Candice Bass-Robinson became the first woman to win the Vodacom Durban July in its 120-year history when top weight Marinaresco (17-1) powered home under Bernhard Fayd-Herbe at Greyville yesterday. Few gave the diminutive gelding much of a chance under 60kg but he laid the ghost of last year’s race to rest where he finished second to The Conglomerate who was unplaced yesterday.

A blanket covered the first nine horses home, all finishing within four lengths of the winner with favourite Al Sahem beaten a head and Edict Of Nantes a further neck back in third. Rank outsider Krambambuli finished fourth.

Bass-Robinson is in her first season as a fully-fledged trainer after taking over the reins from her father, maestro Mike Bass, at the beginning of the season, August 1 last year.

Bass signed off his career with Marinaresco’s victory in the Grade 1 Champions Cup, that year the race named in his honour, and this was a fitting victory for both Bass-Robinson and Marinaresco.

Marinaresco is not the biggest individual but possesses an electric turn of foot and that is what carried him to victory. “I had a lovely race,” said Fayd’Herbe. “I followed Warren Kennedy (Mr Winsome) but he got into trouble and was pushed into the rail a few times. When we turned for home I had so much horse under me. I just waited for a gap to open. This win was for Mr Bass.”

Bass-Robinson explained that Marinaresco’s modest effort in the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge was a tactical mistake. “We tried a change of tactics and had him up handy to chase Captain America but his usual finish was just not there. It was a tactical error. You need to allow him to run his race and he will produce his finish like he did today.”

Bass-Robinson was quick to heap praise on her KZN assistant Robert Fayd-Herbe, brother to the winning jockey. “He did a fantastic job. He really had this horse looking well.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe is one of the top heavy weight jockeys around but there was still debate in the stable as to whether current stable rider Aldo Domeyer should get the ride. “I put up a case for Bernard,” said his brother. “I thought with top weight he (Marinaresco) would not be carrying any dead-weight if Bernard rode him.”

Marinaresco raced in the colours of part owner Marsh Shirtliff, whose silks were also carried to a shared victory by Pocket Power who dead-heated with the filly Dancer’s Daughter back in 2008. Pocket Power was also ridden by Fayd-Herbe. An emotional Shirtliff said, “I’ve won in Dubai, but this is something else. This is the race we all want to win.”

Anton Marcus, who finished third on Edict Of Nantes said it was a form result. “I had a great run. I was perfectly happy with where I was placed and was happy with my horse. The form worked out. Half a kilo over 2200m,” referring to the Daily News 2000 where Edict Of Nantes finished ahead of Al Sahem.

Confirmed stayer Krambambuli was the surprise package in the race and at one stage looked set to cause a major upset. “I knew they would out-sprint me so I tried to get away at the top of the straight. He did everything right. The horse ran out of his skin but just got caught that last bit.”

Callan Murray, riding in his first July and due back in Hong Kong on Tuesday, said The Conglomerate had the run of the race. “I was just not his day.”

Piere Strydom aboard the fancied It’s My Turn also had no complaints. “They went slow so at the 1700m mark I decided to go around them. I did it easily so didn’t take anything out of my horse and I was happy to lead. But the going was a bit firm. Some of the horses felt it – mine was one of them.”

Bass-Robinson will also be encouraged by the report from Richard Fourie. Horizon, in the race as first reserve after the scratching of Elusive Silva , can a cracker in sixth. “It was a great run from a bad draw,” said Fourie. He’s on the road to becoming a champion. He will be a big horse next year.”

Bass-Robinson was unsure of future plans for Marinaresco. “He was going to go overseas, but because of an out-break of African Horse Sickness, he won’t be going now. I’m not sure about the Champions Cup. We’ll see how he comes out for this race and take it from there.”

For most of the riders it was plain sailing but both of Duncan Howell’s runners found trouble. The stipendiary stewards reported that Saratoga Dancer became camped for galloping room at the 1800 m mark while Ten Gun Salute was never out of trouble as he was hampered at the 1600m mark and again in the straight by fourth-placed Krambambuli, Aldo Domeyer copping a week’s suspension for his troubles.

The decision by Justin Snaith to skip the Vodacom Durban July with his top filly Bela-Bela paid dividends as the grey spread-eagled her field in the Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes.

Racing comfortably in mid-field under Anthony Delpech, Bela-Bela quickened away from her rivals at the top of the straight and put plenty of daylight between herself and her rivals. Her official winning margin being nearly four lengths from She’s A Giver and Bella Sonata.

The expected challenge from the year younger Just Sensual failed to materialise. However, she had a nightmare passage through the early fractions as Marcus battled to get her settled into a position on the heels of her chief rival. Just Sensual was on the heels of Bela-Bela turning for home but her race was run a long way out and she faded tamely in the straight.

“She is a phenomenal filly,” said Delpech “and this was the best I’ve ever felt her.”

Earlier, Sean Tarry added further to his spectacular season, landing both the Grade 2 Golden Slipper and Golden Horseshoe with Desert Rhythm and Purple Diamond respectively.

Andrew Harrison