Four Grade 1 sprints were held at Scottsville on Saturday, attracting the best thoroughbreds from around the country, leading to excellent performances.
The top speed figure of 111 was earned by a son of Bold Silvano, Bold Respect, when he galloped his rivals into submission in the Tsogo Sun. He’d run a 110 down the same straight course a month ago and really is a high class young speedball. Brett Crawford tried him over further during the Cape summer but wisely decided to refocus his charge to the short cuts. Another three year old Pinnacle Peak (s/s 107) fought gamely to be second with Sunset Eyes (s/s 105) staying on for third.
The Var filly, Sommerlied (s/s 105) remains perfect at the “Maritzburg” course after winning the SA Fillies Sprint from Magical Wonderland (s/s 102) and Neptune’s Rain (s/s 102). The Secret is Out (s/s 101) filled fourth slot, as the form of the Pointsettia Stakes was confirmed.
Mighty High (by Pathfork) and van Halen (by Oratorio) both got 96’s winning the Juvenile contests. The former was especially impressive unleashing a powerful finish, after being blocked, to win going away from Celtic Sea (s/s 95). Cue The Music looked the likely victor going into the final furlong but was outrun by Van Halen, who used hold up tactics this time to surprisingly reverse the three length deficit from their last clash.
The second legs of the Highlands Stud Winter series took place at Kenilworth. Rainbow Bridge was heavily punted into odds on based on his last- to- first romp in the Guineas. He raced handy then kicked away to stave off the stretch run of Rocket Countdown.
Fresnaye also looked tough to oppose given her placed runs to Snowdance and Oh Susanna. She quickened up swiftly to get past the long shot Cape Charlotte. Finally, Call To Account (s/s 97) reverted to winning ways in the Olympic Duel Stakes. She had run as high as 102 when beating Dutch Philip and Kasimir in an exceptionally strong juvenile performance on Met Day 2017, so it was great to see her bounce back at her second outing after an enforced lay-off.