The ABSA Cape Epic is back with the 19th edition of the untamed African mountain bike race. The eight-day race is often referred as the "Tour de France of mountain biking" and it‘s the most prestigious mountain bike stage race in the world. It attracts this year 724 teams from 55 nations including multiple World, Olympians, and National Champions next to aspiring amateurs testing themselves against the best. The teams of two riders tackle around 648 untamed kilometers and 15.475 meters of climbing through the picturesque Western cape of South Africa.
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The Alec Laird-trained Varsfontein Stud-bred Master Of My Fate gelding Atticus Finch won the Gr 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m in fine style on Saturday at Turffontein Standside and in the process opened up an interesting Betway Summer Cup formline that might highlight two or three horses as fair value in Johannesburg’s biggest race.
On a line through Victory Moon runner up Electric Gold, Atticus Finch will need to show a few lengths improvement to beat Puerto Manzano in the Summer Cup.
Electric Gold was 8kg better off then weight for age with Puerto Manzano when beaten 1,75 lengths in the Jubilee Stakes over 1800m last June.
Atticus Finch beat Electric Gold by 1,25 lengths at level weights on Saturday and as things stand will likely only be 5,5kg better off than weight for age with Puerto Manzano in the Summer Cup.
That means on paper he needs to find an extra three lengths to match Puerto Manzano.
By the manner of victory on Saturday he could do that.
His sire Master Of My Fate by Jet Master brings him enough stamina to enjoy 2000m.
His damsire is Caesour who sired the like of Irridescance, winner of the Gr 1 QE II Cup in Hong Kong over 2000m, as well as Regal Ransom, winner of the Gr 1 Champions Challenge over the Summer Cup course and distance.
Atticus Finch’s dam Alexia was an unplaced maiden but she is very well related being the dam of Main Defender’s dam Alessia (Judpot) as well as being a full sister to two stakes winners and a half-sister to two others.
Atticus Finch is currently the 13/2 second favourite with the sponsor for the Summer Cup.
However, his formline exposes a horse or two who look too long in the Summer Cup betting
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Tamar has had a love for horses her whole life. Spending her childhood years in a busy and competitive stable yard, taught Tamar all she needed to know about running a yard of her own. Receiving tuition from one of South Africa’s top-ranking riders - Barry Taylor, Tamar opened Farnham Riding School & Livery Yard with the plan in mind to offer a top quality tuition and livery service.
Tamar is a SANEF level 2 qualified instructor and received the highly recognised qualification of FEI level 1 coach in 2011 and completed Level 2 in 2012. Tamar specialises in competitive riders and teaches with great enthusiasm, with the focus being on horse and rider being a team to achieve their personal goals. The success of Tamar’s pupils speaks for itself and her dedication and passion for the sport and her clients is obvious in the consistent results they achieve.
Tamar competes at 1m50 level and has had a very successful career. Tamar has competed in the South African Derby, as well as most World Cup Qualifier shows around South Africa, Her highlight to date is winning the very prestigious Nissan 6-Bar Event in 2014, clearing the jump at 1m77 on her pride and joy, Toko.
After taking time off from riding (She remained coaching) after a knee operation and to have her first child, she is now back in the saddle bringing on many competitive young horses. Of note are Con Alma, a 5year old Warmblood jumping in the 1,10m classes, Cosmo K, a 6 year old Warmblood jumping in the 1.20m classes, and the now infamous little thoroughbred, Outeniqua (or Pocket Rocket as he is called on the SJ Circuit) on whom Tamar competes successfully in the 1.35/1.40m classes.
Tamar is a keen and savvy business woman, very dedicated to her sport and spends hours in the saddle learning and growing with her horses. Her knowledge and enthusiasm for show jumping makes her a great ambassador for our Equi-Feeds brand.
Betway have come to the party, big time, with injections of sponsorship, bonus cheques for winning trainers and incentives for grooms at grass roots level. Their bonuses to grooms have been a game-changer for us. Their spring series and the R5-million sponsorship of the Summer Cup is an indication of their commitment and that gives me hope for the future.
If you’ve met Betway’s Jonathan Blumberg you will know how passionate he is about lifting racing in the 4Racing regions to higher levels. He is part of a dynamic team led by CEO Laurence Michel, who is incidentally also capable golfer when he is away from his office desk. They have a genuine desire to assist owners, trainers and grooms in the 4Racing territories, and they’re in line with Mary Slack’s objectives to develop racing from its grass roots.
Let’s give credit where it’s due. And, if you haven’t opened an account with Betway yet, you can do so here, support racing via the tote and enjoy their excellent online betting platform.
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