OWNERS Costa and Billy-Anne Livanos have had a relatively quiet time of it since their filly Flirtation won the Gr1 Sansui Summer Cup in November 2010, but Costa said at the time that his (now over) 30 years in racing had taught him to take a step back and wait patiently for every next winner.

Jockey Sean Veale sported the the Livanos’ gold-and-blue silks aboard lightly-raced four-year-old gelding Fairway Wood, a workmanlike winner of his Maiden over 2400m at Scottsville on Sunday.

Fairway Wood had been a bit one-paced in five previous races from 1200m – 1900m, but he found good reserves of stamina and fitness in his first run beyond 2000m, like the offspring of Fort Wood often do.

While Fairway Wood seems unlikely to reach the heights of the top Livanos runners of years gone by – Ulterior Motive, Mighty Mandarin, Oliva’s, Admiral Bolitho and Gang Related – he’s obviously an out-and-out stayer who’ll be aimed at the most suitable pickings on the long-distance programme whenever possible.

The stable hopes that Fairway Wood can go on to earn more stake cheques for his deserving owners in months to come.  Fairway Wood was bred at Varsfontein by Carl and Amanda De Vos.