Slinky Mapimpi never looked like losing the highest rated race of the day at Turffontein Standside on Saturday (JC Photos)
At Turffontein Standside on Saturday the Phillip and Jeannique Vermeulen-trained six-year-old Coup De Grace gelding Slinky Mapimpi proved there is no substitute for form and class when winning the highest rated race of the day,
In the 1160m contest Slinky Mapimpi was double figure odds in the opening betting as he was returning from a four month layoff, but his form was a stand out considering he had gone close the last time he ran over course and distance, while he followed that with a third pace finish to the classy Pomodoro’s Jet in the Grand Heritage over 1475m and in his last career victory, which was over 1450m at Turffontein Inside last October he had run way above his 88 rating in a Progress Plate when beating the subsequent twice Gr 1 winner Fatal Flaw and some other highly rated horses in a Progress Plate. On Saturday he led from start to finish under Raymond Danielson and never looked in danger of defeat, converting 17/2 odds as he beat the 18/10 favourite Blizzard Snow by 0,80 lengths carrying 58.5kg off a 97 rating.
Apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto is starting to make waves as a rider with a lot of promise and he was the only double scorer on the day, thus taking his tally in the early season to five wins at a strike rate of 14.71%.
