The shortest priced female in the Vodacom Durban July, Cascapedia, is still on course for the big race despite having had to be scratched from the Jubilee Handicap on Sunday due to a spiked temperature.

Cascapedia (JC Photographics)

Her trainer Mike de Kock lambasted the handicappers for what he perceived to be inconsistencies in treatment of different July runners, including his own charge Yakeen, who won the Jubilee.

Assistant trainer Matthew de Kock said about Cascapedia, ““This is a setback as we’ve missed two prep runs with her, but this won’t change our plans. She’s already better, her blood’s not quite right yet but she will be fine. She has been doing really well in her work and we’ll give her a public gallop if needs be.”

De Kock pointed out that African Night Sky had run to at least a 121 merit rating in the Sun Met (he escaped punishment as a local rule states only the first five horses in a Grade 1 race can have their merit ratings upwardly adjusted and he finished a short-head behind the fifth-placed horse.)

African Night Sky duly won the Grade 3 Cup Trial over 1800m at Greyville with consummate ease on Saturday but was only raised four points, while Yakeen “fell across the line” in the Jubilee but received the same four point raise.

Matthew said about the Australian-bred three-year-old Teofilo colt Yakeen, “It will be hard to leave him out of the July now.”

By David Thiselton