Main Defender (speed score 108) and Sandringham Summit (s/s 108) fought out an epic at Turffontein in the G3 1400m Graham Beck Stakes on Saturday with Tony Peter’s runner gaining a narrow margin revenge over Sandringham Summit, who was coming back after a rest. Both three-year-olds are high class thoroughbreds (Main Defender, by Pathfork,
Tail of the Comet (speed score 100+) trounced opposition in the Cape Racing Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville, accelerating sharply, then cruising in four lengths clear before being eased down. He looks on track for a crack at the Cape Guineas, with a notable turn of foot and versatility his best
It seemed certain that the weekend’s best figure would come out of the G3 Matchem Stakes which pitted champ miler Charles Dickens against champion sprinter Gimme a Prince in a 1400m showdown @ Durbanville. Whilst that race indeed delivered a tremendous spectacle and a top-notch winner’s speed score of 108, the performance of Main
19/10 favourite, Ace Impact stayed perfect by winning his sixth start – this time at the highest level, in the Prix de l’’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamps in Paris. He surged through, after being held up near the back of the field by Cristian Demuro, to win convincingly. Westover came second, Onesto improved into
Keagan de Melo stayed up late at his new Hong Kong base to watch Green with Envy’s second start, in a show of faith in Dean Kannemeyer’s exciting prospect who he rode to a debut victory at Greyville in October. And the handsome son of Gimmethegreenlight did not disappoint. Gallic Dream (s/s 91) had
The best speed figure from Turffontein on Saturday was achieved by Captain Peg (s/s 106) when beating Running Rifles (s/s 104) in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1450m on the inside track. The Jay Peg filly is trained by Stuart Pettigrew and was ridden judiciously from way off the pace by Siyanda Sosibo. Captain Peg
The BSA 2-year-old Sale in Joburg was the main thoroughbred event in SA this weekend, and with Cape racing postponed till Wednesday due to rainy conditions, there was only domestic action at Fairview and Greyville. The best rating at the latter venue was recorded by Maquette (speed score 92) who managed to double up
Greyville hosted Champions Day on Sunday which traditionally brings the racing season in South Africa to a close. Some of the results confirmed existing form lines and were fully predictable, but others were a touch bewildering – such is the nature of this captivating game. The meeting opened with Outlaw King (speed score 101)
My Golly Molly (speed score 96 +) won the G3 Langerman at Kenilworth, coming from dead last in the short Winter straight with a powerful closing burst to snare Hluhluwe (s/s 96) on the post. The highly impressive winner is sired by Fire Away, trained by Eric Sands, and was ridden with aplomb by
Listening to guests speaking on Chris Larmey’s excellent “Bet with the Best” podcast (referred to in last week’s newsletter) it became clear how these pro players all take great care in setting up sensible “guard-rails” to avoid gamblers ruin. Obviously, all true punters relish taking risks and want to make it count when right