The brilliant four-year-old Tiger Ridge filly Nother Russia, that was beaten about a head in the thrilling finish to the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Challenge at Turffontein on Saturday, has been withdrawn from the Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July.

Nother Russia (JC Photographics)

The Mike de Kock stable inmate ran a fantastic race fighting out the finish with favourite Legal Eagle before outsider Deo Juvente from the Geoff Woodruff stable forced his way between them to snatch the victory by a whisker.

The filly was among the 12 horses withdrawn from Africa’s Greatest Horse Race at the first declaration stage with the withdrawals including Samurai Blade and Mac De Lago that contested the event last year.

Betting on the race was suspended for bookmakers to reassess the field but after his brilliant win in the Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes at Greyville on Sunday the top Cape contender Marinaresco is likely to have his previous odds of 9-1 shortened considerably when it re-opens.

The first supplementary entries close at 11am on Tuesday with the second declaration stage being Monday, May 29.

By Richard McMillan