Alboran Sea (speed score 105) scraped in to win the Cape Flying Champs in an exciting duel against Captain Of All (s/s 105). The muscular three year old filly was always handy down the inside, then used her acceleration to seize control of the race. But then Captain Of All hurtled up and virtually past her, and it took a game fight back combined with a lucky head-bob on the line to wrest the honours. Carry On Alice (s/s 101+) ran on best of the balance for third spot and continues to impress with fine displays from sprint distances up to 1600m.
Brutal Force (s/s 101) must be one of the biggest three year olds around weighing in at close to 600kg's. He used his bulk to outmuscle Zambezi River (s/s 101) in another life and death struggle for the CTS Stakes on the same Kenilworth card. The winner made an early run on a day when the sprint course was extremely quick, tactics which proved decisive and were testimony to ace hoop, Striker Strydom's horsemanship and judgement.
Best speed fig of the weekend was attained in a heartening comeback run by Willow Magic (s/s 108) who doddled in, down the Turffontein sprint track. Described by trainer Sean Tarry as "a machine" he was racing for the first time since winning the Dingaans in 2013. This was an exceptional return performance after a 420 day layoff and he can be followed with confidence in upcoming Grade 1 races on the Highveld.
