Dean Kannemeyer has won the Vodacom Durban July three times and usually has a runner in the big race, but his chances of being involved this year could depend on discussions with It’s My Turn’s owner Fred Crabbia. The latter also owns the big race’s hot favourite, the Justin Snaith-trained African Night Sky.

It’s My Turn (Candiese Marnwi)

It’s My Turn did well to win the Grade 3 Track And Ball Derby over 2400m at Scottsville on Saturday considering he had to go around them to get into a handy position and then raced one wide without cover the whole way. Anton Marcus was probably mindful of the way the five-year-old Dynasty gelding had over-raced in the WSB 1900 when dropped out behind horses, so his tactic was likely deliberate. It’s My Turn found plenty extra in the straight and ran away from them down the outside.

His stablemate Mr Winsome, winner of this race last year, lost his unbeaten record at Scottsville but stayed on well for a 2,25 length second in his fifth start at the Pietermaritzburg venue. Kannemeyer’s other July entry The Slade had no luck in the race as he was caught wide throughout and as a last resort was rushed around them on the final turn. He hit the front but the exertions had taken their toll and he faded, so a line can probably be drawn through that run.

However, his chances of making the July’s final field are gone. American Landing, an up and coming three-year-old Dynasty colt who is a half-brother to Master Sabina, started favourite having just come off a win in the East Cape Derby, and finished a 2,5 length third ahead of Ballymaine and Silver De Lange.

It was Marcus’s first race meeting since he fractured a wrist after falling from the fractious White River in the parade ring before the Daisy Guineas. He had a bandage around the wrist on Saturday and was in obvious pain afterwards but it did not appear to detract from his performance.

Marcus asked on whether It’s My Turn could win the July said he believed these days he was more of a staying type. It’s My Turn did finish a 2,35 length fourth in the July as a three-year-old carrying 55,5kg and a 1,4 length eighth last year, also carrying 55,5kg. Therefore, he should have a shout on paper as he has been set to carry only 55kg this year. There is a lot of competition for places in the field this year and his win on Saturday does not automatically qualify him. However, Kannemeyer said before the race he would have “to win well” in order to get in and he certainly did so, although he was very well in at the weights under the conditions of the race.

By David Thiselton