Best of the speed scores from around SA

We usually review only weekend highlights in this Interbet newsletter but Thursday’s Pinnacle Stakes on the inside track at Turffontein proved significant. Main Defender was favored at 7/10 to win it having run some seriously big figs for a three-year-old (s/s 115 @ best), but he came under pressure late, drifted about, then stumbled near the finishing line to only clock in third.

The victor in a dramatic race was Melech who got a speed score of 107 + – a fine effort. The William Longsword gelding is turning into a winning machine for veteran horseman, Roy Magner as this was his sixth victory from just ten starts. The versatile performer has won from sprints up to a stiff mile, and either firm surfaces or the goo makes no difference to him.

Quantum Theory, another likeable Highveld campaigner with an especially good record on the inside track, attained 105 in second place.

Litigation (s/s 100, has run 104’s) received a fine front running steer over 1800m by Gavin Lerena (he won on Melech, too) to win the G3 London News Stakes at the same venue on Saturday.

Judging the fractions perfectly he went practically all the way and drew off for a two-length margin score over Street Art, Meridius and Pure Predator.

Lerena is on a hot streak – he partnered Red Bomber to victory in a 1400m race earlier on the card which yielded a big fig of 104, and got the job done on 1/3 fave, Proceed.

Red Bomber made a bold move in mid-stretch and coasted to the line in some style so is one for the notebook and it could also pay to follow the beaten horse, Tyrconnell who earned a smart 102 back in second spot.

Best scores from the Kenilworth meet were delivered by two Justin Snaith trained entries. It’srainingwilliam (s/s 106) snuck past long time leader, San Pedro (s/s 104) in a strong Progress Plate over 1400m and Lindbergh (s/s 98) got a perfect box seat commute under Gareth Wright to take out the last and land a hefty market plunge (punted from 11/2 to 22/10.)

Imilenzeyokoduduma (s/s 105) completed this national racing round up with a good performance on Sunday afternoon. The Dynasty gelding took out the Fever Tree Stakes on a rain affected Scottsville course having been punted in to 2/1. Narina Trogon (s/s 102) ran well in the sticky stuff to be second.