“Historians are not prophets” is an apt quote. Being able to make sense of things in hindsight is nowhere near as big of a skill as forecasting or predicting what might happen in future. That said, sometimes, even doing an after-the-event, “post mortem” can be challenging. Conflicting evidence, maybe a lack of accurate data
Eight on Eighteen (s/s 108) did not let supporters down at Kenilworth in the Cape Derby, following up on his sterling victory in the Met over the same course and distance. He was made to fight for the gold gong by stable mate Sail the Seas (s/s 104), whilst Garrix (s/s 101) tired late
Winds of Change is a smart, up and coming sprinter. The Azzies’ know a thing or two about training speedballs – just think of their champ, National Currency who earned a speed score of 117 in his prime. Winds of Change ran in the low 90’s at two (a sign of natural talent) and
Any punter on the 8/10 “jolly”, Greaterix in the Gauteng Guineas would have been counting their winnings going into the final 200m as he moved up sweetly under the hands, on the inside of long-time leader, Parisian Walkway. Remarkably, Alec Laird’s 33/1 longshot fought back to get the gold gong, as Mike & Mathew
The sole 3YO in the 2025 Met, Eight on Eighteen snuck through on the rail to outstay a posse of older rivals in an exciting finish where the first nine past the post were covered by just three lengths. The finishing fraction was quite slow (26.1 seconds for the final 400m, which, expressed as
Vaughan Marshall, trainer of King’s Plate victor, One Stripe describes him as “phenomenal.” The trainer, who can now add this historic WFA mile race to his storied resume, confirmed that One Stripe’s key attributes are the gears of increasing speed he can work through to win important races. Those qualities were evident on Saturday
Pistol Pete (speed score 103) was fancied to win the Lebelo Sprint – a G3 at Turffontein on Saturday. He got the job done – but only just as Netttleton (s/s 102) nearly dived past the Tony Peter trained favourite. The winner pressed the pace, was ridden hard to take the lead, and was
Piere Strydom delivered one of his patented masterclasses, riding Fatal Flaw to win the G1 Cape Fillies Guineas. He slid across from a wide draw, set easy fractions up front, then quickened up when needed to run out a comfortable winner over the chasing, Scarlet Macaw. There was nothing special about the final figure –
7/10 favourite, One Stripe (s/s 99+) was widely expected to win the Cape Guineas and duly did so from Eight On Eighteen (s/s 98) and Great Plains. The race went off fast early, then slowed in the middling sections, before the closers launched their stretch runs. One Stripe has fantastic acceleration and that proved
The Cape Summer season is getting into full swing and there were some fine performances clocked at Kenilworth on Saturday. Visiting Highveld trainer Clinton Binda won the Bantry Bay Stakes with Ziyasha (s/s 106) under an opportunistic ride by “Sting-Ray” Danielson. He took the free-striding sprinter to the lead, opened a decisive break on