Mythical Flight goes down... a pity indeed.

                                                                              O Caesor (Gold Circle)

The outcome of the Cape Flying Championship Group One, was a triumph for the Cape fellows as O Caesor (at 125/1) stole the show. It’s always good that racing should be the leveller from time to time, and it’s moments like these that give hope to the small player. You may not be able to beat the Harry Oppenheimers in the board room but on Saturday there is a chance to get even.

For the international aspirations of South African racing, Mythical Flight’s demise was something of a sadness even though he went down honourably, as will always be the case as long as he’s in the ownership of Chris van Niekerk and under the tutelage of Sean Tarry, where winning matters in the traditional way.

France-Galop’s Elodie Garamond has been attempting to seduce his connections to send this obviously talented racehorse to the Prix de l’Abbey (Group One) on Arc day this October, but he seems to have lost his way a bit in recent times and being the property of a cerebral gentleman who has his wits about him, he is unlikely to be a candidate unless his fortunes change.

From a Summerhill perspective we had to be pleased with the showing of our two candidates. Peter Fabricious’ Hear the Drums made life tough for Mythical Flight every yard of the way up to the last 100 metres and showed he belonged squarely in Group One company, finishing just two lengths off the winner.

Rebel King came flying through for fourth place and elicited Charles Laird’s comment that “ he’s now crying for 7 furlongs and a mile”. Charles is adamant he has a Group One race in him.