For the Notebook- Review Saturday 5th October

Kuda Insurance provided warm hospitality at a chilly Durbanville yesterday. The headline Kuda Matchem Stakes was won in a common canter by Cape Town Noir and he is my early pick to give Beach Beauty a tough challenge in the L'Ormarins Queens Plate.
Zambezi Torrent confirmed his classic aspirations but was too far back in 2nd to inspire confidence.
Hammies Hooker won the Diana Stakes easily and could have won by further. She looks a big runner for the Majorca Stakes. Jet Supreme lost a few lengths at the start which cost her 2nd place filled by stable companion Captainofmysoul. Omaticaya was the only 3yo and was a fast finishing 5th after running into traffic problems. On this showing she will be a force in the big fillies races especially over a mile and further.
The 9th race wasn't watched by many due to the rugby test match on the go, but some smart, improving 3yo colts fought this out. Dynastic Power won and he looks to have a bright future if his temperament does not get the better of him. Legislate gave sire Dynasty the exacta here and he and 3rd placed Roman Manner are both useful.
Ice Machine took the Pinnacle Plate from the often disappointing Run For It who can be profitably opposed whenever he is favourite.

At Turffontein
Stirling Leaves in the first put up a good debut and should be followed next time.
In the 3rd, Nisa's Love did not beat much but was impressive.
In the 5th Admirals Eye confirmed she has trained on after a useful 2yo season, but Arctic Route stepped up and looks a nice prospect.
Stable companions Ilha Bela and Athina fought out the Spring Challenge and the latter is a top class filly who will make her presence felt in the fillies classic races.
Weekend Temper came home lonely in the last and should win quite a few more.

I think Athina is trained by Soma (both owned Slack) - I too was impressed by Stirling Leaves and Nisa's Love

I'm not 100% convinced by Stirling Leaves (weak field imo) but certainly a fair debut (half-sister to Elvis's Silver Specialist); I too thought Nisa's Love was very impressive; Athina was a bit stiff and imo was given too much to do; Wagner was certainly eye-catching over a trip far short off his best (Potala Palace possibly flattered a bit benefitting from an enterprising ride) and Weekend Temper was assisted by a suicidal pace causing Sabre Tooth to hit the front too soon - still was a very good win from wide draw - imo this was a strong field (I know times are dependant on pace, but all 3 put up a time - assisted by the fast pace - more than a second faster than Admiral's Eye) and the first 3 could pay to follow next time out (tu)

Also would be interesting how the handicapper rates the Potala Palace race - either Link Man and Love Struck ran way below their ratings - or Moon of Rangoon, Arctic Sun and Pierneef ran way above their's :S

Nice post .....(tu)

.....Silver Leaves got plenty more scope.....big difference between Spectrum and Silvano......

link man if they have the bleeding sorted will be a threat over the 1200 - 1600 meter races this season.

Imo Legislate an unlucky loser

2cents Wrote:

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> Imo Legislate an unlucky loser


He did get a little tucked up no doubt however he lost against a horse who had run 2 races, one before the jump and one after.

I think Dynastic Power is a very decent animal. He has what it takes to win a group race imo. The only thing against him is his temperament. He needs to either be gelded or he needs to sort his s$%t out

Being a brother to Red Badge and by Dynasty the further he goes the better he will be. Perhaps Zambezi Torrent will make him run in the Guineas along with the Kannemeyer horse but I think he will come into his own in the Derby.

I'm very excited about this colt......All the best to the owners and trainer. Perhaps Stand has another Kapil or better?

Frodo, I was very impressed with Stirling leaves... seemed to me it ran in patches, very green but when he got his act together was moving very nicely. Would like to see his 300m's to finish time.

Muhtiman Wrote:

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> .....Silver Leaves got plenty more scope.....big
> difference between Spectrum and Silvano......


and the distance 1000m way to short