There is a dearth of Stakes races around the country at this time with the Settlers Trophy, won by Desert Swirl at Durbanville, the only listed contest of the weekend. Jockey MJ Byleveld made a race-winning loop entering the far turn, as Desert Swirl kept on down the stretch to clinch this traditional early season test for Cape stayers. His longer range target will be the J&B Reserve Stayers on Met day.
Winning trainer Vaughan Marshall also scored earlier with Jet Set Go (s/s 96) – now three from three, and on course for the fillies classic races. What made her win impressive was that it went against the track bias. She was one of only a few horses to make an impact from off the early pace on a typical Durbanville day’s racing with nearly all the winners racing forwardly from the start. Another to do admirably against the track profile was recently gelded Evening Storm (s/s 91) in a MR 72 event. At the tail of the field at the top of the stretch, he zipped through a swift come-home sectional, getting up for third, and is worth following at a similar level over his next few starts.
Waltzed Home (s/s 99) is totally at ease on the Poly and he won the headliner on Friday night at Greyville. Fourth Estate (s/s 98) battled bravely but could not get past. The winner was well handled by Anton Marcus and sent out primed for action by ace conditioner Charles Laird.
Best effort on the Sunday Greyville meet came courtesy of the same horseman. Rich Girl (s/s 98) took care of stable mate Beloved Country (s/s 96 in a Conditions Plate and both Laird fillies will be contesting bigger prizes in the foreseeable future. There was plenty of action on Interbet about Olma (s/s 94) in Race 6 and the support was justified. Making a decisive run up the outer she drew clear for a convincing win and is one for the notebook.
Jozi horseplayers can look forward to top quality racing over the next few months as the Spring Festival kicks in. The fare at Turffontein on Saturday was of the bread and butter variety with useful performances put in by Morpheus (s/s 91) and Jet Avenger (s/s 93) whilst veteran horseman Ormond Ferraris obtained a fifth win from just 12 starts with Erin (s/s 88), a stubborn but consistent Fort Wood mare.