Punters who were anticipating top quality racing got just what they were hoping for from strong cards in both Durban and Johannesburg. Followers of this newsletter know that speed figures above 108 are achieved only in exceptional cases – often Grade 1’s in SA can be won by older horses with lesser scores
One World (speed figure 104) again proved his fighting qualities when just prevailing over Vardy (s/s 104) in an exciting G3 Winter Guineas at Kenilworth on Saturday. Both are seriously high class three year- olds, and they went at it in a knock down brawl over the final 400m with One World (who
Stormy weather up North curtailed the racing program over the weekend, with both the Turffontein and Scottsville meetings not quite making it through to completion. Ultra consistent six year old gelding, Silver Rose kept on to win the Highland Night Cup from favoured, Strathdon, then Miyabi Gold forged ahead to land the Scarlet
Australian wonder-mare, Winx going out on a perfect note with 33 consecutive Group wins, and a resurgent Tiger Woods coming back from personal travails and injuries to again win the Masters, are cases where things go according to “the script.” But, every now and then something completely unexpected happens in sport –
There is an overlap between the ending of the Highveld season and the start of the KZN Winter program which provides horseplayers with good up-country racing during April. Greyville hosted two G3 contests for three year- olds: Temple Grafin (s/s 99) outran Santa Clara (s/s 98) in the Umzimkhulu Stakes then Tony Rivalland’s Tristful
The seriously high- class colt, Soqrat (Horse Chestnut Stakes), Pomodoro filly, Return Flight (Oaks) and Samurai Warrior (SA Derby) all raced handy before clinching big races at Turffontein, proving yet again that finishing powerfully after being on or near the lead are optimal tactics to win a horserace. That applies right around the world,
Dark Moon Rising (s/s 103) snuck in-between slow-starter Matador Man (s/s 103) and a determined Roy’s Riviera (s/s 102) to clinch an exciting Kings Cup at Greyville’s Sunday meeting. The consistent son of Ideal World has provided plenty of fun for his connections whilst winning seven of 21 starts and attaining 7 places. He’s
Run Fox Run (s/s 98) impressed with another fluent sprint win at Kenilworth on Saturday. Dominant on debut just three weeks ago, the Foxwedge filly put forth another commanding performance in a handicap and is definately one to follow over the short cuts. She was chased home by Racine (s/s 93), who is now running
Do It Again (speed score 115) produced a strong late surge to deny the three year- old Soqrat (s/s 114) in an outstanding Queens Plate performance with Rainbow Bridge (s/s 110) back in third. Undercover Agent and Legal Eagle, though well beaten, both attained 108’s which is usually good enough to win a G1
Pleasetomeetyou (speed score 101) got a glowing write up back in August after making an exceptional debut (s/s 100) over the Kenilworth 1000m trip. He followed up on that by winning the Sophomore Sprint, then twice failed to last home in 1400m and 1200m contests. Back over a fast 1000m, the Querari gelding proved