Three In One

Good Things

Scottsville 8^th January: Favourite backers got off to a good start in Natal on Sunday when MY JELLY BEAN (16) did the business in the opening maiden juvenile event over 1000m. Always in the red, despite good support for the newcomer REIGN AS KINGS (28/10 into 17/10), My Jelly Bean made virtually all. The money horse did briefly get his head in front going through the 300m and at that stage of the race it looked as if he might go on to score. Reign Of Kings raced very green in the closing stages though and in what proved to be a real thriller the experienced favourite got back up on the nod.

The best bet on the card for many was DISTINGUISHED (38) in the maiden 1200m and he didn’t let down his supporters. Soon at the head of affairs despite losing two lengths at the start, the son of Kahal led throughout. He was always in command and despite the efforts of the chasing JAMAL, he extended his one length advantage to three and three quarters over the final 300m.

The afternoon’s feature event was a Conditions Plate over 1200m and here we saw another workmanlike performance from the unbeaten UNANNOUNCED (87). Making his fifth racecourse appearance here, Charlie Laird’s charge was always handy. He was ridden to lead as they approached the 200m marker and found extra late on to hold off his running on stable companion ICE AXE.

The not so lucky last was a MR71 Handicap over 1950m and here a bit of an upset was to be had when the well supported outsider PUNK ROYALE landed the spoils. Nibbled at throughout the afternoon into 11/1 from 25’s, Mark Dixon’s charge raced in midfield for most of the journey. Once in the straight though, he quickened best of all and under a well judged ride from Stuart Randolph he got up late to deny the hat-trick seeking RULE THE NATION.

Titbits

Positioned in the rear after losing a length at the start, TRIPLE VORTEX was finishing best of all when third in the MR88 Handicap over 1950m.

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Confidently Ridden

Vaal 10^th January: Tuesday’s action took place on the turf where victory in the opening workrider’s maiden qualified handicap over 1200m went to the well tried SOUL SISTER (26). Making her 24^th racecourse appearance here, Louis Goosen’s charge raced in the rear for most of the journey. Once given rein though, she cut through the field like a knife and went on to score very easily by a length and a quarter going away.

Another to win well from off the pace on this card was CHOP SUEY (28) when registering his second career victory in the MR66 Handicap over 1600m. He ran on strongly at the business end of the race and after striking the front 150m from home he easily drew clear.

Race seven on the card was a MR66 Handicap over 1200m and here we saw an improved performance from the 5yo son of Rakeen RETURNEE (28) Nibbled at on course into 5/1 from 8’s, Erico Verdonese’s charge raced in midfield during the early part of the race. He made his move as they approached the 500m marker and went on to score with some in hand after hitting the front 200m out.

A MR62 Handicap over 1200m for the girls brought proceedings to a close and in what proved to be a real thriller victory here went to the uneasy favourite CAYMAN LADY. Allowed to ease out to 4/1 from 33/10 at the track, Cayman Lady got away well when the gates opened and elected to make the running. Her easy to back stable companion MEMORIES OF MOZART got her head in front 300m from home and after a thrilling tussle all the way to the wire it was only by the narrowest of margins that the market leader got the verdict.

Titbits

Well supported MR MAGIC (16/1 into 8/1) ran on from the rear when getting up in the very last stride to win the MR65 Handicap over 1400m.

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Progressing Nicely

Greyville 10^th January: First up on Tuesday evening was a maiden event over 1000m and here a bit of an upset was to be had when the formless TRULY EXCLUSIVE (32) opened his account. Nibbled at on course into 14/1 from 20’s, Gavin Van Zyl’s charge sat in midfield early on. He quickened well coming off the bend and with the rest well beaten he got up late to deny the newcomer MAAK’N PLAN (2/1 jt fav out to 75/20) by three quarters.

The easiest victory on the card was recorded by TOUCH ‘N FLY (31) who came home smoking in the maiden event over 1400m. Sent off a well supported favourite at 17/10 (opened 5/2), Deon Visser’s charge was soon up handy. She was ridden to lead early in the short home straight and easily accounted for SPECTRE LADY by four.

Another favourite to win well after finding good support was CUPID’S DAUGHTER (5/2 into 16/10) in the novice 1600m. She got away well when the gates opened and close up in fourth turning for home, was perfectly placed to launch an assault. She struck the front going through the 300m and although DADEWETHU finished well from off the pace, she went on to score very comfortably by a length and three quarters. Cupid’s Daughter has now won two from three and is clearly one to keep tabs on.

A MR91 Handicap over 1600m topped the bill and here we saw a smart performance from the improving BAY ROUTE (77). Usually one to make the running, the top weight was positioned in third as the eight runners turned for home. He found his favourite position going through the 300m and although the in form INDIAN HAWK finished well, he went on to score comfortably by a length and a half.

Titbits

After losing three lengths at the start of the maiden 1400m, DAWN ECLIPSE ran on strongly and only failed to get to the winner Equivalence by a short head.

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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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