While the 2024 Betway Summer Cup day will go down as a best show yet for 4Racing, the Highveld showpiece also provided the thrills and spills on the Turffontein track, the R224 437 big race quartet dividend telling the story.
Atticus Finch wins the 2024 Betway Gr1 Summer Cup under Calvin Habib (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The race inevitably also turned into something of a sobering ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’ for a variety of connections.
What a run by the gutsy Varsfontein-bred 5yo Atticus Finch.
Suffering a drought since he won the Betway Gr3 Victory Moon Stakes at the same track over a year ago, the gelding belied his 20-1 starting price, while reaping the rewards of lessons learnt in a luckless 2023 Summer Cup, the experience of jockey Calvin Habib, and the benefits of a well-considered preparation.
Full marks to Alec Laird and Calvin Habib, who respectively celebrated another individual Summer Cup trophy after Malteme (2006, ridden by Brett Smith) and Flying Carpet (2021, trained by Sean Tarry).
Calvin Habib found his tactics changed at the jump after he appeared to have taken a bump from his old ally, Main Defender, who was drawn at 3.
“I wanted to lead but had my game-plan changed at the start – so I took my medicine. I just love the way this horse gives his all,” added the delighted jockey.
A hoarse trainer Alec Laird said the win would lift his stable and had come ‘at a good time’.
Finishing with a sustained burst, Atticus Finch (20-1) clocked 125,47 for the 2000m to grab the doggedly determined Purple Pitcher (14-1) to win by 1,10 lengths.
Tristan Godden produced Rule By Force (33-1) late to snatch third a further 1,25 lengths back, with KZN visitor Madison Valley (100-1) running the race of his life in fourth.
We’ll mention again that the quarter paid R224 437!
There were a number of disappointments.
See It Again – no excuses said Striker- was given the run of the race by Piere Strydom, but went up and down late, to finish a 2,50 length fifth, ahead of defending champion Royal Victory, who was possibly beaten by his draw.
Oisin Murphy travelled across the world to partner Frances Ethel, but she was prominent and then faded to 6,25 lengths off the winner.
The well-supported Main Defender was a half length behind the daughter of Rafeef. He didn’t stay.
A R150 000 National Yearling Sale buy, Atticus Finch is a Varsfontein Stud-bred son of Master Of My Fate (Jet Master), out of the Caesour mare Alexia.
Now a winner of 6 races with 7 places from 18 starts, the 5yo took his stakes earnings to R4 237 00 for thrilled owners Lance Clark, Gary Basel, Gary Cornwall & Phil Gregory.
Congratulations on a big payday for the Grooms of each Betway Summer Cup runner who were paid a record-breaking R20 000 incentive each.
Earlier in the day Mike de Kock’s reigning SA Horse Of The Year Dave The King ran a poor race in a Pinnacle Stakes prep for the 2025 L’Ormarins King’s Plate. Given every chance by Piere Strydom, he hit a brick-wall about 300m out to run over 12 lengths off the 40-1 winner Fire ‘N Flames.
