Cape Town-based horses hold huge representation on Hollywoodbets Durban July Day. Traditionally, silverware tends to head back up the N2 after Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event. Here are some of the chances through the stakes races on Saturday 6 July.
The Grade 3 Splashout 2200 is the July Consolation which was won by the Brett Crawford-trained CRIMSON KING 12 months ago. He is back to have another tilt at winning. He has competed in Johannesburg over the past few seasons but Crawford, fresh off raising his bat with 100 winners for the season just over a week earlier will be hoping to double the dose. Crawford also saddles the freakish winner of the Pocket Power Stakes, THE FUTURIST and POMODORO’S JET. Other Atlantic Ocean chances include CAPE EAGLE (Andre Nel), PONTE PIETRA and MASTER FUEGO (Dean Kannemeyer), MUCHO DINERO and HLUHLUWE (Justin Snaith) and BARATHEON (Piet Botha)
For stayers, the Grade 3 DSTV Gold Vase over 3000m is a great spectacle because the start happens in front of the grandstand and it really starts the excitement and anticipation for the rest of the day. ONE WAY TRAFFIC is a real stalwart of Justin Snaith. Two years ago, he won the Splashout 2200 but this will be his first tilt at the Vase. He has an undeniable chance because he has shown on many occasions that he stays well. He is the only Cape representative in the race.
The regally bred GIMME’S COUNTESS could take all the beating in the Grade 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m. She was particularly unlucky not to have tasted Grade 1 success at Hollywoodbets Scottsville a month ago when she encountered serious traffic problems. Craig Zackey takes the ride for Dean Kannemeyer in the Khaya Stakes silks. The same team to do duty with GREEN WITH ENVY about 90 minutes later in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Glen Kotzen has had great success in two-year-old features during the KZN Champions Season. He saddles WHISTLE THE TUNE and DISTING. Brett Crawford has FATAL FLAW while Michelle Rix and Harold Crawford of Kommetdieding fame send out SOURCERESS SUPREME. The winner of the Cape Racing Sales Cape Slipper, LITTLE BALLERINA is also in the lineup.
Snaith has two exceptionally talented two-year-old colts in the Grade 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe, race 6 over 1400m. MAKAZOLE and GREAT PLAINS have been impressive to date and one would be foolish to write off their chances. The latter was particularly eye-catching at his last run when winning from the worst draw and from the back of the field in the Hollywoodbets Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes to give a fourth stakes winner for Cape Racing Sales graduates.
The Grade 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes is a famous event and the 2024 edition is no different. It truly is a great field. Snaith has the brilliant DOUBLE GRAND SLAM as a leading light in the field. The burning question is whether she is as prolific over this trip than over 1400m. Richard Fourie is back aboard. RASCOVA has already taken the scalp of DOUBLE GRAND SLAM this winter in KZN and the Glen Kotzen-trained filly has more than just a fighting chance. Kotzen also has HOLD MY HAND who some esteemed experts have warned not to write off. Candice Bass-Robinson will only saddle one runner on the day. The mercurial RED PALACE lines up. She has placed at Grade 1 level against boys and her capabilities are obvious. Brett Crawford has HAPPY CHANCE for the Hollywood Syndicate who could give Quartets a shake. Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas runner-up, SILVER SANCTUARY could be the filly they all need to beat.
Lucinda Woodruff also has just one runner on the card. CAFÉ CULTURE takes part in the Grade 2 Post Merchants, race 9 over 1200. This race has always been the plan for this horse who punches above his weight as often as he runs. Snaith has ROYAL AUSSIE who captured the Grade 2 Independent on Saturday Drill Hall Stakes in May while Kannemeyer has the rapidly improving TEFLON MAN. Crawford sends out two very interesting runners, I AM GIANT and AT MY COMMAND who both ran their socks off at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 1 June when both ran places.
The final feature is race 10, the Compendium Insurance Brokers Handicap over 1600m. There are plenty of underappreciated Cape Town-based runners in the line up. LADY HEIST and GRINKOV (Glen Kotzen), GET IMPRESSED (Justin Snaith) and MR MASTER STARTER (Dean Kannemeyer) are all horses who punters can have a close look at.
