Gutsy Grey! Orator’s Daughter powers back under Anton Marcus to beat Uptothemoon (JC Photos)
A remarkable comeback in the final stages sealed an impressive victory for the Alec Laird trained Orator’s Daughter in the R250 000 Gr3 Acacia Handicap run in sticky conditions at Turffontein on Saturday. The nuggety grey had looked beaten in the final 300m but showed great courage to win well under an inspired driving Anton Marcus ride.
On what was expected to be a big day for trainer Alec Laird, Orator’s Daughter ended up providing him with his only taste of glory amongst some frustrating placed cheques.
The win was also another shot in the arm for the winner’s exciting sire Oratorio, who stands at the Avontuur Estate just outside of Somerset West in the Cape.
The big man has had a host of international stakes winners this year since relocating from Australia , the latest being Hong Kong’s Horse Of The Year, Military Attack’s glorious Citibank Gr1 Hong Kong Gold Cup winning double last weekend.
Well drawn at 3, Anton Marcus took the fight to the enemy as Orator’s Daughter led early after Uptothemoon had come across to follow her, with Twitter in third. Love Vivien was relaxed in fourth spot and ready to pounce.
As they came for home Marcus looked to be under severe pressure from Love Vivien and Uptothemoon, who were ranging up on the outside and appeared to be going the better.
Alec Laird trained the winner
Robbie Fradd shot Love Vivien clear at the 300m marker and the daughter of Captain Al looked all over a winner.
But in a spirited rally, the 5 to 2 favourite Orator’s Daughter came back to regain the lead inside the final 100m, as Love Vivien faltered.
In an extraordinary display, Orator’s Daughter got up close to home to beat Uptothemoon by a half length in a time of 98,70 secs.
Love Vivien hung on for third with Euphoria a fair fourth.
Formation was tailed off a 44 length last, despite the fact that the weather looked to have dealt her an ace.
The Australian bred Orator’s Daughter is by the Danehill sensation Oratorio who is proving a scoop for South African horseracing since being acquired from Coolmore by Avontuur Stud, where he is currently standing.
Orator’s Daughter is out of the NZ bred O’reilly mare Irish Edition.
She was bred by LM and JM Beer in Queensland and purchased on behalf of Anton Procter by Andy Williams’ Worldwide Bloodstock in Australia as a weanling for Aus $46 000
Mayfair Speculators (the Joostes) bought her as lot 186 on the 2011 National Yearling Sale for R800 000.
The 4yo Orator’s Daughter has now won 4 races from 6 starts with 2 places and stakes of R360 000 and looks well set to garner more black type as the season progresses.
Gr3 Acacia Handicap (SAf-Gr3)Turffontein, South Africa, March 1, R250k, 1600m, turf, soft, 1.38.07 1– ORATOR’S DAUGHTER (AUS), 57.0, gr m 4, Oratorio (IRE) – Irish Edition (NZ) by O’reilly (NZ). Owner Mrs I Jooste & Mr M J Jooste; bred in Australia; trainer AG Laird; jockey A Marcus2– Uptothemoon (SAF), 55.5, ch m 5, Victory Moon (SAF) – Size Em Up (SAF) by Hard Up (ARG)
3– Love Vivien (SAF), 53.5, b f 4, Captain Al (SAF) – Muvango (SAF) by Manshood (GB)
Margins: ½, sh hd, 2½
