Fair debut by Serendipitous.
improved run on turf for Countess of the Stars. Still needs to improve, but at least some hope now after her terrible poly runs.
nice run by Beau Kala over a trip a bit short of her best
good win by Lady Renee. Has been given 5 points raise, but should still be competitive especially over 1200m.
Another very poor run by Golden Tatjana- clearly something amiss with her this season.
It’s been a quiet week for the stud, but 3 runners at Fairview on Friday.
Thankfully racing remains on the turf.
Sunlit From Heaven in race 1. Has come down in the ratings, and on her best earlier CT form is well in at the weights. We have always believed that she needs ground, and now should have strengthened up enough. If she indeed sees out the 2400m, she could make a mockery of her big price. The CT visitor, Imhotep, has been priced up even money favourite. He brings CT form and has more scope for improvement than most of these professional maidens, BUT, he is a 3yo going the trip for the first time on soft going, giving weight to older horses, and has had to travel. I think his price is far too skinny for a maiden handicap.
Treasure Hunt runs in race 4. Not the best of draws, but she has good gate speed and 1400m is her best trip. If she gets a decent start and a reasonably handy position I think that she is a big runner, and good ew value in a very open race.
Beau Kala runs in race 6. Good run back on turf last week. Gets a good draw and the 1600m will suit better. If this race does not come too soon for her then she should fight out the finish in an open race.
Good 2nd by Sunlit.
Treasure Hunt and Beau Kala both led and caught late. Not a day for front runners.
one runner at Turffontein on Saturday. Nothingelsematters in race 11. Was in a higher class last time, back in his own class. Wide draw but has an ew chance in a very open field.
One runner at Fairview on Friday. Elusive Mata runs in race 3. Has been unlucky with draws and again a tough one to overcome, especially with a tailwind expected. She was stubborn last time, and ran below expectations, but if she gets some luck in the running and behaves then she is capable of a big run. Her half brother by Erupt is on the Premier Sale next week so a catalogue boost would be most welcome.
Sea of Tears, Bythelightofthemoon and As Fate Has It look the main dangers.
Elusive Justice runs in race 8. We raced the dam and sold her in foal to Elusive Fort, so I have an academic interest having planned the mating. Looks a lively runner in a very open race.
Elusive Mata too far back and could not make up the ground with fast track and tailwind.
Two runners on Saturday. Aussenkehr runs in race 5 at Turffontein. Tough task at the weights, where Alula’s Star looks well weighted.
Exceeder runs in race 7 at Kenilworth. The two up and coming 3yos, Magic Verse and Weather King should fight it out. Not much between the older hard knockers.
Aussenkehr needs to drop in the ratings.
Exceeder now a bit long in the tooth and perhaps should go to a weaker centre.
one runner at Scottsville on Sunday. Dawn Surprise in race 1. 2 fair runs and should not be far off them. Looks quite an open race, and depends on which act best in the soft.
Two runners at Vaal on Tuesday.
Smart filly Almond Sea runs in race 1. Priced up at prohibitive odds, I’m hoping to see her trot up again. Looks a Nursery prospect.
JP Twothousand runs in race 5. Below best last couple and not one to rely on.
Almond Sea won by 5L in a common canter. Based on the relative race times of the two other 1000m races, she would have earned a rating of around 100. Given the ease of her victory, she could have won by much further had she been pushed. She thus looks not far off the ability that leading juvenile filly of last year, Mrs Geriatrix showed. Its unfortunate that Proceed cannot run tomorrow, as that would have given a line between Cape and Gauteng juveniles. In any event, I would think that the Nursery is at her mercy.
JP ran a somewhat better race but some lengths off the winner.
Three runners at Fairview on Friday.
Quasimodo runs in race 5.Below best last two, but gets Muzi again, and if he can bounce back to best form, then could upset.
Mhlabeni runs in race 6 He has run 2 cracking sprints after his break, and with a reasonable draw and a light weight he can pop up here and I give him a lively chance.
*Lady Renee in race 8. Good winner last time but this is much tougher and she is up 5lb. This distance should suit, and she must have a fair ew chance in a very open race.
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One runner at Kenilworth on Saturday. Call To Unite in race 3. He needs to improve to beat Green with Envy at the weights, but is one of a number of up and coming horses in this race which can improve. I’m hoping that he can step up and win.
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one runner at Scottsville on Monday.
*Pascali runs in race 5. Has matured and last two runs very encouraging. Previously has not run as well at this track but now that he is older and stronger hope that he handles it better. Unfortunately gets a very wide draw in a big field which is a challenge. He is fit and well, so if he performs at the track and gets some luck in the running he can earn in a very open race.
Pongola has been priced up a weak favourite, but Political Party and Allaroundtheworld should turn it around with him at the weights. I think that the ones to beat are the improving 3yos Scampton from plum draw and Johnny The Thief.
Very good run by Pascali making up many lengths to run second. Beaten by the wide draw. Very pleasing that he ran well at Scottsville so more options for him. Will not be long in landing his next win despite getting a 2lb raise for this run.
one runner at Kenilworth on Wednesday.
Common Grounds has relocated from KZN and runs in race6. A horrible draw to overcome and this is a very competitive race where just about anything could win. He gets 5.5 Kg from the other 3yo Zil Moris but a host of older hard knockers to contend with.
He was a possible runner in the Gold Rush, but a deal could not be concluded so he missed out on that opportunity.
Will need luck from the draw, but has the ability to be competitive here.
Lunga Gila will be keen to show what he can do in CT.
Common Grounds went hard early from the draw and faded.
Two runners at Fairview on Friday. *Countess of the Stars and Elusive Hunter. Both in race 2
Countess showed a bit better on the turf after a few shockers on poly. Hoping that she can build on that effort. Needs quite a few lengths improvement to feature, but the drop back in trip might suit as she showed good pace last time.
Elusive Hunter also needs to improve a lot.
Not the strongest of fields. Sea of Tears looks the one to beat. Venetian Moonlight and Kitty Mo should be in the shakeup.
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