History has been given a chance of repeating itself in more ways than one after the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Solid Speed’s win of the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 on Friday night at Greyville.
Kannemeyer arrived in KZN without a serious Vodacom Durban July horse last season and ended up winning it with Power King.
Solid Speed, thought previously to be more of a Gold Cup horse, now has a chance of repeating the dose and jockey Anthony Delpech said after the race, “He is definitely a July horse and with a chance.”
However, pressed on whether he wanted the ride, he obviously stalled.
Delpech, as a high profile jockey who has won the July a record equalling four times and has a normal riding weight of just 53,5kg, will be spoilt for choice.
The ruling 9/2 favourite with Betting World, Black Arthur, is likely first choice in his mind at present.
However, Solid Speed has shortened from 20/1 into 10/1 and is best priced of the older horses alongside initial favourite Legal Eagle, whose participation is up in the air.
Solid Speed (Nkosi Hlophe)
Solid Speed was one of the best weighted horses under Friday night’s conditions and under the new handicapping guidelines looks likely to be raised only three points to a merit rating of 106.
That was the exact mark Power King won the July off. As things stand he will, like Power King, scrape into the handicap with the minimum weight for an older male of 53kg.
The final history-repeating fact is Solid Speed’s colours, the same as Power King’s.
Owner Lady Christine Laidlaw was not on course on Friday night, but could perhaps have been watching from Cape Town. Power King’s ears might have pricked at any celebratory cheers as he is now enjoying his retirement on Lady Laidlaw’s Goede Hoop estate in Noordhoek.
It was a fine ride by Delpech. Dynamic had been expertly slotted in by Grant van Niekerk from a wide draw, while the fast early pace had also allowed Delpech to ease inward from draw 9. He sat behind Dynamic one wide in midfield.
However, coming up the hill he switched his mount outward, due to the pace slowing “and he has such a big stride”. It might have been a race-winning move because he was able to enter the straight with plenty of momentum and steal a march on Dynamic. The latter looked to have no excuses 2,15 lengths back in third and like last year it will be touch and go whether he qualifies for the big race.
The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)
The runner up St Tropez ran in strongly from near the back and can be considered a touch unlucky. The stipendiaries called a review after Solid Speed had hung outward, but not surprisingly no further action was taken. However, although St. Tropez’s momentum or stride was not affected, he did have to change course slightly and was only beaten a neck.
It was a fine come back run for St Tropez, who being by Silvano will likely be coming into his own as a four-year-old. He has always had class and has duly shortened from 55/1 to 14/1 in the July betting. However, if raised the likely two points to 101 he will, as things stand, be officially 2,5kg under sufferance in the July.
The Conglomerate was also expertly ridden by Anton Marcus in the early stages which allowed him to slot in behind Solid Speed from a wide draw.
He plugged on steadily in the straight, finishing 2,2 lengths back in fourth, and looks likely to appreciate the step up in trip in the July. He was 0,5kg under sufferance with Dynamic and might possibly be given a one point raise to 102, but this will still leave him 2kg under sufferance in the July as things stand. Nevertheless, he shortened in the betting from 14/1 to 12/1.
It Is Written had every chance in finishing a 2,45 length fifth and King Of Pain also had few excuses 2,95 lengths back in sixth.
Master Switch and Greek Legend were likely ridden too handy in the overall fast-paced race to be at their most effective and were disappointing in sixth and seventh respectively.
Dynamic, meanwhile, has shortened from 125/1 into 25/1 for the July and this is the same price as an earlier impressive winner on the card, Paterfamilias.
However, Mike Bass’ assistant trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe had his doubts Paterfamilias, whose issues have been helped at Summerveld by the use of the Equi-Spa, would line up for the big race as he still had plenty of other options for this season and next. The Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge will be his chief aim this season.
Fayd’Herbe added Silver Mountain was found to have had a few niggles with her feet after her disappointing Daisy Fillies Guineas run, but had recovered well. However, he said she would likely avoid the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 in favour of the Tibouchina over 1400m, so the July looks likely to no longer be on her radar. This makes sense as Nightingale will be a huge runner in the Woolavington and is doing well at Summerveld.
The most impressive July trial of the weekend was undoubtedly by the Bass-trained Marinaresco, who won the Gr 3 Winter Classic over 1800m easing up and he has duly shortened to 8/1 second favourite.
Neil Bruss has a high regard for his filly Deputy Ryder, who won Friday night’s Listed East Cost Cup, and even entered her for the July. She looks one to follow in the staying features and will be a big runner in the Track and Ball Oaks.
The two-year-old winners on Friday night, the Mike de Kock-trained Misty Birnam and the Dennis Drier-trained Sail, caught the eye. Drier said Sail was likely to avoid Scottsville in favour of the Golden Slipper on July day.
By David Thiselton
