A classy act as FUTURA wins the J & B Met

There have never been any doubts about the true class of FUTURA. If there were any, then they were dispelled in no uncertain terms when this four year old colt produced a devastating finish to win the 2015 running of the longest sponsored sporting event in South Africa, the J & B Met.

He ran a great race in the 2014 Durban July when he finished half a length behind Horse of The Year, LEGISLATE, who was scratched from this race just a few days ago. He has now added this Grade 1 to his list of top division wins. The Champions Cup was his first Grade 1, which came at the same Greyville track, three weeks after his gallant effort in the July. His second Grade 1 success came three weeks ago when he won the Queen's Plate at this track. This was his seventh win from only eleven starts. A true champion!

When the starter gave them the signal to race PUNTA ARENAS, no stranger to Grade 1 races was first to show. LOUIS THE KING found himself in a good position. HELDERBERG BLUE had also moved up to within striking distance from the leader. Another to show early was ARION.

After they had run to the 1400m mark HELDERBERG BLUE could not wait any longer and moved up to take the lead from LOUIS THE KING, PUNTA ARENAS and the stable companion of LOUIS THE KING, TELLINA. At this stage FUTURA was content to sit mid division and was almost content to glance at Table Mountain. The filed began to stretch out and the distance from first to last was in excess of a dozen lengths.

HELDERBERG BLUE brought them into the straight with PUNTA ARENAS in tow with LOUIS THE KING, and stable companions, KILLUA CASTLE and TELLINA. Those who had not backed FUTURA probably wondered whether he was still in the race. With 400m left to run we were left in no doubts as to his whereabouts. In the front! He had produced an excellent turn of speed at the 400m mark and the race was for the minor places. Jockey, Bernard Fayd'Herbe, was always in control and knew exactly what he had underneath him and won like a champion.

GOLD ONYX made up good ground to finish well for second with HELDERBERG BLUE gallant third considering the work he did throughout the race. TELLINA out raced his stable companion, LOUIS THE KING, although there had been some support throughout for the five year old. PUNTA ARENAS is as game as they come and earned again in a Grade 1.

FUTURA 4 b C Sire: Dynasty Dam: Scribblin' The Cat Dam By: Badger's Drift.

BRED BY: Guy Murdoch.

OWNED BY: Messrs John T Freeman, I W Longmore and W J C Mitchell.