Cup glory for super Septimus
Tuesday, 21 August 2007 14:47The 6/5f Septimus showed he has no stamina problems when holding Balkan Knight to land the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup over an extended two miles on day one of the Ebor meeting.
Percussionist took the field along until Distinction went on a mile from home but he could not shake off the opposition, with Septimus always travelling well for Johnny Murtagh before going on a furlong and a half out.
Balkan Knight made a bold bid and had to be switched as Septimus, trained by Aidan O'Brien, stuck to the stands rail, but he was beaten a length.
Anna Pavlova was another length back in third. Last year's winner, the ever-popular Sergeant Cecil, could never get in a blow and finished fifth.
johnny Murtagh Murtagh said afterwards: 'He travelled great through the race. The ease in the ground suited him and he excelled over the distance. He's also got speed and he'll have no problem going back to a mile and six (furlongs).'
O'Brien said: 'He was very sweet all of the way and that was his first run back after a break so there would be improvement to come.
'We gave him a break after the Coronation Cup to keep him fresh for an autumn campaign. He always looked like he was going to get further and he has all the options open now.
'He is a possible for the Melbourne Cup, along with Yeats and Scorpion. We wanted to get today out of the way before deciding what to do next, but he certainly loved going the trip.'
