Brett Crawford struck with a vengeance at Durbanville, after a quiet spell by his high standards. His four winners included especially promising three year olds, Edict of Nantes (speed figure 88 +) and Boldly Respectable (s/s 98). Both came from off the speed with powerful stretch runs and are worth following. Crawford's easiest winner was
Kangaroo Jack (speed score 101+) is a smart sprinter. He snuck through down the rail to win the Grade 3 Spring Spree Stakes at Turffontein with a minimum of fuss from Angel's Power (s/s 97). He is sure to win races at a higher level during the upcoming Highveld feature season. Myfunnyvalentine (s/s 93) was
London Call (speed score 100) has just turned six yet has only run 10 times due to physical issues. Still, he has won half of those starts, testimony to his raw talent. Sunday's Pinnacle Stakes win at Scottsville was impressive when he raced away from the field after racing handy. Credit to trainer Mark Dixon
The racing during the transitional month of August is of a lower quality than in peak season, but still there are occasional performances to get enthusiastic about. Evening Breeze (s/s 99) alternates shockers with winning runs so was due a better effort on Thursday after a last start fail. The Kahal filly is a smart
The Equus Awards showcase outstanding thoroughbred achievement in South Africa. By way of summarizing the 2015/16 season, here are the National nominees together with the best speed figures they earned during the year under review. HORSE OF THE YEAR: ABASHIRI - 100, 103, 109. LEGAL EAGLE - 105, 112. SMART CALL - 104, 109 +.
Flamingo Park hosted three feature races on Saturday. Lebeona won the RA Diamond Stayers in a runaway to complete a 9th career success. Cleverly procured by Leon Setaro's Sport of Kings syndicate in KZN then sent to seek his fortune in Kimberley, the son of AP Arrow has thrived on the red dirt going a
Marinaresco (speed score 110 +) nimbly darted through a small gap on the outside to win the Grade 1 Champions Cup, fittingly named in honour of his retiring trainer Mike Bass. The little gelding was an unlucky second in the July (s/s 109) when coming on too late from far back - this time he
Harlem Shake (speed score 95) won the Grade 3 Final Fling Stakes at a swampy Kenilworth over the weekend. The Warm White Nights filly loves it when it comes up mud and is a forceful pace-pressing type. She got beat a wart by Francia in the Winter Oaks when caught late over further, and was
High class entire Red Ray (speed score 108) won the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint at Greyville, using stalk and pounce tactics which were ideal under the circumstances. A very strong tailwind blowing down the straight made it impossible for anything to come from way off the pace, and canny jock Anton Marcus followed up an
It was a mistake to write off The Conglomerate as an awkward horse fated not to fulfil early promise. On Saturday at Greyville, he stunned the masses when winning the Durban July under expert handling from Piere Strydom. Earlier in his career he had run a speed figure of 108, which meets the par required
