The racing industry has rallied around Summerveld trainer Paul Lafferty, one of the characters of the game who has fallen ill, and his positive approach when appearing on his Winning Ways show on Monday night drew much admiration.
He will also be viewing Vodacom Durban July day positively, despite both of his runners on the day not being in very good places.
The yard’s Gr 3 tabGold 2200 entry Double Clutch pulled a hip joint in the Gr 2 Track and Ball Derby when jumping from the gate awkwardly and he was likely to be scratched.
Jay Power is a talented stayer being tried over 3000m in the Gr 2 SABC Gold Vase, but the yard believe that this breathing issues could well be his undoing.
Run Rhino Run contests the Listed Canon Business Centre Handicap over 1600m, but having ended up in front against instructions in his last two this horse now believes “oiling it” from the off is the idea. He consequently over raced badly in Sundays KZN Breeders Million Mile. He might still run on Saturday, but is going to have to learn to settle.
A golf day is being staged today to raise funds for Lafferty’s medical treatment and his close friend Phil Georgiou said, “We would love it if people could pledge to the cause anytime.”
It is a pity that Double Clutch will not be running and winning on July day as Paul Lafferty has likely already drawn inspiration from this “miracle horse’s” fight back from serious illness into a July entry.
By David Thiselton.
Picture: Paul Lafferty
VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.