Smart Youngsters

Size Counts

Fairview 28^th March: The faster of the two 1200m maiden events that got proceedings underway in Port Elizabeth on Friday was the boy’s affair won by the Glen Kotzen trained BOY FROM BRAZIL. Taken straight to the front by Grant Van Niekerk, the Latino Magic gelding led throughout. He kept on strongly late and comfortably accounted for CAPTAIN TURNER by three quarters.

The fastest of the three 1000m events on the eight race program was the MR86 Handicap won by the 3yo LIELUMS. Positioned in midfield for the first half of the race, the top weighted daughter of National Emblem ran on best of all over the final 500m and won going away by three and a quarter.

In terms of distance the easiest victory on the card was recorded by BLACK BELUGA in the maiden plate over 1400m. Always in the red, Justin Snaith’s charge quickened well from his handy position and drew clear easily over the final 400m to score by five and a half.

At the other end of the scale the narrowest winning margin was the short head recorded by the 33/1 shot MISS BIG MAMMA. Soon at the head of affairs Mike Bass’ charge gave her all in the closing stages of the race and would surely have been beaten in another stride by the much faster finishing CAN-CAN INN.

Titbits

The 40/1 shot SO YOU THINK ran on well from midfield when getting up late to win the MR74 Handicap over 1000m.

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2 Down 1 To Go

Turffontein 29^th March: They raced on the old stand side track on Saturday where the Geoff Woodruff trained LOUIS THE KING kept his Triple Crown hopes alive when winning the Gr1 SA Classic over 1800m. Confidently ridden by Robbie Fradd, the son of Black Minnaloushe raced in midfield for most of the journey. He quickened well when given rein and only really found top gear when striking the front very close home. Fourth placed BOUCLETTE TOP also finished very well from off the pace in this race.

In a time almost a second slower than that of King Louis, the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic was won by the Joey Soma trained ATHINA. Freely available at 6/1 on the off, the daughter of Fort Wood also ran on strongly from midfield. Indeed, she finished by far the best and in what proved to be a real thriller she got up in the very last stride to deny last season’s Gr1 Thekwini Stakes winner ALONG CAME POLLY.

Taking his tally of wins into double figures in the Gr3 Caradoc Gold Cup was the top weight SEAL. With stake earnings already in excess of R2M, Gavin Van Zyl’s charge was always handy. He was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 300m marker and drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to win by four and three quarters.

By far the faster of the two juvenile features was the Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes contested by the girls. The Mike De Kock trained MAJMU always looked to be the right one here and so it proved to be. Backed as if unbeatable at the track (sent off 1/4), the daughter of Redoute’s Choice was a little slow into stride, but despite that was soon up handy. She assumed command from the pacemaker FLAME CAT shortly after passing the halfway mark and won well by three.

Titbits

TELLINA was finishing best of all when third to YORKER and CAPETOWN NOIR in the Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m.

After running on from midfield the friendless FACEBOOK (11/2 out to 16/1) won the maiden 1600m going away.

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Carnival King

Clairwood 29^th March: A maiden juvenile plate over 1200m was first up at the garden course and here we saw a very easy victory for the newcomer ANTWERP. Priced up as the rank outsider of the six horse party at 33/1, Garth Puller’s charge was a little troublesome at the start, but despite that was soon up handy. He was ridden to lead going through the 300m and won going away by six and a half.

Another to win with authority on this card was RIO CARNIVAL in the Gr3 Kings Cup. In what proved to be the fastest of the three 1600m events, the son of Hussonet raced sixth for most of the journey. He began to take closer order early in the straight and won going away by three and a quarter from last season’s Sledgehammer winner TRIBAL DANCE.

The 3yo Black Minnaloushe gelding CAT IN COMMAND (11/2 into 13/10) was heavily backed to win the maiden 1450m and he didn’t let down his supporters. Nicely drawn in gate two, Pat Lunn’s charge was soon positioned close to the speed. He was asked to take up the running as they approached the 200m pole and easily accounted for the running on IVANOVICH by three.

Titbits

Top weighted TARA DAWN won the MR69 Handicap over 1600m very easily by four and a half.

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Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

Top rated winners last week included

Notebook:-

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