The 5yo Divine Odyssey strengthened his Vodacom Durban July claims and capped a terrific weekend for his sire, Avontuur based Oratorio, when he powered home to win the R125 000 Gr3 Jubilee Handicap at Turffontein on Sunday.
An internationally proven stakes winner producing son of Danehill, Oratorio sired the winner of the 1750m Gr3 Cup Trial at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday, and came within a heartbeat of winning the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint on the same afternoon when his consistent son Ultra Magnus was nosed out by Warrior’s Rest.
Raymond Danielson steers Divine Odyssey to victory (Pic – JC Photos)
Now he could have another tilt at the Durban July, courtesy of the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Divine Odyssey (15-2), who grabbed the big race ‘preferential’ ticket, at Turffontein on Sunday when he stayed on best after a dour struggle over the final 300m to beat the talented favourite Marshall Foch (71-20) by a length in a time of 111,26 secs.
Full Mast (13-2) ranged up dangerously down the rail, but had to be content with third, a further quarter length back.
It was a cracking run by the gelding, who may enjoy running at them late – rather than being allowed to bowl along out front.
Bred by Lawrence Wernars, Divine Odyssey is a son of Oratorio (Danehill) out of the four-time winning Dynasty mare, Divine Right.
He went through the Cape Premier Yearling Sale ring where the hammer fell at R500 000.
He has won 6 races with 10 places from 27 starts for stakes of R1 242 375.
Raymond Danielson did the honours from the saddle.
