The postponed Guineas meeting shifted to midweek at Turffontein yielded some sterling performances. Ikigai (by Vercingetorix) has received glowing write ups here recently, and he duly did the business in the G2 Gauteng Guineas, earning a figure of 99++. He finished powerfully as well and, with a deserving sectional upgrade, can probably run as high as 108!

Heavily favoured, Summer Pudding (87 + has previously run 101) won the first leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara, but she had to battle against a race not run to suit. The daughter of Silvano will clearly benefit from a sterner test of stamina – but did just enough to scramble home in a false run affair.

Mr Flood (s/s 106) completed five straight in the G3 Tommy Hotspur, duplicating his previous peak of 106 in the Lebelo Sprint. The astutely acquired 50K Pathfork gelding is a credit to trainer Lucky Houdalakis who selected him at the 2017 CYS and has also bought him back from serious injury.

Earlier, Sean Tarry trained, Silver God (s/s 105) clinched the listed Wolf Power over 1600m with a solid effort. However, stable companion, Ikigai finished the final 300m .73 seconds faster which puts the outstanding younger horses’’ Guineas performance in context.

Stayers races are few and far between and vagaries in pace can make them tough to rate with accuracy. Chitengo got the honours in the Allez France Stakes over 2400m, 401 days since her last success.

Whilst that was a neat return to form, perhaps the filly to take out of this race for future wagering purposes is the three year-old, Pomander (by Flower Alley.) She kicked on smartly, running a come-home fractional equivalent to what Silver God and Summer Pudding managed in much shorter races, so is definitely worth following.

Tierra del Fuego (s/s 103) produced the stand-out run over the weekend in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1450m in Joburg. The son of Skitt Skizzle pounced when opportune to draw away from stable companions Warrior’s Rest (s/s 98) and Matador Man in a notable training trifecta for Sean Tarry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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