Both the Storm Bird Stakes and Bauhinia Handicap at Turffontein on Saturday were run in virtually the same final time. After adjusting for the day’s track variant, Barrack Street and Exquisite Touch earned fine scores of 100 and these two Sean Tarry trained entries seem worth following.
Barrack Street has now won two of three starts, after running below best in the Kuda Sprint on Met day. A R500 000 buy sourced at the CTS RTR 2016, this son of Dynasty galloped his rivals into submission down the Turffontein straight and seems set for a bright future. He was followed home by Alfolk (s/s 90,) outgunned yet not disgraced having only his second start just nine days after making a winning debut.
Exquisite Touch was well bought at the 2015 CTS Johannesburg Premier Yearling Sale for R350 000. Very smart as a juvenile, this daughter of Var won her first two starts untroubled, before regressing somewhat. It has taken nearly a year for her to get back to best, but she was most impressive drawing away fluently in a competitive handicap. The consistent Joan Ranger (s/s 96) finished second ahead of lightweight, Movie Show (s/s 96) and the quick, Hashtag Strat (s/s 95.)
Other notable efforts came from Bi Pot (s/s 88 +) who romped in a lowly handicap. She made an early move before drawing further ahead, and this Judpot filly has scope to improve significantly. Later, Bold Viking and Alaadel got 94’s when tangling in the Egoli Mile for three-year-olds. This was nip and tuck with Bold Viking just getting up on the line to deny the long-time leader