What A Winter is a very decent sire and when his progeny are supported on debut, they usually perform extremely well.
That was the case with Garth Puller-trained Star Performer who went off as a 5-2 favourite on debut in a race over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
He hit the front going through the 400m but was passed close home to finish a 1.10-length third behind Main Defender.
He returns to the same course on Sunday when he will line up in Race 2, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m. With the experience under his belt this two-year-old colt will take a power of beating.
He looks to have the raced individuals at his mercy and the trainer comments on the first-timers suggest most should need the experience. However, it could be worth watching Professor Lupin, by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Holy Bull mare who is known to produce speedy runners.
A similar case can be made for improving Highveld gelding Zoombomber who runs in Race 1, another Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m. This Corne Spies-trained Lancaster Bomber gelding ran a cracker at the Vaal last week when a 1.25-length third to Jerusalema Rain who is highly regarded by trainer Ashley Fortune.
Marco van Rensburg takes the ride.
However, the danger could come from another son of What A Winter in debutant Winter Games. Trainer Michael Miller has had some good juveniles this season and his comment about this colt is that he’s a “very nice horse and will run well”.
It could be worth taking Swingers and Exactas with the two.
More horses of high quality to follow later in the day. Much is expected from Noble City, the half-brother to Grade 1 winning sprinter Battle Force. Noble City is by Noble Tune who produces horses who need ground and Noble City now gets to go 1400m in Race 6, a MR 92 Handicap.
He could be up to the task even if meeting quite a strong grade in his third start and local debut.
Isivunguvungu is back at home after finishing an amazing third in the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in Cape Town. The run essentially places him among the ranks of the best sprinters in the country with his merit rating bumped up to 119 and certainly he rates the one to beat in Race 8, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m, where he is weighted to win.
It could be worth taking Trifectas and Quartets in Race 9, a MR 76 Handicap over 1600m.
Professor Snape is likely to jump as favourite as his last run in the Western Cape was a cracker and he is on the upgrade. However, he has drawn wide and that could allow El Dante to get away. The latter stopped late over 1700m last time but will benefit from the slight drop in distance.
The dark horse is Golden Peace, a very well-bred son of Gold Standard, and one who could again cut through this field on his way to the upcoming Classics in KwaZulu-Natal.
Clive Robinson
