Moment Of Truth

Top Class Females

Kenilworth 3^rd December: Other than the two good things in the feature events, the only favourite to arrive at Kenilworth on Saturday was THE BLACK ROSE in the 800m scurry for juveniles. Taken straight to the front by Richard Fourie, the daughter of Black Minnaloushe led throughout. She was three lengths clear going through the 400m and eased late after only being ridden hands and heels, she cruised in by two and a quarter.

The first of the afternoon’s two feature events to be run was the Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m and here we saw another smart performance from the champion filly VAL DE RA. Making her seasonal debut here, Dennis Drier’s charge let the confirmed front runner VARUSHKA do the spade work early on. She took command going through the 400m and only asked to do the necessary by regular partner Alec Forbes, she went on to win very comfortably by two.

The Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas was next up and as expected victory here went to the very talented PRINCESS VICTORIA. Deep in the red at 1/5 on the off, Glen Kotzen’s charge was soon up handy. She was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 300m marker and although she didn’t win in the manner that most had expected, she did nonetheless have the runner up TRINITY HOUSE well held.

In terms of distance, the easiest victory on the card was registered by WINTER DYNASTY in the final race on the card, a maiden event over 1400m. Sent off second favourite at 5/2, Yogis Govender’s charge was always in touch with the leaders. He was asked to take up the running as they approached the 200m marker and drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to beat the favourite JET EXPLORER by three and a half.

Titbits

Very highly regarded earlier in his career, the 6yo TARGET ACQUIRED ran on best of all in the MR96 Handicap over 1400m and only failed to get up by the narrowest of margins.

Although never anywhere near the easy winner Winter Dynasty in the maiden event over 1400m, the well supported FORT NELSON ran on well from the rear to take fourth.

.

The Champion Returns

Turffontein 4^th December: They raced on the old stand side track on Sunday where all the rage to win the opening maiden juvenile event over 1000m was the Paul Peter trained DENZAROX. Soon into stride, the 2/1 favourite attempted to make all. Running on stoutly from midfield at the business end of the race though was the friendless DUE AND PAYABLE (6/1 out to 12/1) and although Denzarox did have the rest some 7,5 lengths in arrears, that one got up late and went on to score going away by a length and a quarter.

One who did find the winner’s enclosure after finding plenty of support was the newcomer SLUMDOGMILLIONAIRE (36) in the maiden event over 1400m. Backed throughout the day into 11/2 from 16/1, Gavin Van Zyl’s charge raced in midfield for the first half of the journey. Once in the long home straight though he quickened well and after striking the front 200m from home, he comfortably accounted for the running on THE DUKE by two.

The first of the afternoon’s three feature events to take place was the Gr3 Magnolia Handicap over 1160m and here we saw another smart performance from the Toreador filly JACKODORE (69). Sent off a strong favourite at 15/10, Sean Tarry’s charge got away well when the gates opened and was soon up handy. She was ridden to lead shortly after passing halfway and kept on strongly over the final 500m to beat last season’s Gr1 Allan Robertson winner CHOCOLICIOUS who finished well.

The Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m topped the bill and here all eyes were on the seasonal debut of the all conquering IGUGU (97). Priced up at the prohibitive odds of 1/10 when the betting opened (sent off 1/7), Igugu made all. She led by just two for most of the trip, but once given rein she easily extended her advantage to five and a quarter before reaching the line.

Titbits

Natal raider Miesque’s Star ran on well from the rear when winning the maiden event over 1160m.

After racing at the back, the poorly drawn HALVE THE DEFICIT caught the eye running on nicely when fifth in the maiden event over 1400m.

.

Enjoying The Soft

Scottsville 4^th December: This was the meeting originally scheduled to take place on Saturday 3^rd December.

The easiest victory on Sunday’s card was recorded by the Mike De Kock trained VETTEL (37) in the maiden event over 1950m. Deep in the red at 7/20 on the off, the son of Know Heights was always handy. He took up the running early in the straight and won very comfortably by four from the running on DENOZZO.

Another to act well in the soft going in the maiden ranks on this card was BRATALOOCHEE (35) when opening her account in the maiden event over 1000m. Backed into 8/10 from 11/10 at the track, the daughter of Cataloochee raced in midfield during the early part of the race. She ran on strongly from halfway and with the rest well beaten, she easily accounted for the front running PARIS MATCH by two and a quarter.

The afternoon’s feature event was a Conditions Plate over 1400m and here victory went to the James Goodman trained LAS RAMBLAS (67). Freely available at 6/1 on the off, the daughter of Toreador raced for fourth for most of the journey. She quickened well coming off the bend and after striking the front 300m from home, she kept on strongly late to beat the nibbled at TRENDLINE (12/1 into 8/1) by a length.

A MR74 Handicap over 1400m was next up and here victory went to the Kom Naidoo trained AWESOME BEAUTY (56). Nicely positioned in fourth in what soon became a very strung out field, Awesome Beauty was always well placed to strike. She made her way to the front quickly in the straight and although the nibbled at SWEET CHARITY never gave up the fight once headed, she went on to score comfortably by two.

Titbits

Despite racing green after losing three lengths at the start, the well supported newcomer FUN SUNZI ran on strongly and did very well to get within three quarters of a length of the winner in the maiden juvenile event over 800m.

HIGHFLATS ran on from the rear when winning the maiden event over 1950m.

.

Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

.

Top rated winners last week included

.

Notebook:-

.

FASTEST TIMES

.

.