Magnificent Seven’s Betting World Algoa Cup bid on October 28 hangs in the balance after the four-year-old failed to score with his customary authority when making it five wins from his last six starts in the Settlers Trophy at Durbanville on Saturday.
Justin Snaith, winning this Listed handicap for the third time in four seasons and the fifth in all, said: “I’m a little worried – and I wonder if this might have taken too much out of him. But take nothing away from the horse – he has done well.”
Richard Fourie (Liesl King)
Nick Jonsson’s gelding ran too freely for his own good early on, and this may been the key to what followed. Certainly those who backed him at 5-8 feared the worst when Richard Fourie, with only three behind him, began to look decidedly uneasy fully four furlongs from home.
Fourie reported: “He dropped the bit and I thought maybe I had burnt him. But it was the right time to get a breather and he is a good horse who wants to win. Going through the 200 I knew I had it won even though I still hadn’t hit the front at that stage.”
Brett Crawford is targeting the R2.5 million of the Lanzerac Ready To Run on 24 November for Vascostreettractor who made all at 5-10 under Corne Orffer in the first, saying: “He has a lot of scope for improvement – his coat is not right yet and he is a much better horse when ridden from off the pace.”
The Philippi trainer also has reason to look forward with Water Spirit who led almost throughout the mile fillies maiden and impressed Anton Marcus in the process – “I like this filly,” said the jockey. “She will go further and there is improvement to come although that will be a couple of months down the line – she is incredibly immature.”
Dan Katz had his first double for Hassen Adams with Skye Lane (Greg Cheyne) and China Wolfe (Louis Burke) with the former heading for the R5 million CTS mile on Met day – “I have high hopes for her but she is looking for ground and you will only see the best of her in three to six months’ time.”
Harold Crawford was also in double form with Ready Steady Go (Cheyne) and 22-1 shot Aldato. Morne Winnaar, who rode the latter, sprang a 66-1 shock when making every metre on the Paddy Kruyer- trained Brandenburg in the Betting World Maiden.
By Michael Clower
