Let The Music Play

Improving Sorts

Clairwood 12^th August: A maiden event over 1200m got proceedings underway at the garden course on Sunday and here victory went to the nibbled at newcomer KISHIMOTO. Eventually sent off at 10/1 after opening up at 16’s, Dennis Drier’s charge didn’t get the best of starts and raced in midfield during the early part of the race. He was then baulked for a run 200m out when gaining quickly and did very well indeed under the circumstances to get up in the very last stride.

The best bet on the card for most was Kishimoto’s stable companion KING NEPTUNE in the second division of the maiden 1200m. Backed into 3/10 from 6/10 at the track, the son of Cataloochee was soon up handy. He was ridden to lead shortly after passing halfway and went on to score very easily by six and a quarter with some in hand.

The in form stable of Dennis Drier were again on the mark in the 1800m graduation event when the improving DISCORDIA registered her second career victory. Nibbled at into 9/1 from 14’s on course, Discordia was taken straight to the front by Sean Cormack and led a very tightly grouped field throughout. She quickened well at the business end of the race and won very comfortably by three.

Another improving sort to win well on this card was PESSOA in the MR81 affair over 1450m. Sent off a well supported favourite at 17/10 op 3/1), Alec Laird’s charge raced prominent throughout. He was asked to take up the running early in the long home straight and easily accounted for the running on JAMAL by two and three quarters.

Titbits

Despite racing very green on his return from an eight month break, TURKESTAN was running on nicely at the finish when fourth in the maiden event over 1600m.

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Full Of Surprise

Flamingo Park 13^th August: They raced in the Northern Cape on Monday where victory in the opening maiden event for 3yo’s over 1000m went to the well tried IKE. Nibbled at into 6/1 at the track, the son of Bezrin raced close up in second just a half length behind the front running favourite TORELLO for most of the journey. He quickened well at the business end of the race and got up late to score by a half.

Race four on the card was a maiden event over 1800m and here it was nice to see the costly to follow HENRY HIGGINS rescue his followers from bankruptcy. In the red at 7/10 in this his first visit to Kimberley, Henry Higgins raced much closer to the pace than he had done in recent starts. He worked his way through the field easily in the home straight and won gong away by five and three quarters.

A MR78 Handicap over 1400m topped the bill and here a bit of an upset was to be had when the rank outsider of the party IRELAND registered his fifth career victory. He was always handy and after a thrilling tussle with BEEPBEEP, it was only by a neck that he got the verdict.

The not so lucky last was a MR68 affair over 1000m and here another upset was to be had when COUNTESS KATE landed the spoils. It wasn’t a surprise to everybody though as the daughter of Count Dubois had been allowed to flirt with 12/1 for a while after opening up at 20’s. She got away well when the gates opened and soon up handy raced prominent throughout. She finished best of all below the distance and comfortably accounted for the strongly fancied second favourite SMART SALLY by a length and a quarter.

Titbits

After taking up the running 200m out, the friendless PHOTO SHOOT went on to win the maiden 1400m very easily going away.

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Surprise Mess

Scottsville 14^th August: The 3yo CHERRY TRIPPER was the best bet on the card for most in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday and she didn’t let down her supporters. Sent off at the prohibitive odds of 3/10, Dennis Bosch’s charge was always handy. She was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 300m marker and comfortably accounted for the 4yo ROSIE THE REBEL by a length and three quarters.

Another well supported favourite to win well in the maiden ranks on this card was ABOVE EMERALDS in the 1400m event. Backed into 7/10 from 15/10 at the track, the daughter of Black Minnaloushe was soon up handy. She took up the running at the top of the straight and although her only serious rival in the betting market INDIGO CHILD ran on strongly from off the pace, she did have that one well held by two and three quarters at the wire.

The stable of Alec Laird have been in top form recently and they gained the second of their two winners here when MAC THE DANCER opened his account in the boys division of the maiden 1400m. On leaving the stalls it was MOUNTAIN THUNDER (second at Clairwood on Sunday 12^th) who elected to set the pace and a brisk one it was too. Indeed, he soon had the field well strung out and showing no signs of stopping at the business end of the race, he did have the rest well beaten. Mac The Dancer always had him in his sights though and after taking the helm 300m from home, he easily drew clear.

A MR86 Handicap over 2400m topped the bill and here a major upset was to be had when the unfancied ETON MESS registered his first success since relocating to KZN. Freely available at 33/1 on the off, the former Eastern Cape campaigner was always in touch with the leaders. He quickened best of all in the home straight and won going away after striking the front close home.

Titbits

Supported DRUMADOON ran on well from midfield and won the MR69 Handicap over 1200m going away.

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Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

Top rated winners last week included

Notebook:-

FASTEST TIMES

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