Cool As Ice

Easy Victories

Fairview 4^th November: The easiest victory in the maiden ranks in Port Elizabeth on Friday was recorded by CARSON CITY in the 1600m event. Allowed to ease right out to 15/10 from 9/10 at the track, Justin Snaith’s charge was soon up handy. He was ridden to lead going through the 500m and went to score very comfortably by four and a quarter from the running on KALAMAZOO.

Another to win very easily on this card was DE LA DANZA who gained his second victory from just four starts since relocating to the province in the MR73 affair over 2000m. Confidently ridden by Felix Coetzee, Alan Greeff’s charge sat in midfield for most of the journey. Once in the long straight though he quickened well and after striking the front 200m out, he easily drew clear.

A MR104 Handicap over 1600m topped the bill and here we saw another smart performance from the improving TIK TAK TOE. Winning for the fourth time in five starts since relocating to the province, Barry Steenkamp’s charge was always positioned close to the speed. He was asked to take up the running at they approached the 400m marker and kept on strongly in the closing stages of the race to beat the running on JEAN ROI by a half.

The lucky last was a graduation event over 1600m and here the locals were sent home happy when the 9/10 favourite BAYARD did the business. Allowed to amble along towards the back end of midfield for most of the trip, Bayard made his move going through the 600m. He struck the front 200m from home and although FOREST DIGGER also finished well, he went on to score very easily by four and a half.

Titbits

MAKZOOS was running on best of all in the latter stages when fourth to Tik Tak Toe in the MR104 affair over 1600m.

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Champagne Mile

Turffontein 5^th November: In terms of prize money, the R2M Ready To Run Cup over 1400m topped the bill at the stand side track on Saturday and here we saw a smart performance from the unbeaten RED BARREL (57). Sent off a strong favourite at 17/10, Mike De Kock’s charge raced in midfield for most of the journey. Once in the long galloping straight though he soon began to make headway and under a well judged ride from Anton Marcus, he got up late to beat the nibbled at EXTRA ZERO (43) by three quarters. Red Barrel has now finished particularly well in both starts and could yet prove to be anything.

The Gr2 Charity Mile was next up and here we saw a smart performance from the July runner up PIERRE JOURDAN (100). Positioned in midfield as the sixteen runners turned for home, Gary Alexander’s charge was always in touch with the leaders. The 50/1 shot ENGAGEMENT was the first to make a move in the straight and on striking the front 200m out the Announce mare looked to have done everything right. Pierre Jourdan finished much the stronger though and when he in turn put his head in front at the distance, she could find no extra.

Victory in the Gr3 Starling Stakes over 1400m went to the nibbled at KATY’S LANE (52). Backed into 8/1 from 10’s at the track, Tyrone Zackey’s charge also came from off the pace. She ran on stoutly over the final 400m and went on to beat the more fancied BLUROUTE a little more easily than the official winning margin of a half length would suggest.

The Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m was won by the easy to back ASTRO NEWS (60). Freely available at 15/1 on the off Ivan Moore’s charge got away well when the gates opened and was soon up handy. He made his move going through the 600m and after striking the front 150m later he quickly grabbed a three lengths advantage. The lightly raced WHITELINE FEVER ran on nicely from off the pace and was gaining at the finish. Astro News kept on determinedly at the business end of the race though and still had a length to spare at the wire.

Titbits

Running on from off the pace, LARUSSA was baulked for a run 200m out and did very well indeed to land the MR90 Handicap over 1160m in the very last stride.

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Queen Victoria

Kenilworth 5^th November: The most impressive performance in Cape Town on Saturday was undoubtedly that of PRINCESS VICTORIA who came home smoking in the afternoon’s feature event, the Gr2 Choice Carriers Fillies Championship. Deep in the red at 9/20 on the off, the daughter of Victory Moon was soon up handy. She was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 300m marker and looking to be a class above her twelve rivals she cruised clear to score by two without ever having to engage the upper gears.

Another to win particularly well on this card was the 3yo KALINAGO who registered his second career victory from just three starts in the MR76 affair over 1000m. A little slow into stride, Dennis Drier’s charge raced towards the rear during the early part of the race. On reaching halfway though he began to quicken nicely and after striking the front 100m from home, he drew clear easily late to score by two and a half.

The 3yo JACKSON was sent off a strong favourite to win the MR88 affair over 1400m and he didn’t let down his supporters. Backed into 9/20 from 13/20 at the track, Brett Crawford’s charge was taken straight to the front by Karis Teetan and led throughout. The handily placed FIRST LAD chased hard over the final 400m, but try as he might, he couldn’t make any impression.

The easiest victory in the maiden ranks was recorded by RIVATORIO in the 1000m event. Not surprising sent off at 20/1 having failed to get within nine lengths of a winner in each of her two previous starts, Darryl Hodgson’s charge raced in midfield. She ran on best of all from halfway and belying her previous form she cruised clear 200m from home and won going away.

Titbits

Although never anywhere near the impressive winner Princess Victoria, MISS IPANEMA caught the eye running on nicely from the rear when fourth in the Fillies Championship.

Easy to back FLASH OF SPRING won the maiden event over 2200m going away.

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Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

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Top rated winners last week included

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Notebook:-

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FASTEST TIMES

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