The Grade 3 World Sports Betting Cup Trial run at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday failed to have much impact on the race for a place in the Vodacom Durban July final field although the much talked about Nexus did make a bold bid to land the win he needed and it remains to be seen whether the triumphant Andre Nel-trained Capoeira will be supplemented.

Nexus is unlikely to be considered for the final field unless it cuts up badly as he was running off just a 105 merit rating and was beaten 1,80 lengths into second despite receiving 2,5kg from the 110 rated Capoeira.

All of Sovereign Spirit (third), Pack Leader (fourth), Cat Daddy (fifth), More Magic (sixth), Born To Perform (seventh), G G’s Dynasty (ninth), Herodotus (tenth), Magnificent Seven (eleventh) and Roy’s Riviera (last) are also July entries and none of them did enough to advance their cause.

Ironically, of the July entries who ran, only the pair who finished at the back, Magnificent Seven and Roy’s Riviera, appeared anywhere on the second log and both were among the five horses who were just outside of the top 20.

Capoeira, a gelding by Oratorio, finished third in last year’s Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and has now proved that was no fluke.

Gavin Lerena slotted him in beautifully behind the pacemaker Herodotus after breaking well from draw ten.

Lerena skipped for home at the top of the straight on the back of just a steady pace and try as they might Nexus, Sovereign Spirit and Pack Leader, who all ran on well, were unable to catch him.

Capoeira, who jumped at generous odds of 16/1, was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Stud.

By David Thiselton