TEN BEST JULY WINNERS

9 FLAMING ROCK (1991)

by Mark Anthony

Few horses in this country have displayed such a devastating turn of foot as did Flaming Rock. His victory in the 1991 July was one of the most spectacular in the history of the race and in his prime, his trademark style was to idle at the back of the field and then swoop like a bird of prey, his finishing burst overwhelming his unsuspecting rivals.

Imported from Ireland, Flaming Rock was a son of Ballad Rock, a 5-time winning sprinter in the mid-1970s. Racing in the distinctive royal blue and white silks of Shirley Pfeiffer, in the care of Cape trainer Chris Snaith, he made his SA debut in March 1990 and stamped himself a progressive sort through that year. By December, he had notched up 5 wins and 3 seconds from 10 starts, the highlight of which was a very good second to Star Effort over 1600m, when conceding 7,5kg to that great filly. A facile win in the 1200m CTP Stakes then confirmed him as the top sprinter in the Cape and he lined up at the end of 1990 for the Queens Plate, his biggest test to date.

The best horse in the field was Cape Derby winner Pas De Quoi, a star 3-year-old the previous season but who had had his legs slashed by a vindictive groom, putting his career in jeopardy. Having missed the winter season (which was dominated by Ilustrador) he had just returned to racing after some 6 months and recorded a win and a second. His performance was eagerly awaited, to see if he was still the force of old. The other big runners were champion filly Olympic Duel and useful 5-year-old Rip Curl. Olympic Duel looked the likely winner 200m out, having mastered both Rip Curl and Pas De Quoi, but Flaming Rock erupted through from the back of the field and his finishing speed proved too much for the filly, who had to settle for second.

This win proved that Flaming Rock belonged in the big league and he was sent off second-favourite for the J & B Met a few weeks later. However, the 2000m trip was always going to favour Olympic Duel and she duly got her revenge with a brilliant win. Flaming Rock came with his trademark late burst but had to settle for fourth.

The two renewed rivalry during the KZN winter season and Flaming Rock came out decisively on top. The Schweppes Challenge was a replay of the Queens Plate as he flew up late to nail Miss Averof on the line. Olympic Duel was very unlucky here as she was hampered at a critical stage and could not regain her stride in time, having to settle for fifth. Even so, it is doubtful she could have beaten Flaming Rock, such was his acceleration at the death.

Now the July beckoned and the key question was whether Flaming Rock would get the distance. Olympic Duel was sent off favourite, as the 2200m of the July would be more to her liking. The handicapper, though, was kind to Flaming Rock. Somewhat bizarrely, he was only allocated 52,5kg and was receiving 4kg from the filly, even though he had beaten her twice at Gr1 level. The race was an intriguing one. US imports Al Mufti and Rakeen were lightly raced in this country and did not have big race form, but were open to any amount of improvement. Rakeen attracted particular attention as the first son of Northern Dancer to actually race in this country. The booking of Jeff Lloyd made him an even more attractive bet. Roland`s Song was a prolific big-race winner and had won the Summer Cup two years running. Bluffing had been third in the Met and then won the Greyville 1900, an important pointer to the July. Spanish Galliard had run second in both the Met and Greyville 1900, so was in good heart. Sacred Jungle had won the SA Derby and had Piere Strydom up.

The field was despatched in grey, overcast conditions and a number of tactical moves became apparent which would have an important bearing on the final outcome. Al Mufti was settled in second by Mark Sutherland, hugging the rail. Stablemate Olympic Duel was scrubbed along early and never looked comfortable as she tried to maintain a handy position. Rakeen stayed handy also, Lloyd determined not to be caught napping. Where was Flaming Rock? Having started from draw 20, he was dropped right out and turned for home stone last, a long way out of his ground.

Turning for home, Al Mufti made what looked like a decisive break, stealing a few lengths on the field. Rakeen went after him and looked dangerous, while Olympic Duel was battling to accelerate, seemingly anchored by her big weight. Rank outsider Transfix threw himself into the mix as did Spanish Galliard. Al Mufti, though, hard up against the inside rail and running the race of his life, held them at bay and right until the very last stride, it looked as if he would give trainer Terence Millard a record-equalling seventh July win. But Karl Neisius had set Flaming Rock alight down the outside of the track. In an unbelievable finish, one of the most thrilling the race has seen, he swept from last to first down the short Greyville straight, finishing like a bullet to snatch victory right on the line from the gallant Al Mufti whose connections must surely have thought he was home and dry. Rakeen kept on for third from Spanish Galliard, Transfix and Olympic Duel, a mere 1,50 lengths covering the field in a blanket finish.

Any lingering doubts about Flaming Rock`s quality were now banished and he duly clinched the Horse of the Year award. It was also a well deserved July victory for Karl Neisius, one of the finest jockeys of his generation, whose brilliant judgement had made the difference between victory and defeat.

The following season, as a 5-year-old, the Irish-bred entire maintained good form, albeit he was not as consistent. He picked up 3 minor features in the Cape, was narrowly beaten in the J & B Met under top weight and won the Schweppes Challenge again. But he was unplaced in the July, Mainstay and Champion Stakes, prompting doubts about his enthusiasm for racing.

At age 6, however, he was as good as ever and enjoyed a good Cape summer campaign. Warming up with victories at Gr 2 and Gr 3 level, he was second in both the Queens Plate and the Met, outclassed by Empress Club, but not disgraced in either race. His KZN Winter campaign confirmed him to be in good fettle: he won the Drill Hall Stakes, completed a hat-trick of wins in the Schweppes Challenge and was an excellent third under top weight in the July, conceding 6kg to winner Dancing Duel for a length beating. He closed off his 6-year-old career with a tremendous run in the Mainstay 1800, finishing like a steam train under 58kg and failing by a nose to catch Secret Rites (received 4,5kg). He was again voted Horse of the Year.

Flaming Rock failed to win in 6 starts at age 7, but he left the stage with his reputation intact, enjoying an honourable winter campaign in Durban. He was third in the Schweppes Challenge behind a rejuvenated Pas De Quoi; a very close third (promoted to second) in the July and beaten less than a length into second by Sapieha in the Mainstay.

He could leave for stud duty with his head held high, having done everything that was asked of him throughout a long and distinguished career, during which he had won 17 races.

Flaming Rock`s owes his place on this list not just for the manner of his July win but also for his overall durability and consistency against high-calibre opposition, often while saddled with big weights. Once he hit the big time, there were no easy races for him, yet he always gave of his best and when he was not beating the best horses around, he was finishing in close proximity to them. The overall quality of his opposition is superior to the current standard we are currently seeing in SA and it is all the more to his credit that he maintained his competitive edge to such an advanced age, despite being an entire.