AS a lot of people expected the Mike de Kock pair fought out the finish of the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe at Greyville.

However it was lesser fancied Barahin (5-1) who lowered the colours of previously undefeated 14-10 favourite Soqrat by a short head, as the two Sheikh Makhtoum owned runners pulled clear of the balance in the closing stages.

Second favourite Cue The Music found late betting support, and from an inside draw went off to set an honest gallop under Anton Marcus.

Outsiders Goliath Heron and Across Seattle both raced handy, while as expected the de Kock pair were placed in midfield.

Cue The Music still led coming to the 200m pole, but was labouring, and on this evidence seems destined to be a sprinter.

Towards the outside Barahin and Soqrat both quickly assumed prominence, and it soon became obvious that they would fight it out.

Barahin had previously won the listed Gatecrasher Stakes over this course and distance, and never let up under a strong Bernard Fayd’Herbe ride.

He put his nose down at the right time to narrowly deny his far from disgraced stable mate.

Outsiders Sulka and Crown Guardian filled the minor places, without ever being seen with any real chance, while Cue The Music plodded into fifth. 

” I told anyone that would listen that there was nothing between these two, and so it proved” said master trainer de Kock post race.

Rider Fayd’Herbe said that Barahin “is very laid back – but once he picked up the bit I knew he would give it to me”. – TAB News.