Honest Perception

Flowers Of Spring

Arlington 27^th September: The faster of the two 1000m maiden events in Port Elizabeth on Friday was the second division won by the newcomer FORT OZARK. Heavily supported throughout the morning (6/1 into 16/10), Alan Greeff’s charge was soon up handy. He was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 300m marker and comfortably accounted for the nibbled at NILE SYMPHONY by a length and a half.

Three of the afternoon’s nine races were run over 1200m and the fastest of these somewhat surprisingly was the MR70 Handicap won by BUDWEISER BOY. Freely available at 10/1 on the off, Dorrie Sham’s charge was drawn wide, but despite that was soon nicely positioned in fifth. He quickened nicely at the top of the straight and won well by two after striking the front 200m from home.

A MR92 Handicap over 1800m topped the bill and here it was nice to see the Silvano mare DAFFODIL DAY gain just reward for her recent consistency. A runner up in each of her last four starts, the top weight raced fourth for most of the journey. SILVAN SPIRIT through down a determined challenge shortly after she moved though to take up the running 200m out and in what proved to be a real thriller it was only by the narrowest of margins that Daffodil got her day.

At the other end of the scale the easiest victory on the card was recorded by GYPSY LANE when opening his account in the maiden 1600m. Sent off a well supported favourite at 19/10 (op 3/1), the 4yo son of Right Approach broke well from a very wide draw and was soon at the head of affairs. He was headed by GOLDEN RORKUS going through the 500m, but once given rein he quickly regained the lead. He drew clear easily over the final 300m and won with authority by three and a half.

Titbits 

SHIMMER AND SHINE won the MR90 Handicap going away by two and a quarter.

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Emerald Rush

Vaal 28^th September: Africa’s richest sand race the Gr2 Emerald Cup over 1450m topped the bill at the Vaal on Saturday and here a major upset was to be had when the Eastern Cape raider IN A RUSH claimed top prize. Freely available at 25/1 on the off, the 5yo son of Windrush took full advantage of his pole position draw and was soon up handy. He put his head in front at the 500m pole and kept on strongly in the latter stages of the race to fend off a determined challenge from the super heavyweight PYLON (64,5kg).

The fastest of the three 1450m events though was the MR94 Handicap won by KILLUA CASTLE. The best bet on the card for many, Geoff Woodruff’s charge raced fifth of the eight for most of the journey. He was asked to take up the running going through the 400m and went on to win with authority from the former Zimbabwe campaigner NEWTON POWER.

Another to win well from the stable of Geoff Woodruff on the afternoon was ARCETRI PINK in the non-black type Sophomore Fillies over 1000m. Beaten just 1,55 lengths when fourth in the Gr1 Golden Slipper in her penultimate start, the daughter of Rock Of Gibralter raced close to the speed throughout. She made her move as they approached the 200m marker and won comfortably by two and a quarter from the running on GLENSHEE. Keep an eye on the runner up, she was positioned in the rear early on and did well to get as close as she did.

Four of the afternoon’s ten races were run over 1000m and the fastest of these was the listed Banyana Handicap won by CANTE LIBRE. Another to race handy, the 19/2 shot struck the front 100m from home and comfortably accounted for the 3yo WAR PATH (attempted to make all) by two.

Titbits

STAVINSKY ran on well from off the pace when fourth in the MR80 Handicap over 1200m.

Having his first outing on sand, the lightly raced SOLE MIO ran on well from the rear when third to Gold Prospector (now unbeaten in three starts on the surface) in the boy’s division of the non-black type Sophomore 1000m.

MUTHIAH PILLAI was hampered 600m out before running on strongly to take second position in the MR98 Handicap over 1800m.

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Highly Rated

Durbanville 28^th September: The going was still soft at the country course on Saturday where victory in the opening maiden event over 1000m went to the Jay peg gelding WISE GEEK. Nibbled at on course into 14/1 from 22’s, Ronnie Sheehan’s charge was always handy. He quickened nicely over the final 300m and with the rest some three and a half lengths adrift he did well to collar the second favourite MUSKETS ‘N ROSES close home.

Four of the afternoon’s nine races were run over 1300m and the fastest of these was the MR74 Handicap won by CAPTAIN MAGPIE. On leaving the stalls it was FOREST PANTHER who elected to make the running whilst Brett Crawford’s charge raced close up in third. He was ridden to lead approaching the 300m pole and with the benefit of first run he held on to score by a half from the gaining VICE ADMIRAL.

The easiest victory on the card was recorded by HIGHLY DECORATED when registering her second career win from just four starts in the MR72 Handicap over 1300m. Initially priced up as a joint favourite at 5/2 (sent off 7/2), Justin Snaith’s charge was soon positioned up with the speed. She made her move going through the 300m and went on to score with authority by three and a half.

Titbits

Baulked twice en-route from midfield, BOY FROM BRAZIL was flying at the finish when only beaten a neck in the maiden 1300m.

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Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

Top rated winners last week included

Notebook:-

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