Article posted on -  6/28/2008 3:30:21 PM

Winter Fever (left) wins the listed Darley Arabian

WINTER FEVER HITS DURBAN!

With the Durban July beckoning, it was Winter Fever rather than "July" fever that hit Durban on Saturday. The Herman Brown trained and VIP Thoroughbred managed Winter Fever, won a tight race in the listed Darley Arabian at Clairwood.

Three horses crossed the line as one in the listed event and it was Winter Fever (SAF) who shaded Art Of War (SAF) and Smart Banker (SAF) in a desperately close finish.

Modern Odyssey ambled along in front ahead of Just Like Al with El Padrino on the rails and Art Of War on his outside. Winter Fever raced a length behind this duo with Thundering Jet towards the rear and Smart Banker last in line.

Modern Odyssey continued to lead early in the straight but Art Of War was quick to challenge and he took up the running 300m out with Smart Banker having quickened up smartly and moved right into contention. El Padrino looked a big threat to the inside while Thundering Jet was starting to pick up on the opposite end of the track and Winter Fever still had a length or so to find.

Art Of War shook off El Padrino and went nose to nose with Smart Banker but Winter Fever ranged up between them and it was down to the nod of heads as they hit the line. 

Winter Fever had only won once coming into the race but is clearly still improving and seemed to enjoy the step up in trip. This was only his seventh career start and trainer Herman Brown can be relied on to plot his future sensibly and get a lot more out of him.

Art Of War and Smart Banker were both conceding 4kg to the winner and having come so close here, they should both soon get a chance to make amends.

Winter Fever is a 3-year-old gelding by Western Winter (USA) out of Fashion Fever (SAF) by Model Man (SAF). He was bred by Scott Bros and is owned by Messrs R Plersch and D I Scott.

Trainer: Herman Brown.