Mari Marie not to be missed next time after flying Fairview effort
• 3 min read
Noting the horses which caught the eye during SportyStuff TV's South African coverage. Updated May 23rd.
Mari Marie - 3rd Fairview, May 19th
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What a terrific run it was from MARI MARIE(no 5, drawn 9) at Fairview, in the 11h50, on Friday, May 19th. Trained by the talented Glen Kotzen, the Twice Over filly was having her first run on the Polytrack, and at one stage was tailed off in last. She looked a most forlorn hope, before suddenly turning it on and making up heaps of late progress. When the lollipop came, she was only 1.25L adrift of winner YGRITTE, and closing rapidly. Glen is based in Cape Town, but often raids the Eastern Cape. Next time I see her name in a Fairview racecard - BOOM, I'm firing, Sunshines! [Shaheen Shaw]
Royal Guide - 1st Turffontein, May 18th
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ROYAL GUIDE (no 6, drawn 5), a R1,400,000 yearling purchase, ran out a most emphatic winner of the 11h50 at Turffontein on May 18th. Despite the penny having not dropped as yet - the four-year old appears to still have much to learn - he won in the style of a horse that will go on and win races. That he has the makings of a smart horse, was attested to by jockey Gavin Lerena, who heaped praise on the beautifully bred son of Gimme The Greenlight. A good looker, his 4.50L victory bodes well for the future. It will be no surprise to see him quickly notching up another victory. Watch for this one at his next outing! [Shaheen Shaw]
Klitsgras - 3rd Turffontein, May 18th
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KLITSGRAS(no 10, drawn 6) made an encouraging debut at Turffontein in the 12h25 on Thursday, May 18th. Whilst debutante CAPSAICIN basically ran the field ragged, KLITSGRAS was doing his best work late from way back. The underfoot conditions were soft, so the way he responded late on, on a day where they weren't making up ground from behind, should see him shed his Maiden soon. Trained by Corne Spies and a son of Potala Palace, the juvenile was an immediate edition to the little black book after that performance. I'm keen to see the depth of field he meets next time, as I believe he will take some beating. [Shaheen Shaw]
Dhoni 2nd/Battle Of Kursk 6th - Turffontein, May 16th
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The going was soft on Tuesday,May 16th at Turffontein. The third - a Maiden Plate over eight furlongs - was won by WILLIAM IRON ARM. However, it could be a case of killing two birds with one stone, as two horses behind the winner bear watching. DHONI (no 4, drawn 2), from the Sean Tarry yard, was having his first outing and put in a great effort in defeat. The son of Pomodoro looked all at sea early, but responded smartly to the urgings of Gavin Lerena late, getting within 0.40L of the winner. Taking his obvious greenness and the underfoot conditions into account, he will be hard to beat next time.BATTLE OF KURSK(no 2, drawn 3) was a further 4.75L adrift in sixth position. He ran fair enough up to a point before his run petered out. I believe he is still a big baby, and that this his third run, should have brought him on a ton. His form is looking moderate at best, however I don't think we've seen the best of him yet. Should be a decent price next time out. [Shaeen Shaw]
Impression - 2nd Vaal, April 13th
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IMPRESSION(no 2, drawn 5): Trained by Sean Tarry, the daughter of Pomodoro contested a work riders race day at the Vaal on April 13th. Still a maiden, she should go very close to winning at her next start if meeting a field of similar calibre. Taking into account that she raced five wide on the turn, the filly had every right to tire in the latter stages. [Shaheen Shaw]
Manz Knight - 4th Vaal, April 13th
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MANZ KNIGHT (no 6, drawn 10): From the stable of Paul Matchett, the colt ran at the same meeting above. The work rider, who really didn't shine on this particular occasion, made a terrible hash of it and took the scenic route - via the carpark - home. Under the circumstances, did exceptionally well to stay on and finish fourth. On the evidence of that run, he is a force to be reckoned with next time. [Shaheen Shaw]Follow @tv_sporty
