From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

The Scottsville Speed Day yielded some outstanding performances none more so than the G1 Gold Medallion clash won by exceptional, 2YO Haute Couture over Rich Man’s World.

For juveniles to exceed a speed score of 100 is huge. Haute Couture (by Rafeef) attained 101 at only his second career start to topple the 4/10 odds on favourite, Rich Man’s World (sired by One World), who succumbed despite hitting a score of 100.

Predicting a ceiling for youngsters is difficult. Some train on, others don’t. If progressing at a healthy rate and campaigned under suitable circumstances, they may run at least 12 points higher when mature, than what they managed as late 2YO’s.

So, this stellar duo can potentially hit figures of 112/113 plus which marks them as elite level thoroughbreds. Mike and Mathew de Kock trains the victor; Callan Murray rode.

2/1 favourite, Get Up won the G2 Allan Robertson with an excellent figure of 97. She dominated, racing handy then stretching 3.5 lengths clear of Flower Island, s/s 88. The winner is a daughter of What A Winter ex Gabor, trained by Sean Tarry. Gavin Lerena got the job done without undue bother, just as the market anticipated.

The two Graded sprints for older horses were exciting spectacles but unremarkable by time comparison. 

The G1 SA Fillies Sprint was taken by Asiye Phambili (also sired by What A Winter) over Double Grand Slam in a relatively slow early contest. Both had to switch as the field compacted – Asiye Phambili went around and out under Sean Veale, Double Grand Slam switched in under Andrew Fortune.

There was a nose in it at the wire, with Duncan Howell’s 6YO mare edging it to land hefty wagers that saw her shorten from 5/1 into 2’s. Her 400m finishing fraction of 22.1 seconds was the quickest in all the Graded sprints and worthy of a sectional upgrade to 100+, though she has run higher in the past.

The G2 Golden Horse culminated in a blanket finish with the first 11 home just over two lengths off winner, Taxi to the Moon s/s 103 who thwarted a big gamble on Café Culture s/s 103 after that one was punted from 20/1 into 6’s.

Interbet sponsored trainer, Tony Peter conditions this spirited and reliable, 4YO Vercingetorix gelding – now a winner of eight races from 22 starts. Tristan Godden was the triumphant rider. 

The places were filled by the consistent and versatile 3YO, One Eye in Vegas s/s 102 with low-weight, Kaalvoet fourth, only half a length back.