Horseracing highlights from this past weekend – who to keep an eye on and some impressive wins…
Punters were treated to outstanding racing over the weekend. Capetown Noir won the Queen's Plate scoring 108 and confirming his status as arguably the best miler in South Africa. He was perfectly ridden and did not encounter even a straw in his path when gliding through down the inside rail. Jackson (s/s 106) was not disgraced back in second and should deliver a peak run in the targeted Met. Jet Explorer (s/s 106) again caught the eye with a withering turn of foot, and is another to be taken seriously in the 1st February showdown. Even No Worries' pace pressing run from a wide draw was laudable.
Champion little race-mare Beach Beauty yet again won the Paddock Stakes and stands head and shoulders above her peers in terms of achievements, if not physically! I have been a touch disparaging about the three year old crop of fillies on repeated mediocre showings to date, but was impressed by the determined effort of In The Fast Lane, who rallied for second place after being unable to match older Beach Beauty's turn of foot.
Dennis Drier also won the Pinnacle Sprint with Barbosa (s/s 110) which was a laudable achievement after an interrupted prep. The stable's big horse, Master Of My Fate (s/s 112) then did the business in the Peninsula Handicap and continues to improve to the point where he looks a main contender for Met honours.
Tellina (109) touched off stable mate Killua Castle (s/s 108) and Wylie Hall (s/s 107) in the London News Stakes held at Turffontein in another top notch performance suggesting imminent Grade 1 wins for these classy sorts. Other noteworthy scores came from Louis The King (s/s 97) who outdueled Heart Of A Lion (s/s 96) in the Sea Cottage Stakes for three year olds.