The Grade 3 Kings Cup was the headliner at the Greyville turf meeting yesterday and national champion trainer Sean Tarry retained his crown in this SA Champions Season pipe-opening race as record-breaking apprentice Lyle Hewitson got Social Order up to win in courageous style.

The four-year-old Count Dubois gelding travelled down from Johannesburg on Saturday and clearly took the journey well.

Social Order (Candiese Marnewick)

He jumped well and was up with the pace early before being eased back expertly by Hewitson to sit one wide of the rail and covered by Sun On Africa, who sat on the flank of the pace setter and Tote favourite Redeemer. The 2016 Investec Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn was on the rail behind the leader and was followed by his Justin Snaith-trained stablemate Platinum Prince. Redeemer, who was going for his fourth win in a row in KZN, was put under pressure early in the straight and Social Order became involved in a ding-dong tussle up front with It’s My Turn. Social Order courageously maintained his one neck advantage and then late in the day Platinum Prince joined the fray with long strides. However, Social Order held on to beat the latter by a long-head, with It’s My Turn a quarter of a length further back. Red Chesnut Road stayed on in eyecatching fashion for fourth ahead of Redeemer.

Last year, the King’s Cup was run on the poly and was won easily by the Tarry-trained Bulleting Home.

The first race once again displayed the value of barrier trials. On March 11 the Dennis Drier-trained Master Of My Fate colt Goliath Heron showed he possessed plenty of natural speed in a barrier trial over 1000m on the poly. The Paul Lafferty-trained Judpot colt Victorious Man had been the eye-catcher in a barrier trial over 800m at Scottsville on February 28, where he displayed a fine action. Goliath Heron duly started at 21/10 second favourite and Victorious Man was the 5/1 third favourite. The 16/10 favourite was the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Philanthropist colt Clifton Crusher, who had put up a fair debut over 1000m at Kenilworth and is a good looking sort. Goliath Heron was duly placed well in a handy position by Sean Veale and then kicked away from the field to win by four lengths from Clifton Crusher with Victorious Man staying on well for third.

Veale had a fine day as he rode a double for Drier and another winner for Frank Robinson.

By David Thiselton