Crawford out to ‘charm’ them again
Durban – Brett Crawford planned the downfall of race favourite See It Again last year by getting Winchester Mansion in with a light weight. The two meet again in Saturday’s Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July at Hollywoodbets Greyville, but Crawford appears to have another trump card in the three-year-old Oriental Charm who has been drawn alongside See It Again in gates 11 and 10 respectively.
Oriental Charm likes to go forward and made all the running in the recent Gr3 Cup Trial which could play into the hands of seasoned Piere Strydom, who is almost certain to take his cue from his younger rival and put JP van der Merwe under pressure.
It will be an interesting tactical battle in a race that is notoriously rough.
Winchester Mansion gives Crawford a second string to his bow, and judging by his comments in a recent interview, last year’s winner appears to be the stable elect. He confirmed that stable rider Kabelo Matsunyane had the pick and stayed with last year’s winner. Crawford also confirmed that both of his runners were tuned to the second and had perfect preparations.
Green With Envy is unbeaten this season. He started his feature race run in the Gr3 Politician Stakes and has not been beaten since in three subsequent outings, starting with the Gr1 Splash Out Cape Derby, the Gr2 WSB Guineas, and was then given a huge fright when pushed to the line in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 by outsider Flag Man when expected to win comfortably. But whereas Flag Man may have been tuned to the minute for the Daily News in order to make the July field, Dean Kannemeyer is almost certain to have left some meat on the bone for a few lengths improvement in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Flag Man also has a wide draw to contend with, which could make the difference between these two and has thus taken a huge hit in the handicap ratings.
See It Again gives weight to the field and it remains to be seen whether he is in the same form as last year after a disappointing end to his Cape summer. There was a lot to like about his recent warm-up in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over a mile, and Michael Roberts will have him spot on. Piere Strydom commented after his recent gallop that he felt his mount had been lazy. However, he did not gallop with his customary blinkers which will surely sharpen him up on raceday.
The race holds special significance for both trainer and jockey. Roberts, a winner of the race aboard Super Quality back in 1997 for David Ferraris, will be attempting to win it as a trainer, while 58-year-old Strydom has delayed his intended retirement to ride the Twice Over colt and hopefully end his career on a high note with a fifth win in the big race.
Nathan Kotzen took the bold decision to raid the Highveld with Royal Victory and it proved to be an inspired move as the gelding ran two cracking races, winning the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup and the Gr1 World Pool Premiers Champions Challenge, both over the tough Turffontein 2000m. The shorter Hollywoodbets Greyville straight could be of concern but if Oriental Charm and another front-runner, Purple Pitcher, set the expected pace, Kotzen will be more confident of a big effort after drawing pole position.
Alongside Oriental Charm in the weights is Gr1 SA Derby and Gr1 SA Classic winner Purple Pitcher trained by Robyn Klaasen. Purple Pitcher, owned by Stinkie Pooe, who was part owner of last year’s fifth-place finisher Second Base, will be ridden by Philisande Mxoli, who will be having his first ride in the race.
Both Oriental Charm and Purple Pitcher like to lead, or at least race handy, which should see this year’s race run at a decent gallop and avoid any serious bunching in a notoriously rough race where jockeys hunt position at almost any cost.
The only grey in the race is the almost ‘white’ Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Barbaresco and jockey Gavin Lerena is quietly confident of a big showing.
None of the 18-horse field can be written off as no-hopers and there is often a joker in the pack.
With the July and the Gr1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes Hong Kong World Pool races, dividends will be inflated with the flood of international money, although both races will only pay three places in line with World Pool rules.
There are a host of feature events on the 12-race card, but the main supporting feature is the Gr1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes over 1600m.
Rascova and Double Grand Slam renew rivalry with the former having the edge. The two last met in the Gr2 Fillies Guineas with Rascova running out a comprehensive winner ahead of Double Grand Slam who was the hot favourite on the day.
Double Grand Slam has since redeemed herself winning the Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m but she does appear to be vulnerable over the extra furlong, with Rascova ahead on that score.
Double Grand Slam has the better draw but as she is suspect over the trip, it could leave the door open for Silver Sanctuary who brought some smart Highveld form into the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 and won well. She has excellent form over this trip and with Mike de Kock at the helm, the top two will not have everything their own way.
De Kock also saddles Humdinger who goes well for Piere Strydom and loves this course. Asiye Phambili lost her rider at the start of her last race and could sneak into the money.
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