Andre Nel runs a sharp training set up for Sabine Plattner and they unveiled a very promising Querari colt, Pleasedtomeetyou at Kenilworth on Saturday. He stretched clear with a good closing burst to record a monster speed figure of 100 on debut – a rare accomplishment.
To put the performance in perspective, Pleasedtomeetyou’s closing fraction was similar to very talented filly Angel’s Trumpet in a Pinnacle Stakes, and in a final time faster than both she (s/s 92+) or Elusive Trader (s/s 93) could achieve.
Rebel King did not work out as a stallion, yet he gets a few to run, like the speedy PE filly, Princess Rebel. She is adept on Poly or turf, recording a speed figure of 97 at her fifth win from seven starts when proving much the best in a MR 94 handicap at Fairview on Friday.
Africa Rising (s/s 99) and Mardi Gras (s/s 98) fought out a rare tussle at Turffontein in a Pinnacle Stakes. The winner is erratic and hard to call right having been tried over a range of distances, yet is a quality performer at best, having run a fig of 105 when winning the 2017 Byerley Turk over Copper Force.
The runner up is a progressive grey Oratorio with plenty of upside. He ran a good score of 99 in early April then finished three lengths of Do It Again in the Guineas and has been rested/gelded since. I expect him to run some big numbers during the upcoming Highveld Spring season.