Andrew Harrison
Rainbow Bridge will defend his title in the 50th renewal of the R1 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and will be out to turn the tables on Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Jet Dark.
South Africa’s joint second richest race is the final Vodacom Durban July ‘golden ticket’ event and promises to be a thriller with five big race entries lining up.
Although only nine runners are due to face starter Solly Ngcobo, there is plenty of intrigue with runners like Rainbow Bridge and Belgarion warming up for the VDJ against star miler’s whose main target will have been this race.
The Gold Challenge is the last leg of the unofficial ‘Mile’ WFA races, along with the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes.
In context, this is the more important of the three given that horses from all three of the major racing centres meet on a level playing field.
The Eric Sands-trained Rainbow Bridge fluffed his lines in last year’s VDJ but is on track to remedy that. He scorched home in the Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m, a distance seemingly short of his best, and he is out to defend his Gold Challenge title where he looks more than capable.
Jet Dark beat Rainbow Bridge in the Queen’s Plate but has not been out since barring a Greyville gallop. This has been his Champions Season target so he should be fully primed but the Justin Snaith stable has been quiet this winter season which is a concern.
In contrast, Vaughan Marshall is having a stellar Champions Season and he saddles Seeking The Stars who set a solid gallop for stable companion and joint ante-post VDJ favourite, Linebacker in the KZN Guineas. Linebacker followed up with an equally impressive win in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and just how Seeking The Stars fares here will be watched with more than just passing interest.
Belgarion has only once finished out of the money in a dozen starts and is at home over the trip. He barrelled home from last when beating Rainbow Bridge in the Gr2 Greenpoint Stakes but his current efforts have not mirrored that performance.
Needless to say, last year’s VDJ winner will be a big factor.
Catch Twentytwo was clearly second best behind Rainbow Bridge in the Drill Hall and seems unlikely to turn the tables while the balance of this small field will need to catch their better performed rivals on an off day.
There are a host of feature races on the day headed by the Gr2 East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes and the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial.
The Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial is something of a ‘last chance saloon’ for VDJ hopefuls and punters are faced with a tricky puzzle. African Night Sky has not been the same horse that he was before injury and a lengthy lay-off but he showed signs of a form return last time out. He has dropped 13 pounds in the handicap and if he can win this, his chances of making the VDJ field will be very much enhanced.
Stable companion Nexus was supplemented into the VDJ and was 13th on the last published July log so is assured of a gate in the big one. He has not been out since January so this could be a warm-up.
Tree Tambo, Tristful and Azores are all borderline VDJ entrants and will be going hard for victory. Tree Tambo was a winner last time out having improved in blinkers and can follow up while Tristful was unlucky in the July consolation last year. He ran well below par last start but one can expect a much better showing this time around.
The Tibouchina Stakes is a difficult race with any number of runners in with chances.
Wisteria Walk was not far behind last Sunday’s Golden Horse winner Battle Force after they met and in a recent handicap, giving the winner 7.5kg. She was only three lengths off Summer Pudding in the Empress Club Stakes and is over her ideal trip.
Favorita has drawn a touch wide but made a smart local debut in the Poinsetia Stakes and the extra furlong should not trouble her. Dennis Drier sends out Free State Star who although not having the best of draws, caught the eye at her last two and should strip at her peak.
Michael Azzie saddles Wylie Wench, who although not well in at the weights, has the best of the draw and has been in good form of late and should have every chance.
