Justin Snaith said his Vodacom Durban July contenders Elusive Silva, Platinum Prince and African Night Sky could not have pulled up better than they have after their heroics at Greyville on Saturday.

He is also looking forward to Saturday’s Festival Of Speed meeting at Scottsville.

Snaith believes his Grade 2 WSB 1900 winner Elusive Silva has a shout in the July and said about the five-year-old Silvano gelding, “He is not one of the best horses in the race but has as much chance as any of the rest. He could be put on the second tier, whereas there are some horses who have no chance. He won the Winter Derby in an absolute canter, so 2200m is probably his best distance. He is not weighted out of it and he loves Greyville. So he has more going for him than not. if I can get him to the course in good condition on the day it would be no surprise to see him run in the first four.”

Elusive Silva has been given a four point raise to a new merit rating of 111 and is rated a 15/1 shot for the July by 1900 sponsor World Sports Betting.

Platinum Prince was most unlucky. He came from last and his long stride was putting him into contention when a gap closed on him, which was not altogether surprising as there was no false rail. When he got through he stayed on strongly and was just pipped for third by the equally unlucky Matador Man. Snaith said, “He would have gone very close.”

The Silvano gelding did not appear on the first July log so will have to have another race to qualify. Snaith said he would go for the Cup Trial on June 9.

Snaith said unplaced Strathdon had suffered a rough race on Saturday, which was unfortunate as he had been hoping for a positive run. However, he said he would be fine and would be going the stayers route.

His other runner in the 1900 was Captain Splendid, who ran ninth and will also be going the stayers route.

The best July trial of all on Saturday was put up by Snaith’s African Night Sky, who sliced through the field from the back in a Pinnacle event but was hampered in the process. He has duly gone to the top of the July betting boards.

Snaith said, “It was an unbelievable prep, he should never have lost. He was hit on the hindquarters and was knocked sideways, he looked like he was one of the horses in my polo game on Sunday. But he come out 100% sound and will also run in the Cup Trial.”

Star Express won the Pinnacle event and Snaith said her July participation would be discussed with the connections. He said, “She is a very good filly. Every now and then her feet give her trouble but she has run second in the Majorca twice and is a genuine Group 1 filly.”

Snaith will have two runners in Saturday’s Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint at Scottsville. He said CTS 1200 runner up Kasimir was “flying” at home. He also expected a good run from Sir Frenchie, who is capable of a strong finish and whom he felt had “no chance” last time out when carrying a big weight but would now go in with a nice galloping weight.

He felt the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint was weaker than usual and believed his runners Gimme Six, Jo’s Bond and Casual Diamond would all run well.

By David Thiselton