One Hundred Percent

No Favs

Vaal 23^rd August: Tuesday’s action took place on the sand where victory in the opening workrider’s maiden event over 1800m went to the formless TIER HOEK (0). Unable to get within sixteen lengths of a winner in his three previous racecourse appearances, Tony Nassif’s charge raced prominent throughout. He was ridden to lead as they approached the 200m marker and comfortably accounted for another formless runner in USHKADEL by three and a quarter.

The easiest victory on the card was recorded by KAHAL’S FANTASY (21) who came home smoking in the MR66 affair over 1000m. Soon up handy, Brian Wiid’s charge took up the running going through the 400m, and easily accounted for the running on RODEO DANDY by eight.

Race six on the card was a MR62 Handicap over 1200m and always in command here was the Barend Botes’ trained STRIKE PRINCESS (42). She led throughout and although the 40/1 shot RUNNING ROGUE did make some headway in the latter stages of the race, she won without any anxious moments by a length.

A MR66 Handicap over 1800m brought proceedings to a close and here a bit of a gamble was landed when the well supported outsider HEAD FOR HILTON (20) did the business. Nibbled at throughout the afternoon into 14/1 from 33’s, Head For Hilton raced second for most of the journey. He was asked to take up the running shortly after passing the 300m marker and kept on strongly from there onwards to beat the 66/1 shot DANCING AWAY by two.

Titbits

ROSE FOR ROSSINI ran on well from the rear when winning the maiden event for the girls over 1450m.

Recent maiden winner FUNWAYO was flying at the finish when third in the MR65 affair over 1450m.

.

Richly Deserved

Durbanville 24^th August: They raced at the country course on Wednesday where victory in the opening maiden event over 1400m went to the nibbled at THE PHENOM. Eventually sent off at 7’s after opening up at 12/1, The Phenom was always handy. He struck the front going through the 200m and comfortably accounted for HARRY HALL by a length and a half.

The easiest victory in the maiden ranks on this card was recorded by CHESTNUT MOON when opening his account in the 1400m event. Taken straight to the front by Richard Fourie, the son of Tamburlaine soon had the field well strung out. He was three lengths clear turning for home and although THE BALLADIER finished well from off the pace, he never relinquished an inch of his advantage on the run to the line.

Topping the bill was a MR96 Handicap over 2000m and here victory went to the 6yo SLIP THIS WAY. Marginally in under sufferance, Brett Crawford’s charge raced close up in fourth for most of the journey. He quickened nicely at the top of the long home straight and after striking the front 200m out, he kept on strongly late to beat the running on SUN CITY by a length.

Race seven on the card was a novice 1600m and here it was nice to see ABINGTON gain a well overdue second career victory. Placed in both the Winter Guineas and Natal Derby in recent outings, Greg Ennion’s charge raced close up in second for most of the journey. He was ridden to lead as they approached the 200m marker and went on to score much more easily than the official winning margin of just half a length would suggest.

Titbits

SPANDANGLE won the maiden event over 2400m with some in hand.

KWAHERI was running on strongly from the rear when fourth in the MR78 Handicap over 2000m.

.

Making An Entrance

Clairwood 25^th August: Favourite backers got off to a good start at the garden course on Thursday when SHAHRUHK (33) did the business in the opening maiden event over 1000m. Allowed to ease out to 19/10 from 14/10 at the track as money came in the main for HALLOWED (4/1 into 22/10), Glen Puller’s charge was soon up handy. He was ridden to lead as they approached the 300m marker and with the money horse having held every chance, he went on to score very comfortably by two and three quarters.

Race four on the card was a novice 1800m and in what proved to be a very false paced affair victory here went to the Ivan Moore trained ZEZINHO CAMPEAO (46). Sent off second favourite at 22/10, this son of Hard Buck was always in touch with the leaders. He was asked to take up the running at the 300m marker and after quickly skipping a couple of lengths clear, he kept on strongly below the distance to beat the running on CHIPNPUTT by two.

A MR96 Handicap over 1200m topped the bill and here we saw a smart performance from the unbeaten 3yo UNANNOUNCED (73). Taken straight to the front by Felix Coetzee, Unannounced led throughout. He found extra when both MIKE’S CHOICE and COFFEE SHEIK threw down the gauntlet 400m out and went on to score quite comfortably in the end by two. This son of Snitzel won well and is clearly one to keep tabs on.

Another 3yo to win well against older rivals was ROYAL TRIBE (64) who did the business for favourite backers in the lucky last, a MR78 Handicap over the same distance. The second winner on the card for trainer Ivan Moore, Royal Tribe led throughout. He ran on stoutly when given rein 400m from home and easily accounted for the costly to follow DEVON GOLD by three and a half.

Titbits

After not getting the clearest of runs, LUCKY STAR ran on strongly to take third in the race won by Zezinho Campeao.

.

Listed Three

Arlington 26^th August: Followers of the money got off to a nice start in Port Elizabeth on Friday when the well supported SOUTHERN DIXIE did the business in the opening maiden event over 1400m. Backed throughout the morning into 16/10 favourite from 4/1, Gavin Smith’s charge got away well when the gates opened and was soon positioned close to the speed. She took up the running as they approached the 200m marker and just had enough in hand to beat the faster finishing DIVA TAAHIRAH by a neck.

Race four on the card was a pinnacle stakes over 1800m and here we saw a nice performance from the nibbled at outsider SHIPWRECK. Sent off at 16/1 after opening up as one of the outsiders of the party at 33/1, the son of Spaceship was always in touch with the leaders. He quickened well at the top of the short home straight and after striking the front 250m from home, he easily drew clear.

The listed Jockey Club Stakes over 2000m topped the bill and here favourite backers were again on the mark when WE THREE landed the spoils. Swiftly guided over from a wide draw by Richard Fourie, Justin Snaith’s charge raced prominent throughout. She was ridden to lead approaching the 200m marker and with the benefit of first run she comfortably accounted for the running on SAMMY JO. Keep an eye on the runner up Sammy Jo. Gavin Smith’s charge had been some seven lengths adrift of We Three turning for home and finishing best of all did well to get within a length and a half of that one at the wire.

The not so lucky last was a MR70 Handicap over 1000m and here a bit of an upset was to be had when the recent maiden winner SOUTH DAKOTA was again on the mark. Freely available at 16/1 on the off, Yvette Bremner’s charge was soon in touch with the leaders. He ran on strongly at the business end of the race and went on to beat the 66/1 shot EXPRESS PRINCESS fair and square.

Titbits

The friendless newcomer PINDAN BLUE (33/1 out to 66/1) ran on from the rear when a runner up to the front running Juba’s Flag in the maiden event for 3yo’s over 1600m.

.

Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

.

Top rated winners last week included

.

Notebook:-

.

FASTEST TIMES

.

.

.