In the most recent Racing Blog, I wrote about how important race circumstances can be, and all the factors which influence race outcomes other than just pure ability.

Two examples from the weekend illustrate the broad point. One of the world’s highest rated racehorses, Ka Ying Rising got capsized as the 1/5 favorite in the Everest by top Australian sprinting mare, Tempted who handled the wet track better than Hong Kong’s ace sprinter.

It didn’t help that Ka Ying Rising raced five-wide whilst Tempted enjoyed a ground saving, rail hugging ride, but the central point is that Ka Ying Rising is way better on a fast track than he is on a Wet 5 surface.

Here in South Africa, Zagreb confirmed his love affair with the Poly. He has contrived to lose all eight times he’s started on the lawn, often hanging and not really putting it in fully, yet improved his Polytrack record on Friday night to a perfect three from three. Sharp punters alert to his preference for specific track conditions hammered into odds on and he got the job done under Tristan Godden.

There were some excellent performances at Durbanville, with positive implications for upcoming races. Middle distance champion, Eight on Eighteen s/s 106 + signaled his well-being with a fine comeback over an inadequate 1400m. He must be a huge runner in Grade 1 contests when he stretches out. After all he has already hit figures of 116, which places him in SA’s elite category.

He only just got there in Saturday’s hit out though, as Hah Lah Lah s/s 106 made him chase hard. The runner up appeals as a lively Merchants contender.

During October and November, talented 3YO horses try to stake their claims to Guineas glory. One who really caught the eye is Continue the Dream who was hugely impressive when slamming rivals to confirm the high regard in which he is held by jockey, Craig Zackey.

With a sectional upgrade (23.3 seconds for the final 400m on a choppy track) the still green but naturally talented, Continue the Dream got a speed score of 100+, which already meets the par standard for the Guineas.

In the race following Continue the Dream’s tour de force, Verse for Suzanne s/s 96 also strutted her stuff over a mile. She won, full of running, and should be followed.

Anotherdanceforme s/s 102 won the Algoa Cup, switched to the Poly, to stay perfect from nine starts at Fairview. She received a great rails run under Richard Fourie (also successful when partnering Eight on Eighteen) and stave off heavily punted, Western Cape invader, Prairie Dawn s/s 101 who was caught in the two-out path on his first Poly attempt.

Marchland s/s 96 is putting together a hot streak of her own. In winning the listed SA Stakes over New Day s/s 95, she remains unbeaten from five starts.

And U S Ranger s/s 100 hit a strong number for a 3YO sprinter – he also seems to relish the Poly at Fairview.

St Harry s/s 99 got a similar number over the short cuts – that was on Friday on the Greyville AWT. He is another young horse that might be able to fulfil his potential this Summer.