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
On a weekend which featured predominantly weak racing of Maidens and lowly handicaps, two performances stood out. Both were at Kenilworth on ground softened by recent rains, with True Words (speed score 92) and Do It Again (s/s 91) impressing. True Words had shown flickers of ability, yet tended to over-race, so needed to
Spring is here and horses around the country responded with some notable performances. Secret Star (s/s 103) and Spring Wonder (103) fought out a tight finish in the For the Ladies Stakes at Turffontein, followed by Will Pays (s/s 99) sweeping past Angel's Power (s/s 97) in the Spring Spree Stakes. Secret Star
Followers of international racing savoured the Grade 1 wins in the Travers for strong front-runner, West Coast, and Practical Joke in the H. Allen Jerkens, together with the cleverly ridden, Forever Unbridled in the Personal Ensign, whilst champion sprinter Drefong crushed them in the Forego Stakes at the same Saratoga spa venue in
