Septimus took command with two furlongs left to run to score a dominating five-length victory in the GNER Doncaster Cup (Eng-II) Sept.14.
The son of Sadler’s Wells had announced himself a major force in Cup races with an impressive victory in the two-mile Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup (Eng-II) at York in August. Before that, he had finished a strong second to multiple group I winner and stablemate Scorpion in the Vodafone Coronation Cup (Eng-I) at Epsom.
The Doncaster Cup is run over a marathon distance of 2 1/4 miles, and for many contestants is used as a stepping stone for the Emirates Melbourne Cup (Aus-I) in November. Septimus may now be heading to Australia to contest the “race that stops a nation” along with fellow Aidan O’Brien trainees Scorpion and Yeats. Those two warriors face off in the Irish Field St. Leger (Ire-I) at the Curragh Sept. 15.
Finalmente, under Richard Hughes, was allowed to set an easy gallop and led the field for much of the race. Johnny Murtagh had Septimus in third throughout, and the pair moved effortlessly to the front with two furlongs left.
Geordieland and Allegretto both moved up to dispute the lead, but neither proved any challenge to Septimus, as the colt changed gears and drew off in the final furlong.
Geordieland held on for second by a half-length over Allegretto. Final time for the 2 1/4-miles was 3:48.41 over good to firm turf.
Septimus, who is out of the Darshaan mare, Caladira, was bred in Ireland by Barronstown Stud and Orpendale. He races for the partnership of Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, and Michael Tabor.