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
This past weekend's racing yielded interesting happenings. The Snaith yard got on a roll at Durbanville, winning the Woolavington with talented stayer, Strathdon plus handicaps with Fifty Cents (speed score 101) and the rapidly progressive filly, Dynamic Diana (s/s 89 +). Perhaps the most remarkable action unfolded though at Greyville, with a number
Some of the classier horses on the Highveld are now emerging as the Spring season unfolds. It's an exciting time to monitor performances as the youngsters can make significant improvement and suddenly play themselves into the Classic picture. For example, favoured Broadway Trip (speed figure 99) just got past Flying Free (s/s 99)
The Matchem Stakes at Durbanville was won by Our Mate Art with a fine figure of 107 as he beat off the consistent Table Bay (speed score 106) in a tight finish. Our Mate Art has tangled with seriously smart opponents throughout his career, without being disgraced, and is really coming into his
So, Enable won the Arc, just as was universally expected. She is a superb filly, perfectly prepared by John Gosden and skilfully handled by Frankie Dettori. The true champions sometimes make it look ridiculously easy and she drew clear after racing handy to win untroubled. Her best attribute is a quite extraordinary turn
