Seventh Rock (Anton Marcus in green) stays on best to beat Brazuca and Arabian Beat on his outside
Trainer Dennis Drier registered the second leg of a triumphant Vodacom Durban July day Gr1 double when the very progressive Klawervlei Stud-bred flyer Seventh Plain grabbed his second Gr1 victory on the trot in a thrilling climax to the R600 000 Gr1 Golden Horseshoe.
Winning rider Anton Marcus deserves plenty of the credit for maintaining a cool head in a race that developed into a desperate struggle for supremacy in the crucial closing stages as challenges came at him from from both sides.
After his Gr1 Tsogo Sun Medallion win, there was plenty of confidence about the Drier galloper from his 4 draw.Mike De Kock’s Australian-bred colt Muwaary had also won well recently and came into the event with invaluable track experience – even though his wide draw was a concern. He started at 22-10.
Gauteng visitor Arabian Beat (himself a Gr1 winner) led the sixteen horse field at a relaxed gallop from Seventh Plain and Hip Hop Dancer.
Into the home run Arabian Beat continued to lead as Muwaary and Seventh Plain started the chase, with Lineker looking dangerous.
When Craig Zackey squeezed the Gr1 SA Nursery winner Arabian Beat at the 250m marker, the race was on. But just as Seventh Plain appeared to have him mastered, the supported maiden Brazuca came out of the woodwork from lengths behind down the inside and threw a spanner into the works.
Anton Marcus – strong and balanced ride
The three went to the line as one, with Seventh Plain in the centre getting his head down to beat Brazuca a short head, with Arabian Beat another short head back in third.
The winner’s time was 84,70 secs.
Disappointments of the race were Muwaary and Medallion runner-up Redcarpet Captain, who both battled from their wide draws.
The Klawervlei Stud-bred Seventh Plain is a son of Seventh Rock out of the six time winning National Emblem mare Amber Pain.
Internationally renowned Keeneland yearling inspector Tom Thornbury, upon inspecting the first Seventh Rock yearlings noted ” Seventh Rock will be your next supersonic sire.”
He has certainly produced a gem of a colt here and Seventh Plain looks likely to go a mile – which makes him a classic prospect for next term.
The R400 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 2 graduate took his stake earnings to R914 375 with his fourth win and one place from just five starts.
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Gr1 Golden Horseshoe (SAf-Gr1)
Greyville, South Africa, July 4, R600k, 1400m, turf, good, 1.24.07
1 – SEVENTH PLAIN (SAF), 60.0, b c 2, Seventh Rock (AUS) – Amber Plain (SAF) by National Emblem (SAF). Owner Mrs I Jooste & Mr M J Jooste; Breeder Klawervlei Stud; trainer DR Drier; jockey A Marcus
2 – Brazuca (AUS), 60.0, ch c 2, Teofilo (IRE) – Base Paradise (AUS) by Choisir (AUS)
3 – Arabian Beat (SAF), 60.0, b c 2, Black Minnaloushe (USA) – Arabian Design (SAF) by Al Mufti (USA)
Margins: 0.05, 0.10, 1.25
