Out Of Your League lived up to his name on Saturday when causing a 45/1 upset in the Grade 1 SA Derby and although the win gives him an automatic entry into the Vodacom Durban July trainer Fabian Habib did not entertain any thought of an entry.

He confirmed the July would be too sharp for him and added, “He will even go 3200m. He is a young horse so the Gold Cup this season might be too early in his career but we will make a decision closer to the time.”

Habib knew Out Of Your League would fight back on Saturday when appearing to have been swamped close to home after setting the pace.

He said, “He is the sort of horse who looks for company. In an earlier race over 2400m he was overtaken and fought back to be beaten a short-head. He is an out and out stayer.”

Habib was brought up in racing and at the National Two-year-old Sale one day went and watched the horses having their afternoon walks. He spotted Out Of Your League and recalled, “He just had this presence about him.”

He secured him for R130,000.

Out Of Your League has a fine staying pedigree being by SA Derby and Daily News 2000 winner Elusive Fort out of an unraced mare (by stamina influence Del Sarto) who was a half-sister to the useful Listed winner Buscador.

By David Thiselton