Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Brown’s patience with Orbison pays off

David Thiselton
The Herman Brown yard have always thought highly of their three-year gelding Orbison and he proved himself worthy of their regard on Saturday at Clairwood when running out an impressive winner of the Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1 800m against a star-studded field.
The rangy Mogok bay booked his place in the Vodacom Durban July as a result and yesterday Brown drew a few parallels between him and the July 2006 runner-up Sushisan, who was only overtaken late by the winner Eyeofthetiger that year.
“Like Sushisan he’s been an awkward, gangly type of a three-year-old who is improving all the time,’’ said Brown.
“We’ve always thought he was good but he is of the type you have to do some waiting with and hope they prove themselves.
“I was particularly impressed with the way he finished off the race on Saturday.
“He made up the ground to get to Galileo’s Galaxy but then there was a question whether he would find extra.
“But when Raymond gave him a crack of the whip he just took off and ran away from them. I don’t think he will have a problem staying the 2 200m of the July. He’s won well over 2 000m at Greyville before. He’s very fit and hard at the moment and we will just need to keep him ticking over.
“He’s had a similar July route to Sushisan as like him there was always a question whether he would actually get into the race. We had a few options, but we took the Clairwood route and thankfully it’s worked out.
“He ran disappointingly in the Cup Trial but he was drawn wide and was a bit free in the running.
“On Saturday we didn’t want to waste his good draw. We knew there would be a good pace and we planned to have him up there. Raymond carried out the plan perfectly.’’
Paul Rhodes, a loyal supporter of the Brown yard, was having his first Grade 1 win and was over the moon in the winner’s enclosure.
Rhodes said later, “Raymond has always rated him. He dismounted after his maiden win on debut and said to me ‘Orbison for the July’.
“I didn’t believe him at the time. Then after he ran sixth in the SA Classic he told me he hadn't been himself, hadn’t enjoyed the travel and got tired. Then he said to me, “He will win a Group 1 race this season.’’’
Danielson, having joined the Brown yard earlier this season, was asked in passing by the press one ordinary morning at Summerveld early this year, which horse he rated the best in the yard.
His reply, “Orbison by far,” said a lot, with some good other horses emerging at the time.
Orbison was bred by Scotts Brothers, run by Robin Scott, who owns the stud together with his brother Des.
Robin also owns a share in Orbison, who was sold at the National Yearling Sales for R400 000.
The Scott Brothers bred one of the July’s most famous winners, the great Politician, who won in 1978.
Robin has also owned a July winner, having had a share in 1984 winner Devon Air, who was one of two winners of the big race that Des owned, the other being Illustrador (1990).
Robin said yesterday, “It will be very exciting to have another runner in the July.
“He was an outsider on Saturday but not according to Herman’s assistant, Frank Robinson, who was confident that he could win.”
Robin didn’t go down to the course and also revealed why Herman Brown himself wasn't at the track.
“Herman told me that whenever he’s not at the course, the horse wins, so I’ve told him to make sure he stays away for the July too!’’ he joked.
Brown is himself a shareholder in Orbison.

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