Early Days

Full Of Youth

Fairview 9^th September: They raced in Port Elizabeth on Friday where victory in the MR74 Handicap over 1000m went to the recent Kenilworth winner PACIFIC BREEZE (49). Sent off a strong favourite at 16/10, Justin Snaith’s charge raced prominent throughout. She was ridden to lead as they approached the 300m marker and kept on strongly in the closing stages of the race to beat the running on SEPTEMBER MOON (10/1 into 13/2) by three quarters.

The 1600m Founders Trophy topped the bill and in a race where only 2,85 lengths separated all seven runners at the wire, victory here went to the Yvette Bremner trained YOUTH CLUB (66). Confidently ridden by Karis Teetan, the son of Casey Tibbs was positioned at the back turning for home. Once in the straight though, he quickened best of all and under a well judged ride he got up late to win going away by a length.

A MR103 Handicap over 1200m was next up and here it was nice to see the Alan Greeff trained OCEANS AWAY (83) bounce back to form. Winning for the first time since 10^th September last season, the 7yo was taken straight to the front by apprentice Justine King and led throughout. He was always in command and although the in form ICEMBERG finished strongly from midfield, he went on to score comfortably by a length and a quarter.

Titbits

Racing over a trip well short off his best on his local debut in the MR84 Handicap over 1200m, DE LA DANZA flew up from the rear in the latter stages and would have gotten the better of the well supported favourite Three Captains (7/2 into 2/1) in a couple more strides.

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Promising Victories

Turffontein 10^th September: They raced on the inner track on Saturday where we saw an impressive debut performance from the Doowaley filly LARUSSA (26). Freely available at 16/1 on the off, Paul Matchett’s charge raced in midfield during the early part of the race. She quickened nicely in the strip and already at the head of affairs early in the straight, she cruised clear over the final 400m to win by six and a quarter.

Another to win well in the maiden ranks on this card was GREY GOOSE (36) when opening his account in the 1800m event. Nibbled at on course into 9/1 from 10’s, Ormond Ferraris’ charge was taken straight to the front by Piere Strydom and led throughout. He was two lengths clear coming off the strip and despite the efforts of the uneasy favourite CARNABY STREET (22/10 out to 33/10) over the final 400m, he extended his advantage to three and a quarter on the run to the line.

The afternoon’s feature event was a MR88 Handicap over 1200m and here an upset was to be had when the friendless VETO (62) registered his third career victory. On leaving the stalls it was the hat trick seeking favourite OUR BUDDY who elected to make the running whilst Veto raced handy in third. Our Buddy kept on strongly in the short home straight and did have the rest well beaten. The son of Caesour quickened nicely at the business end of the race though, and after striking the front 120m from home, he easily drew clear.

Titbits

TENDER TWILIGHT ran on well to win the MR86 affair going away.

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Maiden’s Day

Kenilworth 10^th September: All eight of the races in Cape Town on Saturday were maiden events, but there were nonetheless some very smart performances.

Although not in terms of winning distance, the most impressive performance of the afternoon was recorded by the newcomer LIANCOURT ROCK (23) in the 1200m affair. Backed throughout the day into 9/20, Dean Kannemeyer’s charge was content to amble along in midfield for the first half of the race. He worked his way through the field quickly when given some rein and only asked to do the necessary at the business end of the race, he comfortably accounted for WOTTA SMASHER by two and a quarter. Liancourt Rock won very well and is clearly useful.

Anther to win very nicely from the Kannemeyer stable on the day was EQUITORIA (9) who did the business for favourite backers in the 1800m event. Sent off at 11/10 after opening up at 18/10, the son of Victory Moon also came from off the pace. He struck the front 250m from home and with some in hand he easily accounted for TELLMEMORE by two and a half. One to follow.

Also worthy of note on this card was the performance of SKIP WEST (31) in winning the 1400m event. Nibbled at on course into 13/2 from 8/1, Justin Snaith’s charge was always in touch with the leaders. She quickened well early in the straight and only having to be pushed out hands and heels over the final 400m, she comfortably accounted for the running on PALE NIGHT by a length and a half.

Titbits

Allowed to drift in the betting market as if running on three legs, the newcomer WINTER MIGRANT (8/1 out to 22/1) won the second division of the maiden 1200m going away.

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Comeback Trail

Scottsville 11^th September: Lightly raced JAGERBOMB (21) was backed as if unbeatable to win the maiden event over 1000m in Natal on Sunday and he didn’t let down his supporters. Deep in the red at 5/10 on the off (opened 11/10), Dennis Drier’s charge led throughout. He quickened nicely going through halfway and despite the efforts of the running on INDIAN CONNECTION, he went on to score very easily by four and a half.

Another to win very easily on this card was JET TRAIL (72) in the afternoon’s feature event, a conditions plate over 1600m. She got away well when the gates opened and soon up handy raced prominent throughout. She was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 400m marker and although AUTUMN GOLD finished well from off the pace to take second, she went on to win very cosily by four.

The not so lucky last was a MR74 Handicap over 1000m and in what proved to be a real thriller victory here went to the 4yo COTSWOLD (52). Up with the speed throughout, the daughter of The Sheik kept on determinedly at the business end of the race and in a blanket finish she only got the verdict over the improving RASHULI BREEZE by a neck.

Titbits

A little slow into stride, and hampered 1100m out to boot, Joe Pike ran on strongly in the closing stages of the MR93 affair over 1400m and did well to get within 4,25 lengths of the winner.

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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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