Ready To Win

Winning Colours

Scottsville 10^th March: A maiden plate over 1200m got proceedings underway in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday and here an upset was to be had when the newcomer RED ROSETTE opened her account. Freely available at 40/1 on the off, Duncan Howells’ charge raced in midfield for most of the journey. She quickened best of all over the final 400m and in what proved to be a real thriller she got up in the very last stride.

At the other end of the scale the easiest victory on the card was recorded by BLAZE OF RESPECT in the maiden 1600m. Sent off second in the betting market at 22/10, the daughter of Dupont was soon up handy. She took up the running as they approached the 100m marker and drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to beat the rank outsider of the party BRIGHT SOLITAIRE by two and a quarter.

A MR87 Handicap topped the bill and in what proved to be the faster of the three 1950m events victory here went to the 4yo JOSHUAS CROWN. He was having his third run after a rest here and taken straight to the front by the in form MJ Odendaal, he led throughout. He kept on strongly at the business end of the race and although BADGE OF CHOICE tried his best to make a race of it he did have that one held by three quarters of a length at the wire.

Race eight on the card was a MR70 Handicap over 1950m and here it was nice to see the 6yo KING FERNANDO back in the number one box. Without a win since Dec ’09, the son of Parade Leader raced in the backend of midfield. He ran on strongly in the straight and did well to get the better of both RUN FOR WALLY and NIGHT TIDE close home.

Titbits

Running on from midfield LEHAAF only had to be ridden with hands and heels when winning the MR78 Handicap over 1400m.

Lucky 38

Arlington 11^th March: The winner of the opening maiden plate over 1400m on Monday was the aptly named FINE VICTORY. She got away well from her gate nine draw and was soon up handy. She was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 300m marker and won going away from the slightly more fancied OKLAHOMA ANNIE.

There were three 1400m races on the card in total and the fastest of these was the MR74 Handicap won by SHE’S A LADY. Winning for just the second time in nineteen outings here, the daughter of Captain Al raced in midfield for most of the journey. She quickened well at the top of the short home straight and easily accounted for the hat-trick seeking top weight, TYCOON TASH by three.

There were a number of easy victories on the afternoon and none more so than that of FATHERANDSONS in the maiden 1600m. Making his 38^th racecourse appearance here, George Uren’s charge quickly established a two lengths lead. He was always in command and despite the efforts of the deposed favourite CARNAL URGE he extended his advantage to five over the final 400m.

A MR90 Handicap over 1600m topped the bill and in what proved to be a real thriller victory here went to the former Cape Town campaigner D’ANGELO. Winning for the fourth time in just six starts since relocating to the Eastern Cape, D’Angelo was always handy. The veteran ECOLE MILITAIRE raced with him and when that one put his head in front 100m out it looked as if he might secure his first victory since Jun ’10. D’angelo was also running on stoutly at that point though and got up to deny the 8yo in the very last stride.

Titbits

DAFFODIL DAY came from the rear when getting up in the very last stride to win the second division of the MR74 Handicap over 1400m.

After racing in the rear VESTAL VIRGIN won the MR84 Handicap over 1800m going away.

Successful Gambler

Kenilworth 13^th March: The first race in Cape Town on Wednesday was a maiden juvenile plate over 1400m and here we saw a smart performance from the Spectrum gelding SUNDAY SUN. Sent off third in the betting market at 7/2, Greg Ennion’s charge raced in midfield during the early part of the race. He quickened well as they approached halfway and although he only went on to score by 0,4 lengths he did look to have some in hand.

The easiest victory in the maiden ranks on this card was undoubtedly that of BOBBY JAMES in the 1000m event. Initially priced up in the red (sent off 12/10), Justin Snaith’s charge was soon positioned close to the speed. He was ridden to lead as they approached the 200m marker and drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to beat PRINCE OF PANAREA by four and three quarters.

The afternoon’s feature event was a MR90 Handicap over 1200m and here it was nice to see the 7yo MOONLIGHT GAMBLER back in the winner’s enclosure. Nibbled at on course into 8/1 from 12’s, Bill Prestage’s charge as per usual, came from off the pace. He finished best of all off a mark some 16 points below that of his former best and comfortably accounted for the 3yo KIRTLING TOWERS by a length and three quarters.

Another to win well on this card was TIPPUANA MOON in the MR86 Handicap over 2500m. Completing a smart hat-trick here, the son of Victory Moon was always handy. He was asked to take up the running 300m out and comfortably accounted for the running on BAROSSA VALLEY by a length and a quarter.

Titbits

Lightly raced SILVER HOLLY ran on well from midfield when opening her account in the maiden 1600m.

Mountain On Top

Vaal 14^th March: The locals got off to a rough start at the Vaal’s sand meeting on Thursday when the formless ESTANCIA got off the mark in the opening maiden juvenile plate over 1000m. Freely available at 35/1 on the off, Eastancia was soon up handy. The well supported DREAM LEADER made the running and easily four lengths clear going through the 400m it looked as if he would easily land the gamble. Estancia was perfectly positioned as that one’s stride began to shorten 200m later though and he got up nicely late to beat the running on LORD DUBOIS by three quarters.

A MR84 Handicap over 1600m topped the bill and here we saw a smart performance from the former Natal campaigner TOP TALENT. On leaving the stalls it was SHATTERED IMAGE who surprisingly elected to make the running whilst Top Talent was content to sit in midfield. Shattered Image kept on determinedly at the business end of the race and she did have the rest well beaten. Top Talent quickened nicely in the home straight though, and under a well judged ride from Nooresh Juglall, she put her head in front close home.

Four of the eight races on the card were run over 1000m and the fastest of these was the MR72 Handicap in which the 7/2 favourite MEN AND MOUNTAINS did the business. Soon into stride when the gates opened, Leon Erasmus’ charge very quickly amassed a 2,5 lengths advantage. He ran on strongly over the final 400m and although MAGICA ROMA did manage to cut a little into his advantage, he went on to score without any anxious moments.

Titbits

BERRYMILLER was finishing best of all when third in the MR80 Handicap over 1450m.

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