Andrew Harrison

Justin Snaith is going all out to add to his Vodacom Durban July winning tally with four entries among the 18 runners carded to face starter Solly Ngcobo at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, July 3.

Snaith goes into next Saturday’s race off a hat-trick of wins, having saddled Belgarion to win last year and prior to that Do It Again to back-to-back victories.

Both horses are in the line-up again come next Saturday and will spear-head Snaith’s fifth winning bid in Africa’s greatest horse race, chasing the seven successes of the legendary Syd Laird and the six of Terrance Millard.

S’Manga Khumalo, successful on Heavy Metal for Sean Tarry in 2013, will partner last year’s winner Belgarion with stable rider Richard Fourie, who is contracted to ride for leading owner Nick Jonsson, aboard Do It Again who will be out to make history as the only horse to have won the race three times. Both have drawn wide at 11 and 16 respectively.

Other Snaith runners are supplementary entry Nexus with Craig Zackey booked, and Crown Towers who will see Louis Mxothwa having his first ride in the big race.

Top weight Rainbow Bridge has it all to do, giving lumps of weight to all and it may well prove to be a bridge too far at his third attempt. However, the gelding has struck up a good rapport with rider Luke Ferraris and a change of running tactics has seen him unbeaten in his last three, the Gr1 Cape Met, the Gr3 Drill Hall Stakes and the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. Weight will be an issue but Ferraris will need to avoid traffic in a notoriously rough race from his pole position draw but he could still pull it off for owner Mike Rattray who has been trying to win the race for over four decades.

Muzi Yeni will have been mightily relieved to see Gr1 Woolavington 2000 and Triple Tiara champion War Of Athena defect to the Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes otherwise he would have had to choose between the filly and current ante-post favourite Got The Greenlight.

Joey Soma has had the Vodacom Durban July in his sights since Got The Greenlight’s runner-up to Belgarion last year and the colt does appear to have had the ideal preparation and looks well in at the weights. He has drawn a little wide at 14 so should be able to avoid any early scrimmaging for position.

Three-year-olds have an outstanding record in this race in recent years and this season’s crop has proved to be outstanding. In their favour is that all will carry the minimum weight for their age group.

Vaughan Marshall launches a two-pronged assault with Linebacker and Rascallion who drew alongside each other at 7 and 6 respectively.

 Linebacker has reeled off three big races in succession, the Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby, the Gr2 WSB Guineas and the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and goes into the contest on the back of an ideal preparation that harks back to one of the best winners of this race, Illustrador, who followed a similar path into the race.

Rascallion finished runner-up to Linebacker in both the Daily News 2000 and the Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby with little more than a length between the stable companions at the line.

Kommetdieding has had to play second fiddle to Linebacker in both the WSB Guineas and the Daily News 2000 and the casualty has been regular jockey Sihle Cele who has been replaced by Gavin Lerena. Kommetdieding was a short-priced favourite for the Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby before side-lined by injury. He comfortably beat Rascallion in the Gr3 Politician Stakes and although beaten in both recent outings, he is far from a spent force. He pulled the widest gate at 18 but wide draws have been more to the fore in recent running’s with Golden Ducat, fourth last year, jumping from gate 18.

Gareth van Zyl saddles the progressive filly She’s A Keeper who may still not have shown her full potential. She was a smart winner of the WSB 1900 and she carries bottom weight from a mid-field draw of 10. This is a major step up in class but her record speaks for itself and off a light weight she is far from a hopeful entry.

Running Brave is a class mare but has been off her game in recent outings which is a concern.

Johnny Hero was supplemented after winning the Gr3 Jubilee Handicap where he carried bottom weight of 52kg. However, trainer Tyrone Zackey almost pulled off a major upset with Samanjemanje in 2012 so Jonny Hero is not one to write of lightly.

Sean Tarry saddled back-to-back wins with Heavy Metal and Pomodoro and sends out two runners in Cirillo and Shah Akbar.

Cirillo is ever game but has not won beyond 1400m although finishing third behind Got The Greenlight in the Gr1 Champion’s Challenge over 2000m on the tough Turffontein track.

Shah Akbar finished fourth to Linebacker in the Daily News 2000 with both Rascallion and Kommetdieding ahead of him but he could still prove competitive from a stable that has a knack of getting horses to peak on the day.

Vodacom Durban July Final Field

Andrew Harrison

Punters found winners hard to find at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday. But the simple fact of racing is that lowly handicaps are the most difficult races to call with any certainty. Horses with issues – mentally and physically – but blessed with some ability, may be feeling their oats on the day and surprise both trainer and punters.

As celebrated short story writer Damon Runyon so famously wrote, “that’s racing.”

It started in the card opener. Top two in the betting, Seventh Song and Rodriguez, played up in the gate and both were scratched by the course vet.

This left the way open for all takers and it was the lightly raced Quest For The Best (14-1) who continued apprentice Thabiso Gumede’s hot streak for Duncan Howells as he sent the Winston Chow home-bred up the inside to a comfortable victory.

The third kept the starter busy as Mezzyoona burst through the front of her gate a fraction before the button was pushed and the call went out for a false start. The flagman in front of the stalls was already headed for the outside rail when the button was pushed but to his credit he was back in position and out with the red flag, none of the runners overdoing it.

The finish prompted a race review as Serino Moodley allowed the winner One Night In Paris to shift ground to the outside, hampering Sea Of Tranquility with Muzi Yeni forced to snatch up. Space Oddity was also a victim of interference. In spite of all the running around, the Stipes were of the opinion that the result would not have changed but Moodley will be taking an enforced holiday.

S’Manga Khumalo’s services are becoming more in demand on the local circuit and he booted home a double for Gareth van Zyl. Deep Global (9-1) finished with a rattle to claim the opening leg of the Pick 6 and a powerful ride saw Another Love (18-1) just get the better of Maidens Prayer two races later.

Smart William was the only tote favourite to arrive on the day under a driving ride from Donovan Dillon but was relatively easy to back at 22-10.

Ashton Arries is back in the saddle after lengthy lay-off due to injury and he added the final nail in the coffin for most Pick 6 tickets in the eighth. He took the shortest way home on the lightly weighted Rocky Coast (29-1) to score for Frank Robinson with favourite Fireonthetrack only getting going late to snatch second head of Double Gemini.

Andrew Harrison

Punters face a difficult card at Hollywoodbets Greyville this afternoon and lucrative exotic bet pay-outs are on the cards.

In the card opener, Seventh Song is a long-time battler but never far back. His best form is on the poly and he has the best draw which should help his cause. Rodriquez is a two-year-old taking on older runners but has shown some promise in competitive juvenile maidens. From a good draw he should feature. Master Dancer was a little disappointing last run but had shown up well in two previous outings over course and distance. The stable is showing signs of returning to form.

The second is a lowly 64MR Handicap over 1200m and Red Eight can make a winning debut for Yogas Govender. His last win was over course and distance and his Cape form under Vaughan Marshal was showing improvement. Interestingly, he races in the Marshall silks so the poly track is probably why Red Eight is back in town. Running Freely was narrowly beaten when taking on stronger last time out and he has done well over this trip. What A Blast has been knocking on the door for some time now and was finishing like a train from a bad draw last run.

The third is a maiden over 1400m. Indomavel was run out of it late over a mile last run on the turf. This shorter trip on the poly could see her go all the way.  Alittlebitnaughty made a smart debut over course and distance. Experience should count in her favour and she looks the main threat to the selection.

The fourth is a difficult maiden over 2000m. Rubondo has shown up nicely in two recent starts over ground and is back on the poly. He only got going late last run.  Miss Emblem takes on males but was running on smartly over course and distance last run. Catch The Tune enjoyed the extra when going a mile for the first time against older horses. He could prove even better this trip but does have a tricky draw.

Stable companion The Snow War lines up in the fifth and could give Frank Robinson a quick double. The Snow War goes 2000m for the first time but has consistent poly form and was not far back at his last two. Smart William has been knocking at the door since taking to the poly with blinkers. He also has the best of the draw and also steps up in trip. Winter Time has improved with each outing of late and looks primed for this event while Uplifted impressed in his maiden win and has a chance in this line-up.

Gary Rich sends out Boogie Shoes in the sixth, another tricky handicap over 1400m, and she can go one better after just failing to catch Kildonan Bay. She goes best over course and distance. Deerupt could be the main threat although she does have a difficult draw to overcome. But she has put in two smart recent efforts and was finishing well last run and the extra furlong should suit. Maidens Prayer has been struggling for her second win but has not been far back and showed good improvement in back in blinkers and has a better draw.

In the seventh over a mile, Rockcliffe has been much improved in blinkers and took on stronger last outing. Drawn well and should run a big race. Ferrari Ice has the worst of the draw and is worse off at the weights with Rockcliffe but is back over what looks to be his preferred trip. Captain Zee is lightly raced and returns from a break but he has shown ability and took to the surface on his poly debut.

The eighth is another tricky handicap. Fireonthetrack has been trying further but is never far back and from a good draw rates a strong chance. White Lightning showed signs of a form return last outing. He had shown early promise but has dropped way down in the ratings and he should be running at them again. Double Gemini is a bit of a handful but is a lot better than his last start and may just have needed it from a wide draw. What A Ryder was a recent maiden winner but had shown steady improvement before that and can finish in the money.

If you are still going into the last in your exotics, good luck. Duchess Of Cornwall was narrowly beaten on the poly last outing but has shown steady form since her maiden win. She has a good draw and a handy weight. Foxy Lady has been trying further but may well prove effective over this trip from a good draw. Noemi has been struggling for her next win but is never far back. She has been dropping in the ratings and may now be off a more competitive mark.

David Thiselton

THE JUSTIN SNAITH-TRAINED SILVER Host handed  the Vodacom Durban July final field panellists a last minute curve ball when winning the Grade 2 Track and Ball Derby over 2450m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday and it made their task of avoiding the annual controversy that follows their decision a tad tougher.

There were 30 horses still standing their ground at time of writing and they are all looking for a place in the final field of 18 which will be announced tomorrow. The two reserves chosen also have hope of ultimately lining up on July 3.

Looking at the last VDJ log, two places have become available in the top 18 with the scratchings of War Of Athena and Trip To Africa.

Doublemint, a Listed winner this season who was in 17th position on the final log, will also be under pressure to keep his position as he has been unplaced in both of his SA Champions Season, the Grade 2 WSB 1900 and the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial.

Another top 18 incumbent whose place will be under pressure is Running Brave who has not been herself in her last two starts in which she was beaten a combined margin of 40,50 lengths.

Realistic contenders for those two definite and four possible places include five horses i. e. Silver Host, Jubilee winner Johnny Hero (who was supplemented following that win) , Cup Trial runner up Tristful, Grade 2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers winner Atyaab and Jubilee runner up Shango.

Winners of the Track And Ball Derby do not get preferential consideration for final field inclusion but Silver Host had been among the five horses looking in just outside the top 20 on the last July log and winning a Grade 3 together with his Grade 2 runner up position in the Western Cape Stayers might see him leapfrog those whose log position was based on placed performances in Graded races.

Snaith’s opinion that the four-year-old Drakenstein Stud homebred Silvanon gelding is the best stayer in the country went some way to being justified on Saturday. However, the July has always been on his program too.

The T&B Derby 0,70 length runner up Dream Destiny was rated only 73 before the race but more interesting was the 2,60 length third-placed finisher, the Grade 1 SA Derby runner up Pamushana’s Pride.

The latter was two lengths clear of Shah Akbar in the SA Derby and Shah Akbar was in 16th position on the last July log having followed that SA Derby fourth with another Grade 1 fourth in the Daily News 2000.

However, the difficulty the panellists face in Silver Host’s case is that he received 1.5kg from former Cape Derby winner Atyaab when beaten 2,25 lengths in the Western Cape Stayers over 2800m and the latter was only in 20th position on the last July log.

On the other hand Silver Host did beat Atyaab by 2,25 lengths in the Grade 3 Chairman’s Cup over 2500m albeit when receiving 4.5kg.

Johnny Hero is rated only 106 but the Jubilee is among the four races in the July conditions where the winner is given preferential consideration for inclusion in the final field. It will not be unprecedented to exclude him though as this happened to Coral Fever, who was supplemented following his Jubilee win in 2017 yet was still omitted from the final field. If Johnny Hero is excluded there are bound to be grumbles because the Grade 2 WSB 1900 winner She’s A Keeper and runner up Matterhorn were in 14th and 15th place in the last log despite merit ratings of 96 and 101 respectively. However, the WSB 1900 has a condition attached whereby the winner cannot get more than a six point merit rated raise and none of the other runners in the race can receive any raise unless requested by the connections. Both horses would  otherwise likely have been as high if not higher rated than Johnny Hero. Furthermore, Matterhorn subsequently finished a narrow and unlucky second in the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m which convinced the panellists he deserved a lofty log position.

Tristful, who was in 19th place on the last log, looked to have booked his place when finishing a narrow second in the Cup Trial. However, Silver Host has now created a sleepiness night or two for Tristful’s connections who face the possible prospect of being the first reserve for two years running.

Nexus, 13th on the log, was only third in the Cup Trial but was giving Tristful 1.5kg and lost to him by only 0,40 lengths. Furthermore, he won the Grade 2 Peninsula Handicap over 1800m in December, where he gave Silver Host 6kg and a 3,70 length beating.

Super Silvano was a narrow second in the Peninsula, receiving 6kg, and then beat Nexus a head when fourth in the Premier Trophy receiving only 1.5kg but he was well beaten by third-placed African Night Sky, who is still standing his ground in the July. Super Silvano was also only fourth in the Western Cape Stayers. Furthermore, he and African Night Sky have done nothing since the publication of the last log to be catapulted upwards from their positions outside the top 20.

Shango probably needed to win the Jubilee to be a definite inclusion but he was giving Johnny Hero 4kg and was beaten only 0,75 lengths so warrants consideration for a final 18 berth.

Tree Tumbo, who has won three races this season and finished third in the Grade 1 WSB Summer Cup, ruined his chances by managing only 5th in the Cup Trial.

Flying Carpet, fourth in the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic, would have needed to do better than seventh in the Daily News 2000.

Nevertheless the panellists face a tough day in the  selection process today and they might be hoping for a scratching or two to help them out.