Alula’s Star and appy Mxoli continued their special association, winning their sixth race, and second Stakes together, from 19 starts, in the Grade 3 Sycamore Sprint at Turffontein on Saturday.
Alula’s Star (speed score 99) is sired by Red Ray, himself an accomplished sprinter who used to run figures of 109 back in the day. The Pettigrew trained winner had to fight hard to resist Kiss Me Captain (s/s 98) – another consistent filly.
Bureau de Legende, a bargain 30K buy off an online auction came to light at his first foray beyond a mile to cause a 66/1 shock in the Jacaranda Handicap over 1800m. This was a notable victory for trainer Robyn Klaasen and jock Gabriel Pieterse. The winner (by Legislate) dictated from early on yet was made to graft by Queen of Shadows (s/s 93) with Terra Time (s/s 92) also a persistent threat near the finish.
Over in Sha Tin, high class Lucky Sweynesse (s/s 115) managed to forge past odds-on favourite California Spangle and win the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, earning a big number in the process.
Then Voyage Bubble caused a 46/1 shakeup in the Hong Kong Derby in a tight finish over Tuchel and Beauty Eternal. He’d won the first Leg of the series getting a fine figure of 106 but looked held on his last start when setting the pace then fading to finish four lengths behind re-opposing rivals. This time he faced a tough trip from draw 14 which made his prospects seem forlorn but he somehow overcame all those doubts and a wide, off-pace trip to prevail in a race that was slow run early and turned into a dash for glory.
At a humbler domestic level, Beyondtheboundary (s/s 88 +, has run 97 at best) scraped in over Lord Varys at Scottsville. The victor is trained by Alyson Wright and was ridden to his third win over 1400m, by Sean Veale, having been tried over further.