Worth The Trip
Scottsville 31st October
Still Improving
They raced in Natal on Sunday where victory in the maiden event over 1000m went to the well supported LOADS OF FUN (28) Sent off a joint favourite at 7/2 (opened 5/1), Dennis Drier’s charge went straight to the front and led throughout. She was always in command and although the other well supported joint favourite ALL SUMMER LONG (6/1 into 7/2) chased hard at the business end of the race, she went on to win very comfortably by a length and three quarters.
The first outright favourite to oblige was the Mike De Kock trained BESHAAYIR (29) who did the business in the maiden event over 1600m. Soon up handy, the daughter of Galileo raced prominent throughout. She was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 500m marker and kept on strongly in the closing stages of the race to beat the running on BYCULLA by a length and three quarters.
The easiest victory on the card was recorded by THE WALRUS (78) who came home smoking in the MR88 Handicap over 1000m. Confidently ridden by Anthony Delpech, Bart Rice’s charge sat sixth for most of the journey. He quickened well going through halfway and after striking the front 200m from home, he easily drew clear. The Walrus has now won four of his last five starts and is still clearly on the upgrade.
A MR89 Handicap over 3000m topped the bill and here a bit of an upset was to be had when the easy to back MUITO AMOR (46) registered his four career victory. Freely available at 18/1 on the off, the 6yo son of Sharp Romance lost three lengths when the gates opened and thereafter raced in the rear. The pace was always a steady one though and with the field closely grouped coming off the bend, he was within striking distance. He quickly cut through the field in the straight and drew clear easily after striking the front 200m out.
Flamingo Park 1st November
Back In Form
A maiden event over 1800m got proceedings underway in the Northern Cape on Monday and victory here went to the lesser fancied of Peter Miller’s two runners NICOLE ANNE (6). Soon at the head of affairs, the daughter of Dixie Union led throughout. She was always in command and although CONTESSA ROCHETTA chased hard over the final 400m, she went on to score very comfortably by two and a quarter.
There were a number of upsets during the afternoon, but none more so than the victory of RUSSIAN RHYTHM (27) in the MR66 affair over 1800m. Allowed to drift right out to 20/1 from 10/1 on course, Russian Rhythm was always handy. He was ridden to lead as they approached the 400m marker and although the pacemaker FOREIGN CALL never gave up the fight once headed, he ran out a very easy winner by a length and three quarters.
The afternoons’ feature event was a MR92 Handicap run over 1200m and here it was nice to see the former Natal campaigner MILLWOOD CLASSIC (45) find her form. On leaving the stalls it was the easy to back QUICK MILLIONS who elected to set the pace whilst Millwood Classic raced close up in fifth. She moved up to dispute matters as they approached the 200m marker and after a thrilling tussle with the more fancied TRIFOLIUM, it was only late that she got the upper hand.
Vaal 2nd November
Headstrong Still Improving
Tuesday’s action took place on the sand. The afternoons’ feature event was a Conditions Plate over 1200m and here victory went to the Pivotal mare HEADSTRONG (92). Sent off a joint favourite at 2/1, Mike De Kock’s charge raced fourth during the early part of the race just three lengths off the pace set by the only 3yo in the race OOCHEE AGENT. She was ridden to lead passing the 200m marker and went on to beat the very useful sand performer CINNAMON SUGAR fair and square.
Sent off a strong favourite to win the MR73 affair over 1450m was the 4yo SHAUNIE BOY. A gutsy winner of his only previous start, Shaunie Boy was again taken to the front by Anton Marcus and attempted to lead throughout. The well supported SERMON (5/1 into 7/2) raced close up in second and when he threw down the gauntlet 400m out, battle quickly commenced. Shaunie Boy gave his all on the run to the line, but despite having the rest some eight lengths in arrears, he couldn’t hold on to Sermon who drew clear nicely in the latter stages to score by two and a quarter.
The final event on the card was a MR76 Handicap over 1800m and here we saw a smart performance from the Roy Magner trained WOMAN OF THE YEAR (74). She got away well when the gates opened and soon up handy raced prominent throughout. She took up the running early in the long home straight and although the well supported STARSTRUCK (4/1 into 28/10) chased hard over the final 600m, she won easily by three and a quarter.
Scottsville 3rd November
Good Sorts
Racing returned to Scottsville on Wednesday where we saw a smart performance in the opening maiden event over 1200m from the newcomer ERFAAN (19). Positioned in midfield when the race began in earnest, Erfaan didn’t get the clearest of runs. Once seeing daylight though, he quickened nicely and did well to get up late to beat MAJESTIC MAJESTY by a length and a quarter. Erfaan won well and is clearly one to keep tabs on.
Another to win very well from off the pace on this card was RIDETHEBREEZE (62) who caused an upset when winning the graduation event over 1200m. The field was soon very strung out for a 1200m event and having been a little slow into stride, Ridethebreeze was easily ten lengths adrift going through halfway. Quickening by far the best at the business end of the race though, Joey Ramsden’s charge fairly flew and did very well indeed to reel in both ANTIOUS and the pacemaker MIKE’S CHOICE below the distance. RideTheBreeze has now won two from four and is another who should pay to follow in the near future.
Another to look out for next time from the stable of Joey Ramsden is CRIMSON GLOW who finished a runner up in the afternoons’ feature event, a Conditions Plate over 1500m. Freely available at 15/2 on off, Crimson Glow was content to guard the rear for most of the journey. She ran on stoutly over the final 400m and did well to get within a length and three quarters of the talented CASE STATED (75) who had gotten first run. Now a winner of four of her five career starts to date, Case Stated was returning from a nine month break here and she too is clearly one to follow.
Vaal 4th November
The Lucky Last
Followers of the money got off to a good start at Thursday’s turf meeting when the newcomer ICE LINK (28) did the business. Backed early into 5/2 favourite from 9/2, Sean Tarry’s charge was soon up handy. She raced prominent throughout and when the easy to back PHEMBA flew up from off the pace to lead 400m out, battle quickly commenced. Both gave their all on the run to the line and in what proved to be a real thriller, it was only by the narrowest of margins that the money horse got the verdict.
Much easier a winner in the maiden ranks here was ROLL COUNT (31) who opened his account at just the second time of asking in the 1600m event. Freely available at 8/1 on the off, Alec Laird’s charge sat well off them during the early part of the race. He ran on best of all over the final 400m and under a well judged ride from the up and coming Jimmy Van Der Merwe, he did well to reel in the free striding HARD CURRENCY who had taken up the running 500m out.
The lucky last was a novice event over 1400m and here victory went to the well supported favourite KAPOW (67). Confidently ridden by Fanie Chambers, Kapow sat just behind the leaders for most of the journey. Once given rein though, she picked them off with ease and after striking the front 200m from home, she drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to win by four and a quarter.
Top speedratings for this weekend include:-
Fairview
Race 1: (3) Passage Of Time 11
Race 2: (14) Jua 27
Race 3: (4) Crystal Wolf 14
Race 4: (6) Laura’s Gift 48
Race 5: (1) Hear The Drums 92
Race 6: (1) Short List 48
Race 7: (7) Symbolist 82 (EW)
Race 8: (14) Count Oliver 62
Turffontein
Race 1: (11) Louvre 19
Race 2: (8) Cherry On The Cake 65
Race 3: (6) Castanelli 57
Race 4: (2) Ozymandias 57 (EW)
Race 5: (4) Mannequin 83
Race 6: (16) Quick Single 111
Race 7: (12) Titano 65 (EW)
Race 8: (7) Pleasant Valley 61
Race 9: (1) Hard Currency 30
Greyville
Race 1: (2) Diamantaire 24
Race 2: (5) Sweet Silvano 28
Race 3: (9) National Security 21
Race 4: (11) Queensway 41
Race 5: (6) Crimson Glow 66 (NAP*)
Race 6: (5) La Negrita 49
Race 7: (6) Makzoos 81
Race 8: (3) Ridethebreeze 60 (EW)
Race 9: (10) Strawberyshortcake 52
Kenilworth
Race 1: (4) Serena’s Pride 7
Race 2: (5) M’lords Throat 28 (NAP*)
Race 3: (6) Howdoulikemenow 49
Race 4: (5) Spitfire Run 45
Race 5: (9) Mainspring 57
Race 6: (7) Lion In Winter 100
Race 7: (5) Magnolia Musk 49
Race 8: (2) Saluki 72
Race 9: (9) Sostanza 68
Race 10: (11) Bayard 18
Top rated winners last week included:-
Special Club won 7/2
Grey Starling won 33/10
Kapow won 3/1
Turbo Friday won 3/1
Kavanagh won 22/10
Headstrong won 2/1
Dunraven won 17/10
Read My Heart won 16/10
Notebook:-
Erfaan (M De Kock, Natal)
Case Stated (D Drier, Natal)
Crimson Glow (J Ramsden, Natal)
Ridethebreeze (J Ramsden, Natal)
FASTEST TIMES
(Shown in brackets is the number of races run in each category)
Scottsville 31st October
Fastest Sprint 1000-1300 (3) The Walrus
Fastest Middle 1400-1800 (4) Hardhabittobreak
Fastest Long 1900-3600 (2) Water Nymph
Flamingo Park 1st November
Fastest Sprint 1000-1300 (3) Special Club
Fastest Middle 1400-1800 (6) Hunters Green
Fastest Long 1900-3600 (0) No Qualifiers
Vaal 2nd November
Fastest Sprint 1000-1300 (3) Sicoco
Fastest Middle 1400-1800 (5) Sermon
Fastest Long 1900-3600 (0) No Qualifiers
Scottsville 3rd November
Fastest Sprint 1000-1300 (7) Go Go Loochee
Fastest Middle 1400-1800 (3) Case Stated
Fastest Long 1900-3600 (0) No Qualifiers
Vaal 4th November
Fastest Sprint 1000-1300 (3) Valor
Fastest Middle 1400-1800 (4) Roll Count
Fastest Long 1900-3600 (2) Rapid Flow
Pics:-
Case Stated – Scottsville
Case Stated has now won four of her five career starts.
Worth The Trip
Scottsville 31st October
Still Improving
They raced in Natal on Sunday where victory in the maiden event over 1000m went to the well supported LOADS OF FUN (28) Sent off a joint favourite at 7/2 (opened 5/1), Dennis Drier’s charge went straight to the front and led throughout. She was always in command and although the other well supported joint favourite ALL SUMMER LONG (6/1 into 7/2) chased hard at the business end of the race, she went on to win very comfortably by a length and three quarters.
The first outright favourite to oblige was the Mike De Kock trained BESHAAYIR (29) who did the business in the maiden event over 1600m. Soon up handy, the daughter of Galileo raced prominent throughout. She was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 500m marker and kept on strongly in the closing stages of the race to beat the running on BYCULLA by a length and three quarters.
The easiest victory on the card was recorded by THE WALRUS (78) who came home smoking in the MR88 Handicap over 1000m. Confidently ridden by Anthony Delpech, Bart Rice’s charge sat sixth for most of the journey. He quickened well going through halfway and after striking the front 200m from home, he easily drew clear. The Walrus has now won four of his last five starts and is still clearly on the upgrade.
A MR89 Handicap over 3000m topped the bill and here a bit of an upset was to be had when the easy to back MUITO AMOR (46) registered his four career victory. Freely available at 18/1 on the off, the 6yo son of Sharp Romance lost three lengths when the gates opened and thereafter raced in the rear. The pace was always a steady one though and with the field closely grouped coming off the bend, he was within striking distance. He quickly cut through the field in the straight and drew clear easily after striking the front 200m out.
Flamingo Park 1st November
Back In Form
A maiden event over 1800m got proceedings underway in the Northern Cape on Monday and victory here went to the lesser fancied of Peter Miller’s two runners NICOLE ANNE (6). Soon at the head of affairs, the daughter of Dixie Union led throughout. She was always in command and although CONTESSA ROCHETTA chased hard over the final 400m, she went on to score very comfortably by two and a quarter.
There were a number of upsets during the afternoon, but none more so than the victory of RUSSIAN RHYTHM (27) in the MR66 affair over 1800m. Allowed to drift right out to 20/1 from 10/1 on course, Russian Rhythm was always handy. He was ridden to lead as they approached the 400m marker and although the pacemaker FOREIGN CALL never gave up the fight once headed, he ran out a very easy winner by a length and three quarters.
The afternoons’ feature event was a MR92 Handicap run over 1200m and here it was nice to see the former Natal campaigner MILLWOOD CLASSIC (45) find her form. On leaving the stalls it was the easy to back QUICK MILLIONS who elected to set the pace whilst Millwood Classic raced close up in fifth. She moved up to dispute matters as they approached the 200m marker and after a thrilling tussle with the more fancied TRIFOLIUM, it was only late that she got the upper hand.
Vaal 2nd November
Headstrong Still Improving
Tuesday’s action took place on the sand. The afternoons’ feature event was a Conditions Plate over 1200m and here victory went to the Pivotal mare HEADSTRONG (92). Sent off a joint favourite at 2/1, Mike De Kock’s charge raced fourth during the early part of the race just three lengths off the pace set by the only 3yo in the race OOCHEE AGENT. She was ridden to lead passing the 200m marker and went on to beat the very useful sand performer CINNAMON SUGAR fair and square.
Sent off a strong favourite to win the MR73 affair over 1450m was the 4yo SHAUNIE BOY. A gutsy winner of his only previous start, Shaunie Boy was again taken to the front by Anton Marcus and attempted to lead throughout. The well supported SERMON (5/1 into 7/2) raced close up in second and when he threw down the gauntlet 400m out, battle quickly commenced. Shaunie Boy gave his all on the run to the line, but despite having the rest some eight lengths in arrears, he couldn’t hold on to Sermon who drew clear nicely in the latter stages to score by two and a quarter.
The final event on the card was a MR76 Handicap over 1800m and here we saw a smart performance from the Roy Magner trained WOMAN OF THE YEAR (74). She got away well when the gates opened and soon up handy raced prominent throughout. She took up the running early in the long home straight and although the well supported STARSTRUCK (4/1 into 28/10) chased hard over the final 600m, she won easily by three and a quarter.
Scottsville 3rd November
Good Sorts
Racing returned to Scottsville on Wednesday where we saw a smart performance in the opening maiden event over 1200m from the newcomer ERFAAN (19). Positioned in midfield when the race began in earnest, Erfaan didn’t get the clearest of runs. Once seeing daylight though, he quickened nicely and did well to get up late to beat MAJESTIC MAJESTY by a length and a quarter. Erfaan won well and is clearly one to keep tabs on.
Another to win very well from off the pace on this card was RIDETHEBREEZE (62) who caused an upset when winning the graduation event over 1200m. The field was soon very strung out for a 1200m event and having been a little slow into stride, Ridethebreeze was easily ten lengths adrift going through halfway. Quickening by far the best at the business end of the race though, Joey Ramsden’s charge fairly flew and did very well indeed to reel in both ANTIOUS and the pacemaker MIKE’S CHOICE below the distance. RideTheBreeze has now won two from four and is another who should pay to follow in the near future.
Another to look out for next time from the stable of Joey Ramsden is CRIMSON GLOW who finished a runner up in the afternoons’ feature event, a Conditions Plate over 1500m. Freely available at 15/2 on off, Crimson Glow was content to guard the rear for most of the journey. She ran on stoutly over the final 400m and did well to get within a length and three quarters of the talented CASE STATED (75) who had gotten first run. Now a winner of four of her five career starts to date, Case Stated was returning from a nine month break here and she too is clearly one to follow.
Vaal 4th November
The Lucky Last
Followers of the money got off to a good start at Thursday’s turf meeting when the newcomer ICE LINK (28) did the business. Backed early into 5/2 favourite from 9/2, Sean Tarry’s charge was soon up handy. She raced prominent throughout and when the easy to back PHEMBA flew up from off the pace to lead 400m out, battle quickly commenced. Both gave their all on the run to the line and in what proved to be a real thriller, it was only by the narrowest of margins that the money horse got the verdict.
Much easier a winner in the maiden ranks here was ROLL COUNT (31) who opened his account at just the second time of asking in the 1600m event. Freely available at 8/1 on the off, Alec Laird’s charge sat well off them during the early part of the race. He ran on best of all over the final 400m and under a well judged ride from the up and coming Jimmy Van Der Merwe, he did well to reel in the free striding HARD CURRENCY who had taken up the running 500m out.
The lucky last was a novice event over 1400m and here victory went to the well supported favourite KAPOW (67). Confidently ridden by Fanie Chambers, Kapow sat just behind the leaders for most of the journey. Once given rein though, she picked them off with ease and after striking the front 200m from home, she drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to win by four and a quarter.
Top speedratings for this weekend include:-
Fairview
Race 1: (3) Passage Of Time 11
Race 2: (14) Jua 27
Race 3: (4) Crystal Wolf 14
Race 4: (6) Laura’s Gift 48
Race 5: (1) Hear The Drums 92
Race 6: (1) Short List 48
Race 7: (7) Symbolist 82 (EW)
Race 8: (14) Count Oliver 62
Turffontein
Race 1: (11) Louvre 19
Race 2: (8) Cherry On The Cake 65
Race 3: (6) Castanelli 57
Race 4: (2) Ozymandias 57 (EW)
Race 5: (4) Mannequin 83
Race 6: (16) Quick Single 111
Race 7: (12) Titano 65 (EW)
Race 8: (7) Pleasant Valley 61
Race 9: (1) Hard Currency 30
Greyville
Race 1: (2) Diamantaire 24
Race 2: (5) Sweet Silvano 28
Race 3: (9) National Security 21
Race 4: (11) Queensway 41
Race 5: (6) Crimson Glow 66 (NAP*)
Race 6: (5) La Negrita 49
Race 7: (6) Makzoos 81
Race 8: (3) Ridethebreeze 60 (EW)
Race 9: (10) Strawberyshortcake 52
Kenilworth
Race 1: (4) Serena’s Pride 7
Race 2: (5) M’lords Throat 28 (NAP*)
Race 3: (6) Howdoulikemenow 49
Race 4: (5) Spitfire Run 45
Race 5: (9) Mainspring 57
Race 6: (7) Lion In Winter 100
Race 7: (5) Magnolia Musk 49
Race 8: (2) Saluki 72
Race 9: (9) Sostanza 68
Race 10: (11) Bayard 18
Top rated winners last week included:-
Special Club won 7/2
Grey Starling won 33/10
Kapow won 3/1
Turbo Friday won 3/1
Kavanagh won 22/10
Headstrong won 2/1
Dunraven won 17/10
Read My Heart won 16/10
Notebook:-
Erfaan (M De Kock, Natal)
Case Stated (D Drier, Natal)
Crimson Glow (J Ramsden, Natal)
Ridethebreeze (J Ramsden, Natal)
FASTEST TIMES
(Shown in brackets is the number of races run in each category)
Scottsville 31st October
Fastest Sprint 1000-1300 (3) The Walrus
Fastest Middle 1400-1800 (4) Hardhabittobreak
Fastest Long 1900-3600 (2) Water Nymph
Flamingo Park 1st November
Fastest Sprint 1000-1300 (3) Special Club
Fastest Middle 1400-1800 (6) Hunters Green
Fastest Long 1900-3600 (0) No Qualifiers
Vaal 2nd November
Fastest Sprint 1000-1300 (3) Sicoco
Fastest Middle 1400-1800 (5) Sermon
Fastest Long 1900-3600 (0) No Qualifiers
Scottsville 3rd November
Fastest Sprint 1000-1300 (7) Go Go Loochee
Fastest Middle 1400-1800 (3) Case Stated
Fastest Long 1900-3600 (0) No Qualifiers
Vaal 4th November
Fastest Sprint 1000-1300 (3) Valor
Fastest Middle 1400-1800 (4) Roll Count
Fastest Long 1900-3600 (2) Rapid Flow
