It was cool to see one of KZN’s stalwart sprinters, Kingston Boy (speed figure 103) bounce back to best on his first try of the Greyville Poly. Veteran horseman Doug Campbell had him in fine fettle after a three month break and he finished too swiftly for Nineteen Fourteen (s/s 102) and the pacemaker Flyfirstclass (s/s 100).
Best scores in Cape Town came from two promising three year olds – dead-heaters Captain Alfredo (s/s 96) who was having just his second outing, and front-running, Parachute Man (s/s 96). It seemed as if Captain Alfredo‘s momentum would carry him by for the outright win but Parachute Man fought back gamely to share. Both have bright futures.
Sovereign Mint (s/s 95+) quickened smartly to win a MR 91 handicap at Turffies on Saturday. Racing next to Sabadell (who is no sluggard) at the elbow, he suddenly shot through down the rail to win easing up. This was a fourth win in a row for the progressive son of Judpot who will now be pitched against tougher rivals.
Even though competing at the lower rungs of the handicap ladder, the performances of another horse on a roll, Royal Colours, is worthy of mention. Despite taking 12 runs to break his Maiden, the Bezrin gelding has been shrewdly placed by former jock Paul Gadsby to win five on the bounce, including successes on both Turf and on Friday evenings’ Poly program.
On the topic of consecutive wins, Gemini Gold (s/s 93) recorded a special hat-trick, from three spaced out runs this year. He races in front bandages and it is a credit to Dennis Bosch’s training expertise that this patched up sprinter’s career is being optimised.
Best rating on the Poly at Sunday’s Greyville meeting was attained in a Conditions Plate in a blanket finish. Rich Girl (s/s 102) got home first but African Dream (s/s 100) did well after a wide trip. Beloved Country (s/s 100), Caviar (s/s 99) and German Lady (s/s 99) also ran admirably in defeat.