Clive Robinson
South Africa’s most iconic race, the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July over 2200m at Greyville is upon us.
Like the Melbourne Cup in Australia the Durban July, being run on 2 July for the 126th time, entices a large portion of once-a-year punters to ensure the biggest betting pools of the year. Winning any bet can make one feel special on the day but a win on the ‘July’ itself can be described as complete euphoria.
The race promises a record R5 million stake and as such it has attracted the cream of the crop. But many will be hoping Do It Again gets a clear passage this year and goes on to make history as the first three-time winner of the race.
He looked to be building up into his famous all-conquering rhythm when the doors closed at a crucial stage in his fourth try last year, allowing winner Kommetdieding, Linebacker and another multiple Equus winner Got The Greenlight to get away from him, but he still found his stride to finish fourth.
He has run this race four times, winning in 2018 and 2019 and then placing in 2020 and 2021.
He is a full 7kg better off with Kommetdieding for 1.75 lengths and 4.5kg better off with Linebacker for 1.25 lengths so must have a big chance of turning that around.
He does have to give away weight to the new generation, three-year-olds Pomp And Power (Cape Derby winner) and the horse who beat him in the Daily News 2000 (historically ‘the’ July pointer), Safe Passage. The latter is the current well-supported favourite but it can be argued this bunch of three-year-olds has not looked a vintage crop.
Pomp And Power ran slightly below par races in two Hollywoodbets Greyville classics, citing pace issues, while Safe Passage was given a bump in weights for his easy Daily News win and the distance could be a question mark.
At odds of around 14-1 Do It Again represents tremendous value while it could be worth including Aragosta (16-1) who gets a taste of more ground which will suit hime as he won the Grade 1 SA Derby over 2400m.
One of the big highlights on the day will be the return of Captain’s Ransom to make amends for last year’s defeat in the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes (Race 8). It is well documented she wasn’t at her best on that occasion and on paper she is not meeting any runner of her level. Banker in all bets.
All eyes will be on Airways Law (Race 3) if he doesn’t make the cut for the ‘July’ where he is a reserve runner, suggest having a proper bet on the fast-improving stayer if that is the case.
One of the best races on the day could be the match between Maharanee and Sweet Pepper (Race 5), both unbeaten fillies but, it could be a massive result should something else come up and win.
