3 minute read
The running of the R184 000, Grade 3 Christmas Handicap(1600m) on Boxing Day did not raise nearly as many eyebrows as the winner of the race, the 50/1 chance Orbit War(ARG) did.
Despite showing flashes of brilliance earlier in his career, the Adam Kethro trained five-year-old has been found towards the rear of the field in all his starts during 2011.
But the Bernstein gelding seems to like the festive season as his last win came in December 2010 and December 2011 was no exception as Orbit War flew up late to win the Christmas Handicap.
Carrying top weight of 60kg, Black Wing jumped well and briefly held the lead, before front-running Bay Route took over to lead by 1.5L. Bay Route set an easy pace and the field was content to settle behind him, with Black Wing in second, while Across The Ice and Code Rock raced midfield a further five lengths back.
Orbit War from barrier 11 was racing at the back of the field under Lucian Africa. Bay Route brought the field into the home straight and hung tough as he became involved in a protracted battle with Black Wing.
In the final 200m, the experienced Anthony Delpech found a gap up the inside rail and steered Code Rock into the lead. What neither Code Rock nor his jockey had realised was that Orbit War had swung wide in the home turn and taken off up the outside running rail.
At the 50m, Delpech on Code Rock was clear by a length and a half from Bay Route and must have thought he had the race in the bag, as Orbit War up the outside rail, was still unsighted.
But Africa had gotten an incredible turn of speed out of the lightly weighted Orbit War (52kgs) and he flew up the extreme outside to snatch the lead from Code Rock on the line by half a length.
In a bob of heads, Bay Route(Silvino) was awarded third, a further 1.25L back, from a fast finishing Across The Ice(Western Winter), who had to settle for fourth.
Orbit War, by Bernstein out of Orangina(Quiet American), recorded his fourth and biggest win to date from 23 starts for owner trainer Adam Kethro.
