There were no feature races staged this weekend, leaving punters to decipher mainly maiden contests and competitive handicaps. Some of the better performances, measured by speed figures, are highlighted here.
The feisty Royal Flying Corps (s/s 98) loves a scrap and was game to stave off an improving Icy Trail (s/s 97) in a true run MR 79 handicap at Kenilworth. Earlier, Bishop’s Bounty (s/s 94) confirmed juvenile potential with a swift display to account for Elevated (s/s 91) who is worth following from trainer Riaan van Reenen’s small yard.
At a rain-softened Turffontein track, Liege and Penny Serenade both attained 91’s, and will probably score even higher as they develop. Liege shortened in the betting and duly won in a runaway, with original odds on fave Malak el Malook not shaping, whilst sharp bettors were again on the mark when punting Penny Serenade from 8’s into 5’s as she beat off another short priced favourite, Trophy Wife.
On Friday, Eviction (s/s 93) won a handicap restricted to 3 year olds in PE. The son of Judpot will win more races based on this effort over 1600m, but full credit goes to the second placed horse Fly Like The Wind (s/s 92). He has tangled with top Eastern Cape contemporary Memphis Mafia on a few occasions, and again ran stoutly here under a 63kg burden.
Meanwhile, our old friend Blizzard Belle (s/s 90 +) just keeps on winning – she was well-handled by Lyle Hewitson to beat off House Of Lorraine by a nut for a sixth win in succession. She is deadly over the short cuts – this narrow victory was her seventh win from 10 tries over 1000m.
Finally, Cat in Command (s/s 98) snuck home from Nicklaus (s/s 98) and Lady Of Kildare (s/s 97) in a tight handicap on the Poly at Greyville. Trainer Pat Lunn has done well with this consistent gelding, and would have been chuffed to crack No 1 box after waiting 416 days since the son of Black Minnaloushe’s last victory.