Formula One

Not So Easy

Scottsville 6^th November: The Jet Master filly VIVA MARIA (21) was sent off as if unbeatable to win the maiden event over 1750m and although she didn’t win as easily as her 1/3 price would suggest, she did nonetheless land the spoils. The 9/1 chance MASAVERU was the first to make a move in the straight and after striking the front kept on strongly. Viva Maria had to work hard from there onwards and it was only close home that she began to get the upper hand.

The easiest victory in the maiden ranks was recorded by VESTAL MOON (23) in the 1400m event. Soon up handy, the daughter of Victory Moon raced prominent throughout. She was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 400m marker and comfortably accounted for the front running KATY’S DREAM by two and three quarters.

The afternoon’s feature event was a MR80 Handicap over 1750m and here we saw a nice performance from the 4yo KEEP ON DREAMING (59). A little slow into stride when the gates opened, Kom Naidoo’s charge raced seventh of the nine for most of the journey. Once in the straight though she quickened best of all and comfortably accounted for the well supported favourite CHERRY ON THE CAKE (5/1 into 7/2) by a length and a half.

Titbits

After racing in the rear the poorly drawn URBAN was running on strongly at the finish when third in the MR72 affair over 1750m.

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Four In A Row

Scottsville 8^th November: The easiest victory on Tuesday was undoubtedly that of BILLY BOY BLUES (36) in the maiden event over 1600m. Allowed to ease out to 33/10 from 28/10 at the track as money in the main came for the outsiders WILD AND WINDY (10/1 into 13/2) and MENTMORE (33/1 into 16/1), Mark Dixon’s charge was soon up handy. He was ridden to lead at the top of the straight and after quickly going clear he easily accounted for HALLOWED by seven.

The best bet on the card for most was the four timer seeking OCCHI DI LUPO (72) in the MR86 Handicap over 1000m and he didn’t let down his supporters. Just five runners went to post and nicely positioned in third he was always poised to strike. He hit the front 100m from home and went on to score by a half from the not so lucky CASH LORD. The 3yo Cash Lord had been baulked for a run 200m out and was finishing at least as well as the winner.

A MR86 Handicap over 1400m was next up and here we saw a comfortable victory for the Charles Laird trained TALENTE (52). Freely available at 9/2 on the off, the bottom weight was always in touch with the leaders. She quickened best of all at the business end of the race and under a confident ride from apprentice Dillon won well from the nibbled at REASON TO BELIEVE.

Titbits

Running on from midfield, QUEEN TAMARA won the MR77 Handicap over 1000m going away.

Promoted to second position after finishing third, UPITY ANN was running on best of all before being hampered 200m out.

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Missing Link

Turffontein 8^th November: They raced on the old stand side track on Tuesday evening where victory in the opening maiden event over 1160m went to the uneasy favourite COME WITH ME (36). She got away well when the gates opened and soon up handy raced prominent throughout. She moved up to dispute matters 150m from home and after a thrilling tussle with the well supported SUPER PERSUIT she only got the verdict by the narrowest of margins.

The best bet on the card for most was the Premier’s Champion Stakes winner POTALA PALACE (58) in the graduation event over 1400m, but it was by no means as easy as one might have expected. Indeed, Michael Azzie’s charge had to give his all after striking the front 400m out and only held on by a short head from the lightly raced EUROSILVER.

A conditions Plate over 1160m topped the bill and here we saw a smart performance from last year’s Gauteng Guineas winner LINK MAN (101). On leaving the stalls it was WINKING JACK who elected to make the running whilst Link Man, a little slow into stride, raced in the rear. The deposed favourite SHEA SHEA (evens out to 16/10) struck the front 400m out and at that point he looked to have done everything right. As they approached the 200m marker though, he was joined by both SNOWDON and Link Man and perhaps in need of the run, he couldn’t go with them. Link Man ran on strongly from there onwards and although Snowdon did have the rest well beaten, he went on to beat that one by two with some in hand.

Titbits

Fourth beaten just two lengths to Potala Palace in the graduation event over 1400m, lightly raced Wagner was running on best of all at the finish.

FROM ABOVE caught the eye running on strongly from the rear when fourth beaten just a length and a half in the MR70 affair over 1000m.

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Winning Return

Kenilworth 9^th November: Just four runners went to post for the progress event over 1600m in Cape Town on Wednesday and here it was nice to see the very talented FABIANI return from a long absence in fine fettle. The pace was a good one for such a small field and when the 11/20 favourite LAKE ARTHUR struck the front 300m out those buying money must have been rubbing their hands together. Fabiani was always on his heels though and in what proved to be a real thriller, he got up late to score by a neck.

Race five on the card was a novice 1200m and here victory went to the recent Gr3 Cape Classic fourth placed runner GREAT FOX. Sent off second favourite at 17/10, Justin Snaith’s charge was always handy. He was ridden to lead as they approached the 200m marker and just had enough in hand to hold off the running on favourite KINGSLAYER by a neck. Keep an eye on the runner up Kingslayer. Dean Kannemeyer’s charge had raced in the rear and was finishing well.

Also worthy of note on this card was the performance of BORN TO BE WILD when winning the MR74 Handicap over 2400m. On leaving the stalls it was EMERALD WELLS who elected to make the running whilst Bill Prestage’s charge raced close up in fifth. He was asked to take up the running as they approached the 200m pole and went on to score comfortably from the 17/10 favourite LUNO by a length and a quarter.

Titbits

Despite racing very green, LADY DAYLIGHT ran on well when getting up late to deny the well supported favourite Daily Flight in the maiden event over 1400m.

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Shooting Star

Vaal 10^th November: Thursday’s action took place on the sand where we saw a smart performance in the opening maiden event over 1000m from the heavily supported newcomer VIVACIOUS STAR. Backed throughout the morning into 3/1 from10/1, Lucky Houdalakis’ charge wasn’t the quickest into stride and soon found herself a number of lengths off the brisk early pace set by one of the joint favourites LA VOLTA. Vivacious Star quickened very nicely at the business end of the race and with the rest some four lengths adrift, she got up late to deny La Volta close home.

A MR93 Handicap over 1000m topped the bill and here victory went to the second favourite RUBY KING. She was always handy and with the benefit of first run, she went on to score comfortably from the well supported favourite COMMISSIONERSTREET who finished well from off the pace.

A MR76 Handicap over 1000m was next up and here we saw a powerful front running performance from the Clinton Binda trained EL CIELO. Flying out of the pens as if possessed, El Ceilo was very quickly in command of a four lengths lead. He kept up the gallop throughout and although the 15/10 favourite MAGICA ROMA chased hard over the final 400m, he never relinquished an inch of his advantage.

Titbits

Well supported FALL OF TROY won the maiden event over 1200m by four and a quarter with plenty in hand.

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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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