Buckinghampshire (Richard Fourie) edges ahead of Seventh Plain down the inside (Bay Media)
Justin Snaith opened his Met day account with a smooth victory by Hassen Adams’ Australian-bred Buckinghampshire in the R150 000 Listed Sun International Juvenile Stakes.
The first of the day’s features produced a favourable result with the top two horses on the betting boards fighting it out.
The runner-up Seventh Plain had beaten Buckinghampshire on debut, but the tables were turned with a 3kg weight swing.
Malachite Sunbird was slow out after playing up in the stalls, but it was Jo’s Bond who went very fast to lead Seventh Plain and Buckinghampshire, with the fancied Princess Royal further back.
At the 400m marker Buckinghampshire and Seventh Plain came together and paced it to the line with the Snaith runner gaining the ascendancy in the final 200m to draw away and win well.
Seventh Plain stayed on well giving the winner 3kgs, while Ernie dashed through late from some way off to grab third ahead of a disappointing Princess Royal.
The winning margin was 1,25 lengths with a time of 59,14 secs recorded.
The newly Freemanstallions sponsored Richard Fourie said that his mount had jumped slowly over 800m last time.
“Today he came out on terms. It was pace work after that. He is a nice horse,” he said.
Justin Snaith – voicing opinion
Trainer Justin Snaith, courting possible controversy, added afterwards that he would be taking a different approach.
“With the handicapping system as it is in South Africa, I will be giving them one less gallop than they need and rather let the race bring them on,” he said.
Punters may not be happy to hear that kind of talk from our champion trainer!
Owner Hassen Adams said he would take the credit for selecting the horse.
Bred in New South Wales Australia by Sledmere Stud, the winner is by champion sire Lonhro out of the speedy five time winning Exceed And Excel mare, Seeking Attention.
He was purchased by Hassen Adams at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for A$80 000.
He has now won once from two starts, with one place and R106 750 in stakes.
He looks a good sort in the making.
