David Thiselton

The South African racing industry fraternity reverberated with shock and disappointment shortly after lunchtime on Tuesday when news filtered through that the Hollywoodbets Durban July favourite Star Major had been scratched due to an elevated temperature.

This was a blow to trainer James Crawford as well as to owners Ravi Naidoo of Kalinga, Jonathan Bloch and Prakashni Pillay.

However, Ravi later looked at it philosophically and said, “I’m ambivalent about it. Part of me thinks it’s a blessing in disguise. We can chart a more purist route with our entire. If he is in outlandishly good nick, come month end, we could have a tilt at the G1 Champions Cup in open company, at weight for age. Otherwise,  like James said, we have accomplished our goal this season. We aimed for the Daily News. Mission accomplished. I feel privileged to be racing a horse of this calibre. He’s been a revelation. We must just catch our breath, recollect and refresh.”

As a Durban-born racing fan Ravi has long dreamed of winning the July and looked to have another fine opportunity with Star Major after being narrowly denied with Cousin Casey two years ago.

Jonathan Bloch still has a another chance this year as he is also part-owner of the new joint favourite Wish List.

However, it would have been a bitter blow to Star Major’s jockey Mickaelle Michel, who had an opportunity to make July history and continue a remarkable fairy tale story.

The scratching would have been greeted with different emotions in other quarters.

It means the first reserve, the Erico Verdonese-trained Choisaanada, comes into the race and gets an opportunity to prove a point as there was controversy after he was left out of the top 18 by the final field panellists.

Ironically, Rachel Venniker now steps into the plate vacated by Mickaelle Michel, because she is booked to ride Choisaanada.

Rachel has already made July history, becoming the first female to ride in the July in 2024, and she now gets the opportunity to be the first female jockey to win the iconic race.

The second reserve, the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained SA Derby winner Curious Girl, is now one step closer to getting in.

There must be another scratching before 08H15 on Friday for her to get in, although she is fancied for the Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase over 3000m and would have a very tough task at the weights in the July, being officially a whopping 6kg under sufferance. The 2200m trip of the July might also be a bit on the sharp side for her too.

The new joint favourites for the race are the Justin Snaith-trained pair Wish List and Note To Self, who are now both 5/1  with the sponsor. In fact Snaith, who has five runners in the race, now has the top three in the betting as his charge Regulation is joint 6/1 third favourite will the well-backed Viva’s Liberte.