Getting Ready

Lovely Mover

Vaal 17^th October: They raced on the sand on Thursday where victory in the opening maiden event over 1000m went to the newcomer PARK RIDGE. Pitched in against what has to be said was a very moderate field, Lucky Houdalakis’ charge raced sixth early on. She quickened well from halfway and after striking the front 120m from home she cruised clear to score by three and three quarters.

There were three races over 1000m in total and the fastest of these was the bill topping MR98 Handicap over 1000m won by NICE STRIDE. Seventh in the prestigious Gr2 Emerald Cup last time out, the Imperial Stride gelding was always handy. He ran on strongly over the final 400m and in what proved to be a real thriller he got up in the very last stride to collar the friendless ESCAPE CLAUSE.

The faster of the two 1450m events on the card was the MR66 Handicap won by LEVANTO. Soon up with the speed the son of Windrush took up the running at the halfway mark. He ran on strongly over the final 700m and with the rest well beaten he comfortably accounted for CHEDWIN PARK by three.

Titbits

SILENT FORCE cruised in by eight and a half after making all in the maiden 1600m.

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All The Way

Arlington 18^th October: A maiden plate over 1400m got proceedings underway in Port Elizabeth on Friday and in what proved to be the slowest of the three races over the distance STAGE GIRL scored a comfortable victory. Backed into favouritism at the track, Alan Greeff’s charge was soon up handy. She was ridden to lead as they approached the 200m marker and won well from the fancied TEEPEE by two.

The faster of the two 1200m races was the MR74 Handicap won by SUIT OF LIGHTS. Freely available at 9/1 on the off, Mike Bass’ charge broke well from his pole position draw and was soon nicely positioned in fourth. He quickened well in the short home straight and won comfortably by a length after striking the front 100m from home.

The afternoon’s feature event was a MR90 Handicap over 1800m and here victory went to the 6yo ZEZINHO CAMPEAO. Taken straight to the front by Musi Yeni the son of Hard Buck led throughout. He kept on strongly over the final 400m and although the lightly weighted PEREGRINE POWER chased hard, he won well by a length and a quarter.

Titbits

Runner up SYLVIIDAE ran on very well from the backend of midfield in the MR72 Handicap over 1800m.

Sylviidae’s stable companion LAURIE’S DANCER (also finished second) was easily twelve lengths off the pace rounding the turn in the MR70 Handicap over 1400m and did well to get within two and a quarter at the wire.

MARIONETTE came from the rear when third in the MR69 Handicap over 1400m.

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Just The Five

Turffontein 19^th October: Saturday’s action took place on the inner track where due to an electric storm and heavy rain the meeting had to be postponed after just five races. The remainder of the meeting was then scheduled to take place on Sunday 20^th October, but ended up being abandoned.

The faster of the two 1600m races that did take place was the fillie’s maiden won by the heavily supported SHOUT OUT. Deep in the red at 5/10 on the off (op 14/10), Geoff Woodruff’s charge was soon up handy. She was ridden to lead at the 300m marker and won going away by four and a half.

Another to win very comfortably in the maiden ranks on this card was FLIGHT CHECK in the 2600m event. Run in a time almost three seconds faster than that of the MR74 Handicap over the same distance the daughter of A P Arrow made all. She found extra when challenged 400m out and went on to score comfortably by two and three quarters.

Titbits

After swiftly overcoming a wide draw the Fanie Chambers ridden ARTFUL PRINCE made all, and only having to be pushed out with hands and heels at the business end of the race, won without any anxious moments.

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Flight Specialists

Durbanville 19^th October: The easiest victory at the country course on Saturday was undoubtedly that of the lightly raced FLYING COMFORT when landing the novice 1000m. Out of pens in a flash, Paddy Kruyer’s charge very quickly held a three lengths lead. He only had to be pushed out in the straight and won in impressive style.

Another to impress on this card was the aptly named SPEED ROCKET in the novice 1600m. A very comfortable winner on his only previous racecourse appearance the son of Dynasty raced sixth for most of the journey. The field was always closely grouped though and although he didn’t find the clearest of passages he quickly began to make headway. He struck the front as they approached the 100m pole and comfortably accounted for the useful ABERCROMBIE by three quarters.

Three of the afternoon’s eight races were run over 1200m and the fastest of these was the bill topping MR96 Handicap won by THEME SONG. Freely available at 25/2 on the off, the lightly weighted daughter of Black Minnaloushe was positioned in the rear as the nine runners turned for home. Once in the long home straight though she ran on best of all and under a well judged ride from Glen Hatt she won going away by a length.

Titbits

The friendless newcomer (18/1 out to 45/1) KATYA ran on well from the rear and didn’t find the clearest of passages when second of thirteen in the maiden 1400m.

KNYSNA LAGOON was flying at the finish when only failing to land the MR76 affair over 1200m by the narrowest of margins.

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Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

Top rated winners last week included

Notebook:-

FASTEST TIMES