Trainer Mike Bass enjoyed success at opposite ends of the country with Paterfamilias (speed score 106) and Tevez (s/s 107) winning Conditions and Pinnacle Stakes races at Turffontein and Kenilworth respectively. The former was a talented youngster who suffered injuries which set him back considerably, but after a freshening and relocating to Jozi he produced a career best in a race run fast early on. Jock Anthony Delpech said, "He quickened well and won like a good horse". He will now be pitched into the big Highveld contests and with this borderline Grade 1 score is no longer a forlorn prospect.
Tevez is also heading north to have a crack at the Computaform Sprint next month. The racy sprinter with the ability to accelerate sharply burst through to win carrying top weight. Promicing Polly (s/s 105) ran the best race of her life and has been a revelation since trainer Mike Stewart got to the bottom of her. He trains on Noordhoek beach, and noticed that she was uncomfortable when trotting at spring low tide in firm sand. Underlying problems with her feet and shoes were rectified, blinkers were added as an additional aid and her racing life was transformed. She too has a zippy turn of late speed and will be aimed at fillies feature sprints in due course.
In other action down the Kenilworth straight, Night Of Stars (s/s 102) a temperamental filly capable of strong sprint performances when in a good mood, got the job done. She raced handy down the inner before drawing away from MR 86 handicap rivals and will beat tougher fields based on this score.
Back in Jozi, Bouclette Top (s/s 97+) dictated from the front to win the Drum Star Handicap. Blinkers have helped this Giant's Causeway gelding focus properly and he may be ready to fulfil earlier potential when running as high as 105. He did have an unchallenged lead here and looked quite untroubled during the race though - it remains to be seen how he fares when caught up in a more torrid pace duel.
