Horseplayers around the world were enthralled by the action from Royal Ascot which stretched over five days, culminating on Saturday. Two prominent SA owners savored extra special triumphs as Mary Slack’s Claymore won the Hampton Court Stakes and the Kieswetter family’s Candleford (bred at their Barnane Stud) romped in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes.
I’m sure, everyone will have the own personal highlights, or crushing let-downs, at a drama- filled festival. For me, Nature Strip’s Kings Stand tour-de force; Inspiral’s Coronation Stakes blitz, State of Rest’s fourth G1 win of the year on four different continents, and the ‘tough tank” Naval Crown’s remarkable sprinting turnback in the Group 1 Jubilee Stakes were the real eye-catchers. Baeed’s expectedly imperious win was another for the high light reel.
In domestic action, Decorated (speed score 103) produced a career best to take out the Track and Ball Derby (Grade 3) over the Scottsville 2400m turf course on Saturday. Previously, some of his better runs had come on the Polytrack, though at his last puff on the green stuff in the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup he was only two lengths behind Shango, albeit receiving 5.5 kilograms.
He received a well-judged, stalk and pounce ride by Muzi Yeni. Decorated is trained by Frank Robinson and the son of Global View was sent off at an SP of 14/1.
It was a close-run thing however as Salvator Mundi (s/s 103) battled valiantly all the way down the straight. They were followed in by Spring Fling (s/s 102) and Chewbaca (s/s 102) with three-year-old, Senso Unico (s/s 99) merely one- pacing around the circuit to miss the frame.
The Oaks finished with an equally close verdict and in virtually the same final time. Here, Yeni was narrowly denied a “go-to-whoa” success on Light Of The Moon (s/s 102) who dictated from the start only to be lumbered on the line by the Brett Crawford trained Futura filly, Pink Tourmaline (s/s 102).
The victress has performed with honor all around the country, having recorded her first five wins in Cape Town, given Rain in Holland a run for her money in Johannesburg and now earning her sixth career win in this Grade 2 at Maritzburg.
Next best were the mares, Silver Maria and She’s a Keeper who both garnered speed scores of 101. One to keep tabs on is Greengrowthelilacs (s/s 98) who came in here of a lowly official merit rating yet still ran nicely. She clearly loves a long journey, which is to be expected given her pedigree, and should win soon when pitched against lesser rivals.
Whilst it’s fun to spot emerging talent in younger racehorses, (using speed figures can help quantify their ability early on) there is also satisfaction in following the careers of durable stalwarts like Socrates and Chantyman. Both are seven years of age – and are still running triple digit numbers.
Socrates (s/s 103) has been especially well handled by trainer Shane Humby – the Pinnacle Stake success over the weekend is his 8th career victory. This Horse Chestnut gelding is effective from the minimum trip up to 1500m. Chantyman (by Oratorio), now trained by former jock, Lorenzo Karriem, is an out and out speedball, equally adept around the Greyville bends or down the Scottsville straightaway. His career best is 107; Saturday’s game run yielded 102.