DESERT LINKS powers to Gold Cup victory.

Desert Links piloted by Greg Cheyne
(Gold Circle)

Desert Links ran out a convincing winner of the R1,2 million Canon Gold Cup (Gr1) run over 3200m at Greyville yesterday, capping a cracker-jack day of racing for Team Summerhill and cementing Kahal’s position as one of the best young stallions in the land.

Gold Circle reports that with a fast-finishing fifth in the recent Vodacom Durban July, behind dead-heaters Pocket Power (Jetmaster) and Dancer’s Daughter (Act One), Desert Links (Kahal) put in a sustained stretch run to hold off the 12-1 chance Membrado with Omaha Beach third and 33-1 outsider Magical Ballad in fourth.

Greg Cheyne gave Desert Links a copybook ride as he sat towards the rear of the field in the early exchanges before moving into a challenging position approaching the 600m mark.

Off the false rail, Desert Links, tracked by Membrado made their runs up the outside of the course with Magical Ballad up the inside.

However, it was clear a long way out that Desert Links had the race in the bag and he went on to win comfortably from Membrado.

Omaha Beach came from a long way back to run into third ahead of Magical Ballad who was one-paced up the inside rail.

Desert Links is trained by former champion jockey Basil Marcus for owners Etienne Braun, Eban Bouwer, Paul Loomes and Selwyn Marcus.