Promise Of A Bright Future

Futura is on his own at the finish of the Gr1 Champions Cup

The progressive Dynasty colt Futura has cocked a snoot at his detractors in the best way possible. His facile victory in Saturday’s R1 million Gr1 Beach Beauty Champions Cup at Greyville spoke louder than any words and finally laid to rest any doubt that he is anything but first class material with a bright future ahead of him.

Futura was the 3yo at the centre of the Durban July final field storm, where many felt that the selection panel had erred in including him in the big one ahead of a few proven performers.

There was weight on both sides of the argument.

The lightly raced colt had only made his debut eight months earlier and had won 4 of his six starts, that included an impressive (yet still unconvincing to some) win in the Betting World 1900 Consolation and a shock pre -July defeat by One Cool Dude and Serissa in the Cup Trial.

In the end he ran a terrific race in the July, storming through late to finish a 0,60 length third to Legislate.

But Saturday’s final Gr1 of the local racing season presented the Guy Murdoch-bred Dynasty colt with the perfect opportunity to finally clear the air – and then under conditions which suggested he couldn’t really win it.

And for supporters of the brilliant stallion Dynasty, there was some romance in it all as his best ever daughter Beach Beauty led the parade after the race was named in her honour following her recent retirement.

No Worries took up a pacemaking role and led the field into the straight as Bezanova chased him with the distinctive King Of Pain running on down the centre.

But Futura had made up ground effortlessly and he was produced at the 200m with a sustained finish. He bounced away and drew clear to beat the gallant King Of Pain by 1,75 lengths in a time of 107,38 secs.

The pacesetting No Worries confirmed his recent revival with a gutsy showing to run in to third after being thereabouts all the way. He was just a further length behind.

Justin Snaith’s Readytogorightnow arrived a few moments too late on the scene but ran into fourth in a promising effort.

The Tarry trio of Whiteline Fever, Pomodoro and Halve The Deficit all ran disappointingly.

Piere Strydom reported that he felt something amiss with Halve The Deficit and the son of Right Approach was found to be not striding out and coughing afterwards.

Wylie Hall ran a poor race and finished 8,20 lengths behind after being cramped in a concertina movement caused by Bezanova shifting in. Bezanova’s rider Weichong Marwing picked up a ten day suspension as a result of the incident.

Winning jockey Glen Hatt was over the moon with his Gr1 winning double and was quite emotional in the interview:

“Brett (Crawford) and his owners have supported me 100% and it is great riding for people who are 100% behind you. I have always believed in Futura’s ability and he delivered today. The quicker pace here rather than the slower one in the July also helped his prospects.”

Happy days – Jill and Brett Crawford with Jack Mitchell on the far right at the lead-in

Trainer Brett Crawford, who was celebrating his third Gr1 win this season (Elusive Gold in the 2013 Cape Guineas being his first) was a happy man:

“I am thrilled. And to be quite honest he ran a cracker in the July. It is not often either that we would run a 3yo so soon after the July. He really is the fastest improving horse in country!” he said.

A R500 000 National Yearling Sale product, Futura was bred by Guy Murdoch and races in the interests of Ian Longmore, John Freeman and Jack Mitchell.

He was named by Jack’s daughter Nancy and Mitchell, a longstanding Cape owner, has a wonderful record in the race, with three first cheques in the past six years! His previous winners were Ivory Trail(for Joey Ramsden) and Jackson last year for the Crawford yard.

By Dynasty, Futura is out of the lightly raced one time winning Badger’s Drift mare, Scribblin’ The Cat.

Futura has won 5 of his 8 starts with 3 places for stakes of R1 225 075.

Watch him closely next season!