The poser around the participation of Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post favourite Eight On Eighteen will finally be laid to rest on Gallop TV just after 11h00 on Tuesday when the final field for the 129th renewal of Africa’s greatest race will be unveiled.
The Sporting Post has remained in constant contact with the Snaith yard throughout the past few weeks as the champion team weigh up the options and the public waits with bated breath for an answer on whether the champion 3yo will line up on 5 July.
The weights published on Tuesday indicate that Eight On Eighteen will lumber 57kgs if he lines up alongside the likes of defending champion Oriental Charm, See It Again and Gladatorian.
Justin Snaith has six live entries in the mix and is bidding for his sixth Durban July title, having saddled two 3yo winners in Legislate (2014) and Do It Again (2018).
Wylie Hall (MJ Byleveld) and Legislate (Richard Fourie) go head to in 2014 – it went to the boardroom (Pic – Supplied)
Legislate, who came in to the July off wins in the Cape Derby, the KZN Guineas and the Daily News 2000, was promoted on an objection after he carried 56kgs from an 11 draw, while Do It Again carried 54kgs in his first victory from a 15 draw.
Sporting Post reader Cameron James posed a question to the Snaith team via our comments platform earlier this week – ‘was Legislate better than Eight On Eighteen?’
This is the response from the Snaith yard:
That’s a tough question. One horse is a true miler (Legislate), while the other is exceptional over 10 furlongs (Eight on Eighteen), with the latter being a sensational classic horse.
When Legislate was at his best, there were very few horses that could have beaten him over a mile. It’s worth noting that many superstars have run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over this distance, but to this day, the fastest mile ever run at that course is held by Legislate, who still maintains the course record.
In a true-run race over eleven furlongs, one can assume Eight On Eighteen would have Legislate beaten fairly comfortably as the latter did have stamina doubts.
Despite Legislate being infertile, he is statistically one of the best sires in South Africa. Most of his offspring tend to excel over a mile, while Eight on Eighteen is likely to produce classic types that will perform well in the 1600-2000m range. He is an incredibly exciting sire prospect for South Africa in the future.
His sire Lancaster Bomber (Rascova, Beach Bomb, Snow Pilot, Legend of Arthur) was a major contributor to the stud book.
The scratching of Gqeberha challenger Joy And Peace on Thursday has reduced the entry contingent to 28. Her stablemate My Best Shot will be put through his paces at Fairview today for his official big race gallop.
The final field capacity is 20, which includes 2 reserves.
Final declarations are due on Monday 23 June and the field of eighteen runners, with two reserves, will be revealed on Tuesday 24 June when the draw for barrier positions will also take place.
The traditional public gallops for the KZN-based runners will be held at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Thursday 26 June, commencing at 07h00 and all are welcome to attend.
