Greyville hosted Champions Day on Sunday which traditionally brings the racing season in South Africa to a close. Some of the results confirmed existing form lines and were fully predictable, but others were a touch bewildering – such is the nature of this captivating game.

The meeting opened with Outlaw King (speed score 101) justifying the faith Hong Kong bound jockey Keagan de Melo has in him. Many months back he said the son of Rafeef was the best of the babies he’d sat on up to that point, and he produced the goods in a strong Umkhomazi Stakes (G2).

Placed horses, Ready to Charge (s/s 100) and Tail of the Comet (s/s 99, at only his second start) should win plenty of races between them based on such excellent speed scores.

Next, Cala Muretta (by Gimmethegreenlight) won a slow run Debutante Stakes (G2) in a blanket finish, often the case in false run affairs. The Crawford Rix trained, juvenile, ridden by Muzi Yeni started at 33/1, catching many punters looking the wrong way.

A more obvious outcome saw Bless my Stars (s/s 103, scored 107 when 3rd in the Durban July) justify 15/10 favoritism in the Gold Bracelet, a G2 over 2000m for the trainer/rider duo of Sean Tarry/Richard Fourie, who were to go on for a hugely successful day with a haul of gold medals. She fended off Saartjie (s/s 101) with slowly away, Gilded Butterfly making belated progress into the trifecta slot.

Sandringham Summit (s/s 97 +) looks special. Main Defender moved up like a winner in the Champion Stakes for 2-year-olds but had no answer to the flashy finish of the Gimmethegreenlight youngster, who has now twice won either from outside gates, or with wide trips, at Greyville – quite a feat for the Dawid Niewenhuizen trained colt. Calvin Habib was the victorious jock.

Isivunguvungu (s/s 104 +, has run 110 over 1000m, his best trip) forced the pace, then lasted home in the Mercury Sprint (G1) over 1200m. Surjay, Thunderstruck & Gimme a Prince (caught a bit too far back after a bumpy start) gave their all but could not pass the game Peter Muscutt trained son of What a Winter who now comes into serious reckoning for Sprinter of the Year honors having also won the G1 Computaform at Turffontein. He received yet another perfect steer from world class reinsman, Richard Fourie who beat a path to the winner’s circle throughout the afternoon.

14/10 hot favorite, Future Pearl (by Futura) took out the Gold Cup (G3) as the betting market suggested. He is a stayer with a bright future having already won a couple of important endurance contests seemingly without drawing deep breath. Here again it was Sean Tarry and, you guessed, Richard Fourie adding yet another important stakes race to their resume.

In the big one, Princess Calla (s/s 113) won the 1800m HKJC Champions Cup (G1) taking on the fellas and giving them a beating. The Sean Tarry trained mare raced handy enough under Richard Fourie (they are indeed a potent and uber-professional combo!) then pounced and took control when it mattered.

What more can one say about this redoubtable mare that has won multiple Graded races in each major center at the top level over a range of distance between 1000m and, this time, 1800m. She improved her speed figure from 108 to a career top of 113 here – truly remarkable.

Dave the King (s/s 111) was done for finishing speed but still emerged with great credit, whilst See It Again (s/s 111) was too far back to really make an impact and seems at his absolute best over further. Rascallion (s/s 107) put his Durban July no- show behind him, clocking in a credible fourth 3.65 lengths in arrears.

To close off the stakes- laden meeting, Querari filly Bavarian Beauty clinched the Douglas Whyte Stakes, a G1 for 2 y old fillies over 1600m. She was chased in by Egyptian Mau and Distant Winter. The 20/1 long shot is trained by AP Peter and was smoothly ridden by Craig Zackey.

 

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