NOW and then a race comes along that reminds one how exciting the Sport Of Kings can be – especially when two stablemates are fighting out a head-bobbing finish, as it turned out when Tiger Territory (Randall Simons) and Moofeed (Anthony Delpech) took each other to task in a MR96 Sprint Handicap over 1000m on the inside track at Turffontein on Saturday.

Tiger Territory gets his head down where it matters. Moofeed (obscured) took second place and Greasepaint (nearest camera) was third. (JC Photos).

The thrill doubled due the intimidating factor of having Piere Strydom right in pursuit on another challenger – the legendary jockey can often come to “nail” his rivals right on the line.

Simons, however, kept his cool and Tiger Territory kept his focus to keep Moofeed and Strydom’s mount Greasepaint at bay, posting Tiger Territory’s fifth win for the yard this season – his 9th in total from 28 career runs.

“This was a brave win,” enthused Diane de Kock on Twitter about Tiger Territory, a son of Trippi from Highlands Farm owned by Ivan Snyman, Alan Mikhail and Mike Wittstock.

Another Highlands-bred, Captain’s Song (Delpech), opened her account with a facile win over 1450m earlier in the day. She’s by Captain Al from a mare by AP Indy and is owned by Sheikh Hamdan of Dubai. This one is unlikely to retire as a one-time winner!

 Captain’s Song, seven lengths to the good, at the post. (JC Photos)