Cape Guineas winner of 2023, Snow Pilot (speed score 103; has run 108 at best) who was well in on the weight scale and suited as front runner on a fast surface duly won a Progress Plate at Durbanville on Saturday. In the process he saw off three-year-old rivals, One Stripe (s/s 100) and Talk to the Master (s/s 97).

Followers of this column know that the speed figure benchmark for legit Classic contenders is 100, so One Stripe now qualifies as a primary Guineas candidate, especially as he is liable to improve as the season develops. Vaughan Marshall trained stable mate Talk to the Master had no early speed but rallied in the straight to get beaten three lengths by the powerful Snaith trained front runner.

The other performance of real consequence was produced by Seeking the Stars (s/s 103) who came back from a year off track to run his rivals ragged in a sprint. He was one of the best around in SA over 1400m, having once hit a high note of 110, and it seems that he’s lost none of his ability and determination.

On the Highveld, Beating Wings took care of a 1600m Pinnacle Stakes field of, mainly, prepping horses getting ready for the Summer Cup. She’s run in the high 90’s before and took control in a false run affair to beat off another 4YO filly, Frances Ethel, who has a previous best of 102 over 2400m to her credit.

Slinky Mapimpi (s/s 99) ran a career top to win over 1450m as a 25/1 long shot, staving off talented youngster, Fatal Flaw and Gimmeanotherchance (s/s 95).

The runner up is probably the one to take out of the contest as her speed score of 98 would make her a clear threat in Graded races when taking on 3YO contemporaries. Fatal Flaw has already proven herself in that class having run within a length or two of champion juvenile filly, Quid Pro Quo a few times at Greyville so she is worth following during the Joburg Spring season