The Piet Botha-trained Galactic Path provided a good case study second time out of what represents a good value bet.
Galactic Path on paper fitted the bill of a battler who had finally managed to exit the maidens.
However, a closer look showed him to be a giant of a horse who had filled out into his frame and was coming into his own.
He has duly reeled off a hattrick.
He relaxed well in midfield in the running in Saturday’s 2000m MR 74 Handicap event.
The four-year-old gelding was carrying 59kg off his 74 merit rating.
He went for a run down the inside in the straight.
His stride does not go at a great tempo and yet he overtook a few others and then drew away from his chief protagonist before holding on from a fast-finishing Nothingelsematters to win by 0,30 lengths.
That tells of a stride that is very long.
This Millstream Farm-bred Pathfork gelding is a half-brother to the three-year-old Corrie Lensley-trained filly Orarari Gold, who finished a 1,70 length fifth in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes before beating a classy field last time out over 1200m in a Graduation Plate at Turffontein Inside.
The good news for the connections of Galactic Path is that the WSB Cape Winter series next year is open to all ages.
He should continue to progress and being such a big horse will enjoy the more forgiving winter going in Cape Town.
