Spring is a fun time for racing fans as this is when the better thoroughbreds start coming to the fore. Only a tiny percentage of the horse population will ever be good enough to contest Stakes races and identifying those youngsters improving sharply to be capable of competing at the peak level is part of the handicapping challenge.
One World and Rainbow Bridge are both high class animals. On my scale getting a score around 106 is borderline Grade 1 class in South Africa, so for One World to get a figure of 107 + at only his fourth start is outstanding. He rallied to beat Kasimir (s/s 106) who has a big win in him, perhaps a stiff sprint might suit the sparingly raced gelding best. Both One World and Kasimir were sired by Captain Al.
Rainbow Bridge (s/s 107) swooped late to down outsider New Caledonia (s/s 105) in the Matchem, with defending champ Our Mate Art (s/s 103) running out of gas to be third. Like One World, this Matchem winner remains unbeaten and can be followed with confidence given his notable powers of acceleration.
Turffontein hosted two Spring Challenge’s over 1450m with Cascapedia and Captain Aldo getting scores of 102 in winning. Margins were tight with respective runner -ups Al Danza and Alyaasaat earning the same solid figs.
The pace set-up for these two races was completely different. Cascapedia took advantage of a pace meltdown to sweep through from far back, whilst Captain Aldo dictated from the front without expending too much early energy. Clever judged rides by Gavin Lerena and Warren Kennedy respectively.
The seasonal debut by one of last terms stand-out juvenile’s, Soqrat (s/s 100 +) was most encouraging. He finished his race off well and looks primed for a productive three year- old campaign. Likewise, Ghaalla, ( from the same Mike de Kock stable) ran gamely to be third in the fillies’’ edition. She’s also worth following during the Spring.