Racing action shifted to P’Maritzburg on Sunday where a succession of sprint races were staged in preparation for the upcoming festival of speed down the Scottsville straight. Fans were treated to exciting finishes and can draw some positive early season insights about the smart performances of Attenborough (speed score 106) and The Secret is Out (s/s 100).

Attenborough has shown serious ability from the moment he stepped out and has clearly benefitted from being gelded. This was a career best figure and he has sufficient scope to run even bigger and sneak a Grade 1 victory. The improving Purple Tractor (s/s 103) also ran his best ever to secure second ahead of course and distance specialist Exelero (s/s 103) who suddenly came to light after a dismal Cape campaign.

The Secret is Out is another with an affinity for Scottsville, having won a Group 1 contest there as a juvenile. She had been plagued by bleeding issues since then, but bounced right back first time with blinkers to stave off low flying longshot Vision to Kill (s/s 98) with favourite Live Life (s/s 98) close up in third when making her seasonal debut.

There were also two juvenile features with Grade 3 status on the card. Antonius Pius filly, Neptune’s Rain (s/s 89) won the Strelitzia Stakes and Jay Peg colt Woljayrine (s/s 95) followed in the Godolphin Barb. Juveniles are apt to make dramatic surges of natural improvement and are notoriously difficult races for punters to call when the entries have only had a few chances to hint at their real ability. Woljayrine was one such beast to catch punters looking the wrong way – he was a 30-1 outsider here after finishing in the ruck on debut three weeks ago.

Highlands Stud sponsors the Winter Series in Cape Town and they were chuffed that resident stallion Dynasty sired the winner of the Grade 3 Winter Guineas. African Night Sky (s/s 100) was expertly handled by jockey Fayd Herbe to make a sweeping move down the outside to get past Our Mate Art (s/s 98). Both are talented three year olds with the ability to win multiple races.

Whose That Girl (s/s 93 +) clinched the Sweet Chestnut Stakes without any fuss. The effort of the second finisher, Sylvanite was admirable. She was dogged by a difficult draw and can win races at this level in future if things pan out more smoothly.