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
Legal Eagle’s flawless record over 1600m was maintained, albeit in a desperate finish to the G2 Green Point Stakes where just a head separated the first four at the wire. This was the third year in succession that the son of Grey’s Inn has prevailed in this particular race, over his favorite distance. The
Carrying 52kg’s, Tilbury Fort (s/s 105) swept through to win the 2018 G1 Summer Cup at Turffontein over big outsider Dawn Assault and favoured Cascapedia with the top weight Coral Fever in fourth spot. Tilbury Fort was expertly prepared by trainer Sean Tarry, coming in fresh to produce a career best under Lyall Hewitson,
Rebels Champ scored 102 to win a competitive Pinnacle Stakes Sprint @ Scottsville. The chestnut has now won six of 18 races after having been well bought for just R10 000 at the CTS two year- old sale. Credit to Paul Peter for getting the best out of this unfashionable son of Rebel King, who
Hawwaam got a mention in this column after a remarkable speed figure of 103 on debut. He made the expected improvement to land the Dingaans at Turffontein with an excellent number of 108. He is reportedly Mike de Kock’s best three year- old and now clearly a principal contender for further honours. KZN raider,