Golden Ideal made some further improvement and was only a length off the placed horses.
One runner at Fairview on Friday after the scratching of Beau Kala.
Mhlabeni runs in the 5th. He has been off form and is slowly dropping in the ratings but again looks held here. Inherit the Rain is my pick.
Serendipitous, which I did not breed, but pinhooked and sold last year, looks to have a good chance of breaking her maiden in race 1.
We have had 13 foals so far (7 colts and 6 fillies) and very happy with the quality, but sadly lost Encryption and her Canford Cliffs foal.
Four mares left to foal this season.
Elusive Fort book is quite small this year, but he is covering enthusiastically and getting them all in foal.
Some nice runners at Kenilworth today, but unfortunately will have to wait till Monday for Almond Sea at Turffontein.
Race 2 De Vlugge steps up in trip. Needed her last run and should be fitter but gets a horrible draw so will need a lot of luck. Flying Bomb has been disappointing, and I don't know how he can be rated 69. If that rating is realistic then he has more chance here than in a level weights maiden. Could improve at this track but would be a shock if he is in the frame.
Race 3 Golden Angel runs here as we think that she will prefer the mile to the 1400m. Her last run was below expectations, but she went too hard early in a fast run race. We think highly of this filly and she is at a very generous price. Big ew value, and don't leave out your exotics.
Race 4 Walk With Me has won his last two but jarred up from the Fairview run. If not needing this, he is still improving and can win here.
Race 5 Call To Unite missed out on the Algoa Cup due to the switch to poly. If he sees out this trip then he is a big runner.
race 6 Golden Tatjana returns from a break and and had chips removed. Her dismal last couple of runs can thus be ignored. She may need this, but if regaining her juvenile form can make a joke of her price here.
Very disappointing on Saturday except for Call To Unite which ran a decent 4th. Stayed on one paced so maybe this distance a touch too far.
Expected much more from Golden Angel- was too far back this time and ran on when the race was over. Perhaps she just needs time to mature.
Golden Tatjana went like the clappers for 600m and then faded badly. Poor ride on a horse coming back from a long break.
De Vlugge was never in the race from the draw.
Walk With Me never in the hunt.
One runner at Turffontein on Monday. Almond Sea in race 6. She is unbeaten the 1000m and is the quickest filly on the Highveld this trip. Only concern is that she struggled in the soft going in the Nursery, although that was 1160m. Although she runs here after a break, she is a light filly and should win even if not 100% match fit.
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Almond Sea jumped slightly slow (1/2 L), but Captain's Christy drawn on her outside, jumps inwards, and impedes her, causing her to lose 4L at the start. Thereafter, Brewer continually finds traffic and gaps closing, and comes from last 200m out to get within a length and a quarter of the winner. But for the interference at the start, she would have won comfortably imho, as she would have been up with the speed and not behind the wall of horses the whole way.
The Stipes report is brief to the point of inadequacy, as it just gives the starter's report that she jumped slow and that CC jumped inwards. The Stipes themselves did not bother to record the above facts, thus failing to adequately inform the racing public of what transpired.
One runner at Greyville on Wednesday. Common Grounds in race 7. Tough race, but an ok draw, and he should have come on from his previous. He has run once before on the poly when winning easily. If fit and well he should go close.
One runner at Turffontein on Thursday. Stroopsoet in race 7. Never really in it from a wide draw last time- should put up a better effort from a decent draw. Lady of Memphis good debut win and probably the one to beat.
Stroopsoet faded out- may be too high in the ratings.
Three runners at Fairview on Friday.
* Hiersdieding in Race 3. Carries bottom weight and is bred for this trip. Has shown very little so far- late foal and has taken his time to mature. Hoping to see some improvement today. These maiden handicaps are always tricky, but his stable companion Home Reef and Oranjemund look the likely ones.
Nothingelsematters in race 4. I am very surprised that he hasn't managed to win in PE. Has dropped a few points in the ratings and should be better this trip than the 1600m of his last few. Comes from a bit far back this short run in but if there is a decent pace he has a chance of running them down.
Treasure Hunt in race 8. if she can get a decent early position from the tough draw then she can compete, but this may be a little on the sharp side. Open event as the favourite has an even worse draw.
One runner at Turffontein on Friday. Aussenkher in race 4. has had some minor relief from the handicapper but needs to show improvement to feature.
Aussenkher still struggling to regain form.
Double Dash ran Tuesday at Kenilworth. Again a poor draw to overcome, which she did and was in the firing line when baulked inside the final 200m which cost her a place chance. She is overdue for a bit of good luck and a maiden win.
One runner at Fairview on Friday. Elusive Hunter in race 5. Very competitive field and she has a small place chance.
Elusive Hunter beaten 5L. Finding it tough out the maidens.
Aussenkher again very poor.
Golden Angel tried the 1800m at Kenilworth on Tuesday- beaten 4 L. Has disappointed since her good maiden win so will be given a bit of time to strengthen up.
One runner at Fairview on Friday. Treasure Hunt in race 8. Takes on the boys but gets a good draw over her favourite distance. Competitive field, but she can’t be ignored.
Treasure Hunt another fair run- at one stage looked like an Elusive Fort exacta with grand old man El Romiachi, but she weakened late into 4th.
Two runners at Vaal on Thursday.
Warning Sound (bred in partnership with Drakenstein) in race 1. Outclassed by runaway winner Choisaanada on debut, but did enough for 2nd place. With natural improvement should be in the firing line, but a few well bred first timers which complicate matters.
Aussenkher has his 3rd run in just 3 weeks, and still no sign of his earlier form. Has dropped 11 points to 89 but has been running way below that level.
Aussenkher very poor again.
Warning Sound beaten by a decent looking first timer. fair run in 4th but did not improve much on her debut.
two runners at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Flying Bomb in race 2. has shown nothing, and reverts to the sprints which I think is the right move.
Call to Unite in race 8. Better off at the weights with those that finished in front of him last time and is the one to beat here, but not much separating this small field.
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No show Flying Bomb.
Call to Unite did the donkey work but plodded into 4th. Perhaps better over 2000m.
Two runners at Kenilworth on Wednesday.
Silver Quality is race 1. Is showing nice work at home but has not galloped on the grass and is expected to need this run. Should want further in time.
Golden Ideal in race 2. Has been improving steadily and should be very competitive in an open maiden handicap off a low weight. Gets the sex allowance and has a winning chance.
Foaling all done, and just a few mares awaiting pregnancy tests.
Focus now shifting to yearlings sales prep.
The catalogue for the January 2025 Summer yearling sale has been published, but videos and photos still to be done.
We have 4 on offer.
Lot 14. colt Elusive Fort-Ideal Lady. Dam has already thrown 3 winners, two by EF. Nice, forward colt.
Lot 44. colt Elusive Fort- Pretty Betty. First foal of Gr3 winning mare. She a half sibling to stakes winners by EF so this colt is a 3 parts sibling in blood to Ernie and Freedom Charter. Smart colt
Lot 60 colt Canford Cliffs- Sylvie. full brother to lightning fast Almond Sea, and half brother to stakes winners Celtic Rumours and Sarah. Outstanding colt and should have the buyers lining up.
Lot 94 filly Elusive Fort- Drama Queen. Mare was multiple listed placed and just a couple of lengths inferior to the best of her generation, First foal and a lovely filly. Race and paddock value.
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