Disappointments still haunt Laird

Trainer Alec Laird had four strong entries in the R1 million Gauteng Guineas and was firmly expected to win. His runners finished second, third and fourth, but none of them could match the performance of Louis The King, who won by 5.25 lengths.

He is the son of legendary trainer Syd Laird, and so one would imagine he would be used to the highs and lows of the sport. And many trainers would be satisfied with their runners having fillies in all three places behind the winner. But Laird was shattered.

“You can’t be over-confident because little things tend to go wrong. I had such high hopes and I don’t want to get myself all excited again,” he said.

Things have already not gone according to plan for Laird, as Forest Indigo, second in the Guineas, has been withdrawn with an injury. Laird will still saddle four of the 12 runners in tomorrow’s

R2 million SA Classic over 1 800 metres at Turffontein.

Mister Cricket, who started as the favourite for the Guineas but faded after trying to lead from start to finish in very wet conditions, will use different tactics this time.

Laird said: “We would probably be better off not taking the lead from the jump. This time we intend running him from off the pace.”

Probably the best of Laird’s runners will be Bouclette Top, the mount of log-leading jockey S’manga Khumalo. He finished fourth in the Guineas but was running best of all.

“It’s going to be hard to turn the tables on Louis The King,” said Laird, “but we can try.”

The Turffontein meeting will incorporate the world’s richest race, the $10 million (R107 million) Dubai World Cup.

SA champion trainer Mike de Kock saddles eight runners and Joey Ramsden sends out SA Horse Of The Year, Variety Club, in the $1 million Godolphin Mile.