In The Country

Sand Specialist

Vaal 16^th February: Thursday’s action took place on the sand where the easiest victory on the card was undoubtedly that of PROLAN in the opening maiden event over 1000m. Backed throughout the morning from 4/1 into 2’s, the lightly raced daughter of National Assembly moved through to take up the running going through halfway. She coasted clear with the least of effort from there onwards and with a ton in hand she cruised in by nine.

A conditions plate over 1600m topped the bill and here we saw another smart performance from the Sean Tarry trained MR TOBIN. Confidently ridden by regular partner Robbie Fradd, Mr Tobin raced fifth of the seven for most of the journey. Once given rein though, he soon began to make headway and after striking the front 300m from home, he drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to score by four and a quarter. The 6yo Mr Tobin is now unbeaten in four starts on sand.

The biggest upset on the card was registered by the 5yo BOWNORE in the MR87 Handicap over 1200m. Freely available at 28/1 on the off, Leon Erasmus’ charge raced at the back early on and soon found himself many lengths adrift of the leaders. On reaching halfway though, the field quickly began to concertina and finishing best of all, he got up nicely late to win going away.

Titbits

Racing on sand for the first time here, the 3yo IKATI ran on stoutly from many lengths off the pace in the MR80 Handicap over 1000m and did well to get within a length and three quarters of the winner BLINGLE BELLS.

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A Merry Jig

Arlington 17^th February: Since returning from a six month break in December the 6yo REFINED IN FIRE had been knocking at the door loudly and so it was nice to see him gain just reward for his efforts when registering his eighth career victory in the MR90 Handicap over 1800m. Always in touch with the leaders, Yvette Bremner’s charge made his move at the top of the short home straight. He finished best of all and in a race where only a neck covered the first four home, he got up in the very last stride.

The non-black type Breeders Guineas Plate over 1400m topped the bill and here we saw a smart performance from the improving IRISH MAID. Sent off second favourite at 3/1, Gavin Smith’s charge raced in the rear during the early part of the race. Once in the straight though, the daughter of Dynasty quickened best of all and under a well judged ride from Aldo Domeyer, she won going away after striking the front close home.

Another to win well on this card was HURRICANE KATRINA when doing the business for favourite backers in the MR90 affair over 1400m. Backed into 17/10 from 2/1 at the track, Justin Snaith’s charge was always handy. She was ridden to lead as they approached the 100m marker and comfortably accounted for MAIN MIRACLE by a length.

Titbits

The 12/10 favourite FAUSTINA ran on strongly to take fourth after being carried out 200m from home in the maiden event over 1600m.

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As Well As Ever

Greyville 17^th February: A maiden juvenile plate over 1000m was first up on Friday evening and here we saw a smart debut performance from the Charles Laird trained INDABA MY CHILDREN (18). Always in the red, the son of Tale Of The Cat was soon positioned close to the speed. He took up the running as they approached the 200m marker and easily accounted for the well supported second favourite OTTIMO (5/2 into 15/10) by two and three quarters.

The best bet on the card for most was WINTER MISCHIEF (6/10 into 9/20) in the novice 1600m, but after being positioned with every chance turning for home, he failed to get in a blow. Victory instead went to the lightly raced 4yo CHISLER (49). Having only his second outing since returning from a thirteen month break here, the son of Requiem raced just behind the short priced favourite in fifth. He quickened nicely 400m from home and in what proved to be a real thriller, he got up in the dying strides to deny the rank outsider of the party FUNNY GLORY (40/1 out to 66/1).

The evening’s feature event was a MR86 Handicap over 1600m and in another tight finish victory here went to the 3yo TOP TALENT (38). Nibbled at into 15/2 from 10’s at the track, the lightly weighted daughter of Kahal raced fourth for most of the journey. She quickened well at the top of the straight and in a race where less than a length separated the first four home, she got up late to beat the free striding pacemaker SIX BLUE NOTES by a neck.

Titbits

Positioned in the backend of midfield after setting off from a very wide draw, the heavily supported newcomer SHOGUNNAR (10/1 into 33/10) ran on best of all when finishing runner up in the maiden 1400m.

Easy to back SON OF ORIMANDES ran on strongly late when second to Boeing Boeing in the MR74 Handicap over 1300m.

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Gutsy Galanthus

Turffontein 18^th February: They raced on the inner track on Saturday where as expected victory in the opening maiden event over 1200m went to WYATT WEST (39). Placed in all thirteen of his previous outings, Alec Laird’s ultra consistent son of Way West was soon in touch with the leaders. He made his way to the front quickly in the short home straight and drew clear easily over the final 200m to score by three and three quarters. Wyatt West was unlucky enough to bump some good sorts in the maiden ranks and will probably pick up a second win much more quickly than he gained his first.

Race five on the card was a pinnacle stakes over 1800m and here we saw a very gutsy performance from the favourite GALANTHUS (90). Allowed to ease a little in the betting market (13/10 out to 17/10) as money came for both GLORIOUS JET (9/2 into 5/2) and TITANO (6/1 into 4/1), Galanthus went straight to the front. He was headed by Glorious Jet shortly after coming off the strip, but rallied gamely at the business end of the race and after regaining the lead 200m out he kept on gamely to hold off a determined challenge from KNOCK ON WOOD.

The non-black type Allez France Handicap topped the bill and here victory went to the uneasy favourite ATLANTIC OAK (77). On leaving the stalls it was one of the rank outsiders of the party OR ELS who elected to make the running whilst Mike De Kock’s charge raced close up in sixth. She quickened well early in the home straight and with the rest well beaten she got the better of the 3yo AVENUE OF GOLD by a half.

Titbits

9/20 favourite DANCE ALLEY won the maiden event over 1600m with plenty in hand.

Positioned at the back of the nine turning for home, the lesser fancied of St John Gray’s two runners SUPER TROOPER caught the eye running on nicely to take third in the pinnacle event won by Galanthus.

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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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