The Winter Series has thrown up some seriously good horses over the years. It remains to be seen how Hoedspruit and Marina will ultimately turn out but they both delivered quality performances when scoring over 1800m at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The fillies segment turned into a romp as Marina proved much the best, but Hoedspruit was life and death to get past Crimson King in a cliffhanger.

Marina earned a speed figure of 100 + and she is projected to run as high as 108, which would make her competitive in G1’s as she reaches full maturity. Candice Bass is a patient and accomplished horsewoman so we can expect Marina to only peak midway through her four year-old career.

Marinaresco’s towering chestnut sister was well handled by Keagan de Melo, who used stalk and pounce tactics to secure a fluent victory. Rain In Newmarket (s/s 95) finished a discouraged second.

Game pace setter Crimson King (s/s 103) nearly pulled off a mild upset at 8/1 in the Grade 3 Legal Eagle Stakes, only just succumbing to the determined bid of Hoedspruit (s/s 103). The victor had run some excellent races during Summer, about three lengths shy of the best around at level weights, such as Malmoos, Linebacker and Kommetdieding. Trainer Snaith got him right again after a disappointing last start and the son of Legislate prevailed under a forceful ride from Louis Mxothwa.

Two horses for Interbet horseplayers to take out of the race for future wagering purposes are Somerset Maugham (s/s 102) and So Flawless (s/s 102 +) who ran boldly against the track bias. The latter’s effort was particularly eye-catching – coming from dead last she zipped through rapid come- home fractionals down the inside rail and is capable of winning multiple races on this fine showing.

At its best racing is a truly global game where collaborative efforts transcend national boundaries. How about this winning potpourri – South African trainer, Tony Millard, (based in Hong Kong for many years now) won the G1 Champions and Chater Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday with Chilean racehorse, Panfield, who was sired by American stallion, Lookin at Lucky, and ridden by Mauritian jock, Karis Teetan!

Panfield raced handy in a slow run contest and quickened up well (a swift 400m – finish of 22.6 seconds translates into a brisk finishing ratio of 107%,) to deny Columbus County in an extended duel down the stretch. He was an 18/1 outsider that, under Millard’s expert handling, was building on a couple of G1 victories over ground at three in Chile, proving that elite horses in prime condition can perform with distinction anywhere in the world, regardless of origin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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