Highlight of the weekend was the Interbet sponsored August Stakes, a Grade 3 sprint on the sand at the Vaal, with the winner getting automatic entry into the Emerald Cup. Punters may have been uncertain what to make of Anger after two recent wins in Kimberley, the weakest venue in the country. But Anger had achieved a laudable score of 99 when winning there, so was certainly entitled to respect in a major centre. He received heavy betting action into 5/1 and duly improved to win again, recording a speed figure of 101 when accounting for Isobar (s/s 100).
There was a strong track bias at the Vaal, with speed on the rail being the key. Most of the winners went handy or up-front, securing a rails run and dominating from there, leaving labouring rivals far behind. Horses can earn career best speed scores under such favourable circumstances, whilst the weak performances of those disadvantaged by running wide or from off the pace must either be forgiven or upgraded.
Interbet followers are advised to follow Double Whammy very closely in Cape Town. She was impressive when beating another promising filly Cold As Ice last time, scoring 93. She built impressively on that first win when comfortably whipping a bunch of older rivals in a modest handicap at Kenilworth on Saturday in very heavy ground, attaining a jaw dropping figure of 103 which puts her in the early Classic mix.
More data is probably needed before truly accurate speed scores can be calculated for the Greyville Polytrack. Knox won the opener, making massive improvement at his second start and earning an estimated figure of 96, suggesting a smart performance. He seems worth following at his next few outings.