The Joey Ramsden/Anton Marcus combo cleaned up on a busy weekend of racing around the country. They swept the juvenile feature at Kenilworth with Tar Heel (speed score 88+) and the East Cape Derby as St Tropez proved much the best at Fairview. Marcus also won another juvenile feature in the Cape on the Eric Sands trained My Emblem in a desperately tight decision over pace setter Just Felicity and a hanging Champery.
R3 million rand CPYS purchase Our Icon (s/s 92) has endured bouts of colic and wind ops and the resilient colt is now starting to show his mettle. He shed his maiden over a mile on Saturday and looks liable to improve in time and when trying a longer route.
Zubbadubbadoo (s/s 93) completed a hat-trick for her syndicate of Flaming Flamingo's - an enthusiastic group of ladies who invested in the gelding at a cancer awareness and fundraising day last year. The Jay Peg gelding has dodgy pins, yet has fared extremely well under the expert care of Brett Crawford.
Barry Donnelly, a skilful horseman in his own right, is taking care of Crawford's string in KZN and he stepped Maybe Yes (s/s 99) out to amble away from rivals in a Conditions Plate at Greyville. The Tiger Ridge filly won the Guineas here last year, and is on track for another tilt at lucrative Graded races.
Solid Speed is a smart, progressive stayer and he maintained the exceptional strike rate of trainer, Dean Kannemeyer when beating off Akii Bua in the Highlands Night Cup over 2400m. Off track after bleeding in November 2014, he has won both starts since resuming and should hold his own against tougher foes.
Red Barrel (s/s 103) is an admirable gelding who deserves a big thumbs up after notching a tenth win from only 23 starts when scoring in a Pinnacle Stakes in PE. He is used to toting weights in excess of 60kg's to victory, and yet again proved too powerful when keeping Astro News at bay in this 1600m event.
