Hawwaam, odds-on for Saturday’s World Sports Betting Green Point Stakes yesterday morning, will miss the clash with his half-brother Rainbow Bridge and dual Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again. Instead he will begin his Kenilworth campaign in the 1 800m Premier Trophy a week later and he sets off from Johannesburg today.

Mike de Kock scratched his stable star at lunchtime yesterday and told the Sporting Post: “He was supposed to run at Turffontein last Thursday. We cut back on his work and then the rains came. He is extremely fresh and, given his temperament, I have to consider all the best options – and I don’t believe it is best that he runs on Saturday.

“It’s not ideal but it’s the prudent best course of action right now and on the positive side it gives us a chance to give him a breeze on the left-handed Kenilworth track in advance of raceday. And we are on course for the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate (January 11).”

The Green Point sponsors responded by cutting Do It Again from 33-10 to 15-10 and halving Rainbow Bridge’s odds to 5-2. Other prices are 9-2 One World, Vardy, 10-1 Undercover Agent, 14-1 Head Honcho, 28-1 Pack Leader and 35-1 La Favourari.

By Michael Clower