Justin Snaith was thrilled to have drawn barrier position ten for the Vodacom Durban July’s hot favourite African Night Sky. He will come into position nine if the second reserve runner Crowd Pleaser, who drew pole position, comes out and Snaith believed that was the perfect draw for the July. He explained he would then likely end up with an option of going outward in the straight. Three of his other runners, Elusive Silva, Do It Again and Made To Conquer, drew double figure barrier positions, while his filly Star Express drew nine. However, he was pleased with this outcome and said. “I don’t like being on the inside in the July with all the jostling, I’ve been there and done that, my horses prefer being away from the trouble.”

Fiorella (Candiese Marewick)

Glen Kotzen has one runner in the field proper, Gold Standard, as well as the first reserve Pack Leader and they drew six and 17 respectively. Hugo Hattingh part-owns Gold Standard and owns Pack Leader. Kotzen said, “Hugo did a good thing by drawing six for Gold Standard. Gold Standard has come right back to his best and when he is at his best he is as good as any and certainly better than this field.”

Paul Lafferty’s Dark Moon Rising drew well in three and he said, “I am only concerned about there being no pace. I think he is the horse to beat. If you look at the two favourites, African Night Sky and Do It Again, they have both flopped when running in Grade 1s.”

Robert Fayd’Herbe said about Rocket Countdown’s draw of five, “You can’t not be pleased with that draw. It is not the strongest field and he stays well. The Cape Town three-year-olds are always finishing on top of each other so he is not badly weighted and has a chance.”

Duncan Howells was “over the moon” with Fiorella’s draw of eight. He said, “I think with a faster pace she could have done even better (than a half-a-length second) in the Woolavington 2000 and Muzi also felt if he had gone earlier she could have done better. Everything is on song, she is exceptionally well, and will give a very good account of herself.”

Brett Crawford said about White River’s draw of 13, “I would have preferred lower but it’s ok.” Asked whether the three-year-old by Trippi had improved with gelding, he replied, “He has certainly shown that he has improved in his work at home, so we will see how he goes in his gallop on Thursday. I think he has as good a chance as Edict Of Nantes had last year.” The latter finished a 0,35 length third last year.

By David Thiselton