Fans were treated to a sprinting feast of four Grade 1’s down the Scottsville straight on Saturday. It began with Miss Florida (speed score 91 and trained by Justin Snaith) sneaking home in the Allan Robertson to deny Sean Tarry’s Cavivar in a jostling tussle down the inside of the course.

After that narrow reversal, Tarry was to dominate the rest of the program. The Gold Medallion went to his Var colt, Eden Roc (speed rating 94) who followed up on his debut win to finish full of running down the inside. Favourite Frosted Gold (s/s 93) suffered a tough beat second after a torrid passage, with the longshot Wave (s/s 92) taking the lower trifecta slot.

Celtic Sea (s/s 109) zoomed through to win the SA Fillies Sprint in the centre of the course after Snowdance (s/s 105) had tried to run them ragged on the inner. The grey Celtic Sea is, like Miss Florida, a daughter of Captain Al, and she loved dropping back in distance after a couple of dull efforts over a mile to record a clear career best here.

Tarry is renowned for getting his horses to peak on big days and he surpassed even his high standards by remarkably saddling the first three in the Tsogo Sun Sprint. Chimichuri Run (s/s 111) outran Trip to Heaven (s/s 109) and Africa Rising (s/s 109) to complete a trifecta sweep for the Highveld conditioner. The winner is a three year- old son of Trippi who has done just fine from 1000m up to a mile yet is at his absolute best over a true run 1200m.

There were two performances of note at Kenilworth. Vardy (s/s 108) was simply tremendous in surging past One World (s/s 104) in the Winter Classic over 1800m. This is a potentially Grade 1 level winning score by the Var gelding who should be followed with some confidence into the future.

Finally, fast filly Run Fox Run (s/s 96 ++) ambled in to win the Olympic Duel Stakes and stay a perfect four from four. She has consistently run speed figs in the mid to high 90’s when winning without undue fuss. She is also an exciting prospect.

 

 

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