He said about the Tony Rivalland-trained Vercingetorix colt, “There is nothing in the yard who can work with him, there are good horses whom he just thrashes, his work is nothing short of phenomenal. In his last gallop the guy couldn’t pull the horse up and he couldn’t blow out a candle. After the race on Wednesday he was heaving and that is haemoconcentration, so I’m probably to blame for that part (he was advised the horse needed gelding). What I’m not to blame for and I think Tony concurs is he put Mr Henley in the race, he nearly won the race, and told Richard to sit behind him. It turned out not to be a good move because the horse came out with gatespeed and Richard then took a hold and the horse stuck his head in the air. Sometimes these horses just like to be left alone and do it themselves.”

King Of The Gauls moved up briefly in the straight but his race was run and he found little extra.

However, Robert revealed that Fourie had been high in his praise of King Of The Gauls in the build up to the race. He reiterated it after the race, but concurred with the opinion that he needed to be gelded as “he is far too big”.

Robert admitted, “I had said to Tony before this race this saying of mine, ‘With expectation comes disappointment’ and that is so true in racing. We were hoping he would win that race, because he is far better than an 88. and then come to the Cape and maybe have a crack at the Guineas etc.”

He continued, “Hoever, he does qualify for the R7.5 million Gold Rush sales race.”