Two more horses to add:

Brooks Club - dropped out to last on the Turffontein Inner track and left with a mammoth task by the jockey. BC came flying through on the inside and only failed by 0.5l. May have slightly needed run and drifted alarmingly in the betting. Well regarded in a top yard. BC should have benefited from the run and over 1600+ and/or a more testing track, this one should be very competitive next time. 

Returnee - South found this one at tremendous value when winning impressively Vaal 1200m. Previously tried over further, but may have found the right distance now. Cruised through with the hands and bolted clear at the 200m mark. Not the strongest fields, but Returnee showed plenty of promise and showed be followed over 1200/1400m.

One horse impressed me at the Vaal Sand:

Hidden Beauty won very impressively over 1000m in second run after a rest, beating a decent field. HB, a Victory Moon filly, is grade 1 placed and has had top horses like Trinity House and Amanee behind her. Not far behind the best of her generation and she should be very competitive in the fillies feature races this season. Trainer stated that she will be earmarked for a 1400m feature race in February. Keep an eye on this one.

Just a quick review of the weekend (Turffontein) and horses for the notebook:

Welwitschia - top class filly who won with a ton in hand on Saturday. I see she is in the final field for the Majorca and with PV out she will be a erious contender to EF; Covenant and Trinity House.

Solo Traveller - South found this one and ST ran a cracker behind top-class stable companion, Kavanagh. First run for MDK yard and will come on in leaps and bounds over the next few months. Grade 1 winner, who will be a serious threat in feature races over 1600/1800m. 

Allesandria - all at sea when first run around turn and i.mo. did not get the best on rides when beaten into second. From top formlines and if this run under her belt should be a penalty kick over 1600/1800m next time.

Only 1 horse from the Scottsville meeting (yeah, yeah, I know I'm a sucker for punishment, but I'm not writing off this one):

Winter Mischief - although beaten favourite in last 2 runs and costing me over 20 units, I believe WM is really talented and judging by the way be ran on Sunday (he doesn't have the turn of foot of a top miler), I reckon he is a Derby-type horse, who will be most effective over 2000-2400m - a medium-term target may be the Gold Circle Derby at Clairwood in June later this year. Watch this space.

After an exhillirating Saturday afternoon's racing, I've done some reflection and horses to keep an eye on are the following:

Bambina Stripes - a real favourite of South's she was very impressive when winning in a decent field directly out of the maidens. BS has only had 3 runs and has tremendous scope for improvement.  By Argentinian sire, so she should stay all day and her likely mission will be the Gold Circle Oaks in June 2012. If Drier is willing to take her to Gauteng, she may even have a crack at S.A Oaks. Whatever route she takes she will be ultra competitive.

Destiny's Lady - desperately unlucky when slow away and baulked over Turffontein inside 1450m and just running out of places. Has been a bit inconsistent, but can turn it on when required. DL has a good record over Turffontein 1600m and should be watched next time over a similar track/trip. She should start at a decent price and I may be able to recoup my faith in her.

CharlesCot wrote:

Shot South, as stated in the weekly racing thread, I following horses caught my eye over the weekend and are worthy tagging for the future:

Juveniles:

The Black Rose - very athletic, beautiful action and absolutely smoked the field going start to finish. From top stable and should be very competitive in the juvenile features this season. Hopefully trains on and follows in the footprints of Princess Victoria.

Reign as Kings - just touched off by the decent early juvenile, My Jelly Bean when racing very green. It was only inexperience that cost RaK the race. Supported in betting and also from top stable - although likely to be very short in betting next time, it will take an exceptionally talented juvenile to beat RaK.

3 y-o

Jackson - super impressive when winning listed prep race for the Cape Derby and beating some really useful sorts. Came from stone last on the outside - unbelievable turn of foot - jockey was looking around at 200m. Looks hard to oppose in the Derby - perhaps only Silver Flyer of Taipan can match strides with Jackson.

Slumdogmillionaire - super impressive when beating top field in feature race. Only second start and shows tremendous potential. Similar to Jackson unbelievable acceleration. Serious contender for the upcoming S.A Classic. In hindsight I was glad Whiteline Fever was scratched because SDM may have had his measure on the day.

Changing Moon - caught flat-footed at the top of the straight on Turffontein inside track and came flying on the outside when running second in a strong maiden field. Improving rapidly with racing and shouldn't miss next time over a further distance and/or more testing track.

Older horse:

Ice Axe - one of South's favourites - ran on very strongly over 1200m (which is short of his best) under an apprentice when just beaten by unbeaten stable companion, Unannounced.  IA has always shown top form over 1400-1600m and I can't see this one missing next time over a similar distance.

Hope this information helps as a reference for upcoming meetings.

Sorry, to dredge this up from the past, but horse-racing is very opinionated sport and sometimes we end up feeling embarrassed, but in this case it's with a great sense of pride that I can say I was right about Slumdogmillionaire.