There were a couple of well fancied runners in the maiden race where Prince Of Persia made his debut and he ran a cracker first up behind Cartel Captain and High Voltage who subsequently both ran in the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion.

Glen Kotzen’s runner showed good pace on debut and tried hard over the final furlong. With that experience and a drop to 1000m he could prove difficult to beat in the second at Scottsville this afternoon where racing around the turn makes a rare trip on the outside track due to the preparations for the finish of the Comrades Marathon this coming Sunday – the race ending on the inside track.

Quant Master was only run out of it late by Candy Apple on debut and looks a threat while Paul Gadsby’s filly Talia Al Ghul comes out tops in all Computaform ratings and although she takes on males, her pedigree suggests that seven furlongs and further would make her a better proposition.

Work riders are back in action in KZN for the first time in a long while and although the first race is hardly a betting proposition, it should prove something of a spectacle.

Jockeys are supreme athletes when it comes to fitness and even seasoned observers are unaware of the level of fitness it takes to ride a thoroughbred at a full gallop for 1000m let alone anything further.

Riding work is one thing, riding in a race is quite another and a few of these riders will be coming up for air long before the finishing line.

Mike de Kock’s charge, What A Captain, with Aron Xabendlini aboard, is a short-priced favourite but the likes of Great Stohvanen, Callum Dixon riding for his father Mark, and Kom Naidoo’s Peace Train with Tristan Mustard in the irons – his grandfather Leslie successful on Lightning Shot in the 1977 July – both show good pace.

Not a race to plunge in!

Krishnies Jet has earned his owner over R100k in stakes, having finished in the money in more than half of his starts, but he may have to be content with another finish in the shallow end of the purse in the third as Garth Puller’s gelding takes on some fast-improving juveniles, two months off turning three.

Duncan Howells saddles a trio of runners, best of which could be All The Way Up, who caught the eye on debut when finishing just off Toro Bravo. He can do better down the Scottsville straight and looks fair value at around 7-2. Second favourite is Poinciana at 5-2 with Krishnies Jet a little short at 22-10.

Silva’s Fling and Knight Warrior are vying for favouritism in the Natal Property Consultants Maiden, Silva’s Fling having his third outing since being gelded and the blinkers coming off.

The year younger Knight Warrior has been close-up in all three of his starts and will have his supporters while Brilliant Disguise is set to make big improvement on his debut effort over what looks to be a more suitable trip. This trio are the only runners quoted in single figures.

From here on things get progressively more difficult, punters faced with a succession of well-filled handicaps.

It’s 9-2 the field in the fifth with Golden Chance and Dame Kelly topping the boards but there is a lot to like about the chances of the lightly raced Elegant Royal who ran a cracking race behind course specialist High Altar last time out when trying to make all the running. With racing on the outside track, her 13 draw should not affect her chances and 11-1 look fair odds.

Petra was a little disappointing in the KRA Guineas when down the field behind Santa Clara after showing signs that she was back to the promise that she showed earlier in her career. Back in weaker company she can notch a long overdue second win in the sixth.

But it will not be easy, Sunshine Mint is lightly raced and comes off some useful Cape form while Ancient Spirit trialled well and sure to be a factor here.

Ruling the ante-post market is Procrastination who was a recent Durbanville maiden winner when landing short odds but 9-2 does not inspire much confidence about the favourite.

To take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

By Andrew Harrison

Mike de Kock confirmed on Saturday after the Daily News 2000 that it was his intention to run Hawwaam in the Vodacom Durban July so the colt was still among the 32 horses left at the second declaration stage yesterday.

Also issued by Gold Circle yesterday was the final Vodacom Durban July log headed by last year’s winner Do It Again, ahead of Rainbow Bridge and Hawwaam.

Under the radar at this stage is Legal Eagle, who made his one and only appearance in KZN in the 2015 Vodacom Durban July.

One high profile casualty from the original log is Oh Susanna, Justin Snaith rather aiming her at the Gr3 Tibouchina Stakes this coming Saturday and then either the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes on July day or the Gr2 Gold Bracelet at the end of July.

Also out is Gr1 Cape Derby winner Atyaab who suffered a nose bleed in the Daily News on Saturday.

Eyes Wide Open, showing a welcome return to form, jumped from borderline to 10 on the log after his victory in the World Sports Betting 1900.

The log is only a guide to what the selection panel is thinking and there may still be changes given this Saturday’s Rising Sun meeting that has a host of borderline cases. However, the log reflects very much what the panel is thinking and barring any further withdrawals the field is close to settled.

The Gr1 R3.5 million Vodacom Durban July will be run over 2200m at Greyville on Saturday, July 6.

By Andrew Harrison

Sun Met winner Rainbow Bridge was yesterday reported very much on song for Saturday’s Rising Sun Gold Challenge and by the time you read this he will have done a vital piece of pacework at Summerveld.

Eric Sands said: “He was in the position where I wanted him, from the point of view of wellbeing and fitness, when he ran second in the Drill Hall. As it was his first run back he would have been a little bit above himself and racing a bit on nervous energy.

“He has definitely come on since, he now knows Greyville and he strips fitter. Indeed the stepping stones towards the big one are going well. He does a bit of pacework in the morning and he will have a sprint-up on Thursday.”

Anton Marcus’s mount has seven opponents including last year’s Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again who was three-quarters of a length second in the Met and has not raced since.

A bullish Justin Snaith said yesterday: “Do It Again is doing very well, he looks amazing and everything has gone to plan. His gallop was franked when Made To Conquer came out and ran third in the WSB 1900 so everything seems spot on and he will be ready come Saturday.”

Rainbow Bridge, with his race fitness advantage, is favourite at 22-10 with Track And Ball with Do It Again on 5-2 and Soqrat 9-2. Undercover Agent is a 5.25-1 chance to become the first dual winner since Variety Club in 2013 and then it’s 8-1 Cirillo, 12-1 Matador Man, 13-1 Lady In Black and 25-1 New Caledonia.

Favourites have had a poor record in recent seasons. Snowdance, second 12 months ago, was the first to even finish in the first three in five years.

Bunker Hunt, 40-1 for the July and the subject of some encouraging comments from his trainer after being forced to miss last Saturday’s Daily News – he was lame on his left hind – was due to be checked out by the vets yesterday.

Snaith said: “It would have been very hard to beat Hawwaam but I think he would have been a big runner and that he could have been in the first three. He kicked a wall and, although it’s not a train smash, I need to see the extent of the damage.”

And the all important question: will he make the July? “I think he should,” replied his trainer. “But I need to wait and make sure he is 100% right.”

Silvano’s Pride, Snaith’s fourth Woolavington winner in six years, looks like missing a clash with her elders in the Garden Province on July day. “She has already had three races in the Durban season and they have all been tough races,” reasoned her trainer. “In the Garden Province she would be taking on older fillies, tough nuts to crack, so I might put her away and bring her back in the Gold Bracelet at the end of the season.”

By Michael Clower

To take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

Justin Snaith has some important runners at Saturday’s big meeting at Greyville, including Do It Again in the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge.

He said, “Do It Again is doing well, I’m very happy with his prep. He had a nice gallop at Greyville and Made To Conquer came out and franked the gallop which was quite important to give us some sort of line where we were. So I am very happy. Everything has gone to plan. I think we have got Soqrat to beat, he was very unlucky last time, so it is going to be interesting. It is going to be a helluva race.”

The race has cut up and Snaith said the draw of five out of eight was “perfect.”

Richard Fourie rides and Snaith said if all goes well he will stay aboard for the Vodacom Durban July.

The reigning Equus Horse Of The Year Oh Susanna will run in the Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m from the widest draw of all in an eleven horse field.

Snaith said, “Over 1400m from the Drill Hall it is very hard. She has got her work cut out. But she is flying at home, absolutely flying, she is at her best. So she has just got the draw to negotiate, that’s all I am worried about, everything else is spot on. She will take some beating. She is at her one hundred percent best.”

Snaith said in the event of the draw letting her down and her running a bad race she will be retired.

He said that would be a “sad ending”.

However, if she does come through the race well she might then line up in the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m on Vodacom Durban July day.

In the Grade 2 Cup Trial over 1800m he runs Made To Conquer from draw ten out of ten and Doublemint from draw six.

He said, “Made To Conquer has his work cut out from a wide draw but it is a prep for the July. I just feel he needs one more run. Remember they took the Sledgehammer away (switched to the poly track), so he missed one run, so I’ve put him in here so he will be fit come July day. Doublemint is flying. He just needed that last run (7^th in the WSB 1900). It was a hard run race and he’s a colt, so being a colt he just needed that one good blow and he’s ready now.”

Snaith believed Doublemint had done enough to get into the July already as a winner of the Grade 2 Peninsula this season and the winner of the Grade 3 Politician Stakes as a three-year-old as well as the Grade 3 Winter Derby. He also finished sixth in a strong renewal of the Sun Met this season, a significant placing as it allowed him to escape any merit rated raised.

Snaith added, “He will be a lot higher in the July log after the Cup Trial!”

He concluded by saying, “If Doublemint doesn’t finish in the first two in the Cup Trial, he doesn’t deserve to be in the July. It will take a nice horse to beat him and Made To Conquer on Saturday.”

Doublemint is currently merit rated 104 so even a win in the Cup Trial is unlikely to effect his July weight, considering his 125 merit rated stable companion Do It Again will likely be in the July.

In the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m for two-year-old fillies Snaith runs Innogen, who is by Master Of My Fate out of the twice Listed winner Cymbeline, who won from 1600m up to 2200m.

Snaith said, “She ran well first time out and I think she is a runner. I wouldn’t put her in the race for no reason and in these races the previous winners get a penalty, which makes a big difference because some horses have won weak races. Coming in as a maiden you get an allowance so under those conditions she will run a good race.”

The yard run Rip It Up, carrying 52kg, in the Non-Black Type Durban Dash over 1100m. Snaith said, “He ran very disappointingly at Scottsville last time, so I am hoping it can just be put down to Scottsville. I’ve taken the blinkers off so he will run a better race.” 

Snaith won the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 on Saturday with Silvano’s Pride, but due to the strength of the older females it is unlikely she will be lining up in the Garden Province. Snaith mentioned the Grade 2 Gold Bracelet over 2000m on Gold Cup day as a possibility for her.

Bunker Hunt had to be scratched from Saturday’s Daily News 2000 after kicking a wall. Snaith believed he would have “definitely” finished in the first three.

He said he would monitor the damage to the outside of his fetlock, which he said was “nothing too hectic”.

He said, “If it is all good he will go back into training and contest the July.”

Snaith believes getting weight from Hawwaam, Bunker Hunt will be a “big runner in the July.”  

Meanwhile, Snowdance is being targeted at the Garden Province and the Grade 1 Allan Robertson winner Miss Florida will be nominated for the Grade 2 Golden Slipper on Vodacom Durban July day, although if she draws badly she will be scratched.

By David Thiselton

South Africa are readying themselves to embrace a new equine hero in the Mike De Kock-trained  Hawwaam, who cantered to victory in Saturday’s Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and now has his eyes on the Vodacom Durban July.

The Silvano colt arrived in Durban as a twice Grade 1 winner, of the SA Classic over 1800m and the Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m, both at Turffontein, but he still had something to prove in the Daily News as he was up against the toughest opposition he had faced to date in the form of Twist Of Fate.

The latter, merit rated four points lower than Hawwaam on 117, had the run of the race as he went to the front and led at a comfortable pace and then got a tow from Zillzaaal from the 1100m mark onward.

Meanwhile, Hawwaam had missed the break and his plan to lead was out the window. He followed Zillzaaal but when that one went to the front he was trapped one wide without cover. This did not phase him as he continued to relax and Anton Marcus then edged him forward to join Zillzaaal.

In the straight the top class Twist Of Fate’s chase was always in vain.

Out in front Marcus rode hands and heels. He said later this was in order to keep him straight and he might have been thinking of his mount in the previous race, Front And Centre, whose hanging antics might have cost her victory in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.

Hawwaam looked to have something in hand when crossing the line 1,60 lengths clear. There was a further 4,90 lengths back to the rank outsider Capoeira, an 81 merit rated horse who proved the decision to supplement him had been  worthwhile.

De Kock said if it was up to him Hawwaam would line up in the July, but the final decision will rest with owner Sheik Hamdan and his racing manager Angus Gold.

Hawwaam will carry 56kg in the July if his merit rating stays unchanged on 121. If he does get a raise the very most he can carry is 57kg, the maximum weight for a three-year-old male.
De Kock said Hawwaam had now proved himself against the best and pointed out his big heart, as it was the second time he had won without the race panning out in his favour. He said he was on his way to being rated alongside the like of Vercingetorix and Variety Club, whom he said were the last “proper” horses he had trained.

Anton Marcus said it had been a win full of merit and he believed in a couple of months’ time “the world could be this horse’s Oyster.”

.Marcus is contracted to ride Hawwaam’s half-brother Rainbow Bridge in the July. Gavin Lerena seems the likely replacement as he was aboard Hawwaam for his SA Classic win. However, it will depend on whether any Wilgerbosdrift Stud or Mauritzfontein Stud-owned horses are in the big race as Lerena is retained by them.

Hawwaam has shortened into 2,35/1 for the July with Track And Ball and Do It Again and Rainbow Bridge have now drifted out to 5/1 apiece.

Hawwaam was the second Grade 1 winner of the day to be by Silvano out of a Jet Master mare.

Earlier the Justin Snaith-trained Silvano’s Pride had led from start to finish to win the Woolavington 2000 under Richard Fourie. This horse has always led in his races or at least been handy due to her tendency to take a keen hold. However, Snaith said in the build up to this race he had been working on this problem and as it happened the strongly built filly settled well in front and dictated at a good gallop. She kicked well in the straight and it was going to take a good one to catch her. The 21/10 favourite Front And Centre made a storming run from second last but unfortunately hung all the way from the outside to the inside despite Marcus’s efforts. She was only 0,3 lengths shy at the line of the 16/1 chance winner so this antic might have cost her the race. The progressive Blossom ran on well for third ahead of Seville Orange and the twice Grade 1-winner Return Flight.

Silvano’s Pride did not attract a bid at the sales and has therefore been raced by breeder Anthony Peter.

Snaith said in the post race interview how disappointed he had been by Bunker Hunt’s scratching in the Daily News as he believed this one would also have caused an upset.

Earlier, the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m saw the former Sean Tarry-trained Summer Cup winner Liege bouncing back to his best. He won comfortably under Raymond Danielson from Gimme One Night and Silver Rose. The step up in trip appears to have been the key to this horse.

By David Thiselton