Not Much To Beat

All On The Poly

Fairview 13^th December: They raced on the poly track on Friday where five of the afternoon’s nine races were run over 1300m. The fastest of these was the MR91 Handicap won by RUSSIAN MIG. Positioned in midfield as the twelve runners came off the bend, Jacque Strydom’s charge finished best of all and won going away after striking the front close home.

Another to win after running on stoutly from off the pace on this card was KANTAKA in MR71 Handicap over 1300m. Mitch Wiese’s charge was baulked for a run early in the short home straight and did very well indeed to get up in the very last stride.

At the other end of the scale the easiest victory on the card was recorded by NILE SYMPHONY in the opening maiden event over 1000m. One of three in line at the head of affairs rounding the turn, the 4/1 second favourite began to assert his authority going through the 300m and went on to score very easily by three and a quarter.

The faster of the two 2000m events on the card was the bill topping pinnacle stakes won by the Ashaawes gelding WAY CLEAR. Nibbled at on course into 5/1 from 7’s, Alan Greeff’s charge was soon up handy. He was ridden to lead as they approached the 200m pole and won well from the easy to back JUPITER SYMPHONY by a length and three quarters.

Titbits

The Mike Bass trained DO YOU DANCE ran on from the rear when only beaten 2,35 lengths into fourth position in the maiden 2000m.

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Shifting Around

Turffontein 14^th December: Saturday’s action took place on the old stand side track where the easiest victory on the nine race program was recorded by BE MINE TONIGHT in the maiden 1160m. Making only her second racecourse appearance here the daughter of Jet Master was soon positioned close to the speed. She took up the running going through the 400m and although the pacemaker REGENTS AGENCY kept on determinedly once headed, she went on to score with authority by four.

There were three races run over 1160m in total and the fastest of these was the MR82 Handicap won by the much travelled CONTROL TOWER. Now with Paul Matchett, the Jet Master mare drifted as if having lost a leg on course and was eventually sent off at 33/1 (op 14’s). In the rear early on, Control Tower ran on very well over the final 400m and comfortably accounted for PASCHAL MOON (also ran on stoutly from the rear) by two and a half. Worrying for connections though is that the veterinary surgeon reported Control Tower as being distressed after the race.

The faster of the two 1800m races on the card was the conditions plate won by the easy to back CAGIVA. Freely available at 16/1 on the off, Sean Tarry’s charge raced close up in third before putting his head in front 350m out. The favourite KILLUA CASTLE meanwhile had raced in the rear, but when he in turn struck the front 200m out he looked to have done everything right. Killua Castle started to shift around considerably in the heat of battle though and in what proved to be a real thriller CAGIVA got back up late to score by a half.

The best bet on the card for most was SHARP DESIGN in the conditions plate over 1000m and the speedy son of National Emblem didn’t let down his supporters. He left the stalls with his usual zest and over the first 400m only STRONGMIND could go with him. He kept up a healthy gallop throughout and after seeing off the son of Stronghold he went on to win without any anxious moments by two and a half.

Titbits

COBY came from the rear when a 2,5 length runner up in the maiden 1600m.

A winner of two from five coming into the race, THE BARBADIAN won the MR72 Handicap with authority by a length and three quarters.

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Fulfilling Promise

Kenilworth 14^th December: Three of the nine races at Kenilworth on Saturday afternoon were run over 1400m and the fastest of these was the boy’s maiden event won by IT IS WRITTEN. Sent off third in the betting market at 4/1, Dean Kannemeyer’s charge raced in the backend of midfield for most of the journey. Once given rein though, he ran on stoutly and despite having to be switched out at the 200m marker he got up late to deny the easy to back CATWALK MODEL. The third placed runner in this race FRENCH REVOLUTION came from the rear and was only beaten a length and three quarters.

The Gr2 Premier trophy over 1800m topped the bill and here we saw why MASTER OF MY FATE has been touted as a top horse since the first day he set hoof on a racecourse. Confidently ridden by regular partner Sean Cormack, the son of Jet Master was always in touch with the leaders. He was asked to take up the running shortly after passing the 300m pole and comfortably accounted for last season’s J&B Met second placed runner HILL FIFTY FOUR by a length and three quarters. Fourth placed HOT TICKET came from way back in the rear in this race and was only beaten 3,25 lengths.

The supporting act was the Gr3 Victress Stakes over 1800m and here we saw a gutsy performance from Master Of My Fate’s stable companion JET AGLOW Also by Jet Master, the 4yo filly found good support and eventually left the stalls at 19/20 after opening up at 14/10. Ridden to lead early in the straight it looked as if she might have to settle for second when HAMMIE’S HOOKER drew alongside 200m out. Jet Aglow found extra below the distance though and with the rest comfortably beaten she edged that one out close home to score by a neck.

Titbits

SUPREME SUNSET came from the rear when getting up late to win the girl’s division of the maiden 1400m.

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Top speedratings for this weekend include:-

Top rated winners last week included

Notebook:-

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