The sole 3YO in the 2025 Met, Eight on Eighteen snuck through on the rail to outstay a posse of older rivals in an exciting finish where the first nine past the post were covered by just three lengths.
The finishing fraction was quite slow (26.1 seconds for the final 400m, which, expressed as a ratio is 95% of the final time) suggesting that it turned into a slogging test of stamina. Snaith Racing’s decision to run Eight on Eighteen carrying 54kg over 2000m was totally vindicated.
Long time leader, Oriental Charm was gutsy in 2nd; Montien ran a sterling race in 3rd, as did See It Again and Rascallion, beaten 1.2 lengths.
Gimme a Prince was sensational in the Flying Champs. He flew the last 400m in 21.9 seconds to record a speed figure of 113 + and demolish a field of SA’s best sprinters by nearly six lengths.
Double Grand Slam was an unlucky loser of the G1 Majorca Stakes when pipped on the bob by Rascova. The runner up was slow out, unsettled, caught wide (she ran five meters further than Glen Kotzen’s lion-hearted, filly) only to succumb by a wafer- thin margin. Such is racing.
Mucho Dinero won the Western Cape Stayers for fun. Not many horses can accelerate as he did (23.5 seconds 400 – finish) after doing a full lap of the Kenilworth course – an admirable effort carrying 60kg’s.
I’m so Pritti (s/s 100) took out the Olympic Duel Stakes from Disting (s/s 98) and Siddeley (s/s 98.) Mia Moo clocked in fourth – this procession of long shots triggered a 152K Quartet dividend! The winning filly is improving fast and beat off more established, older rivals. She is trained by Justin Snaith, who yet again had a tremendous Met day, saddling six winners.
Meu Capitano (s/s 101 +) showed that a fast run 1400m is within his compass as he ran down Snow Pilot in the penultimate race.
Zeitz (s/s 91 +) benefitted from being handily positioned in the G3 Politician Stakes which went slow early. Andre Nel’s charge rocketed away down the straight for a convincing victory.