No Triple Crown or Triple Tiara winner this year

Danie Toerien

After the running of the Grade 1 World Sports Betting SA Classic over 1800m, it is now confirmed that there will be no Triple Crown or Triple Tiara winner this year.

Eye Of The Prophet, winner of the Guineas, the first leg of the Triple Crown, only managed to finish fourth, with Anfields Rocket, trained by Grant Maroun, first across the line in the Classic with Raymond Danielson in the saddle.

Paying R10,70 for the win, Anfields Rocket was not considered a serious contender by many, despite jumping from gate 2.

This son of Coup De Grace often seems a bit lazy out the gates and this time round it was no exception. Lagging behind after the first 400m, he didn't look at all like a potential threat. But that all changed down the long home stretch when he really started to stretch his legs up against the inside rail to pick the field off one by one.

"There were doubts about whether he would stay," said Danielson after the race.

"When he won over 1000m here out the back and winning, they all thought he's a sprinter. But what I felt from day one when I sat on him is that he is just a good horse. Good horses can sprint and they can turn it over over further.

"He did the same today. I was drawn 2, but if you asked me after the first 400m if we had a chance, I would have told you we would run last. That's just who he is. He holds back. You just have to leave him alone. The more you bustle him, the worse he gets."

After the fourth leg of the Pick 6, there were 701 live tickets, with the provisional minimum payout up to R8,526.