Time analysis helps not only to decipher the outcome but also to uncover what happens “internally” during a race. Speed figures based on final times, placed in context with track variants of course, provide ratings based on the posted result, whilst pace ratios shed light on the sectionals within a race.

Using those methods, we can try interpreting what happened in the two Grade 3’s on Saturday at Durbanville – the Matchem and Diana Stakes. Both are staged over 1400m.

The Matchem’s final time (83.96 seconds) was about half a second faster than the Diana Stakes (84.5 seconds). After crunching the numbers, Questioning earned a speed figure of 102 and She’s My World attained a speed score of 95. But that does not reveal the full picture.

Questioning flashed home in a closing sectional of 22. seconds dead, having been held up in last spot by an inspired Richard Fourie. That is worthy of a significant sectional upgrade, leading to Questioning meriting a tremendous rating of 112, confirming the high regard in which his trainer Vaughan Marshall has always held the son of Querari.

His KZN campaign did not work out, but back at home base he blew away Stakes winning rivals such as Café Culture and Outlaw King, who are by no means sluggards, in a fantastic performance!

A race earlier, 3YO filly, She’s my World took 22.7 seconds to “grind” through the last two panels and stave off Stormwatch and Swiatek (s/s 94 +). Nevertheless, it was a credible and gutsy performance – after all, she started from draw 12 which can be a big negative over 1400m at Durbanville. It also qualifies for a modest sectional upgrade bumping her into the high 90’s, but undoubtedly the horse to take out of the race is second placed, Stormwatch.

Spectators could appreciate visually how she switched around horses with 300m to go and gamely rushed to the line – only coming up half a length short. The beauty of the numbers is that we can objectively make sense of, and laud, her achievement in getting as close as she did.

She dashed through the final 400m in 22.2 seconds (barely a tick slower than older ace sprinter, Questioning – and at a ratio of 109% of the Diana Stakes final time). This is worthy of a big upgrade for Eric Sand’s filly who might rate as high as 104.

After that remarkable effort, Stormwatch leaps straight onto the Horse Watch list and has legitimate Fillies Guineas aspirations.

Landoftherisingsun took out the Settlers Trophy (run over 2000m these days) and could be a stayer of some potential. Trainer Snaith, in a good- humored dig at a senior jockey, said that once the jockey feedback was received after a race earlier in Landoftherisingsun’s career stating to restrict him to no further than 1400m, he just knew that staying would be his forte!

His charge travelled comfortably under Muzi Yeni (who was concerned beforehand that his mount might be too aggressive) as The Futurist and Call to Unite took turns at leading. Once Yeni asked him to quicken in mid- stretch, it was race over as he showed a nice turn of foot to win easing up.

Landoftherisingsun looked like he could easily have done another lap of the Durbanville circuit and Snaith’s assessment could prove spot on when he is tried over real tests of endurance.

This was Yeni’s 2 500 career victory – a notable milestone for the bubbly, hard working jock.