David Thiselton

All the talk in the build up to Vodacom Durban July has centred around three horses, Got The Greenlight, Linebacker and Rainbow Bridge, and they are also at the top of the betting boards and this is being seen as a positive for record-seeking trainer Justin Snaith. Snaith was upbeat at the Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting on Monday and said, “My horses are peaking at the right time.” Snaith will be attempting to win the VDJ for a sixth time and will be bidding to equal the 108 year old record of trainer-owner Fred Murray by winning the big race for the fourth time in succession. The final field was announced yesterday and Snaith is represented by four runners and one reserve. His former Equus Horse Of The Year Do It Again will be attempting the become the first horse to win the July three times and drew 16, having won it from draw 15 in 2018 and from draw 8 in 2019 before finishing third from the widest draw of 18 last year.  Last year’s winner Belgarion drew eleven as opposed to 17 last year. Snaith would have been hoping for a low draw for his front-running type Crown Towers and he duly drew five.  His Grade 2 Peninsula Handicap winner Nexus drew 12.     His reserve runner is Silver Host who will likely go for the Grade 3 Gold Vase over 3000m if there is not a scratching that allows him into the big one.