August is a quiet month within the horseracing industry – many trainers take this opportunity to give required vaccinations to their horses so ease off workout schedules. Though some of the better sand campaigners on the Highveld are strutting their stuff in the build up to the Emerald Cup, lesser quality racing fare is on offer in other centers.
The ground has been very soft after winter rains in the Cape, which suits some horses ideally. Good ratings for the class were attained by superior mudders, Surruptitious (speed score 96) and The West Is Wide (s/s 97) in handicap races. Uncle Jim (s/s 83) made an encouraging debut as a fluent winner of the first. He was ridden by visiting jock, Karis Teetan, who went on to complete a hat-trick. He has developed tremendously as a jockey since moving to Hong Kong, making refinements to his riding technique and improving his judgement of pace.
Best scores in Jozi came from Don Vito (s/s 92) in a MR 68 handicap with Norgay (s/s 89) also doing well to hold on in a MR 86 event to continue trainer St John Gray’s hot run of form. The conditioner also won the finale to cap a sterling treble when Mai Thaiga (s/s 85) got the job done. All three Gray winners were ridden by Piere Strydom, who also clinched another two victories – Hyaku and Ruby Ruby. Striker is on a roll with 10 wins from his last 25 mounts.
Another jockey to shine was Anthony Delpech who also rode a hat-trick, on the Poly at Greyville. He was vigorous in getting First Flight home, but cantered to victory on favourites Marcheline (s/s 92) and Melson. In another strong maiden event, Semonkong (s/s 92) eked out a narrow win over Dynastic (s/s 92). The runner up blew the start and made up plenty of ground after a wide trip – only to get pipped, and will make amends soon.