They came to watch Pierre Jourdan (SAF) keep his Triple Crown hopes alive and Gary Alexander's (pictured) stable star responded with a brilliant performance in the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m at Turffontein today. Bulsara (SAF), Irish Flame (SAF) and Iwannadance (SAF) all ran big races to chase home the even-money favourite.

It was widely expected that Pierre Jourdan would drop out from a bad draw but he instead tacked across to settle in third as Havasha took a three-length lead from Captive Wind. Service Ace was next best ahead of Irish Flame and Orbison. Bulsara raced some way back and turned for home with only a handful of runners behind him, one of which was Iwannadance.

Havasha was soon under pressure in the straight and all eyes were on Derreck David with the crowd waiting to see just how much longer he could delay pressing the button on Pierre Jourdan. He eventually went for home 400m out with Irish Flame initially going with him. Bulsara was starting a forward move and outsider Iliad had materialised on the standside rail with Iwannadance making up ground at the opposite end of the track.

Pierre Jourdan was not going to be caught, though, and he galloped on powerfully to win by nearly two lengths. This victory was not as spectacular as his Gauteng Guineas run, where he had come from some way back to mow down the opposition, but it must rank as a superior performance, bearing in mind that he had to expend some energy early to get a position, hit the front a long way out and still had to find enough to deny the chasing pack. The Triple Crown is now at his mercy and only a serious failing of stamina can stop him landing the SA Derby next month.

Trainer Gary Alexander was understandably over the moon. "He really impressed me today. I've always had this race in mind for him as I thought the 1800m would be right up his alley. He's had to race handier here than he's ever done before. This horse belongs to the public and it's great to see them get behind him."

Pierre Jourdan was in a different league to his opposition here but there were some good performances in defeat behind him. Bulsara has always shown ability and came back to his best after a few disappointing efforts while Irish Flame shaped exceptionally well in his first run for Mike de Kock. The Derby is more his mission and he looks set to pose the biggest threat to Pierre Jourdan in that race.

Iwannadance had run a decent race when fifth in the Gauteng Guineas and turned in an even better performance here, especially as he dropped out from a bad draw and had plenty of ground to make up in the straight.

Service Ace was not disgraced in fifth, confirming trainer Mike Azzie's confidence that he is a much better horse than his recent form had suggested, while Orbison and Iliad, both taking big leaps in class, did well enough to finish within four lengths of the winner.

Pierre Jourdan is a 3-y-o gelding by Parade Leader (USA) out of Vin Fizz (SAF) by Qui Danzig (USA). He is owned by Messrs E Baisero and G M Alexander and was bred by Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd.

Winning trainer: Gary Alexander