American Landing too swift for rivals
DESPITE a suspected outbreak of African horse sickness in the Eastern Cape, which restricted the number of visiting trainers this year, the 2 400m Listed World Sports Betting East Cape Derby still went the way of raiding trainer Brett Crawford at Fairview on Saturday.
Crawford, who also won the last two Algoa Cup races with Nebula, knows what it takes to win at Fairview as well-supported 5-2 favourite American Landing strode clear of the opposition in the closing stages to beat Widow’s Lamp by 5.75 lengths.
American Landing only had four runs prior to the Derby.
He opened during the week as a 5-1 third favourite, behind Justin Snaith-trained Sabbatical, but was well supported in the build-up to go off as favourite.
The three-year-old son of Dynasty is owned by Delma Sherrell, wife of former Springbok flyhalf Lance Sherrell, and cost R1.6 million as a yearling.
The R218 750 winner’s cheque will help recover his purchase price, but his run indicates a bright future for the colt.
On merit ratings, Yvette Bremner’s Widow’s Lamp (33-10) was the best handicapped runner, but she was no match for the winner, who was expertly handled by jockey Richard Fourie. The Western Cape also took third spot when the Andre Nel- trained Run Red (15-1) finished ahead of the Gavin Smith-trained Golden Shamrock (50-1).
Bay punters had a lot of hope on Alan Greeff’s charge, Queen Forever, but she had to settle for fifth position, while another fancied Greeff runner, Kimberley Star, finished a disappointing 11th.
The last time a Bay trained horse won the Derby was in 2009, when S’manga Khumalo rode Lizard’s Desire to victory.
Earlier, Greeff landed a one-two in the Sun Boardwalk Dahlia Plate, but it was a reversal of the betting on the two runners.
Alfeo started at 8-1 for the Listed race and cruised to a convincing victory, with stable companion Madame Speaker, the 13-10 favourite, finishing second.