Amanzimtoti, hooked deep for her closing surge, proved much the best in the Western Cape Fillies Championship (Grade 2) over 1400m for three-year-old fillies as she bolted home from Chansonette and Mercury Rising, with pace-presser, Maria Querol tiring late to be fourth. Dynamite can come in small packages and the diminutive progeny of ace race-mare, Beach Beauty, produced an explosive stretch run to complete a convincing victory.

Amanzimtoti, sired by Trippi, has thrived between two and three years of age. A visually impressive winner of two out of her four starts going into the race, she stepped up her performance level another notch taking on G2 opposition. The race shape favoured off pace closers as all the handy types that went quick early only to cave in, left the perfectly handled Amanzimtoti to pick them all off with her closing burst towards the grandstand rail. Aldo Domeyer was the winning jockey, with Candice Bass-Robinson the successful trainer on a banner day for the Milnerton- based combination.

In the preceding feature, Trip of Fortune at 3/1, confirmed the extremely high regard in which he is held by Bass when storming through in the centre of the course to outrun Zapatillas and Xavion in the Cape Classic (Grade 3) over 1400m, also a race for emerging three-year-old talents. His victory formed part of an excellent double for Drakenstein Stud, their USA-sourced stallion Trippi, Bass Racing and retained stable jockey, Domeyer.

The blinkered Safe Return set a fast pace, tracked by Zapatillas with Trip of Fortune positioned in a stalking role after pinging the pens and relaxing in midfield. He then used his powers of acceleration to sweep to victory, eliciting further praise from his trainer, who described him as “a magnificent horse with a head like his handsome father, Trippi.”

Winning jockey Aldo Domeyer was also effusive in his post-race review, calling Trip of Fortune, “a peach of a horse” but one that can be difficult to work with due to his “ninja antics and Michael Jackson moves. Riding horses with his sort of character are good though because it keeps me sharp and makes the wins even more satisfying. His turn of foot is his best quality.”

Second-placed, Zapatillas, a striking bay son of Master of My Fate, emerged with credit pressing a fast pace then keeping on strongly when challenged. A rueful, Brett Crawford conceded Zapatillas “did it the hard way,” so his charge remains a principal contender for the Cape Guineas on this sterling effort.

Xavion (by Futura) outran his 20/1 odds, kicking on well to be only a length adrift at the post, which also represents a most promising showing at only his third career start.

Double Superlative was another notable eye-catcher. He made significant inroads from dead last, closing smartly for fourth. He is bound to relish a longer route so is one to take seriously when he gets the desired extra distance. Sharp race-readers will be adding this powerful Twice Over colt him to their Cape Derby Watch lists.