Seventh Plain scores his first feature win in style
The progressive Dennis Drier-trained 2yo Seventh Plain became his sire’s first stakes winner from his second crop when storming home to grab top honours in the R150 000 Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes at Scottsville on Sunday.
Seventh Plain was a member of the elite Dennis Drier Cape Summer squad and made his debut just before Christmas over 800m at Kenilworth. He wasn’t particularly fancied and started at 6-1 there – possibly because of the presence of the Snaith bomb Buckinghampshire, who he actually beat comfortably.
Buckinghampshire was to turn the tables on Seventh Plain in the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes though on Met day, when the Drier runner had to be satisfied with a runner-up cheque.
And while Buckinghampshire has proven something of a damp squib in two feature starts in Johannesburg since then, Seventh Plain looks to have a very bright future indeed.
He ran here off a twelve week break and described by Anton Marcus as being ‘not fully wound up’ and by his trainer as possibly needing it, it was a decent effort.
“I suppose when they’re good, they’re good and can win when not ready,” said Dennis Drier.
Corne Spies’ Silvan Jazz came out flying ahead of maiden Master Sam and Roy’s Gul Gul with Beat The Retreat and Seventh Plain relaxed further downfield.
Marcus brought Seventh Plain to challenge at the 250m from 4 lengths off and he responded like a really good sort to win by 1,50 lengths in a time of 63,33 secs.
The Argonaut colt Beat The Retreat was not disgraced in second after his facile maiden winner in early January.
Both winning jockey and trainer feel that Seventh Plain may get a mile in time and that makes him an exciting colt – he certainly has the looks to go with his apparent ability.
The Klawervlei Stud-bred Seventh Plain is a son of Seventh Rock out of the six time winning National Emblem mare Amber Pain.
He is a R400 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 2 graduate and took his stake earnings to R164 375 with his second win and one place from three starts.
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Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes (SAf-Gr3)
Scottsville, South Africa, April 26, R150k, 1100m, turf, good, 1.03.33
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 – Beat The Retreat (SAF), 60.0, b c 2, Argonaut (SAF) – Spring Lilac (SAF) by Joshua Dancer (USA)
3 – Mr Roy (SAF), 60.0, ch c 2, Western Winter (USA) – Chambre` (SAF) by Rakeen (USA)
Margins: 1.50, 2.00, 2.25
