Irish Pride (speed score 105) proved best in the Wolf Power Stakes at Turffontein after a grueling tussle with Rafeef (s/s 104). Both darted through down the inside and fought out a protracted duel with Irish Pride gaining the advantage. The victor has been most dependable between 1400/1600m – and can be forgiven a flop on soft ground in the Summer Cup over further. His career record now reads six wins from 17 starts with six places.
Winning trainer and jockey combo Johan Janse van Vuuren and Gavin Lerena maintain the best strike rate in the country of 37%. Other duo’s worth following are Crawford/Cheyne (35%) Peter/Lerena (34%) Kotzen/Fourie (33%) and Nel/Domeyer (30%)- when they combine forces then punters can be sure they mean business!
Classy filly Ektifaa (s/s 101) made an early move then held off Matador Man (s/s 100) in the Tony Ruffel Stakes. She got beat at her first three outings but has since been on a four-race winning streak. She is a principal candidate for upcoming fillies features on the Highveld. The runner-up was closing late and is also worth following. Any young horse able to record triple digit speed figures is pretty smart, so the Toreador gelding has bright prospects.
Thoroughbreds are not machines, of course, and trainers have to work out the peculiarities of their runners to get the best out of them. Shall be Free is one such quirky character who hates being hemmed in between horses. After 16 starts he was a mere one time winner before trainer Michael Robinson solved the puzzle. With accomplished jock, Richard Fourie carrying out appropriate rides well away from rivals, Shall Be Free (s/s 94) has won three races from his last four starts. The most recent victory was in a MR 84 handicap at Kenilworth on Saturday- Fourie made winning on a difficult horse look straightforward.