Trainer Brett Crawford and jockey Glen Hatt ended off the KwaZulu-Natal Champions Season as they had started it: with a big race victory at Greyville. Hatt rode a superbly-timed race aboard Wavin' Flag (SAF) (pink cap) to land the Gr 1 Elan Property Group Gold Cup over 3200m on Saturday, getting the better of a late three-way tussle with Wild One (SAF) and Gold Onyx (NZ) as topweight Hot Ticket (SAF) ran on for fourth.

As expected, there were a few different formations in evidence as the race unfolded, with Canterbury Tale the initial leader ahead of Wild One, Crown Of Gold, Shogunnar, Ash Cloud and Jeppe's Reef. Habitual front-runner Serissa raced in midfield on this occasion ahead of Alexander, Gothic and Wavin' Flag. Master Sabina raced among the back-markers, with only Run For It, Paddy O'Reilly, Hot Ticket and Gold Onyx behind him.

There was drama approaching the 1800m mark as things went horribly awry with Shogunnar, who went off the course. Up front, Serissa, had made a forward move to press Canterbury Tale for the lead and he eventually took over at the head of affairs, bringing the field in for home.

Canterbury Tale briefly regained the lead in the straight but could not sustain his effort as stablemate Wild One emerged as the live wire. Ash Cloud was trying to stay in touch as Gold Onyx took off and briefly looked as if he might finish best of all. Wavin' Flag, meanwhile, had crept into contention and he got to the front close to home to land a memorable victory.

Crawford and Hatt had won the first major event of the province's Champions Season, the KRA Fillies Guineas, at the beginning of May, and can look back at a successful winter campaign in this part of the world. Wavin' Flag, in particular, has gone from strength to strength, having come to Durban somewhat under the radar. He seemed to thrive in the conditions, though, and was full value for his victory here, following good placed efforts in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup and Gold Vase at this track.

Wild One always looked the safest each-way bet in a wide open event and he ran accordingly. He's come into his own as a stayer and looks well set to add to his winning tally next season.

Gold Onyx seems to have found a new lease of life. His previous form suggested he wouldn't get the trip but he ran another cracker here. Those with long enough memories will know that he was a Gr 1 winner at this very meeting four years ago and he seems to spring to life at this time of year.

Hot Ticket has to be ridden from off the pace and, with the gallop never much better than steady, he was always going to have his work cut making up ground under his big weight. He was not disgraced by any means and would appear to have done enough to land the Equus award for the stayers' division, having notched up four feature races over ground this season.

4 b g Silvano (GER) - Garland by Capture Him (USA)
Owners: Messrs S D Burgess, G S Knowles, J Labuschagne, I W Longmore, Ian Robinson, A Todd & Mrs J Crawford
Bred by Mr & Mrs J R Slade