A textbook determined ride on a lionhearted galloper swung the result of the R350 000 G-Bets Listed Algoa Cup at Fairview on Sunday to give the visitors a ninth straight success in the race known as the ‘PE July’.
An AHS lockdown a week earlier changed the complexion of the race this year, with only three visitors making the trip. And when Gavin Smith’s Wild Brier hit the front under Teaque Gould at the 250m marker, the trophy looked to be finally coming back to the Windy City.
Richard Fourie gets Magnificent Seven up in the final stride to beat Wild Brier (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
But it was not to be as the top-class Richard Fourie had other ideas on the Justin Snaith-trained favourite Magnificent Seven.
Back to the 2000m marker, Jarryd Penny and Tobie Spies threw the Snaith team an early curved ball with Cape Rebel going up front and slowing the pace to a respectable gallop, ahead of Desert Wisdom and a tightly held Magnficent Seven.
Sensing the dawdle, Luke Ferraris brought Querari Viking around his field and into third as they spun for home, with the sprint on.
Switched and asked for an effort, Magnificent Seven appeared to hit a flat spot as Laws Of Succession and Stormy Eclipse launched their efforts.
At the 250m marker, Magnificent Seven had a race on his hands as Teaque Gould sniffed victory and gave the seriously under-sufferance Wild Brier a reminder.
Into the final 100m the voice of commentator Alistair Cohen hinted at an upset as Magnificent Seven was taking his time.
But in a miraculous recovery under a beautifully balanced ride, the favourite nabbed the Smith longshot on the line to win in a time of 120,95 secs,
Richard Fourie – top ride! (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Done no favours by the combination of a slow pace and the tailwind, Stormy Eclipse took all of the home straight to wind up and registered a third cheque for the second year running.
Run Red got going too late and squeaked into fourth.
Chris Snaith travelled with the team and was on hand to receive the trophy.
A R140 000 KZN Yearling Sale graduate, Magnificent Seven races in the colours of Durban July winning owner Nic Jonsson and has won 4 In a row – this being his second consecutive stakes success – with 6 races and 5 places from 15 starts for stakes of R591 950.
Bred by James Armitage, the winner is by Horse Chestnut (Fort Wood) out of the unraced Model Man mare, Kartanya – a full sister to Pratique.
This was a win full of merit. And the suggestion by his breeder that he can only improve in the next six months bodes for exciting times ahead.
The Fourie-Snaith combination enjoyed a hat-trick of winners on the afternoon.
