Roy’s Magic (speed score 97) is making smart progress and he defeated another promising youngster My Pal Al (s/s 97) in the KZN three year old Series at Scottsville on Sunday. Palladium (s/s 96) was close up for third place and is another worth following as his career develops. Grade 1 winner Gunner had run an impressive figure of 102 in July, and will improve on the 92 he managed on this comeback run.
Power sprinter London Call (s/s 106) got a mention after his most recent win in August and he doubled up with another fine victory stretching out over 1400m. The six year old has only competed 11 times in his life, yet has won six races and finished second twice, a résumé that makes trainer Mark Dixon deservedly proud. Punters are often wary of horses that race lightly at intervals as it usually indicates physical issues. These fickle horses may indeed have problems yet give of their best, particularly when racing fresh and are still able to compile a good record of wins to starts. London Call is one such worthy competitor, and he fought off the more durable Punta Arenas (s/s 105) who still has some zing in his eight year old pins.
Small fields can be unappetising for exotic bettors, yet they can still throw up some notable outcomes and be an interesting spectacle. Brett Crawford’s Edict of Nantes (s/s 102) narrow defeat of stable-mate Nebula (s/s 101) and talented three-year old A New Dawn (s/s 101) could turn out to be a significant pointer. The runner up will be a main player in the Algoa Cup at month end, whilst both Edict of Nantes and A New Dawn, who have come back after a nearly six month layoff, seem good enough to mix it at the Classic level.
Another to catch the eye on Saturday’s Durbanville card was Felicity Flyer who produced a sizzling come home fraction to get past Gimme Six and win a Novice fillies event. Despite only winning once in an 800m dash near the start of her career, she ran close to the best of them at two and could make her presence known in upcoming features as she gets stronger.