Forest of Dean under Karis Teetan managed to get his nose in front on the line, to snatch the Grade 3 Algoa Cup at Fairview in the Eastern Cape on Sunday.
Photo by Gold Circle
Predestination (AUS), Mystic Moon and We Three jumped best, but it was the seven year-old October Club, who won the battle for the lead.
At the 1300m mark, October Club, under M J Byleveld, led by two, followed by Flighty's Last, Predestination and Mystic Moon. Forest of Dean settled midfield, with Paddy O Reilly bringing up the rear.
With 600m to go, October Club led the field into the home straight with little change in the order. At the 300m mark, Paddy O Reilly came flying up from the back of the field, with Forest of Dean and Key Castle also starting their runs.
A cavalry charge for the line ensued with Key Castle and Hawk's eye up the outside of the track, Forest of Dean up the centre and long time leader October Club still part of the fray.
On the line it was the Patrick Kruyer trained Forest of Dean, who managed to hold off Key Castle by a nose. Hawk's Eye had to settle for third a further quarter length back and long time leader October Club hung on for fourth, 1.5 lengths back.
Forest of Dean is a six year-old gelding by Silvano out of the Jallad mare Princess Faberge. The gelding recorded his eight win from 29 starts for owner breeder Mr F W Sharp and Mrs M O Hara.
Final results:
8 FOREST OF DEAN Karis Teetan A C 56.5 0.00 123.17 6/1
15 KEY CASTLE Anthony Andrews *1.5 A X 54.5 0.10 123.19 50/111 HAWK'S EYE (GB) Glen Hatt A 55.5 0.35 123.24 12/1
10 OCTOBER CLUB M J Byleveld A 56.0 1.85 123.52 66/19 MAKZOOS Warren Kennedy A B 56.5 1.95 123.54 66/1
17 TIC TAK TOE Sherman Brown A 54.5 2.20 123.58 20/1