IN the biggest upset in decades in the R1,5 million, Grade 1 J&B Met, the 50-1 chance Alastor pulled off a sensational victory in the 2 000 metre event at Kenilworth in Cape Town on Saturday leaving the 45 000 crowd at the course stunned.

With a record tote turnover of R19,1 million, surpassing the previous R16,4 million record set in 2003 by R2,8 million, the Western Cape’s biggest social extravaganza was an outstanding success. The weather played its part producing a windless, sunny day.

The J&B Met was a thrilling affair with the result in doubt right up to the finish and, as the favourite Tyson failed to produce a winning performance, it was the six-year-old Alastor, who had not won a race since June last year, who upped his game to emerge victorious.

Trained by the youngest conditioner in the race, Gauteng trainer Sean Tarry, and ridden by the oldest jockey, Garth Puller, the Al Mufti gelding fought a gutsy finish under enormous pressure from the mare Icy Air and the second favourite, Winter Solstice, to win one of the country’s premier events.

It was a storybook ending to a race filled with speculation and considered by many as a very open contest. It was a tribute to dedication, hard work, the enthusiasm of the young and the experience of the old.

But it was also a race where luck played its part with the slower early pace playing beautifully into the hands of the gelding that was thought to have stamina doubts over 2 000 metres.

The massive crowd who thronged into Kenilworth racecourse were not bitter in defeat and after their initial shock, cheered the gelding when he was led back into the winner’s enclosure under one of the Cape’s favourite racing sons, Garth Puller. Trainer Sean Tarry, who had steadfastly believed his charge had what was needed to win the J&B Met, was highly emotional in the post-race interview, dedicating the victory to his late father.

The Regional Executive Manager of Gold Circle in the Western Cape, Mr Brian Berrill, said the meeting had been a sensational success in every department and, while official attendance figures had not been available by Sunday when interviewed, it had been estimated that about 45 000 people had crammed into Kenilworth.

“We had a record turnover. The previous record of R16,4 million was set in 2003 and we budgeted this year for R16,1million. The R19,1 million turnover for the day was an excellent increase and we are thrilled.

“It was a fantastic day in every department. There were no incidents of note on the day and in fact, the special reaction unit on duty had not a single report up to the time the J&B Met was run. The doctors and paramedics also had a very quiet day.”

The racing on the day was of the highest standard with Justin Snaith winning the R80 000, Listed American Express Travel Juvenile Stakes with his Zimbabwe-bred colt, Firebolt while the R350 000, Grade 1 Fancourt Majorca Stakes over 1 600 metres was won for the second year running by Joey Ramsden with his Fort Wood filly, Shadow Dancing, ridden by Glen Hatt. Ramsden won the race last year with the Goldmark filly, Sarabande.

The final feature on the day was the R200 000, Grade 2 J&B Reserve Stayers Handicap over 2 800 metres where Stan Elley’s six-year-old Badger Land gelding, Red Badge, proved too good for the opposition and held on by a neck to beat favourite Golden Oriole and give veteran jockey Garth Puller his second feature win of the day.