The stakes laden end of April meeting at Turffontein is one of the most significant staged on the Highveld with a bunch of Graded races, and the ’24 vintage duly delivered some high-class performances. Lucky Lad (s/s 108, with sectional upgrade 110) took out the Jehan Malherbe Senor Santa Stakes (G2) with a withering
Mystik Dan won a thrilling three- way photo-finish in the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday. In front of 156 000 spectators, the Ken McPeek trained, Brain Hernandez ridden colt secured an impeccable rail hugging trip which proved the difference between winning and losing. Sierra Leone charged late as did unlucky Japanese
Champions Day at Turffontein showcased the best of the Highveld horses, with a sprinkling of Cape and Durban raiders adding to the occasion. In fact, it was a KZN invader Royal Victory (speed score 106 +, sectional upgrade 112) who yet again made a successful foray to Jozi when winning the Premiers Champion Challenge
Mid- Winter Wind (speed score 102) took out the Byerleyy Turk, a Grade 3 at Greyville on Sunday with a fluent stretch run to justify heavy market support. Sean Tarry’s entry was punted from 10’s into 5/2 and duly built on his last out speed score of 100 + at Turffontein to secure the
The Abdicator (s/s 104) is an up-and-coming sprinter. Previously a bit of a tearaway, he is gradually learning to settle. He was slow out (perhaps on purpose) yet finished off nicely to beat Piroshka (s/s 101) Southern Skies (s/s 101) and Dumbledore (s/s 100) in a 1000m scuttle that provided the day’s top figure
Three races at Turffontein on Saturday yielded triple digit speed figures: Texas Red got a s/s of 103 when edging out Humdinger s/s 102; Ready to Charge (s/s 100) won a close call against Mount Pilatus (s/s 99) and One Fell Swoop merited a s/s of 100 in the Grade 3 Sycamore Sprint. Texas
There were three Grade 1’s at Turffontein on a rain interrupted Saturday, which renders making speed figures quite difficult. If conditions remain constant during the meeting, then we can deduce an accurate variant across all carded races. However, a major change in the weather requires more imagination when crafting the numbers. The variant needed
We usually review only weekend highlights in this Interbet newsletter but Thursday’s Pinnacle Stakes on the inside track at Turffontein proved significant. Main Defender was favored at 7/10 to win it having run some seriously big figs for a three-year-old (s/s 115 @ best), but he came under pressure late, drifted about, then stumbled
Barbaresco ran a cracker behind Main Defender in the Got the Greenlight Stakes but due to some kinks in the handicapping system was not fully penalized. He was therefore weighted to win comfortably at his follow up in a handicap and after being punted from 2/1 into odds on, duly sauntered home. Barbaresco earned
Sandringham Summit, under Gavin Lerena, and Gimme a Nother produced two excellent performances to win their respective Gauteng Guineas on Saturday at Turffontein. Both started favourite at around even money, both are sired by Gimmethegreenlight and both won as such short- priced horses ought to if the market is correct – totally dominating rivals.