Smart Call (speed score 104) is a top notch filly and she beat off Pine Princess (s/s 101) and two other rivals at Turffontein on Saturday. Trainer Alec Laird’s plan is to bring her down to contest a Grade 1 during the Cape Summer of Champions, where she will prove highly competitive based on her excellent career record on the Highveld and in Durban.
Ma Choix (s/s 102) improved markedly to run a lifetime best figure when easily winning the Grade 3 Victress Stakes at Kenilworth. The admirably consistent five year old Choisir mare has only run 16 times yet has notched five wins and five second places. She was very well piloted by Brandon Lerena who got her around from an outer gate to stalk the early speed set by Harlem Shake (s/s 96). She glided through to put daylight between herself and the pacemaker, with another longshot, Can Cope (s/s 95) edging Moonsong Magic into fourth. With favourites misfiring and the first four arriving at odds of 20/1, 18/1, 50/1 and 20/1, a freaky quartet dividend of 183K was declared to Nostradamus and his followers.
The Grade 2 Premier Trophy was a false run affair which played into Paterfamilias’ strength – a sharp turn of foot. He scythed through the last 600m in 34.8 seconds proving too good for stalwart campaigner, Gold Onyx. Jockey van Niekerk said, “He is a top horse, but holds back due to tendon problems. When he puts it in, he is very smart.”
For those who missed it on Winning Ways during the week, be sure to track down clips of the show with Interbet founders Johnny Stark and Gary Piha. Their interview with James Goodman was most informative and entertaining, giving some real insights into the business of betting and Interbet’s pioneering marketing approach.