Promising Debut

Front Runners In Command

Scottsville 5^th June: A maiden juvenile plate over 1200m got proceedings underway at Scottsville on Wednesday and here we saw a very smart performance from the Mike De Kock trained first timer MENSOORA. Well supported at the track into 15/10 favourite from 3/1, the daughter of Jet Master was soon at the head of affairs. She began to assert her authority shortly after passing the 400m marker and with a ton in hand she easily accounted for her running on stable companion TITLEE (another newcomer) by four and a half. In the post race interview jockey Anthony Delpech spoke highly of the winner.

Another to win very comfortably here was COPYBOOK in the boy’s division of the maiden juvenile 1200m. He wasn’t the quickest into stride when the gates opened (lost a length), but despite that was soon positioned in second. He was ridden to lead going through the 300m and although the front running newcomer GRAFTON kept on determinedly when headed, he went on to score very comfortably by four and a half.

The fastest of the four 1200m events on the card (just 0,31 seconds quicker than the race won by Mensoora) was the MR86 Handicap in which the Silvano gelding REGAL EAGLE registered his fourth win from just six starts. Another to make all, Regal Eagle kept on strongly at the business end of the race and despite hanging, and his rider dropping the whip 200m out, he won well by a length from the running on Premium Wood. Racing over a trip short of his best here, the runner up came from the rear and finished well.

The faster of the two 1000m races on the card was the MR86 Handicap won by SWELL PARTY. Yet another to virtually lead from pillar to post, Swell Party looked to have the race in the bag passing the 300m pole. Running on best of all over the final 400m though, ENCHANTING CATHY was gaining quickly at the finish and it was only by a head that Swell Party held on.

Titbits

After losing a length at the start the lightly raced MEET AT MEYDAN came from the rear when getting up late to win the MR77 Handicap over 1500m.

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Easy For Agra

Arlington 7^th June: ESS EL KAY was sent off a strong favourite to win the opening Juvenile Plate over 1000m on Friday (21/20 into 7/10), but trailing in ten lengths behind the winner she only managed to beat one home. Victory instead went to one of the most experienced runners in the field NEW SPRING. Soon up handy, Alan Greeff’s charge raced prominent throughout. He was ridden to lead as they approached the 100m pole and easily accounted for the front running WHERESMYMIND by three and a half.

There were three races run over 1000m in total and the fastest of these was the bill topping non-black type Milkwood Stakes in which the odds on favourite AGRA ran out an easy winner. Deep in the red at 2/7 on the off, Justin Snaith’s charge led throughout. She was always in command and although MAXIXE and CAT’S PAW both tried their best to make a race of it, she went on to score by three with some in hand.

There were also three races over 1400m and the fastest of these was the MR74 Handicap won by PURE HONEY. Positioned in midfield turning for home, Mitch Wiese’s charge ran on strongly down the short home straight and won fair and square from the running on KHETHA by a half.

The faster of the two 1800m events was the Pinnacle Stakes in which the in form PARCEVAL registered his eighth career victory. Nicely positioned in sixth in what soon became a very strung out field, Tara Laing’s charge was always well placed to challenge. He ran on well in the home straight and in what proved to be a real thriller he only got the verdict by the narrowest of margins over the fancied INDIAN HAWK.

Titbits

After switching out for a run 400m out, the handily placed PRINCESSJACQUELINE struck the front 250m out and cruised clear in the latter stages of the MR70 Handicap over 1800m to win by three and a half.

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Exclusive Club

Clairwood 8^th June: The best bet on the card for most at the garden course on Saturday was the champion racehorse VARIETY CLUB and he didn’t let down his supporters. He got away well when the gates opened and soon at the head of affairs in the Gr1Gold Challenge led throughout. He was visibly cruising for most of the journey and responding gamely when asked for his effort 300m out, he comfortably accounted for the all out BEACH BEAUTY by a length.

Another to make all on this card was the Doowaley mare LOUVRE when landing the Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1450m. Allowed a two lengths advantage for most of the journey, the gutsy Louvre as per usual kept on strongly in the straight. Indeed, it was only late on that the pack headed by ESPUMANTI began to make serious headway and in what proved to be a real thriller Duncan Howells’ charge only got the verdict over a wall of horses by a neck.

The first of the two juvenile features to be run was the non-black type Devon Air Stakes over 1450m and here we saw another smart performance from the lightly raced MOHAVE PRINCESS. Well supported on course into 9/2 from 6/1, Gavin Van Zyl’s charge was soon up handy. She was ridden to lead going through the 200m and won fair and square by a length and a half from Alascan Maiden.

The juvenile boys contested the non-black type Gatecrasher Stakes and in a faster time than that of the unbeaten Mohave Princess, the Mike Bass trained ZAMBEZI TORRENT scored an eye catching victory. Allowed to drift as if having lost a leg at the course (5/1 out to 14/1), the son of Captain Al raced in midfield for most of the journey. He was carried out as he looked to start his run 400m out and only really got going 100m later. Once into gear though he quickened well and won going away by two after striking the front 100m from home.

Titbits

LEHAAF didn’t find the clearest of passages when running on from midfield to win the KZN Winter Challenge over 1600m going away. Fourth in this race NOTHING COMPARES ran on late after having to switch out for a run 300m from home.

Fourth placed HALFWAY TO HEAVEN ran on well from the rear when only beaten 0,55 lengths in the Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes.

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Ninth Win For Seal

Turffontein 9^th June: They raced on the old stand side track on Sunday where victory in the bill topping Gr3 Jubilee Handicap over 1800m went to the recent Gold Bowl runner up SEAL. Freely available at 25/1 on the off, Gavin Van Zyl’s charge was always handy. He was ridden to lead as they approached the 200m marker and finding extra close home he held off a determined late charge from the Champion’s Challenge winner HEAVY METAL.

Four of the afternoon’s nine races were run over 1400m and the fastest of these was the MR74 affair won by TUSCAN. Positioned in midfield turning for home, the recent maiden winner ran on strongly in the long home straight and comfortably accounted for RAMBO after striking the front 150m from home.

The fastest of the three 1160m races on the card was the Juvenile Plate won by VELVET VERONA. Sent off second favourite at 7/2, Corne Spies’ charge broke well and was soon positioned up with the speed. He began to assert his authority going through the 400m and won well from the running on BOUCHETTE TOP by a length and a quarter.

Titbits

WINTER STAR beat the Fillies Nursery winner Virgo’s Babe with plenty in hand when winning the girls’ juvenile plate over 1160m by three and three quarters.

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Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

Top rated winners last week included

Notebook:-

FASTEST TIMES