Deluxe Throne

Gutsy Maria

Clairwood 20^th December: They raced at the garden course on Tuesday where the first of four favourites to arrive was RANSOM OF CHOICE (56) in the graduation event over 1600m. The five runners raced in indian file for most of the journey and nicely positioned in second, Charlie Laird’s charge was always poised to strike. He was asked to take up the running as they approached the 200m marker and although the 3yo COUNT THE MUSIC threw down a determined challenge in the closing stages of the race, he went on to score comfortably by a length and a half.

The easiest victory on the card was recorded by QUEEN SONJA (42) when opening her account in the maiden 1200m. Making her ninth racecourse appearance here, Queen Sonja (6/1 into 3/1) got away well when the gates opened and was soon at the head of affairs. She began to assert her authority going through the 400m and easily accounted for the most experienced runner in the field, LILY OF LONDON by five and a half.

Race five on the card was a MR70 Handicap over 1000m and here it was nice to see the Var mare LAMORNA (27) register her third career victory. Backed into 5/2 from 4/1 at the track, Michael Roberts’ charge was always in touch with the leaders. She quickened best of all when the race began in earnest 400m out and under a well judged ride from Alec Forbes, she got up late to deny the deposed favourite RASHULI BREEZE (28/10 out to 9/2).

The afternoon’s feature event was a MR85 Handicap over 2000m and here we saw a gutsy performance from the 3yo VIVA MARIA (28). Taken straight to the front by 4kg claimer Mariba, the daughter of Jet Master led throughout. She answered every call in the long home straight and in a race where less than a length and a half separated the first seven home, she kept on gamely to beat the running on veteran SALTWATER GIRL by a half.

Titbits

Although never able to get anywhere near the easy five length winner Chestnut Model, PAMINA was running on strongly in the closing stages of the MR67 Handicap over 2000m, and that after being a little slow into stride and hitting the rail 1100m out.

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Wider Than A Mile

Turffontein 20^th December: They raced on the old stand side track on Tuesday evening where the best bet on the card for most was CHECCETTI (63) in the graduation event over 1600m. Always deep in the red, Mike De Kock’s charge raced prominent throughout. She was ridden to lead as they approached the 500m marker and won comfortably by a length and a half despite being eased down late.

Another to win well on this card was AMERICANO (45) when opening his account in the maiden event over 1160m. Soon up handy, the 3yo son of Western Winter raced prominent throughout. He was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 500m marker and kept on strongly in the closing stages of the race to beat the well supported favourite WYATT WEST by two.

The Paul Peter trained MOONRIVER MAGIC (32) was well supported to win the maiden event over 1400m and she didn’t let down her followers. Eventually sent off 33/10 second favourite after opening up at 11/2, Moonriver Magic was taken straight to the front by Anthony Delpech and led throughout. She was always in command and only having to be ridden hands and heels over the final 400m she accounted for LUSIKISIKI much more easily than the official length and three quarters margin would suggest.

Race seven on the card was a MR93 Handicap over 1160m and here we saw a smart performance from DELIVER THE POWER (70). Sent off a strong favourite at 18/10, Dominic Zaki’s charge was always positioned close to the speed. He was asked to take up the running going through the 400m and ran out a very easy winner by four and a half over the easy to back EL CIELO.

Titbits

THE APACHE quickened nicely late when getting the better of both stable companion Seal and the favourite Link Man in the pinnacle event over 1600m.

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Flying late

Kenilworth 21^st December: A maiden juvenile event over 900m got proceedings underway in Cape Town on Wednesday and here we saw a smart performance from the well supported favourite CONISTON GOLD. Backed into 18/10 from 5/2 at the track, Justin Snaith’s charge got away well when the gates opened and was always handy. She was ridden to lead going through the 300m and went on to score comfortably from the 66/1 shot GREY THUNDER by a length and three quarters.

The best bet on the card for many was PRINCE OF WINGS in the maiden event over 1400m and although he was allowed to ease a little at the track (2/1 out to 28/10) as money came for MARINE SKY (5/1 into 75/20) he did nonetheless do the business. On leaving the stalls it was BALDWIN who elected to make the running whilst Mike Bass’ charge raced in midfield. Prince Of Wings finished best of all at the business end of the race and although the money horse also ran on well, he went on to score comfortably by a length and a half.

The afternoon’s feature event was a MR88 Handicap over 1400m and here it was nice to see the 4yo CHRYSALIS back in the winner’s enclosure. Freely available at 13/2 on the off, Vaughan Marshall’s charge raced up with the speed throughout. He answered every call over the final 400m and in what proved to be a real thriller he managed to hold off a determined challenge from BOIS DE VAR by a half.

Even more breathtaking was the finish of the MR70 Handicap over 1800m where the 16/1 shot MERINGUE registered her second career victory. The much more fancied SAVANNAH LEIGH got first run in the straight and soon a couple of lengths clear after striking the front 250m out, it looked as if she had done everything right. Running on stoutly from the rear though, Meringue fairly flew in the latter stages of the race and with the rest some four lengths adrift, she got up to deny Savannah Leigh in the very last stride.

Titbits

Newcomer ICE GODDESS ran on well from the rear when third in the maiden event over 1000m.

Seven lengths adrift of the winner Audrey Rose at the top of the straight, FEEL MY LOVE ran on best of all and only failed to get up by the narrowest of margins.

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Easy Wins

Vaal 22^nd December: Thursday’s action took place on the turf where a nice gamble was landed in the opening maiden event over 1000m when the aptly named newcomer VICTORIOUS MISTRESS opened her account. Backed throughout the morning into 13/10 at one stage from 5/1, Paul Peter’s charge raced up with the speed throughout. She began to assert her authority going through the 300m and went on to score easily from the most experienced runner in the field IN TO BEEP by three.

The easiest victory on the afternoon was recorded by THE LAST SAMURAI in the maiden event over 1400m. The best bet on the card for many, Gavin Van Zyl’s charge found good support at the track and eventually left the stalls at 11/10 (opened 2/1). He led throughout and won very easily by four and a half without any anxious moments.

Another to win well on this card was SACRED FEMININE who registered her fourth career victory from just ten outings in the afternoon’s feature event, a MR90 Handicap over 1400m. Prominent throughout, Weiho Marwing’s charge took up the running shortly after passing halfway and kept on strongly over the final 600m to beat the running on GO INDIGO by two and a half.

The not so lucky last was a MR72 Handicap over 1400m and here a major upset was to be had when CYCLONE BARBARA landed the spoils. Freely available at 55/1 on the off, the 5yo daughter of Kabool raced in midfield for most of the journey. She ran on best of all at the business end of the race and had she not have been eased down late, she would have won even easier than the official winning margin of two and three quarter lengths would suggest.

Titbits

Well supported favourite ROSEY’S SONG ran out a very comfortable winner of the maiden event over 1600m.

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Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

Top rated winners last week included

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Notebook:-

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FASTEST TIMES

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