Sepfourteen shows mettle anew in Don Juan Derby
Real champions fight through adversity and 2017 Triple Crown conqueror Sepfourteen proved just that last Sunday as he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a gut-wrenching down-to-the-wire rally to win the Klub Don Juan de Manila Derby in dramatic fashion at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.
Sent off as overwhelming favorite in the P1.5-million classic, the multi-titled chestnut colt had to dig deep into his reserve down the final stretch to quell upset-conscious Salt and Pepper and secure his lock as local racing’s undisputed three-year-old champion.
“I thought he wouldn’t be able make it rounding the final turn but he somehow found his rhythm back halfway down the homestretch and was simply flying at the wire,” said owner and breeder Oliver “Jojo” Velasquez of SC Stockfarm Inc.
Sepfourteen completed the grueling 2,000-meter race in 2:05 flat on a fast track, with 400-meter splits of 25-23.5-24.5-24.527.5, a two-second improvement on his previous best when he completed the sweep of the 2017 Triple Crown last July 18 and became only the 11th champion of the coveted series.
“Despite the fact that we were pinned on the rail for much of the race, I never had any doubts that his proven class and fighting heart will carry us through the finish line first,” said winning rider John Alvin Guce, who has partnered with the colt in all his starts.
The champion progeny of the wellperformed stallion Consolidator (USA) out of Regal Boom (AUS) by Thunder Gulch (USA) is currently on a five-race winning streak and looms as a likely favorite for the prestigious PCSO Presidential Gold Cup set Dec. 10 over 2,000 meters at the Metroturf in Malvar, Batangas.
“We have yet to decide whether we’ll race him in the Gold Cup although we are seriously considering the possibility. Hopefully he comes out well after this race,“said Velasquez.
The victory was worth P900,000 to Sepfourteen, whose race winnings could move past P12-million from only 10 starts.
“We are truly blessed to be associated with such a champion horse and at the same time thrilled at the prospect that he may still improve with age. Sepfourteen is a trainer’s dream horse,” said winning conditioner Chito Santos.