Master ‘n Commander (speed figure 104) has endured a chequered career, regularly placing but not winning as often as expected. He’s trying to rectify that problem by clinching his fourth career win from 16 starts at Turffontein on Saturday over the inconsistent Moofeed. He can enjoy a productive spring season if duplicating that score.
Mike de Kock sent out two developing youngsters to win their debut follow ups. The New Approach filly Dame Eleanor (s/s 93 +) and Redoubte’s Choice colt, Al Fahad (s/s 87 +) both have plenty of scope. Al Fafad had bested Doosra when shedding his Maiden in mid-September. Three winners have emerged out of Dame Eleanor’s Maiden win, including Miss Suey who ran stone last making her debut and then promptly came back to win her next start at 100/1 – nobody said this game is easy! The biggest race to race improvement of a horse’s career often comes from their first to second start – Miss Suey’s weird case being a particularly extreme example.
There were some smart performances in Cape Town, with trail blazing trainer Justin Snaith having another good day, saddling five winners. He got top weight Ovidio to win the Woolavington for the second year in a row and then at the opposite end of the distance spectrum, speedball Jo’s Bond (s/s 101) blitzed her opposition in a Conditions Plate. She is a tough nut to crack over the Kenilworth 1000 when in peak shape.
In between those two fine winners, Snaith also saddled a most promising three year old, African Night Sky (s/s 101) to beat off far stronger than usual MR 75 rivals. It’s rare to record a triple digit speed figure at only a second start, so this son of Dynasty could turn out very smart indeed. The runner up Summer Sky (s/s 97) stayed on with determination from a wide draw and is another youngster that shows good potential.
There were some big fields carded for Scottsville on Sunday, but that meeting has been postponed due to heavy rainfall. Interbet punters can reload, as those races will be staged at the same venue on Wednesday.
Best wishes,
Mark van Deventer