First! Alec Forbes guides Fourth Estate to an easy victory in the Fever Tree Handicap
The Dynasty gelding Fourth Estate grabbed top honours in Sunday’s R100 000 Fever Tree Handicap run over 1400m at Greyville. Alec Forbes rode a confident race as Colin Scott’s runner registered an impressive hat trick of wins.
Fourth Estate has always been held in high esteem by his connections and looks to be putting his life together as a 5yo. This non black type feature was his third victory on the trot since scoring a surprise win in the KZN 1600 in Early December.
The seven strong field jumped well with Kevin Shea taking Always Al up to lead from Bay Route, Unannounced, Living With Heart and with In A Rush a touch unsettled wide out around the turn.
At this point Fourth Estate was relaxed in second last as Sidestep brought up the rear.
Into the straight Always Al galloped strongly as Forbes gathered Fourth Estate for his finishing burst as he switched him in for the gaps. Sean Cormack also had In A Rush looking dangerous and trying to find his feet wide out.
Top Ride. Alec Forbes rode a cracking confident race on Fourth Estate
Inside the final 200m Fourth Estate stormed away at 6 to 1 down the inside to win comfortably by 1,50 lengths in a time of 83,39 secs.
The well travelled In A Rush ran on solidly for second down the outside. It was a fair effort considering he was given all of 7, 5kgs to the winner and 1,5kgs to the very talented Always Al, whom he beat by 0,25 lengths.
The son of Windrush, a former Eastern Cape Champion juvenile, recently relocated from the Cape to the Ramsden Clairwood satellite yard and will now hopefully commence fulfilling some of his early potential that saw him beat the star, Variety Club.
The consistent 18 to 10 favourite Always Al held on well for third after being up with the action for much of the race.
The 3yo Living With Heart, who has relocated from Paul Peter to Tony Rivalland, appeared to need the outing and never showed to finish second last.
Charles Laird’s once promising Australian bred Unannounced ran last of the seven runners.
Bred by Tertia Properties, Fourth Estate is a 5yo gelded son of Dynasty out of the lightly raced twice winning Jallad mare, Ritualistic.
He cost R60 000 at the National Two Year Old Sale of his year, and one would go far to pick up a Dynasty for that sort of money today!
A winner of 6 of his 25 starts with 6 places for stakes of R 360 950, a fit and enthusiastic Fourth Estate looks set to hold his own on the fringes of the forthcoming Champions Season.
