She's not the reigning Horse of the Year for nothing and Igugu (AUS) overcame an interrupted preparation to score a thrilling victory in the Gr 1 J & B Met over 2000m at Kenilworth on Saturday. Bravura (SAF) was game in second ahead of Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) and Run For It (SAF). 

 There was plenty of speculation before the race regarding the pace and it once again turned out to be a highly tactical affair. Tales Of Bravery broke best but was soon passed by Astro News who went to lead for most of the first two furlongs. However, Bravura found himself caught three deep from his bad draw and Anton Marcus decided to take the initiative and dictate matters rather than sit wide throughout. The pace was fairly sedate as Astro News found himself relegated to second and Gimmethegreenlight was shuffled up into third, racing much handier than expected. Fabiani was next best ahead of Igugu and Tales Of Bravery while Run For It reverted to his usual come-from-behind tactics and sat at the tail end of the field.

Bravura brought the field in for home and was quickly tackled by Gimmethegreenlight with Astro News trying to go with them. Igugu saw daylight up the centre but still had a good few lengths to make with Tales Of Bravery the only other one looking to be still in contention.

 Bravura continued to find under pressure up front and, although Gimmethegreenlight was snapping at his heels, it became apparent that the 3-year-old was not going to overhaul the long-time leader. Igugu, though, was another matter. Anthony Delpech was hard at work and the favourite finally found her stride inside the last 100m. She left it a lot later than most had expected but she ran down Bravura in the last few strides to land a famous victory.

 This was a stellar performance the winner and those who made the trip to Kenilworth just to see her in action certainly got their money's worth. Both Delpech and trainer Mike de Kock stated afterwards that Igugu was not quite at her best, with de Kock describing her as being only 90% of her usual self. They both pointed out that she was unusually sluggish in the early stages and, when taken in conjunction with the fact that she had missed her prep run for this event, it only underlined just what a champion she is.

Igugu has nothing left to prove on these shores and one can only hope that the current controversial restrictions hindering the participation of South African horses overseas are soon resolved as she is good enough to make her mark anywhere in the world over this sort of trip.

 Bravura was magnificent in defeat. He was conceding 3kg to a freakishly talented rival, had to get across from a bad draw and did the hard work early on. His exertions finally caught up with up with him when it most mattered but he emerged with his reputation intact. He deserves to notch up a Gr 1 success of his own and his connections will be hoping for  change of fortune during the winter season.

Gimmethegreenlight hasn't done too badly for a horse who, barely a month ago, was considered by many to be a sprinting type who was suspect over a mile. There aren't too many 3-year-olds who can win a Queens Plate and finish third in the Met three weeks later and, after a slightly disappointing start to his summer campaign, he has really turned things around.

Run For It once again made up ground from far back and his performance was all the more creditable as he didn't get the strong pace that he needs and was baulked at a crucial stage of the race.

4 b f Galileo (IRE) - Zarinia (IRE) by Intikhab (USA)
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum & Mr & Mrs A J Macdonald
Bred by Kia Ora Stud, NSW
Winning trainer: Mike de Kock