Erupt filly, Strange Magic (speed score 96) thwarted an attempted plunge on Passchendaele (s/s 95) on Friday afternoon at Fairview. She hadn’t run badly behind local heroine, Luna Halo on her first start at the coast since moving down from Jozi yet started at 16/1. 96 is a tidy number for this venue and she can enjoy a productive spell if building on this effort.
Grazinginthegrass (s/s 93 +, has run 101 at best) is one of the most prolific winners in the Eastern Cape in recent times. He left the Highveld a one-time winner from 13 starts, only to thrive since relocating. The six-year-old has since won 14 races and it makes no difference to him if it’s on the Polytrack or the lawn. 1400m up to 2000m is his preferred range.
Lucky Houdalakis is astute when raiding, and he duly took Battleground to contest (and win) the Gold Cup over 3200m. There are too few options for proper stayers on the SA racing program, hence the decision to truck long haul from one centre to another. Battleground is by Futura, a clear influence for stamina. This was his fourth career victory.
Almond Sea (s/s 92 + romped early on Saturday’s Turffontein card, as expected at an S.P. of 6/10. The Ruffian Stakes winner as a juvenile is developing into a promising sprinter and is worth following at three.
Best fig went to Mount Pilatus (s/s 102) who landed the gamble for the Paul Matchett yard in a Middle Stakes over 1160m. It was a close-run thing however – Passage of Power (s/s 101) and Chyavana (s/s 101) made the money horse work hard.
In closing off this weekend’s Interbet newsletter, some musings to ponder from investment legends, Warren Buffet and his long-time business partner, the late, Charlie Munger.
Early on in Berkshire Hathaway’s ultimately phenomenally successful history, Buffet would look for undervalued, faltering companies that had been mispriced by the market – “fair companies at wonderful prices,” as he put it. But Munger persuaded him, that overall, their investments would do even better by betting big on “wonderful companies at fair prices.” And events across many decades have subsequently proved Munger correct.
Even with modest available capital and on a way humbler level, horseplayers motivated to get improved results may find it helpful to incorporate Munger and Buffet’s revised investment strategy into their wagering game-plan and focus on exceptional horses at fair odds. Being highly selective and seeking value is the mantra.