There have been quite a number of radical upsets during the Cape Summer season, a period which is normally associated with more predictable form results. The shock victory of Bishop's Bounty (speed score 103) in the Grade 2 Diadem Stakes yet again caught punters unawares. A talented sort at three and a winner of
There were significant performances recorded over the two-day L'Ormarins Queen's Plate festival, and whilst popular choices like Miss Katalin, Talk of the Town, Love of India and Legal Eagle got the job done, a few serious jolts led to fancy exotic payouts. The two biggest bombs were both piloted by Anthony Andrews, who
Tap O Noth (speed figure 109) is a physically imposing specimen and he produced a towering performance to win the Grade 1 Cape Guineas, despite starting from a wide draw. He swept into the lead at around the 300m mark then held off White River (s/s 108) Like a Panther (s/s 106) and
Just Sensual (speed score 98+) relished the fierce headwind to slice between rivals in the Grade 2 Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m at Kenilworth. She only just prevailed though over Hoist the Mast (s/s 98) who ran a career best, with Live Life (s/s 97 +) enduring a tough trip but managing to finish
Ante post betting requires a long-term vision and knowing the scheduled plans of horses far out from their intended races. Sometimes careers unfold as a smooth and predictable progression, but much can change as unheralded horses suddenly step up to reveal their true abilities, or alternatively the seemingly good ones may bomb out.
Liege is the 2017 Summer Cup winner - suddenly regaining the smart ability he showed at three and recording a sixth career success, 415 days since his last stroll into the No 1 box. He scored 106 to beat off the game mare Fort Ember, Coral Fever and Pagoda who all got 103's.
The Selangor Cup was won by Rocket Countdown (speed score 101) who accelerated powerfully to land this Grade 2 contest for three-year olds. White River (s/s 100) and Do It Again (s/s 100) weaved through to get close and are highly regarded youngsters with bright futures, as any score of 100+ indicates Classic
Usually, we focus on weekend racing but it would be remiss to gloss over Thursday's Turfontein card which featured some of the best horses in the country. Naafer (speed score 103) is a talented three-year-old despite some physical issues, and he came out tops in a Pinnacle Stakes, but it was the comeback
Hat Puntano (speed score 105) improved significantly equipped with a different bit to win the Charity Mile at Turffontein. He failed to beat the ambulance home when finishing last on his SA debut in mid-September so was hard to fancy, yet suddenly got closer to his Argentinian form to lift this Grade 2
Tap O Noth (speed score 103) confirmed himself a principal Guineas prospect when winning the Cape Classic at Kenilworth. He got the better of Undercover Agent (s/s 101) after a tussle down the straight, and both are top notch three-year-olds. Cot Campbell (s/s 97) was beaten into third with every chance, whilst Sir
