The Elmo Effect (speed score 102) appreciated turning back to a shorter trip when causing an upset in the Drum Star Handicap at Turrfontein. The son of Admire Main had been grinding it out over long distances with occasional success but he got his reward coming into this Listed event off a low weight. He finished well towards the inner, working past Arctica (s/s 101) who had made an early dash for glory. The consistent runner up is progressing nicely and scored a career best figure here.
Master Switch, who was returning from nearly four months off track, caught the eye running on, whilst Romany Prince may have found it too hard conceding 7.5kg’s to the winner. Both placed horses attained respectable 99’s, yet have run bigger numbers in the past.
La Favourari (s/s 102) is a most dependable speedball worth following. He beat off stable mate Ovar (s/s 97) in a Pinnacle Stakes at Kenilworth. The Querari gelding has only missed the money twice – at his most recent start when stretching out to a mile and earlier in his career when returning from a break after being gelded. Other than those rare miscues, he is always on the premises running figs around 100, and his consistency is a credit to sharp trainer Andre Nel.)
It was gratifying seeing Benjan (s/s 94) recover from serious injury to record a second career win. At one stage rated as a possible Derby entry by the Bass Robinson yard, he then fell at the training yard smashing his wither so badly that it seemed his racing career might end. Restored to health months later, he snuck into a lowly handicap off a meagre merit rating of 60 with claiming appy, Bantam on board. The long-shot Fort Wood gelding duly raced upfront and never looked like losing – another stunning blow on a rough day for favourite backers. A number of big-priced winners (Golden Pass in the previous race was an even bigger “spook”) led to a massive Jackpot divvy of 151K, with a big chunk of the Pick Six pool understandably going un-won.