Astrix (by Vercingetorix) took out a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m at Turffontein in impressive style, recording a fine speed figure of 103. Placed fourth behind Ikigai in the G2 Gauteng Guineas earlier this year, he is a talented miler with upside potential. Fired Up (s/s 102) ran second in receipt of 4 kg’s –
Some quality performances heralded the start of spring around the country with Captain’s Ransom (speed figure 105), Eden Roc (s/s 105 +) Anything Goes (s/s 104 +) War of Athena (s/s 103) and Mount Pleasant (s/s 101) all winning smart races. Captain’s Ransom produced a swift finishing burst to nab Cloud’s Unfold in the
UK racing journo, Ben Linfoot recently wrote an entertaining article in the Sporting Life, entitled, “The Year of the Long Shot.” Generally, between 4 and 9 horses per annum at odds over 100/1 win races in Britain but in 2020 already 15 have stunned the public. What has lead to such an unprecedented sequence
When experienced horseplayers think back, I wonder what they would consider the most significant changes that have taken place affecting the betting scene, and if the game is more difficult or easier, as a consequence. What got me thinking about this was a fascinating chat with one of the bigger punters from decades ago
Diligently researched ranking lists are useful, albeit inevitably controversial, ways to measure racing ability around the world. The thoughtful team at excellent website thoroughbredracing.com led by super-sussed analyst James Willoughby, are constantly updating their TRC Global Horse Rankings. Their current Top Ten looks like this, (in descending order): Enable, Ghaiyyath, Maximum Security, Stradivarius, Almond
Bohica (s/s 102 +) overcame an extremely wide transit to win the Spring Spree Stakes @ Turffontein on Saturday. This son of Cape Town Noir has found form, pairing good score of 104 and now 102 at his most recent starts. He was chased home by Alramz (s/s 100) who tried gamely but lacked
The saying “things happen in threes” had unusual relevance in the 2020 Gold Cup when the three longest shots in a full field ran 1-2-3 around the Greyville circuit and held that order right to the finish, triggering a record quartet dividend of over 700K! Paths of Victory (traded at 100/1 on Interbet) went
It pays to take special heed of a biased track, as conditions are affected after plenty of rain. That was the case at Kenilworth on Saturday, with the inside portion of the sprint course lengths quicker than the middle/outside, and handy types suited in races around the turns. Gainsford (s/s 83 +) set the
Catch TwentyTwo achieved a neat figure of 95 when winning at Turffontein on Saturday at only his third start. Jockey Craig Zackey positioned the Elusive Fort gelding in the box seat before making an early move past game, pace- setting Red Ten (s/s 91). They went on to win fluently - with further improvement
It was refreshing to hear the candid words of champion jockey Oisin Murphy after he got trapped in a rails pocket which gave Kameko no chance of escape in the Sussex Stakes at the tricky Goodwood track in the UK. He immediately conceded making a “jockey error,” and apologized to connections for the potential