Take The Pain

Fair And Square

Vaal 3^rd May: Thursday’s action took place on the turf where victory in the opening maiden juvenile event over 1000m went to one of the two joint favourites WINTER FROST (13). She got away well when the gates opened and soon at the head of affairs led throughout. Both TRUE IMPERIUM and FAVOURITE DAUGHTER ran on stoutly at the business end of the race and in what proved to be a real thriller, she only held on by the narrowest of margins.

Much easier a winner in the maiden ranks on this card wasETON SQUARE(45) in the 1200m event. Confidently ridden by Anthony Delpech, Gavin Van Zyl’s charge raced in the rear during the early part of the race. The heavily supported newcomer MEISSA (7/1 into 3/1) also ran on strongly from off the pace and when the pair came together 350m out it looked as if another thriller would ensue.Eton Squarequickened well on hitting the distance though and went on to score quite comfortably in the end by a length and three quarters. Keep an eye on Meissa, he bumped a good one here and he did have the rest well beaten.

A graduation event over 1200m was next up and here followers of the money were on the mark when COSMOGENIC (57) landed the spoils. Backed into 11/2 from 10/1 at the track, Stanley Ferreira’s charge was always handy. Another supported runner EASTERN GREETING (9/2 into 28/10) got first run and a length and a half clear going through the 100m she looked to have the race in the bag. Cosmogenic quickened in good fashion in the closing stages of the race though and in breathtaking fashion she got up in the very last stride.

A MR90 Handicap over 1600m topped the bill and here we saw a gutsy performance from the easy to back JET DOT COM (53). Freely available at 9/1 on the off, the son of Jet Master was taken straight to the front by Chase Maujean and led throughout. He kept on determinedly over the final 400m and although AHOY CAPTAIN ran on well from off the pace, he did have that one held by a length at the wire.

Titbits

Beaten just over a length by Winter Frost in the maiden juvenile 1000m, the lightly raced SLIGHTLY BLONDE ran on strongly after being baulked for a run 300m out, and that despite being cut on the off hind.

A 2,25 length Fifth in the MR90 Handicap over 1600m, PLEASANT VALLEY finished well after not getting the clearest of runs when the race began in earnest.

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Workrider’s Day

Turffontein 5^th May: They raced on the old stand side track on Saturday where all of the eight races were workrider’s events. A maiden plate over 1400m got proceedings underway and here we saw a smart performance from the newcomer EMPEROR AUGUSTUS (45) Well supported on course to go off a joint favourite at 3/1 (op 6/1), Michael Azzie’s charge was a little slow into stride, but despite that was soon up handy. He was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 500m marker and with plenty in hand he easily accounted for the battling ROAMING IN ROME by five and a half.

CALAMITY KATE (28) was sent off a strong favourite to win the girls division of the maiden 1400m and she didn’t let down her supporters. Confidently ridden by Vicky Badenhorst, the daughter of Bezrin sat in midfield for most of the journey. She quickened well in the long home straight and after striking the front 200m from home she comfortably accounted for the running on BLACK AND WHITE by a length and a quarter.

Race five on the card was a maiden event over 1000m and here it was nice to see the consistent BOUJIS (28) find the number one box. Sent off a well supported second favourite at 22/10 (op 28/10), Diane Stenger’s charge raced in midfield during the early part of the race. She began to take closer order going through the 600m and under a well judged ride from the very able Abram Mukhubo, she got up nicely late to deny the 3yo THROUGH IT ALL.

A MR76 Handicap over 1000m topped the bill and here we saw a comfortable victory for the easy to back VICTRIXIT (44). Freely available at 15/1 on the off, the daughter of Victory Moon was always in touch with the leaders. She was asked to take up the running shortly after passing the 200m marker and although COMIC BEAUTY kept on strongly once headed, she went on to score by three quarters.

Titbits

Recent maiden winner WELLS-CARGO quickened nicely late when following up in the MR72 Handicap over 2450m.

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Tales Of Victory

Greyville 5^th May: Favourite backers got off to a nice start inNatal on Saturday afternoon when FLITTER (16) did the business in the opening maiden juvenile event over 1400m. Taken straight to the front by Brandon Lerena, the daughter of Toreador led throughout. She was always in command and went on to score by three without any anxious moments.

The first of the afternoon’s three Gr2 events to take place was the KRA Fillies Guineas and here it was nice to see last season’s Gr1 Thekwini Stakes winner AMANEE (76) find her form. A little slow into stride, Mike De Kock’s charge raced in midfield during the early part of the race. Once in the straight though she quickened well and under a well judged ride from Derrick David, she got up late to deny the gallant REASON TO BELIEVE.

VARIETY CLUB was sent off favourite to win the Gr2 KRA Guineas and probably at his best over 1600m, duly landed the odds. On leaving the stalls it was UNANNOUNCED who elected to make the running whilst Variety Club raced close up in second. He was ridden to lead 300m out by Anton Marcus and although his Cape Derby conqueror JACKSON mounted a serious challenge 100m later, he did have that one held by two and a quarter at the wire.

The Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m was next up and here we saw a smart performance from the 5yo TALES OF BRAVERY (103). Backed into 9/2 from 10/1 at the track, Vaughan Marshall’s charge raced in midfield for most of the journey. He made his move at the top of the short home straight and comfortably accounted for CHESALON after striking the front 100m from home.

Titbits

Racing in open company, the 2yo DIVA’S DAUGHTER ran on well after being baulked for a run 250m out in the maiden 1000m.

Running on from a wide draw, STOLEN DESTINY quickened very nicely in the latter stages when getting up in the very last stride to deny Neck Or Nothing in the MR72 Handicap over 1300m.

Despite the heavy rain that fell throughout the race, the favourite SOUL MATE won very well when opening his account in the maiden 1600m.

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Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

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Top rated winners last week included

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Notebook:-

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FASTEST TIMES

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