Asiye Phambili s/s 101+ is hard to resist when she is in the right frame of mind. She has run some smart numbers (103/104) in her career, and she was full value when romping in the Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes G3 at Scottsville on Sunday afternoon.
Commentator Peters’ called it a “stampede” with 300m to go – that’s till the mare turned on the turbo. She streaked clear to win by daylight under Sean Veale – 3,7 lengths away from Tulip Fields s/s 92. This result pleased favourite backers who punted Duncan Howell’s charge into 18/10.
Not so pleasing for lovers of top- of- the- boards horses was the next result. Here, Kaalvoet spring a 33/1 shock when beating off 18/10 favourite, Speedman s/s 98 and the in-form Circumbendibus s/s 97 in the In Full Flight – a Listed 1100m dash.
Kaalvoet is a 3YO by Elusive Fort. He is trained by Clinton Binda. Jockey Calvin Habib bought him with a well-timed move in the centre of the straight course to win by a long neck – worthy of a speed score of 99.
What more can one add to Ka Ying Rising’s global tributes? This amazing sprinter won yet again unextended, earning a speed figure of 124 ++. It’s rare to see betting at 89/1 bar one but that is how invincible David Haye’s world beater is perceived.
He had not trouble delivering on market expectations in Hong Kong. After stalking the speed, he threw in successive sectionals of 10.7 10,7 and 10.4 seconds before easing down with an 11.07 fraction as he freewheeled to victory in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint.
And Romantic Warrior is also truly world class. Even though the early fractions were sedate, it takes quite some doing for a middle-distance horse to blast home in 21.9 seconds. That is what the Warrior managed though second horse Masquerade Ball also emerged with considerable credit closing from too far back to get within a length of trainer Danny Shum’s Hong Kong hero in the 2000m FWD QE11 Cup.
Using sectional upgrades, Romantic Warrior scored 123 with Masquerade Ball practically on the same number. Sosie registered a speed figure of 121 – all truly at a world class standard.
South African trainer Brett Crawford saddled a winner on the big day at Sha Tin which will help boost his burgeoning international profile. 3YO Mr Incredible blasted clear under Karis Teetan in a Class 4 sprint on the undercard. A speed figure of 95 + is a smart effort for a youngster and he has lots of scope.
Check out a nice interview done recently with Brett Crawford on the In the Box Seat podcast with Warren Lenferna, where they discuss the racing scene in Hong Kong and the challenges faced in setting up there.