JOHN SKEAPING TROPHY ... three classy colts slog it out.

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On Saturday 11 September eight 4-y-o's and one 3-y-o contested this
prestigious Gr 2 Weight-for-age race for a stake of R200 000 over
1800 metres at Turffontein.
With the exception of D division winner Rythmic Duel,
all of the 4-y-o's had, on at least one occasion,
been totally humbled by their contemporary Horse Chestnut
as he cut his path of destruction through the 3-y-o classic
programme last year.
Crushing margins of defeat by Horse Chestnut were as follows:

_________BRUTAL FORCE_______________Germiston Classic, 26,5 lengths._______________SA Derby, 40 lengths._________DANGEROUS DONALD_______________SA Derby, 10 lengths._________GENERAL FRANCO_______________Dingaans, 11 lengths._______________Germiston Classic 15,75 lengths._________GLOBAL LEGEND_______________SA Derby, 18 lengths._________GOLDEN TULIP_______________Dingaans, 14 lengths._________NORFOLK REALM_______________SA Derby, 13,5 lengths._________PROUD WARRIOR_______________SA Derby, 43,6 lengths. Horse Chestnut stepped off the South African Stage after his demolition
of the SA Derby field on 24 April, leaving his contemporaries to
regroup and start anew to establish an element of respectability
and a hierarchical ranking of the leaders of the 1995 generation.

The betting market for this year's John Skeaping suggested that since
Horse Chestnut's departure, Brutal Force had shown superior form to the
other Seven 4-y-o's in the field - 2 clear-cut wins in Gauteng (1700 and 1800m)
and a meritorious 2,55 length 3rd to Free Heart in the Kwazulu Natal Derby.
He had beaten Dangerous Donald on two occasions,
but certainly looked to have his work cut out to beat Rakeen's two sons
Norfolk Realm (close 3rd to Free Heart in Daily News;
top-class 4th in Rothmans July) and Golden Tulip
(2 top-class wins in B division).

From a clean start Norfolk Realm immediately assumed his customary
front-running role, sprinting to the lead and then relaxing to a
comfortable gallop. Stable companion Dangerous Donald tracked him.
Rhythmic Duel followed in close quarters with Brutal Force on his outside.
On their heels came Golden Tulip (pulling his jockey out of the saddle)
with Global Legend alongside. Figneroa on General Franco lagged well
behind as he bided his time 10 lengths last.

This order remained unchanged to the 700 metre Turffontein straight
where Dangerous Donald was the first to cut at Norfolk Realm as Strydom
switched in to make his bid between those two. Norfolk Realm stuck to
his task with enthusiasm and resolution.

Dangerous Donald pressed hard, shifting about against a head wind,
and in the process Brutal Force was repeatedly baulked for a run.
200 metres from home Dangerous Donald ran out of steam and beat
a hasty retreat allowing Strydom racing room to launch his challenge.
At the same time General Franco loomed a danger as he wended his way
through traffic with a strong late run.

In a stirring battle over the final 150 metres Brutal Force had to dig
deep to take the measure of long-time leader Norfolk Realm and withstand
a determined offensive from General Franco.
The three horses crossed the line with heads apart and Global Legend
bearing down strongly at their quarters. Proud Warrior tacked up the
straight like a yacht against the wind, and yet finished full of running.

WORTH NOTING

BRUTAL FORCE
Raced a little wide into first turn. Was cramped and crowded for a long
way in the straight. He had to fight hard to take the measure of Norfolk Realm.

Well grown good-looking chestnut.
Inbred to great staying sire LE FILOU (3 x 5)through 2 daughters.
Dam inbred to ROUND TABLE (5 x 4 son and daughter).
Stays 2400 m and should get 3200 m.

click here for pedigree
click here for race record

GENERAL FRANCO
Masterfully ridden by Figueroa. Trailed last for most of the way.
Had traffic troubles as he uncorked his late finishing burst.
Big prospect for major stakes this season.
Pedigree architecture = classic sex-balanced inbreeding to
Native Dancer and Polynesian.

click here for pedigree
click here for race record

NORFOLK REALM
Another courageous front-running performance.

click here for pedigree
click here for race record

Back to Home Page created 13/9/99