| Sail South (speed score 109) tracked, then passed Brett Crawford trained stable mate, Captain America (s/s 107) to win his first Grade 1, The Champions Cup , just before turning seven years old. This was a deserved reward for the very game and consistent Sail From Seattle gelding who has placed at this level before, running from off the pace. The race set up perfectly and he went handier, to be produced with a sharply timed challenge by Richard Fourie.
Spare a thought for third placed, Matador Man (s/s 105 ++). He lost acres of ground when slow away, then produced a withering finish to get within a couple of lengths of the winner. Taking the start he gave, it was a huge run by the three year old. Bela Bela (s/s 105) did not justify market support, clocking in fourth without really threatening, whilst Marinaresco spread a shoe in running and was never travelling comfortably, finishing downfield.
In another good performance on Saturday, Rodney (s/s 101) came from off the speed to easily win the Umngeni Handicap. He has beaten Grade 1 placed Search Party before in sprints, yet bleeding issues have curtailed his career. He loves being up in Durban and is effective on the Poly in fast run sprints – especially off his currently forgiving merit rating of just 87.
At the opposite end of the distance spectrum, Hermoso Mundo produced a strong centre run to win the Grade 2 Gold Cup and confirm his status as a top stayer. He just got by Zante in this test of endurance, recording another scalp after earlier Gold Bowl and Gold Vase triumphs.
Al Mariarchi (s/s 100) is a very smart juvenile. He got a perfect set up when the blinkered Sir Frenchie bolted, sitting quietly in second on the rail then blasting by to win by a wide margin. That concluded a tremendous season for trainer Brett Crawford, who was on fire with his raiding party during Winter in Durban and also enjoyed plenty of success during the Cape Summer in his best season ever. |
