JUSTIN SNAITH

Racing during the month was extremely competitive and trainer Duncan Howells has to be commended on leading the winner table for the month with seven successes.

However, the ultimate and most sought after achievement in racing is success in the Vodacom Durban July and, although realising that on an objection, the records show Justin trained the winner of the 2014 running of the great race.

Justin had brought his charge through a tough campaign winning the Gr1 Investec Cape Derby, the Gr2 KRA Guineas and the Gr1 Daily News 2000 on his way to the first Saturday in July which adds to his outstanding accomplishment.

Well done Justin.

DEAN KANNEMEYER

Ever the true professional and operating a long way from his home base in Cape Town, Dean has brought a competitive team of horses to Durban for the season and has enjoyed tremendous success so far with the smaller string than usual.

The stable sent out nine runners during the month and won with five – a win strike rate of 55.56% – including the Silvano gelding Hot Ticket that ran out an easy winner of the Grade 2 Betting World Stakes at Clairwood. The gelding just failed to win the race a year ago when it was run as the Betting World Derby.

Always welcome in Durban, his success was one of the highest winning percentages achieved in Durban.

Well done Dean.

JUSTIN SNAITH

A confident young trainer with heaps of talent is Justin and that talent was rewarded during the month with success in the three Classic races run at Greyville this season – the Grade 2 KRA Guineas, the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.

Legislate, winner of the first two classics mentioned above and the filly In The Fast Lane were impeccably presented for these races, which is a trademark of this stable’s runners and the three races consolidated his position at the top of the country’s trainer log.

Justin won 25% of the races he contested during the month and looks certain to add more winners to his tally before the national season closes.

Well done Justin!

MIKE DE KOCK

By its standards, the Mike de Kock stable has not quite performed to the level punters have come to expect even though the stable record for the season has still been very high. But during the month under review the De Kock “magic” has begun to emerge again and one can expect another great performance during Champions Season.

With his international commitments, which have resulted in world-class performances, Mike has spent much time out of the country. But his local teams have done him proud and in KwaZulu-Natal they topped the boards with nine wins and 10 places from 29 runners giving them a 65.52% Win/Place return.

Racing salutes Mike de Kock on flying the South African flag so high and congratulates him for his stable’s success during the past month.

Well done Mike

PATRICK LUNN

Patrick Lunn’s name is etched in the annuls of South African racing through the incredible success he enjoyed in his career with his name linked to many champions including the mighty Model Man.

Acknowledged as one of the country’s leading trainers during his long run of success, although his stable has decreased in size in recent years, the excellent way in which he continues to turn his horses out is an indication of his dedication and professionalism.

During the month he saddled three winners and 11 horses that finished in the placings from just 29 runners which for the size of his current stable is an excellent performance and worthy of the monthly award.

Well done Patrick.