William Robertson fends off Lucky Lad at the Big T on Saturday. (JC Photos)
The Corne Spies-trained William Robertson and the Sean Tarry-trained Lucky Lad fought out a thrilling finish in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1160m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday.
Lucky Lad, a twice Gr 1 winner, is one of the horses expected to take over the mantle from the retired Equus Champion Sprinter Thinderstruck and the overseas-campaigning former Equus Champion Sprinter Isivunguvungu.
However, William Robertson could well be among the contenders for the title too, alongside the like of Dyce, Surjay, Gimme A Prince, Questioning and others.
On Saturday Willliam Robertson was having his third run after a layoff, while Lucky Lad was making his seasonal reappearance.
William Robertson also had a favourable high draw and having been set to carry the same 62kg as Lucky Lad, the 2,5kg claim of Trent Mayhew also helped his cause.
William Robertson jumped well and took the lead on the outside rail.
Craig Zackey was able to get Lucky Lad behind William Robertson and got a nice tow.
Lucky Lad, who is known for his storming finishes from off the pace, ranged up inside William Robertson at the 200m mark, despite William Robertson having quickened well at the 400m mark.
Most expected Lucky Lad to go on by, but William Robertson clung on gamely to win by a neck, although he did hang in a tad.
Corne Spies had said a day or two before the race that he expected William Robertson to be as good as ever this season despite being a six-year-old.
He said the Rafeef gelding had shown on being X-rays to have the joints of a two-year-old, so he expected him to still have plenty of racing left in him.
