On a day in which the conditions favoured handy horses, the Australian-bred three-year-old filly by Redoute’s Choice had to come from midfield after getting just an average start from a wide draw. However, when asked the question the power of her acceleration and finishing run saw her sweeping past on the outside to win easing up by 1,75 lengths.

She gave 4kg to the previously unbeaten runner up, Siren’ Call, and 6kg to third placed Smart Call, whom she beat by 2,25 lengths. However, the most significant formline in the race was the 4kg and four length beating she gave to her stablemate One Fine Day. One Fine Day finished a one length second in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over this distance on Vodacom Durban July day when receiving only 2,5kg from the winner Afrikaburn and she had the admittedly unlucky Harry’s Son behind her.

It would be dangerous to draw conclusions from just one formline. However, another factor that suggests Majmu could well be the best three-year-old in the land is that her time was 0,89 seconds quicker than last season’s Equus Champion two-year-old colt Harry’s Son’s time in the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes, off the same weight, and was 1,85 seconds quicker than Gr 1 runner up Rich Girl’s time in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup, despite the latter having carried 2,5kg less. Majmu was the Equus Champion two-year-old filly, but her award caused controversy as she did not compete in any Gr 1 events after being affected by a virus subsequent to her facile Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery victory, which she won hands and heels by 8,75 lengths.

However, if the two-year-old award was about who would be the best three-year-old even the detractors fully expected to eat their words as she stood out in that regard. Nobody doubted her class and the handicapper made her the highest merit rated two-year-old filly in South African history on 114.

Majmu is already a drawcard after just five runs and her only defeat came last time out in the Joburg Spring Fillies and Mares Challenge over 1450m when the jockey rode her for luck despite being a 7/10 shot on a tight course with hardly any false rail and she duly got hopelessly boxed in on the inside. Another aspect that might one day even see her surpass the popularity of the great De Kock-trained Igugu is her colouring as everybody loves a grey.

Every grey has at least one grey parent and it is interesting when looking at Majmu’s pedigree to discover that she inherits her colouring from the same source as one of the greatest greys in history, The Tetrarch, who raced just over 100 years ago and was voted Britain’s two-year-old of the century. Every one of Majmu’s bottom line females is grey right up until her eleventh dam La Grisette, who acquired her colouring from her father Roi Herode, the sire of The Tetrarch. Majmu was one of three Australian-breds that won a feature on Saturday and was purchased by Sheik Hamdan’s Shadwell Stud at the Inglis Australian Easter yearling Sale for Aus $300,000. Her dam Spontaneous is a Chilean-bred Gr 1 winner over 1700m by the Mr Prospector line stallion Hussonet, meaning Majmu is yet another top class example of the powerful Northern Dancer-Mr Prospector cross.

Her laid back temperament and running style suggests a mile is easily within her range and even the Triple Tiara, that ends with the SA Oaks over 2450m, would not be out of the question. Both De Kock and Delpech were reluctant to compare her to Igugu so early. However, De Kock said the Gr 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas, a race in which Igugu was famously defeated by Ebony Flyer, would be “a good test for her” on December 6 at Kenilworth.

Picture: Majmu winning the Gr3 Starling Stakes at Turffontein yesterday (JC Photos)

Firstly the win followed a journey through the early morning hours from Summerveld and secondly he clearly relished the galloping nature of the Turffontein Standside track, which was his reappearance run after winning the Gr 1 Premiers Champion Stakes at the end of last season over 1600m on the tight Greyville course. In giving weight to the rest of a high class field and a two length beating, Harry’s Son laid claim to being the best three-year-old male in the land.

The Cape horse Act Of War pulled off a similar feat the previous weekend in the Gr 3 Cape Classic over the same distance on the Kenilworth Old Course, but the margin of victory, albeit on a tighter course, was not as convincing. However, a possible clash between the pair in the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas is now more eagerly awaited than ever.

Harry’s Son had been due to make his reappearance in the Cape Classic, but those plans were scuppered due to a case of African Horse Sickness at Summerveld, meaning all travel from the latter vicinity into the Western Cape’s AHS controlled area was banned for a period of 40 days. This might have been a blessing in disguise, as the journey to the Cape is an arduous one and the Kenilworth Old Course is a tricky one to handle for a horse making its first appearance on a left handed track.

It is not surprising that the Australian-bred colt by Haradasun is a good traveller as he has a superb racing temperament. Last Wednesday night at the annual Lafferty stable “braai” he was seen accepting kisses from one of his doting owners and then returning them. A horse could hardly have a more relaxed demeanour than the one he possesses. It is wonder of the thoroughbred that a horse sitting so contentedly in his box that he could be petted by a child could be the same one three days later that answered the call of a jockey to bravely burst through a tight gap at high speed.

Even Strydom, who is now only six winners away from an incredible record-breaking career mark of 5000, was becoming a bit anxious as the pocket Harry’s Son was caught in on the inside rail while reefing in behind refused to open.  However, at the first inkling of a gap, Strydom switched him off the heels, which caused Harry’s Son one high kneed stride, and in an instant they were clear. This horse really lets himself down, a sign of his soundness, and he was still going strongly at the line. Jayyed finished a neck behind him at level weights in the Premier’s, but on Saturday Harry’s Son gave him 4,5kg and a two length beating, suggesting the latter is more at home on a course with a long straight. He should be ideally suited to the course and distance of the Cape Guineas on December 20 and it will be interesting to see whether he also takes in the Gr 2 Dingaans over 1600m on Turffontein Standside on November 29.

Harry’s Son is out of the Anabaa mare Dash On Ruby and his half-sister Rock Of Arts by Rock Of Gibraltar won the R2,5 million Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup at Saturday’s corresponding meeting two years ago over the same course and distance as the Graham Beck. Harry’s Son, a bay who is of the powerfully built sort rather than the tall rangy type, was bred by Cranton Bloodstock in Australia and was signed for by one of his current owners Phil Georgiou for a now bargain looking price of Aus$60,000 off the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sales. He has already earned just short of three quarters of a million rand.

Picture: Harry’s Son winning the Gr Graham Beck Stakes at Turffontein yesterday (JC Photos)

Both horses were thoroughly deserved winners. Bezanova, a four-year-old gelding by Bezrin bred by Peter Blyth’s Clifton Stud, has matured into a magnificent specimen and after improving consistently in the big three-year-old features last season finally landed a Graded victory.

The pace rather than the draw turned out to be the key as Tommy Gun set steady fractions which allowed the widely drawn second top weight No Worries to race comfortably on his flank in second, while 18/1 shot Bezanova overcame draw nine quite easily to find a nice position in fifth place. The triple crown hero Louis The King was right near the back. The 5/1 favourite Sovereign Mint was in midfield just behind the most fancied of the Alec Laird-trained trio Bouclette Top. Bezanova made a strong run down the inside, but No Worries, who gave the winner 2,5kg, challenged him all the way to the line to go down by only 0,25 lengths. Louis The King flew late to be beaten just 0,75 lengths in an excellent preparation run for the Sansui Summer Cup. Lockheed Jetstar was fourth followed by Bouclette Top.

Bezanova earned R100,000 for the charity the National Horse Trust, who were represented by celebrity Sarah Kate Scott and the media partner Mix FM. All sixteen charities involved on the day took home at least R20,000. Marcus was unseated on the fancied Rake’s Chestnut, but was able to continue riding through the meeting. Owner Chris Gerber was on hand to accept the trophy. Bezanova was bought for R150,000 and has now earned R880,475.

Rich Girl became the second Charles Laird-trained, Australian-bred and Markus and Ingrid Jooste-owned filly to win the Ready To Run Cup, with Hollywoodboulevard having done it for them in 2010, albeit with Willie Figueroa aboard. The latter’s runner-up was the mighty Igugu and yesterday another Mike de Kock-trained horse, the Judpot gelding Dreamuponadream, had to play second fiddle, this time by only a neck. The Tote favourite from the in form Sean Tarry yard, the Australian-bred Teofilio filly Tamanee, finished third and next best was the Silvano filly Silver Class from the winning trainer of last year Johan Janse Van Vuuren. In a blanket finish they were followed by the Gavin van Zyl-trained Go Deputy colt Pioneer Spirit and the Duncan Howells-trained outsider, the Mambo In Seattle colt Saratoga Dancer.

Rich Girl, who started bookmaker’s favourite at 9/2, was the highest merit rated horse in the race and was given a brilliant ride by Marcus. She had it all to do after she drew wide in 14, as she went into the race with a stamina doubt hanging above her head. Marcus even suggested to Laird that he scratch her as he felt running her from that draw would be an “exercise in futility.” Laird said afterwards that they had gone in with three separate plans and he left it to Marcus to see how the race panned out. Marcus committed and after rushing around them to the front, the speedy chestnut filly settled well. She kept on finding in the straight to repel the outsider Saratoga Dancer and then found extra to keep a flying Dreamuponadream at bay. The runner up came from about five lengths back and took a while to get through some traffic, while all of the others in the first six stayed on from relatively handy positions.

Later the brilliant Mike de Kock-trained Australian-bred Redoute’s Choice filly Majmu showed that she could follow in the footsteps of the great Igugu. She gave weight to a quality field in the Gr 3 HSH Princess Charlene Of Monaco Starling Stakes ove 1400m and, coming from a midfield position, swept past them with contempt to win easing up by 1,75 lengths under Anthony Delpech. The grey started at prohibitive odds of 13/20 and beat home the previously unbeaten Sean Tarry-trained Elusive Fort filly Siren’s Call, whom she gave 4kg, by 1,75 lengths. The Alec Laird-trained Ideal World filly Smart Call was next best. Majmu has now won four out of five starts and her only defeat was a very unlucky one.

In the next race the Equus Champion two-year-old colt of last season, the Paul Lafferty-trained Harry’s Son, laid claim to being the current best three-year-old in the land when winning the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m in commanding style under Piere Strydom. Like Act Of War had done in the Cape Classic last weekend, Harry’s Son gave weight to the field, and after being caught in a pocket flew home to deny the De Kock-trained favourite Jayyed by a comfortable two lengths, despite giving him 4,5kg. The second favourite Trip To heaven was next best. Harry’s Son started at 6/1. This bay colt, who has a superb racing temperament, was yet another Australian-bred to succeed on the day.

Picture: Bezanova winning the Gr2 Charity Mile at Turffontein yesterday (JC Photos)

A suitably impressed Sean Cormack said: “This was the highlight of my day. She got the job done in a procession and I’ve no doubt she will go a bit further.”

How much further is the $64 000 question. The mile of the Avontuur Cape Fillies Guineas? “That’s highly questionable,” answered Joey Ramsden, “although she doesn’t work like a five or six furlong horse.”

But he has no reservations about asking her to turn her out again for a Grade 2 in only nine days’ time – “Why not? I would have galloped her anyway.”

Richard Fourie, race-riding for the first time for three months, had to be content with a fourth and an unplaced – and dreams of glory.

The last came earlier in the day when he was reunited with Vodacom Durban July winner Legislate in a racecourse work-out and described the four-year-old’s performance as “phenomenal.”  The colt galloped 1 200m with Lion’s Roar (Robert Khathi) and they went a really good clip.

Justin Snaith said: “It was a very good gallop – Lion’s Roar is a good 1 200m horse – and I think they probably broke the course record! Everything was positive.”

Act Of War has gone rocketing up the merit ratings after successfully conceding 4.5kg to Mljet in last Saturday’s Cape Classic and is now officially the joint third-best three-year-old in the country.

The handicappers raised the Ramsden-trained colt by 15 points- or 7.5kg – to 110, the same mark as the Durban Golden Horseshoe winner Afrikaburn and below only Majmu and Guiness who are both on 114. The handicappers left Mljet unchanged on 108 and they also saw no reason to change third-placed Heartland’s 89 rating.

Picture: Liesl King

Triple Crown hero and second topweight Louis The King returned sore from his run in the Vodacom Durban July after nearly being brought down, but x-rays showed it to just be a sprain and he is fully recovered.

Woodruff said, “He is very well and has put up two very nice grass gallops at Randjes. His aim is the Summer Cup and he will strip fitter for that race. However, he is fit enough to be competitive and is there to win, but it will be very difficult from his wide draw.”

Woodruff said about the topweight Tellina, “The same applies to Tellina as Louis The King, the Summer Cup is his aim.”

Killua Castle carries 57,5kg and receives 2,5kg from Tellina and 2kg from Louis The King. Woodruff said, “He is fitter than the others and is coming off a good run in the Emerald Cup. He is well drawn and course and distance suited. It has all been going very much according to plan, it is just a question of whether he is good enough.”

Rake’s Chestnut also runs with 57,5kg and Woodruff said, “A line can be drawn through his last run as he returned with a snotty nose. He is now fit and in good shape. His main mission is also the Summer Cup, but he has a lot of class and I will be looking for him to sit in midfield and run on.”

Lockheed Jetstar carries 56,5kg and hasn’t run since winning the Listed Thukela Handicap over 1600m on Vodacom Durban July day. However Woodruff said, “He is an aggressive worker so usually runs well after a layoff. He will be pretty fit and is ideally course and distance suited so from an inside draw has a fair chance.”

Tellina (pictured) will be ridden by Bernard Fayd’Herbe from draw seven, Louis The King has Piere Strydom up from draw 17, Killua Castle has Akash Auchuruz aboard from draw three, Rake’s Chestnut is reunited with Anton Marcus from draw ten and Francois Herholdt rides Lockheed Jetstar from draw two.