It’s one thing when horses basically run themselves into form and do well. However, it’s quite another skill for a trainer to target a specific race months into the future, cleverly chose the right contests in the build up to protect the horse’s handicap rating and also ensure that the horse peaks for
2020 DURBAN JULY over 2200m @ GREYVILLE GOLDEN DUCAT; 103 – 106 +. Cape Derby winner has done well subsequently up in KZN in the Guineas and Daily News. Consistent and game. Trainer Sands has made a subtle equipment change to his noseband to extract a quicker reaction from this classy middle- distance performer.
Running Brave (speed score 101) looked to be the sole front-runner in the KZN Breeders Mile and duly went all the way under Muzi Yeni. Lone speed horses are a threat at any distance, surface and any track, yet punters were deterred by her modest last two efforts, allowing Paul Matchett’s charge to start
Whilst much of the emphasis in South Africa is on breeding speed-horses or Classic types, great satisfaction can be gained owning a quality stayer. The connections of Marchingontogether will vouch for that as their son of Pathfork has built on a good second in the SA 2019 Derby to win successive Grade 3’s this
Punters know all too well how tricky this game can be, yet even expert insiders can get foxed. After two moderate sprints at his debut and third starts, champion trainer Sean Tarry decided to campaign Warrior’’s Rest over further. He did pretty well, running a close third in the 1600m G1 Premier’s Champion Stakes
Hawwaam (by Silvano) again proved his superiority by spread-eagling G1 opposition in the Champions Challenge at Turffontein. Closest to him, a respectful three and a half lengths adrift, was stable-mate Soqrat (s/s 111) with Tierra del Fuego (s/s 109) trailing further back in his wake. The winner possesses a few quirks and has somehow
Snaith Racing sent out two on Saturday that looked unstoppable at Greyville – Miyabi Gold and Belgarion – both duly got the job done with assured victories at odds on. Miyabi Gold, who towered above the rest of the East Coast field on official merit ratings, worked out a smooth trip just off the
Eden Roc won the prestigious G1 Gold Medallion sprint last year at Scottsville and returned to the same happy stamping ground to burst past Invidia and win the G2 Merchants. The son of Var was right at the top of his generation at two and has trained on nicely under Sean Tarry’s guidance, but
Summer Pudding pulled off an historic feat in winning the Triple Tiara at Turffontein on Saturday when accelerating strongly away from pursuers, Pomander and Ballet Shoes. Bred by champion stallion, Silvano ex Cherry on the Cake, this high- class filly traded at around evens to complete a laudable sweep of the Fillies Guineas, Classic
Exultant took out yet another G1 (his 5th) when outstaying rivals in the Standard & Chater Cup over 2400m at Sha Tin on Sunday. He was fully extended to stave off Silvano’s son, Chefano and dogged stablemate, Furore as they all slogged through tiring stretch runs.The closing sectional reflected as a percentage ratio of