Our sectional timing observations after the weekend’s WSB 1900 racemeeting has once again unearthed some horses to keep an eye on.
An important scientific complimentary tool of the trade for punters and racing enthusiasts, sectional timing data can really and truly enhance both the form study and horseracing viewing experience on both KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape race meetings.
Saturday’s WSB 1900 winner Selukwe came from second last to produce the fastest 400m to finish time in the race (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Hollywoodbets Greyville 10 May
Track Condition
Going: Good
Penetrometer: 23
Rain: Last 7 days Nil
Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 10mm
False Rail: 4m
Wind: 5-15km/h North Westerly head wind
Course Variant: 0,23s fast
World Sports Betting Gr3 1900
Plenty were vying for good early position on leaving the stalls and although the pace may not visibly have looked too hot at that point, there was a good even tempo throughout.
Indeed, comparatively the fastest race on the card, they were 3 seconds faster than the only other 1900m event on the day and the overall time was just 2,13 seconds outside the course record.
The well supported third favourite Holding Thumbs made the running and he, along with the handily placed runners, soon came under pressure in the home straight.
Plenty held chances when the field began to concertina and with fancied runners finishing strongly from towards the rear, it was an exciting race.
The winner SELUKWE came from second last and producing the fastest 400m to finish time in the race, he won with authority by two and a half after striking the front 150m out. The deposed favourite Okavango (18/10 to 11/2) who finished fourth, only really got going late. He recorded the second fastest 400m to finish time in the race and looks sure to improve further.
The KRA Cup (NBT) 1000m
By far the fastest of the three 1000m events was the afternoon’s supporting act, the KRA Cup. The pace was good on leaving the stalls and, nicely positioned in fourth, the eventual winner ZIYASHA was always well-placed to strike. He quickened nicely when the early effort took its toll on the leaders approaching the 400m marker and after striking the front 100m later he won well by just under a length. Finishing best of all in this race was third placed FUTURE VARIETY. Easily 8 lengths off the pace at the back turning for home, Candice Bass-Robinson’s charge cut through the field like a knife and recording the fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon, he did very well indeed, to get within a length of the winner.
1400m Races
Four of the afternoon’s nine races were run over 1400m with by far the fastest of these being the Middle Stakes for fillies and mares. Sonic Jet made the running, and they rounded the turn considerably faster than any of the other five races negotiating that section. She did then begin to slow coming off the bend and when the always handy Sohot Sowhat struck the front approaching the 300m marker the race looked wide open. Finishing best of all was the Peter Muscutt trained BEVIES DELIGHT, and in what proved to be a real thriller, the Vercingetorix mare got up in the very last stride.
Quickies
Positioned at the back five lengths off the pace coming off the bend, the newcomer POSITION OF POWER ran on strongly late and did well to get up in the dying strides.
Fastest Times:
1000m (3) Ziyasha 58,92
1400m (4) Bevies Delight 84,59
1900m (2) Selukwe 115,38
400-finish Future Variety 22,33
Hollywoodbets Greyville 7 May
Track Condition
Going: Standard
Rain: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 5mm
Irrigation: Last 7 days Nil
Wind: 10-17km/h North North Easterly head wind
Course Variant: 0,51s fast
Three 1200m races
After a short break for upgrading, racing returned to the poly track on Wednesday afternoon. Just 0,55 seconds separated the winners of the three 1200m races on the card with the fastest being the Class 4 event won by the nibbled at outsider IBUTHO (25/1 into 14/1).
Benni In The Area made the running, and he was easily six lengths clear coming off the bend. He was soon found wanting in the straight though and several headed by Master Bling began to close in quickly. Garth Puller’s charge looked to have done everything right on striking the front 100m out, but in a classic finish he was nabbed on the nod in the very last stride. Finishing best of all was fourth placed Hope Is Power who recorded the fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon.
Racecard www.goldcircle.co.za 1600m
Much the quicker of the two 1600m races was the B Stakes won by SUNDANCE KID. The son of Master Of My Fate got away well when the gates opened and was soon at the head of affairs. He led at a fair pace by a length and half for most of the journey before Calvin Habib cleverly doubled that advantage coming off the bend. He ran on strongly in the straight and with the pack closing in quickly at the finish he only held on by the narrowest of margins.
Two 1800m races
The Open Maiden Plate was surprisingly the faster of the two 1800m events and here victory went to the Cape Town visitor MASTER BOMBER. Run in a time 0,8 seconds faster than the D Stakes, Glen Kotzen’s charge set a fair pace and dictated matters throughout. He led by two and a half for most of the trip before turning up the speed to go four lengths clear early in the straight. Silver Platter ran on well over the final 400m and was gaining quickly at the finish. Once again though, that move at the top of the straight would prove to be decisive.
Quickies
Backed into favouritism at the track, the winner of the 1600m D Stakes EVENTIDOR raced off a mark 10 points lower than that of his previous best and had a 4kg claimer on board to boot. This Elusive Fort gelding has gained all five of his career wins on the polytrack.
Fastest Times:
1200m (3) Ibutho 70,62
1600m (2) Sundance Kid 95,08
1800m (2) Master Bomber 109,71
400-finish Hope Is Power 22,59
