Bohica (s/s 102 +) overcame an extremely wide transit to win the Spring Spree Stakes @ Turffontein on Saturday. This son of Cape Town Noir has found form, pairing good score of 104 and now 102 at his most recent starts. He was chased home by Alramz (s/s 100) who tried gamely but lacked the winners turn of foot.
Gin Fizz (s/s 100) received a positive ride from Callan Murray to go start to finish in the Lady’s Stakes. She opened up a four- length gap when giving her rivals the skip coming into the straight but only just lasted home as Dancing Queen (s/s 99) launched a furious late rally.
Bob Baffert trained Authentic beat odds on favourite Tiz the Law to win the 146th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a bold front running display. Dirt races usually favour pace-pressers as off pace runners toiling through the kickback struggle to quicken. This often enables even decelerating front runners to keep going and win. In contrast, turf races typically unfold steady early – fast late, exactly the opposite to most dirt races – requiring different training methods, race tactics and riding styles.
Durbanville is a unique turf course which is nearly always rewarding to handy types able to secure a rails’ run, then kick and keep rolling – On Captain’s Side (s/s 99) was perfectly handled by Greg Cheyne to do just that.
Her last start at Kenilworth was a write off when her stirrup broke, and she was unable to be fully assisted. Punters who did not lose faith in her latent abilities where rewarded when she held off Hello Winter Hello (s/s 97) at nourishing 8/1 odds, with course and distance specialist Alsflamingbeauty (s/s 95) closing late for third.
Pinkerton (s/s 94 +) is one for the notebook. Turned out in glossy, but slightly tubby shape, by Justin Snaith after a 239 rest and gelding, this Dynasty gelding won a MR 96 handicap with minimal fuss. He was only beaten 1.75 lengths by subsequent Guineas winner Kilindini at three and could have a bright future now that he is more focused.