After last week’s splurge of quality racing at Kenilworth on Sun Met day, the overall standard dropped quite sharply to more mundane fare this weekend. Nevertheless, there were still some notable performances revealing horse’s worth following around the country at their next few starts.
Kilauea (speed score 100) eked out a slim victory over Shaama (s/s 100) in a Conditions Plate at Turffontein with consistent, Crystal Glamour (98) and Bella Sonata (s/s 97) in close attendance. All are smart, four year-old fillies with not much mileage on the clock, rounding towards career peaks. Shaama, in particular, who was a very promising juvenile before battling a bit, seems now to be fulfilling her potential. Meanwhile, Kilauea was notching her third race from ten starts and she can keep on winning as blinkers seem to have strengthened her resolve.
Surf’s Up (s/s 95) romped in a Maiden runaway at Fairview on Friday. Though he was beating up dodgy opposition, the figure and manner of his win suggests that Surf’s Up can enjoy a productive career in the Eastern Cape. Silvan Jazz (s/s 97) won later for the same Spies/Murray combo. She had a protracted duel with Summer Cruise (s/s 96) before going on to score. Once officially rated at 89 but currently running off a merit rating of just 71, Silvan Jazz bounced back big time at 18/1.
On Friday night, Wavebreaker (s/s 92) returned a week after winning a low-grade handicap to beat stronger over his favourite course and distance. Sailabrate (s/s 90) woke up dramatically on the Poly after battling to beat the ambulance home at his most recent attempts, but could not prevent Wavebreaker going a perfect three from three over the Greyville Poly 1200m.
Action shifted to Scottsville on Sunday where The Poet (s/s 90) recorded the second win of his career, more than two years after cracking his maiden in December 2014. The son of Brave Tin Soldier had placed before at the class level, finally getting it right to the relief of connections and punters who backed him in to 18/10.