Awesome filly Smart Call (speed score 109+) pulverised rivals to easily win the J & B Met on Saturday. Heavily punted in to 8/1 after trading at 40/1 in the ante post market, she blew past favourite Legal Eagle (s/s 105) and drew clear full of running. Trainer Alec Laird said afterwards, “She is a super filly, suited to a mile and a half – I just did not realise that she had improved so much.” Weighing in at 508kg’s she held her own when jostled down the back stretch in a big field, then raced handy before moving into contention up the straight. A chance ride for JP van der Merwe, the lucky jockey described Smart Call as moving effortlessly through the gears and giving him such a pleasurable ride, “It was like doing pace-work.” he said.
Going abroad is a real mission given current export regulations. Smart Call will be based at Mary Slack’s Abington Place near Newmarket in the UK and a decision will be made in due course which big races to target.
Gulf Storm (s/s 104) provided another journeyman jock PC Orffer with his first Grade 1 win when scraping home in a blanket finish to the Cape Flying Champs. The blinkered gelding dived through a narrow gap to snare Brutal Force (s/s 104) on the post with Carry On Alice (s/s 103) and Tevez close behind. Previously most effective over stiffer sprints, trainer Crawford’s decision to fit blinkers proved a wise move as Gulf Storm was able to beat off proven speedballs in an exciting finish.
Other notable performances on the marquee day were fluent sprint victories by Acaciawood and Captain Swarovski, who both got figures of 99, a number matched by progressive Mr Wise Guy in a MR 80 handicap over 1600. All three are worth following in suitable races, together with their respective victims Hoist The Mast (s/s 95) Rodney (s/s 97) and Vilikazi (s/s 96).
Finally, loud applause from the Interbet team for Snaith Racing. They may have been disappointed at flopping in the Met with Futura and Legislate, but winning eight races on the day is a record busting achievement and a credit to their expert horsemanship, strategic skills in placing horses so cleverly and marketing efforts of the whole family.