Speed Figure Highlights From The Past Week.
Sunday 09 August, 2026Position of Power is a smart sprinter. He won again on Friday night at Greyville though this time it was on the “weeds” rather than Poly. He is a six-time winner from 12 lifetime starts and a credit to handler, Alyson Wright.
Position of Power repeatedly runs speed scores in the range between 102 and 106. With just a bit of improvement he might be competitive when moving higher up the rungs of the class ladder.
He was chased in by Thisiswhatitmeans s/s 100 but had the race sewn up a long way from the finish – racing handy on the rail under a perfect steer by Keagan de Melo then quickening clear from the 400m.
Palace Prince s/s 99 earned the highest speed rating on Saturday at Turffontein. He did so when winning a Pinnacle Stakes for the bang in-form, owner/breeder/trainer St John Gray over 1800m, stretching far ahead under a light weight after being backed from 4’s into 15/10. The son of Potalo Palace landed a neat touch at his previous start, as well, punted from 8/1 into half those odds and is clearly in good heart.
Espinoza s/s 97 also attained a nice figure. This represents an improved rating and might be attributed to the fitment of blinkers. He raced in the front line all the way and though Antonio Gaudi s/s 95 tried to cut into his lead, kept going to win by three quarters of a length.
Lyrical Gangster s/s 95 + hit the best number at Kenilworth’s midweek meet. Trainer Justin Snaith has been on the tear lately with 8 winners from the most recent 30 saddled. He has got Lyrical Gangster right – this 4YO son of Gimmethegreenlight has run recent figures of 98 & 99 and now 95 + as he enjoys a productive Winter in the Cape.
Snaith was, in fact, able to improve his tally on Sunday at Scottsville when both Powerandtheglory s/s 93 ++ (has run 104 at best) and Clair de Lune s/s 88+ (has previously hit 95,) scored. They were well backed into 2/1 favouritism, and arrived without too much bother.
A significant Maiden figure was achieved in an earlier sprint. A much improved, Snow Warrior s/s 93 and debutant, Bella Gallico s/s 91 got numbers which suggests they are better than the average Maiden. Even the third horse, Hello Handsome s/s 87 comfortably surpassed the typical par for this level.
The runner up may be little ‘un weighing in at 436 kg’s yet looks nailed on next time, perhaps over slightly further after the experience of this first racetrack outing. Bella Gallico is trained by Glen Kotzen, who has been amongst the winners lately.
