With the favourite American Landing running out of steam late, an upset result was on the cards in the R150 000 Listed Michaelmas Handicap at Greyville on Sunday and Lezeanne Forbes’ Querari gelding Warfarer duly delivered the goods to register his first stakes success.
Mark Khan rides a well-judged finish to get Warfarer home ahead of Roy Had Enough (Anton Marcus) in an exciting finish (Pic – Candiese Marnewick/Gold Circle)
A red hot odds-on shot arrived in style in the third – but a five legged Pick 6 still landed up paying R214 000!
Between the KZN Starter and one or two tough results, punters had their fair share of the rollercoaster ride that is the story of our lives.
In a feature field reduced to seven runners with the late withdrawal of One Man Show, East Cape Derby winner American Landing looked to build on his strong finishing fourth behind Matador Man last time – in a race where the form had really appeared to be franked.
But after Celtic Captain had led the way from New Fort and the 3yo Marchingontogether into the straight, Sean Veale brought American Landing around his field to avoid the sprint chase against more fleetfooted opponents.
The son of Dynasty hit the front but had little to offer as Roy Had Enough ranged up, with Mark Khan producing Warfarer from last.
Mark Khan – nicely judged ride from off the gallop
Inside the final 200m Warfarer ran on powerfully to register a length win in a time of 116,04 secs.
The favourite’s classy full sister Sabina’s Dynasty caught the eye and flew up late to grab third ahead of Marchingontogether, who only faded late.
The Maine Chance bred Warfarer is a son of Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the five-time winner Warrior Maid (Complete Warrior).
A R120 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Warfarer has won 5 races with 8 places from 25 starts for stakes of R455 763.
We’ll try again at Fairview on Monday.
