Night Time The Right Time

Fresh As A Daisy

Kenilworth 1^st December: Three of the eight races on the old course on Sunday were run over 1200m and the fastest of these was the graduation plate won by the best weighted runner in the field CORREDOR. Backed into favouritism at the track (3/1 into 14/10), Glen Puller’s charge was always in touch with the leaders. He quickened well over the final 400m and in a thrilling three way finish he got up late to deny CAPTIVE ACTION.

Amazingly, the biggest winning margin on the card was just a length and a quarter. That was recorded by COCONUT MAN in the final event on the card, a maiden plate over 1600m. Soon up handy in a race devoid of pace early on, Darryl Hodgson’s charge raced prominent throughout. He made his move early in the straight and with the benefit of first run he comfortably accounted for the running on NEW STAR.

A MR99 Handicap topped the bill and in what proved to be the faster of the two 1800m events the Mike Bass trained PATERFAMILIAS registered his fourth career victory. Usually one to run on stoutly from off the pace, the son of Trippi was always handy here. He ran on strongly over the final 400m and under a well judged ride from Grant Van Niekerk he got up late to deny the improving BIG CAT.

Also worthy of note on this card was the performance of MIGHTY LION in winning the maiden event over 1000m. On leaving the stalls it was the favourite MUSKETS ‘N ROSES who elected to make the running whilst Justin Snaith’s charge was content to sit in midfield. Muskets ‘n Roses kept up a healthy gallop throughout and going through the 200m it looked as if he might well land the odds. In the vastly experienced hands of Karl Neisius though Happy Lion steadily began to wear him down and in a classic finish he got up in the shadow of the post.

Titbits

STARGAZER PINK and AQUA both ran on well from the rear when 1^st & 5^th respectively in the MR76 Handicap over 1200m.

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16 Wins From 88 Starts

Flamingo Park 2^nd December: The easiest victory in the Northern Cape on Monday was undoubtedly that of QUICK GLANCE in the fastest of the three 1600m events, a MR61 Handicap. Freely available at 8/1 on the off, Vernon Rugg’s charge made all. He led by just a length coming off the bend. Once given rein though he soon drew clear and went on to score in good style by eight.

Another to win with authority on this card was SUDDEN SURPRISE in the MR78 Handicap over 1200m. The 5yo got away well when the gates opened and was always handy. He took up the running as they approached the 200m pole and comfortably accounted for the always prominent DERBAAS by three and a quarter.

The fastest of the three 1000m events on the nine race program was the MR66 Handicap won by WOLF’S GIRL. Now a winner of both starts since relocating from the Eastern Cape, the Almushtarak mare raced fifth for most of the journey. She ran on stoutly over the final 400m and in what proved to be a real thriller she only got the verdict by the narrowest of margins over FABOOLOSITY. Third placed SARGE TATTO ran on well from the rear and was only beaten by three quarters of a length.

A pinnacle stakes over 2200m topped the bill and here the 7yo son of Windrush EYE OF THE WORLD registered his sixteenth career victory. Just five went to post and not surprisingly the uneasy second favourite raced at the back for the vast majority of the trip. Once in the home straight though he quickened with all his usual zest and went on to win very comfortably by a length after striking the front 200m from home.

Titbits

RESERVED LADY and ASTRO VISION both ran on well from the rear when 1^st & 2^nd respectively in the maiden event over 1600m.

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Ton In Hand

Kenilworth 4^th December: A maiden plate over 1200m was first up on Wednesday and here we saw a much improved performance from the Justin Snaith trained CARDINAL. Unable to get within four lengths of a winner in each of his five previous outings, the 18/1 shot ran on strongly from his handy position and won going away from another unfancied runner in ELITE JET by a length and a half. Interestingly, this was the fastest of the three 1200m races and the other two were both handicaps (MR86 & MR76).

Currently top of the national trainer’s table Justin Snaith was again on the mark with a comfortable winner when ACROSTAR did the business in the maiden 1600m. A Pick Six banker for many, the daughter of Danehill Dancer raced closer to the pace than she had done in recent starts. She was ridden to lead as they approached the 200m marker and won with authority from the nibbled at PRINCESS AURA.

Four of the afternoon’s nine races were run over 1400m and again the fastest of these came in the maiden ranks. The lightly raced UNHOLY ALLEGIANCE was sent off a well supported favourite to win the only maiden event over 1400m and he did land the odds. Taken straight to the front by Bernard Fayd’Herbe, the son of Holy Roman Empire led throughout. He ran on strongly in the straight and answering every call went on to score by a length and three quarters from the luckless AFRICAN FISH EAGLE.

The easiest victory on the card was undoubtedly that of FOREST INDIGO in the Graduation Plate over 1400m. Sent off a strong favourite at 9/10, the son of Judpot was always travelling well. Kevin Shea had barely moved a muscle as he struck the front 300m out and with a ton in hand he went on to score very cosily by two and three quarters.

Titbits

RUSHINTOTHEWIND didn’t find the clearest of passages when running on from the backend of midfield to take third position (beaten three quarters of a length) in the MR77 Handicap over 1400m.

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Gentle Persuasion

Vaal 5^th December: They raced on the inside track on Thursday where the fastest of the three 2000m events was the maiden plate won by the Paul Matchett trained J’S OUTSIDER. Having only his second career outing here, the son of Miesque’s Approval raced in the backend of midfield for most of the journey. Once in the long home straight though he ran on well and after a thrilling tussle with his stable companion CHEVALIER over the final 150m he only got the verdict by a neck.

There was also three races run over 1400m and the fastest of these was the bill topping MR95 Handicap won by RIGHT TO TANGO. On leaving the stalls it was RAMBO who elected to make the running whilst Lucky Houdalakis’ charge raced close up in second. He ran on strongly at the business end of the race and although both IMPRESA and ZANZIBAR MAN threw down determined challenges he won comfortably by a length.

Also worthy of note on this card was the MR79 Handicap won by the lightly raced 3yo MOOFEED. A winner of his only previous outing, Mike De Kock’s charge was always in touch with the leaders. At first he seemed to be battling to get to grips with SANS LIMITES when that one struck the front 300m out, but on receiving a couple of reminders he quickened well and after striking the front below the distance won going away.

Titbits

The newcomer POWER TO SUCCEED was backed into favouritism before winning the maiden event over 1000m.

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Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

Top rated winners last week included

Notebook:-

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