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You’d be surprised if there isn’t a stakes win in lightly raced mare Po Kare Kare at some stage in 2023 – she’s shown the potential in her early races with a dazzling turn of foot and Saturday’s impressive first-up win at Randwick might be her breakthrough moment.

Punter’s Intelligence sectional data shows Po Kare Kare clocked the meeting’s fastest last 600m of 32.98, the only horse to break 33 seconds on the day, and last 200m of 11.09 in winning the EGroup Security Handicap (1100m).

This is despite jockey Nash Rawiller having to be very patient in the early part of the straight as he rode for luck and banked on an inside run opening up.

When the gap opened she darted through and that strong last 200m put the result within doubt. The runner-up Rupertaar did have momentum on her side, she was the fastest from the 600m-200m (21.79 vs 21.89 by the winner) but not as strong late.

Bryce Heys has the luxury of staying in the same grade next start if he wishes, her rating went from 69 to 74, and it’s worth noting both her previous wins were second-up so she’ll likely take improvement.

One of the eye-catching runs of the day was by Almania in the Maroubra Mile (1600m), the Kris Lees-trained import was first-up for two years and charged into third behind Jojo Was A Man.

He was spotting the leading pack a good margin on the home turn but reeled off easily the race’s fastest last 600m of 34.61, clear by two lengths.

Whether he is a betting proposition next start might depend on the race shape and distance, you can be confident he’ll be given a bit of time to get over the run and regroup to go up in distance.

The two-year-old opener was very much dominated by those on speed with Infatuation coming out on top in a war with The Little Pumper in the Grainshaker Australian Vodka Handicap (1200m).

They ran 1:10.99 for the 1200m which is not particularly quick so it’s not a real surprise they were able to kick in the second half of the race. Energized, who went with them three wide, only weakened the last 150m and ran fifth so it’s not like he was tailed off.

So the run of third placed Big Boy George had plenty of merit. Sure, something was always likely to run on but he clocked a tidy 34.33 for his last 600m including the race’s fastest last 200m of 11.81.

It’ll be interesting to see what he can do next time out and/or when he draws favourably.

Cathay Bracelet is worth another mention, her seventh placing was a very similar effort to the run a week earlier where he was detached early then charged when the race was all over.

She ran the race’s fastest last 600m of 34.24 after showing no pace early. Perhaps she needs to come back out of city grade or go up in distance but it’s that early part of her races that are costing her at the moment.

Daytona had a hard luck story in the Schweppes Handicap (1300m), a story that the sectionals don’t really illustrate. He was badly held up at vital stages so to run 34.35 for the last 600m was solid and he posted the second fastest last 200m, of 11.73. Might have been one that got away.

Strait Acer is a horse to stay on the tail of going forward. He was straight out of maiden company into a solid Benchmark 72 and ran easily the fastest last 600m of the race in 33.99, 11.79 for his last 200m.

At Canterbury on Sunday, the 1200m track record fell to I Am Me in the Canterbury Sprint.

The leader Spaceboy set a decent enough tempo with I Am Me working over to sit second and they sustained a good gallop, that didn’t allow any of the chasers to be a factor.

The mare posted a last 600m of 34.18 but it was the 400m-200m (11.11) where she asserted her authority and was able to get the better of Spaceboy and edge away.

Behind the first two there were some handy runs with Ranges standing out running the fastest last 600m of 33.64. He’s had two runs back now and should be just about ready, particularly if he can draw favourably next time around.

Fastest last 600m (Randwick): Po Kare Kare 32.98.

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