After a few postponements due to dodgy tracks and stormy weather the Grand Series finally took place at Turffontein on Saturday. Legs 1 and 2, together with the Consolation, were all hotly contested races, going down to photo finish verdicts. Soldier On (speed score 93) Tsitsikamma Dance (s/s 97) and Big Mistake (s/s 99) came out narrowly on top.
In Leg 1, Soldier On had to fight hard to stave off Dan the Lad (s/s 93) with Lake Kinneret perhaps a bit stiff when close up third, after being held tight down the straight. In Leg 2, Tsitsikamma Dance was life and death to repel Zouaves (s/s 97) who launched a furious rally which only just fell short. Favourite here was Mardi Gras, but he never looked at ease after a sluggish start and ran well below best.
Big Mistake only just edged out Flying Winger (s/s 99) as the Consolation yielded the best adjusted speed figure. The son of Querari has an interesting back-story which shows how bewildering this roller-coaster game can be. After showing promise earlier in his career, including a close finish to Miss Katalin and Bold Respect in the Lanzerac, his form subsequently declined. Some prospective deals did not go through, and he failed to elicit a single bid when offered for sale on public auction. After that, the rejected Big Mistake merely made up the numbers on a float to Joburg where he is leased to a new patron of the Ashley/Andrew Fortune stable.
Gelding and relocating to a different environment have helped revive Big Mistake performances dramatically, and the fine score of 99 represents a career peak. Credit is also due jockey Ryan Munger for positioning the bay perfectly in the box seat, making his move at precisely the right time then being strong and balanced in a wild finish.
Runner up, Flying Winger was just denied but should make amends soon. A score of 99 at only his 8th start suggests the son of Alado is probably much better than his current merit rating and has the ability to win more races.