The 2021 Durban July is shaping up into a cracker with confirmed champion older horses pitted against extremely talented and progressive youngsters. On Saturday, one of the main fancies from the former group, Rainbow Bridge (speed score 110 +) justified short odds on under Luke Ferraris to beat off a classy representative of the
Battle Force won his sixth race from 12 starts, and by far the most important one of his career, when landing the G1 Golden Horse Sprint carrying bottom weight of 52kg’s. He raced prominently on the crown of the Scottsville straight and just kept going to thwart Eden Roc’s inner rails rally with MK’s
The Daily News and Woolavington are both G1’s and vital July pointers for the three year-old crop, whilst the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup is a traditional indicator for upcoming Graded staying contests. These races were staged on Saturday at Greyville with the market getting all three spot on. Money movers Black Knap and Matterhorn scored
The Winter Series has thrown up some seriously good horses over the years. It remains to be seen how Hoedspruit and Marina will ultimately turn out but they both delivered quality performances when scoring over 1800m at Kenilworth on Saturday. The fillies segment turned into a romp as Marina proved much the best, but
She’s a Keeper (speed score 103) is on a roll and she stretched her winning streak to five out of six when zipping down the centre of the Greyville straight to take the WSB 1900. Her previous best of 105 attained in the Scarlet Lady gave her a big chance here off a low
Vihaan’s Pie (speed score 100) was a surprising and, arguably fortuitous winner of the Grade 3 Pointsettia Stakes as a side-stepping Favorita seemed to cost herself victory in this 1200m dash for fillies and mares at Scottsville on Sunday. This was nevertheless a career best by the improving three year old daughter of Futura
The first weekend in May is especially exciting for racing fans. Champions Day at Turffontein, and the Drill Hall Stakes plus both Guineas at Greyville are highlights here in SA, whilst followers of racing around the globe saw Bob Baffert’s front-runner Medina Spirit take out the Kentucky Derby and 79 year- old, Jim Bolger’s
“Pace makes the race” is an old racing maxim which still holds true. Of course, the tricky challenge is to anticipate beforehand what will unfold – accurately compiled speed maps based on the running styles/pace profiles of each entrant can help punters visualize how the race will unfold, then bet accordingly. Doing pace analysis
Deep odds-on favourite, Summer Pudding duly won the G1 Empress Club Stakes running up to the same figure of 108 that she obtained in her previous start and in the Summer Cup. She remains unbeaten in nine outings at Turffontein and is compiling a formidable record up North. Hardy mare, Running Brave finished second
The Grand National is one of the world’s most iconic races – steeped in history and, indeed, controversy. The Aintree course and fences have been changed to make it somewhat safer and appease animal rights activists. Those alterations appear to have done the trick. Minella Times won the 2021 vintage, handled superbly by Rachael