Alec is ‘Laird’ of the Betway Summer Cup

Jack Milner

The Laird dynasty returned to the spotlight at Turffontein on Saturday when Atticus Finch won the R6-million Betway Summer Cup.

Perfectly ridden by Calvin Habib and going off at 20-1, the Master Of My Fate gelding got a dream run on the inside rail and kicked on beautifully to capture the Grade 1 race over 2000m on the Standside track.

He beat a gallant Purple Pitcher (14-1) by 1.10 lengths with Rule By Force (33-1) a further 0.75 lengths back in third. Fourth place went 100-1 KwaZulu-Natal raider Madison Valley, and with the more fancied runners, See It Again (5^th), Royal Victory (6^th), Frances Ethel (9^th) and Main Defender (10^th) all finishing out of the top four, the carryover Quartet paid out a massive R224,457.50.

The race proved a triumph for trainer Alec Laird, who last won the Summer Cup in 2006 with Malteme. Habib also notched up his second success in this iconic event as he triumphed aboard Flying Carpet in 2021.

The Laird name is one of the most famous names in South African racing with Syd, Alec’s father, becoming known as the Durban July king with seven wins. Russell Laird, Syd’s brother, was also a top trainer as was his son, Charles.

In addition, trainer Dennis Drier’s mother was a sister to Syd and Russell so he too, adds to the influence that family has had over local racing.

Atticus Finch was fancied to win this race last year but suffered serious interference at a vital stage and ended up midfield.

This year he was largely ignored but Habib always felt his mount was in with a chance. “Last year I was super-confident, but he got done during the race,” said Habib, “and this year I wanted to make amends for that.

“His prep was beautiful this year and although he didn’t win, his runs were good. After the Victory Moon run (3^rd) I was feeling confident, his work was improving every day and he went into the race in superb condition.

“Well done to Mr Laird, I’m so proud of him. We worked hard together and I’m just glad it paid off.”

Speaking about the race itself Habib said it went “pear-shaped” early on. “I got a bump coming out the gates and was not where I wanted to be, but I had to go with the cards I was dealt.

“He got into a beautiful rhythm about 1000m out, just before we straightened up. He’s a momentum horse so I opted to go a bit early on him and get him into his momentum.

“When we hit the 400m I saw Striker (Strydom on See It Again) next to me and a bit under pressure, so I thought we had a big shout, and he gave it to me all the way to the line.

“It was a win full of merit.”

Purple Pitcher in second was as game as ever and Robyn Klaasen’s charge is not an easy horse to get past when he is in front.

See It Again looked dangerous 300m from home and was only beaten 3.30 lengths.

However, the was some early compensation for Strydom as filly Quid Pro Quo gave the boys a galloping lesson in the Grade 2 Dingaans over 1600m. This was the first time she had taken on the colts and she had not raced since July.

Mike de Kock-trained Greaterix was all the rage and went off at 77-100. He took the lead from the jump with Kabelo Matsunyane aboard and looked to be travelling well enough coming to the 400m mark.

However, a glance at Strydom indicated he was sitting with a fistful and in a matter of strides the three-year-old daughter of Lance moved into contention and then raced away to win by 2.50 lengths.

In the end, second place went to Laird-trained and Habib-ridden Fire Attack with Greaterix running into third, beaten five lengths.

Asked when he felt he had the race won, Strydom laughed: “About 600m out – as long as she didn’t blow up through the lack of a run.

Trainer Barend Botes was almost left shellshocked by the margin of the victory. “I’ve never trained a horse as good as her – and she is probably going to get even better!”