The smart Marinaresco (s/s 96+) won the Winter Guineas in Cape Town, making swift progress to deny the outside run of fast- improving Whisky Baron (s/s 96 +) and Vilikazi (s/s 95) who stayed on from the back of the field. Jockey Aldo Domeyer was impressed, “How was that acceleration – he quickens instantly!” The winner placed in the Derby and has come on nicely since being gelded. Given that he prefers more than a mile, Marinaresco must rate a favourite’s chance in the next two legs of the Winter Series.
Captains Flame (s/s 102) was stiff in a key sprint race behind high-class Princess Royal last time, and made amends in the Sweet Chestnut Stakes over 1400m. She finished too strongly for Goodtime Gal (s/s 99) who had also featured prominently in that same prep run. Both are way above average fillies definitely worth following – the runner up will appreciate a longer route and should be a major player in upcoming feature races during the Cape winter.
Brett Crawford trained Orion Quest (s/s 105) has a very bright feature. He stormed through down the inner under Keagan de Melo after tracking the speed, to romp home and earn an impressive figure in a hot 1200m handicap at Kenilworth. Stable mate Midnite Zone (s/s 101) kept on with purpose to sneak second from speedball Captain Bagg (s/s 100) and will win more races over a slightly stiffer test.
Scottsville also hosted good quality racing on the weekend. No Worries showed a propensity for a test of endurance when scoring in the Highland Night Cup over 2400m and is a long range prospect for the Gold Cup. Way of Light (s/s 102) is very game, often running through the pain barrier according to trainer Garth Puller, and he got home in a blanket finish to the Sledgehammer Stakes. He beat off It is Written (s/s 102) Dynastic Power (s/s 102) and Night Shadow in a close call.
Gallica Rose (s/s 100) has a history of thriving in KZN and she added another Stakes victory to her resume when beating Deputy Ryder (s/s 100) a nut in the Scarlet Lady. Adorada caught the eye with a forceful late dart which secured third ahead of Crackpot (s/s 96).
Next week our attention shifts to the Highveld where star three year old Abashiri will attempt to complete the Triple Crown by winning the SA Derby at Turffontein. Billed as Africa’s richest race day, it will galvanize Interbet punters trying to get a slice of the big betting volumes.