of year. With natural progress, they might peak around 12 points higher, so can get close to 100, or maybe even a touch higher, when they are fully mature.
O’ Tenikwa (s/s 102) landed a betting coup for followers of the astute, Andre Nel yard. The 3YO was backed from 10’s into 3/1 and just lasted over lightly weighted mare, Fastnet Filly (s/s 102) in the In Full Flight Handicap. The pacy, Luhamba Phambili (s/s 101) was only half a length away in third place.
Mai Sensation, a 3YO daughter of Rafeef, took the Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes (G2), surging through a gap to deny Asiye Phambili and Symphony in White. She is trained by Lucinda Woodruff, and this was a fourth win from nine starts with the promise of more to come. Her speed figure despite a troubled trip – 98.
Ka Ying Rising, widely regarded as the globe’s best sprinter, won the Chaiman’s Sprint as short odds- on fave at Sha Tin. It’s hard to rate easing up winners. The assumption is that they could go much faster if tested, but that is not always the case.
He has run as high as 118 ++ before. On Sunday’s romp, a confirmed fig of 115 + might go up to with sectional and visual upgrades to 124 +. That’s pretty awesome – and of geniune world class standard!