See It Again and Cousin Casey lock horns in Daily News 2000
Graeme Hawkins
The Splashout Cape Derby (Gr 1) winner See It Again is a clear favourite to win tomorrow’s R1,5-million Daily News 2000 (Gr 1) over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Piere Strydom will again be aboard the 3yo son of Twice Over and the Michael Roberts-trained colt will have come on in leaps and bounds after finishing second to Charles Dickens in the recent WSB Guineas over 1600m.
In the WSB Guineas, last season’s Champion Juvenile, Cousin Casey, was less than a length further back in fourth spot and there is little doubt that the son of Vercingetorix will appreciate the step up to 2000m. Cousin Casey showed his class when finishing a close fifth in the WSB Cape Town Met after being forced to make the early running. Tomorrow’s Daily News will be his third run after a rest and Cousin Casey will strip a very fit horse. Cousin Casey is easy to back at 9/2 but he should give a very good account of himself and poses a real threat to See It Again. The handicappers currently have See It Again on a rating of 124 and Cousin Casey on a 122, so if they both run to their best form we should be in for a thriller.
Without Question is a fast improving gelding but on the evidence of the Cape Derby form he should be safely held by See It Again. That said, Without Question is in good racing form having won the Variety Club Mile at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth four weeks ago and Richard Fourie believes him to be the “real deal”. Dave The King split See It Again and Cousin Casey when finishing third in the WSB Guineas but there has to be some doubt as to whether he will see out the trip tomorrow.
The Hollywood Syndicate is enjoying a wonderful season and their hopes for the Daily News rest with SA Classic (Gr 1) winner Anfields Rocket. Being out of a Galileo mare the trip of 2000m should pose no problem and the son of Coup De Grace could be the lurker in the pack. All of the aforementioned are in the mix for the 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July and a fascinating renewal of the Daily News awaits. See It Again could have the edge over Cousin Casey, Anfields Rocket and Without Question but whatever the outcome it should be a really good contest and provide some clues to the forthcoming HDJ on Saturday 1 July.
WOOLAVINGTON 2000
Rain In Holland missed last year’s Woolavington 2000 (Gr 1) due to injury, but tomorrow she gets another chance to have her name engraved on the Trophy. The multiple Champion has found her best form in recent starts and will be a tough nut to crack, but last year’s winner, Silver Darling, and the very talented Marina will keep her honest. With Richard Fourie having to ride Silver Darling, S’Manga Khumalo gets the opportunity to ride Rain In Holland for the very first time and the Sean Tarry-trained daughter of Duke of Marmalade is fancied to beat Marina who will be partnered by Aldo Domeyer.
The R1-million Woolavington 2000 has for the first time been thrown open to all Fillies and Mares at weight-for-age terms. With Rain in Holland, Marina and Silver Darling leading the way for the older fillies and mares, it will be up to recent WSB Fillies Guineas winner Peach Daiquiri and SA Oaks winner, None Other, to fly the flag for the three-year-olds.
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