The Young Ones

Daughters’ Second Fling

Kenilworth 23^rd July: Having not won in 59 previous racecourse appearances, one had to wonder if the 4yo AGGRAVACIOUS (18) would ever win a race. She was pitched in against what has to be said was a very moderate bunch in the workrider’s maiden event over 1000m here though and after finding support into 9/1 from 20’s, she duly landed the odds. Indeed, not only did she win, but she came home in the style of a “good horse”. Positioned at the back going through halfway, Gary Collin’s charge cut through the field like a knife over the final 500m and just as if scripted got up close home.

Another to win well from off the pace in the maiden ranks here was the newcomer BLOUBERG BEACH (11) who opened her account over 1200m. Allowed to drift in the betting market as if set to race on three legs (16/1 out to 80/1), Glen Kotzen’s charge had a few lengths to find in midfield going through the 500m. Once given rein though, this daughter of Dynasty quickened well and under a well judged ride from Robert Khathi, she got up late to deny the odds on favourite DUMANI.

The first of the afternoon’s two feature events to take place was the listed Winter Juvenile Stakes over 1600m and here victory went to the favourite MASTER MASCUS (41). On leaving the stalls it was the easy to back CASEY DE ROCHE who elected to set the pace, whilst Joey Ramsden’s charge raced close up in fourth. He was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 200m marker and kept on strongly in the closing stages of the race to beat the running on FINAL BUTTON by a length and a quarter.

The Gr3 Final Fling Stakes over 1800m topped the bill and for the second successive season victory here went to the Riaan Van Reenen trained A DAUGHTERS LEGACY (69). She wasn’t the quickest into stride in today’s event, but despite that she was always in touch with the leaders. She quickened well at the top of the short old course straight and got up nicely late to deny the front running CAUSE TO BELIEVE.

Titbits

Lightly raced WHY WORRY ran on well from the back end of midfield when second in the maiden juvenile event over 1400m.

Positioned at the back after being a little slow into stride in the conditions event over 1000m, TRYST was flying at the finish and was only beaten a length and a half.

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6 Favs At Scottsville!

Scottsville 24^th July: The bookies must have wondered what had hit them at the Pietermaritzburg track on Sunday as very unusually six market leaders landed the odds. Indeed, the favourites won the first five races with the opening salvo being fired by champion jockey Anton Marcus aboard PROVENCAL (28) in the maiden event over 1200m. Backed as if unbeatable into 1/3 from even money, Alec Laird’s charge was soon at the head of affairs. He was always in command and despite the efforts of the nibbled at newcomer IN A SECOND (9/2 into 4/1 second favourite), he went on to win very comfortably by two.

The easiest victory in the maiden ranks on this card though was undoubtedly that of TRAVEL UP FRONT (30) who did the business in the 1400m event. The shortest priced favourite of the day at 1/7 (op 1/4), Mike De Kock’s charge also led throughout. She was always clear in what soon became a strung out field and with plenty in hand she coasted in by five and a quarter. Travel Up Front won well and is clearly one to keep tabs on.

The afternoon’s feature event was the listed Off To Stud Handicap run over 1800m and in what proved to be one of the few for those men with the satchels, the friendless MAGIC PENNY registered her fifth career victory. Allowed to ease right out to 25/1 from 12/1 at the track, the Silvano mare got away well from her wide draw and was soon up handy. She ran on stoutly at the business end of the race and after a thrilling tussle with the gutsy front runner YOUNG CAESOUR, she only got the verdict by a neck.

The not so lucky last was a MR76 Handicap over 1000m and here victory went to another drifter in the betting market TWO TONE ROCKA (52). Freely available at 14/1 on the off (op 8/1), the well exposed daughter of Bezrin raced in midfield during the first half of the race. She quickened well when given rein going through the 400m and got up quite comfortably in the end to beat the four timer seeking top weight FLOWERS OF SPRING by three quarters.

Titbits

Although never a threat after being slow into stride and racing in the rear, the well supported favourite WAY WARD STORM (5/2 into 16/10) caught the eye running on very nicely at the finish of the MR72 affair over 1400m.

CROC VALLEY also ran on well from the rear when fourth in the listed Off To Stud Handicap.

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Sean’s Super Six

Flamingo Park 25^th July: Followers of the money got off to a nice start in the Northern Cape on Monday and when the Anton Marcus ridden TRIPARTITE did the business in the opening maiden event over 1000m. Eventually sent off at 15/20 after opening up at 6/1, the lightly raced son of Mellifont was soon up handy. He was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 200m marker and went on to score comfortably by two and a quarter.

Race four on the card was a maiden event over 1800m and here we saw a smart performance from the Alado filly ED’S ANGEL. The third of six winners on the card for trainer Sean Miller, Ed’s Angel raced in midfield during the early part of the race. She made her move coming off the bend and already at the front 300m out she drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to beat one of the outsiders of the party WHITE HAZE by four. Ed’s Angel won well and clearly has more to come.

Teaming up with Sean Miller for most of those wins, champion jockey Anton Marcus gained the second of his four successes aboard PETRUS in the afternoon’s feature event, a MR84 Handicap over 1600m.Sent off as if unbeatable at 1/7, Petrus made all. He led by just a length and a quarter for most of the journey and despite the efforts of the running on SOLOMONS TEMPLE over the final 400m, he extended his advantage to three and a quarter.

Another to win very comfortably in the hands of Anton Marcus was BAY OF GIBRALTAR when registering his sixth career victory in the MR78 affair over 1200m. He raced prominent throughout and after taking up the running 500m out, he went on to score without any anxious moments.

Titbits

Positioned in the rear turning for home, ROLLIN THUNDER ran on best of all in the straight and with the rest well beaten, he did well to get within a length and three quarters of the winner.

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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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