Horse Chestnut Stakes
Only the first two home can be regarded as true Gr 1 quality. The only 4yo ran a distant third while the rest were another 4 lengths back and are either past their best/ have issues or were never this class. The pace was pedestrian and the time for the race a mere 1.7 secs faster than the moderate maiden race run later on over the same distance. Comparatively, that humble MR 65 winner on pure racetimes ran just 9 Lengths slower than Legal Eagle!.
Legal Eagle is a superstar, and his regular pilot dictated the race, and always had it in the bag despite the fast finishing effort of Nother Russia. However, he did not, and did not need to, run to his best ability to win here.
This race must be regarded as false paced and not too much should be read into the winning distances.
If pressed to evaluate the race, Unagi and Nother Russia ran exactly where they should have relative to each other, so I would say that they ran to their 109 and 112 respectively, and thus LE ran 118. ( This on the new scale, so only 112 prior to the 6 pt boost).
SA Classic
Lobo’ Legend showed dramatic improvement over the trip and made the most of a handy draw. The race was marred by the fall of Majestic Mambo and we all hope tha Anthony Delpech makes a full and quick recovery. Surcharge confirmed the form of the Dingaans, and ran a good race from his draw. Like a Panther and Noble Secret were just behind him and they too benefitted from good draws. If Surcharge is used as the line horse, then Lobos Legend ran 113.
Like a Panther got within 1.75 L Of Tap O Noth in the Cape Guineas, but ran well below that in the Cape Derby. At this stage, with Monks Hood out the picture, there doesn’t seem a lot between the top half a dozen colts, and the Daily News looks like it will be an interesting race.
SA Fillies Classic
Takingthepeace ran a super race after being dropped out from a wide draw and her win was full of merit, as well as being a triumph for the her young owners and jockey. Green Top followed up on her good run in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas to be touched off into second and Secret Potion showed dramatic improvement in third. Two lengths covered the first five home, and these fillies are all in the MR 100-104 range.
At this stage it seems clear that Snowdance, Oh Susanna and Lady in Black are significantly stronger than the Gauteng fillies, and should dominate the KzN classics.
There must be some doubt about Takingthepeace seeing out the Oaks distance, but as the winner of the first two legs she must have a go, and her style of running does give some hope that she could pull off the Triple Tiara.
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