Greyville hosted top quality racing over the weekend. Grade 1 honours in the Gold Challenge fell to Mac De Lago (speed score 104) via an objection, which was upheld due to interference caused by Trip To Heaven (s/s 104). The deposed “winner” made a bold move from last on the turn and is all the better for being gelded but for shifting in under pressure it would have been a most rewarding comeback. Mac De Lago ran a meritorious figure of 107 behind Legal Eagle last time and is currently holding form well after being gelded.
French Navy (s/s 101 ++) stayed on for third and is shaping up as a seriously live candidate for the July. Depending on what happens with final field and weight allocations he could find himself favourably handicapped, and is already proven at the highest class level with a penchant for success at the Durban venue.
Alexis (s/s 94 +) also loves the tight Greyville circuit and she blitzed home down the inner to snare a resurgent Silver Mountain in the Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes. The daughter of Dynasty has won six of 17 career starts, with a sharp three from five record at the course.
Exit Here was very skilfully piloted from the front to stave off Dynamic in the Cup Trial. The Jay Peg colt got on a winning roll during 2015, only to be troubled by coughing issues this year. Credit goes to expert horseman Charles Laird for sorting out those problems, and getting Exit Here back into prime form. Dynamic tried hard but could not get by, with a hanging, The Conglomerate and Saratoga Dancer buffeting each other in a rough battle on the outside for places.
Captain Swarovski (s/s 95 +) and Palladium (s/s 89 +) won good races on the undercard, despite troubled trips. Captain Swarovski was held in a pocket down the straight but, once extricated, burst through to score in the Durban Dash. Palladium came from well off the pace to get a narrow decision in the Gatecrasher Stakes. This was a fluent victory by the young son of Silvano who looks to have a bright future. Another with exciting prospects is Maleficent. She scored a laudable 98 when easily defeating rivals in the Devon Air Stakes, so should be a factor in even hotter contests.