A threat to the Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July was averted yesterday when striking grooms agreed to a wage increase offered to them by trainers.

A large contingent of grooms blockaded the entrance to Summerveld early yesterday morning but there was no threat of violence and by the afternoon it was business as usual.

There was also a meeting between trainers and groom’s representatives at the Ashburton training centre near Pietermaritzburg.

The two parties have still to come to an agreement but according to sources negotiations will resume on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a rumour regarding the well-being of July favourite African Night Sky was quashed when the Justin Snaith yard released a video showing him to be in fine fettle.

The rumours are possibly one of the main reasons why African Night Sky has drifted in the betting and yesterday there was as much as 3-1 available.

But after yesterday’s gallop on the beach (sand) track at Summerveld, Snaith said the horse looked absolutely amazing. “Anthandiwe (Magudlwa) rode him right now and said he’s never felt this horse feel any better. I don’t know what the rumours are? Maybe because I cantered in the gallop! We’ve just worked him and I hung onto him all the way back as best I could as he is so fresh. Obviously the (striking) grooms screaming upset him but this is going to be one of the big runners in the July come this weekend,” concluded Snaith.

By Andrew Harrison