Olma (speed score 105) is a very talented filly, but with a patchy record combining terrible fails with stylish victories. She has flopped when taken up to the Highveld, yet is formidable at Greyville on either turf or Poly, doing especially well since being fitted with a tongue tie. The daughter of Dynasty easily won the Flamboyant Stakes on Friday night after being confidently backed from 7/2 into 16/10. She was chased home by Lala (s/s 101) who is a pretty smart three year old with loads of scope, and is also worth following regardless of surface.
Michael Azzie’s debutants Rivarine (s/s 91) and Aussie Austin (s/s 91) tussled in the opener at Turffontein, running most encouragingly and look to have genuine potential. Other notable efforts came from Lunar Approach (s/s 95) and resilient sprinter Viking Hero (s/s 99) who ran a career best as a six year old to clinch the Lebelo Sprint.
Prince Of Thieves (s/s 101) fluently won a mid-level handicap at Kenilworth on Saturday, which gives him a legitimate shake at the USD 1 million CTS incentive race on the 23rd January. The Sophomore Sprint fell to Ernie (s/s 97+) who used a sharp turn of foot from off the pace to beat off Illuminator (s/s 96) and favourite Seventh Plain (s/s 95). After also running a tremendous race when a low-flying, tough-beat second behind Captain Alfredo, it seems that Ernie is better suited to these hold up tactics, rather than the pace-pressing style he employed earlier in his career.