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
Racing is often complicated and difficult to predict, yet, at times it works out exactly according to the script when the best horses win for fun. That was the case at Turffontein on Saturday as Malmoos and War of Athena again asserted their dominance over Highveld contemporaries, just as the majority of punters expected.
Summer Pudding (s/s 108) put her Cape Town fail in the Paddock Stakes behind her with an emphatic victory in the G2 Colorado King Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday. After the pace- makers dropped out, she ambled through a 300 – finish come home sectional in 18.04 seconds to easily beat Divine Odyssey and
Trainer Sean Tarry hit top gear on the Highveld on Saturday making four visits to the No 1 box. Included in the sequence were impressive winners, Seehaam and Tropic Sun, of the Listed Jacaranda Handicap and Sycamore Sprint (G3) respectively. Seehaam had caught the eye with a fast finish after being hopelessly wide behind
One of the most exciting things for all participants in racing is unearthing new talent. Trainer Stuart Pettigrew is developing one such up and coming sprinter, Vars Vicky to become hot property on the Highveld. This three year- old Var gelding out of Captain Al mare, Seminole was bred by Gary Player Stud, and
Malmoos (speed figure 107) is on track to win the SA Triple Crown after producing a career best in the second leg – the SA Classic over 1800m at Turffontein. Apart from an aberration in the Cape Guineas, this son of Captain Al has won all of his six other starts, repeatedly attaining figures
If ever a horse deserved a breakthrough win, after four consecutive close seconds in feature races, it was Linebacker. And he duly got his just reward in the G1 Cape Derby when comprehensively out-finishing all rivals. Despite being by a speed sire Captain of All, Linebacker proved he loves 2000m, earning an excellent speed
Malmoos (speed figure 102) and War of Athena (s/s 100) won their respective G2 Guineas races at Turffontein to confirm excellent past performances against the best of their contemporaries. The former was well handled by Luke Ferraris in the colts’ version to race handy then, despite hanging, stave off the jinking stretch run of
One of the major developments for modern horseplayers is being able to watch and get a bet on all around the world. This past weekend there was big jump racing in the UK, lucrative prizes in Saudi and G1 fare in Hong Kong to complement the usual local meetings and Australian/Singapore/U.S.A menus. 20/1 shot
The strong Guineas meeting that we were looking forward to at Turffontein was postponed till next weekend due to heavy rains, leaving Kenilworth as the stand- alone card. The best two performances were saved till last – Speed Machine (speed figure 97) and Irish Morning (s/s 99) were heavily backed favourites that won Races