Lucky Seven

Walking The Talk

Clairwood 21^st March: The locals got off to a nice start at the garden course on Friday when the lightly raced AL CIBERANO did the business in the opening maiden event over 1100m. Backed into 13/10 from 3/1 at the track, Tony Rivalland’s charge was soon up handy. He was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 200m marker and although the pacemaker SECRET TRAVELLER kept on strongly once headed, he went on to score comfortably by a length.

In terms of distance the easiest victory on the card was recorded by FIRST FLIGHT when opening his account in the maiden 1450m. Freely available at 11/2 on the off, Alyson Wright’s charge was soon positioned close to the speed. He took up the running as they approached the 200m pole and drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to beat his friendless stable companion GO WEST MCGRAW (a newcomer) 10/1 out to 20/1, by five and a quarter.

Another to win with authority in the maiden ranks on this card was the Jeff Freedman trained DEVON ANNE in the girls’ affair over 1200m. Asked to take up the running at the halfway mark, the daughter of Muhtafal ran on stoutly over the final 600m and beat what looked to be a fair maiden field very easily by four and a quarter.

A MR94 Handicap topped the bill and in what proved to be the fastest of the afternoon’s five 1450m races victory went to the nibbled at joint second favourite TUSCAN. He got away well when the gates opened and at the top of the long home straight he enjoyed a length and a half lead. His fellow joint favourite TRANSLATOR put his head in front going through the 300m and at that stage of the race it looked as if the son of Easing Along would have to settle for a place. Tuscan rallied gamely once headed though and under a determined ride from Keagan De Melo, he got back up late to score by three quarters.

Titbits

DIZZY FEET found solid support prior to winning the MR68 Handicap over 1450m very comfortably by three and a quarter.

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Fastest Of Six

Turffontein 22^nd March: They raced on the inner track on Saturday where six of the afternoon’s ten races were run over 1450m. By far the fastest of these was the MR92 Handicap won by LOST ISLAND. Freely available at 14/1 on the off, Roy Magner’s charge made all. He was allowed a 2,5 lengths advantage for most of the journey and although the pack headed by the 16/10 favourite MESMERIZE were closing in late, he still had three quarters of a length to spare at the wire. After being a little troublesome at the start, third placed REIGN VICTORIOUS raced in the rear. He finished best of all, and was only beaten by 0,8 lengths.

The fastest of the three 1800m events was the MR92 affair won by the 3yo GONE BABY GONE. Always handy, Mike De Kock’s charge moved through to take up the running 200m out and although the hard knocking INDIAN RIVER fought on determinedly after being headed, he went on to score by a length and a quarter.

The stable of Mike De Kock were also on the mark in the maiden 1800m when KINGSTON MINES opened his account. On leaving the stalls it was the 33/1 shot TITANIUM who elected to make the running whilst the son of Archipenko was content to wait in the backend of midfield. He made his move as they came off the strip and won comfortably by a length and a half after striking the front 200m from home.

The biggest winning margin on the card was recorded by ETERNITY in the MR74 Handicap over 1800m. Easy to back at 14/1 on the off, Alec Laird’s charge also came from well off the pace. He struck the front as they approached the 200m marker and with the benefit of first run he easily accounted for AUGUSTINUS (finished well from the rear) by three and a quarter.

Titbits

The 40/1 shot MAIN SUNDAY fairly flew after switching out for a run at the 300m marker and did well to get up late when winning the girls’ maiden event over 1450m.

Another 40/1 shot to finish well from off the pace was the poorly drawn HAVANA BEAT when landing the MR75 Handicap over 1450m.

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What A Girl

Kenilworth 22^nd March: A juvenile plate for the girls got proceedings underway in Cape Town on Saturday and here we saw a smart performance from the Captain Al filly EROS’S GIRL. Always deep in the red, Justin Snaith’s charge was soon at the head of affairs. She was always travelling very well and with the remainder some thirteen lengths adrift, she only had to be pushed out to beat the improving PERPETUA by three and a quarter. Unbeaten Eros’s Girl is clearly one to follow.

In terms of distance the easiest victory on the card was recorded by RED FLAME in the maiden 1200m. A running on third to the useful looking FAIRY MAKER on debut, the daughter of Jet Master was soon up handy. She was ridden to lead as they approached the 200m marker and drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to score by three and three quarters.

The afternoon’s feature event was a MR92 Handicap and in what proved to be the fastest of the three 1400m events victory here went to the 5yo MARCHANT. Freely available at 7/1 on the off, Yogis Govender’s charge raced in the rear for the first half of the race. He began to take closer order early in the straight and won well by a length and a half after striking the front 200m out.

Titbits

OREO SHAKE (midfield) and SOCIETY ROCK (rear) both ran on strongly at the business end of the race when 1^st & 3^rd respectively in the MR72 Handicap over 1400m.

Running on from midfield, SNOW ON CEDARS only really engaged the upper gears late on when a 0,8 lengths third in the maiden 1600m.

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Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

Top rated winners last week included

Notebook:-

FASTEST TIMES