Down In Class

Smart Choice

Greyville 29^th April: This was the meeting originally scheduled to take place on Tuesday 26^th April.

The Hussenot colt RIO CARNIVAL (21) was sent off as if unbeatable to win the opening maiden juvenile event over 1400m on Friday evening and he didn’t let down his supporters. Eventually sent off at the prohibitive odds of 1/3, Charlie Laird’s charge was soon up handy. He was ridden to lead as they approached the 200m marker and with a ton in hand he went on to beat the running on SURRUPTITIOUS by a length and a quarter. The newcomer Surruptitious finished well from the rear and although he is a little flattered by his proximity to the winner here, he should come on stacks for the run.

Another to win with some in hand in the maiden ranks on this card was PSALTERY (25) who opened her account over 1400m. Nicely drawn in gate three, Neil Bruss’ charge was always in touch with the leaders. She moved through to take up the running shortly after passing the 300m marker and went on to beat one of the joint second favourites CASTLE QUEEN a little more easily than the form books will reflect.

A MR94 Handicap over 1400m topped the bill and here we saw a smart performance from the improving MIKE’S CHOICE (84). Backed into 19/10 from 3/1 at the track, the second favourite was always handy. He ran on best of all at the business end of the race and after a thrilling tussle with the favourite RIDETHEBREEZE in the straight, he drew clear nicely late to score by a length and a quarter. Now a winner of four races in total, Michael Roberts’ charge has shown considerable improvement in each of his last two starts and is clearly one to keep tabs on.

FOURTH ESTATE was all the rage to win the MR78 affair over 1400m in the ante-post betting market and although punters weren’t as convinced at the track, he did nonetheless do the business. Backed into 3/1 at one stage from 8’s (sent off 9/2), the son of Dynasty raced in midfield for most of the journey. He quickened well at the top of the straight and under a well judged ride from Ian Sturgeon, he got up nicely late to beat the running on ARABIAN SANDS by a length and three quarters.

Titbits

Nibbled at into 5/1 from 7’s, SILVER HEATH was in the rear turning for home and won the maiden event over 1600m going away.

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A Real Sprinter

Turffontein 30^th April: The first of the Gr1 events to take place on Champion’s Day was the Computaform Sprint over 1000m and here we saw a very impressive performance from the Var flly VAL DE RA (99). Allowed to drift alarmingly at the track (6/1 out to 13/1), Dennis Drier’s charge fairly flew when the gates opened and having travelled no more than 150m, she already had the hotpot favourite WHAT A WINTER some four and a half lengths adrift. She was always clear and although the pack headed by the market leader were steadily closing in late, she went on to win by a length and a quarter without any anxious moments.

The best bet on the card for most, albeit at very cramped odds, was IGUGU (88) in the Gr2 SA Oaks. Attempting to become the first horse in history to win the Triple Tiara, Igugu raced second for most of the journey. The pacemaker PRINCESS OF LIGHT found extra when Igugu put her head in front 600m out and for a 100m or so that one gave cheek. Once given rein though, Igugu quickly skipped clear and with the rest well beaten, she went on to win by six.

The Gr1 SA Derby was next up and here a bit of an upset was to be had when the Gavin Van Zyl trained SEAL (94) landed the odds. It wasn’t a surprise to everybody though as Seal found good support at the track and eventually left the stalls at 10/1 after opening up at 20’s. On leaving the stalls it was the 80/1 shot BELMONTE who elected to make the running whilst Seal was always in touch back in sixth. He quickened nicely at the top of the long home straight and after striking the front 350m from home, he easily drew clear.

The biggest upset on the card was undoubtedly that of HAPPY LANDING (89) in the Gr1 Champions Challenge. Freely available at 55/1 on the off, Joey Soma’s charge was always positioned close to the speed. He was asked to take up the running as they approached the 500m marker and although CAPTAIN’S WILD threw down a determined challenge over the final 200m, he gamely kept finding to win by a neck.

The Gr2 Gold Bowl over 3200m brought the afternoon’s proceedings to a close and in another very close finish victory here went to the Ormond Ferraris trained HEROD THE GREAT (88). Confidently ridden by Anthony Delpech, the son of Tara’s Halls raced in the rear for most of the journey. He quickened well coming off the bend though and was already at the front 500m out. The favourite ILSANPIETRO also quickened very nicely at that point and when he in turn put his head in front 400m out, it looked as if he had done everything right. Herod The Great found extra once headed though, and after a protracted battle, he got back up late to score by a neck.

Titbits

Running on from off the pace, ENGLISH GARDEN battled to find a clear passage when first asked for his effort in the Gr1 Champions Challenge and only really got going after the winner had gone clear.

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All The Way

Scottsville 1^st May: Sent off as if unbeatable in the opening maiden juvenile event over 1000m in Natal on Sunday was the Var filly LANGOUSTIER. Deep in the red at 1/3 on the off, Doug Campbell’s charge was soon up handy. She was positioned with every chance when the much more experienced  NOBLE DREAMS (30) moved through to take up the running 350m from home, but try as she might, Langoustier couldn’t go with her.

Race four on the card was a maiden event over 1200m and here we saw a very easy victory for the Mark Dixon trained MEDIA MAKER (36). Supported throughout the day into 19/10 favourite from 4/1, Media Maker was always positioned close to the speed. He was asked to take up the running as they approached the 400m marker and only having to be ridden hands and heels from there onwards, he went on to score much more easily than the official winning margin of 2,75 lengths would suggest.

The listed Scarlet Lady Handicap over 1800m topped the bill and here victory went to the favourite WHITE MISCHIEF (65) Backed into 33/10 from 4/1 at the track, White Mischief adopted a change of tactics here and raced from the front. She was a length and a half clear coming off the bend and running on stoutly in the home straight, she never surrendered an inch of her advantage.

The final event on the card was a MR76 Handicap over 1000m and here we saw a comfortable victory for the Qui Danzig filly FLOWERS OF SPRING (45). Prominent throughout, Ivan Moore’s charge was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 300m marker and with a bit in hand, she comfortably accounted for the running on TRAVEL LIGHT by two and a half.

Titbits

Racing in the rear after being a little slow into stride in the MR80 Handicap won by Omega Warrior, Rise Again didn’t get the clearest of runs when asked for her effort 400m out and running on at the finish, is clearly better than the form line would suggest.

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Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

Top rated winners last week included

Notebook:-

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