The Gr2 World Sports Betting 1900 has always been a weathervane as to the make-up and result of the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July.
One turns instantly to WSB 1900 and July winner Belgarion, Justin Snaith planning his assault on the July to perfection and last year’s winner Winchester Mansion, trainer Brett Crawford executing a similar campaign. In the past, the winner was almost always an inclusion in the final field of Africa’s greatest horse race with those behind battling for a place.
It is no different this Saturday but the race has taken on a different complexion and added intrigue as the WSB 1900 has turned into a ‘mini’ July with all 14 runners entries in the big race to be run on Saturday 6 July and fighting for a place in the final field.
Saturday’s race is a mighty tough contest to work around the form and runners coming back from lay-offs.
1st R312500, 2nd R100000, 3rd R50000, 4th R25000, 5th R12500
WORLD SPORTS BETTING 1900 (Grade 2)
For all Horses
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 1 | Atticus Finch | 56 | 111 | A | Diego De Gouveia | Alec Laird | |
| 2 | 2 | Indian Ocean | 50 | 90 | A | *Malesela Katjedi | Lorenzo Karriem | |
| 3 | 3 | Future Swing | 54 | 103 | A | Richard Fourie | Justin Snaith | |
| 4 | 4 | Oriental Charm | 56 | 113 | A | Juan Paul v’d Merwe | Brett Crawford | |
| 5 | 5 | Without Question | 60 | 120 | A | #Rachel Venniker | Justin Snaith | |
| 6 | 6 | Mucho Dinero | 56 | 110 | A | Kabelo Matsunyane | Justin Snaith | |
| 7 | 7 | Narina Trogon | 52 | 100 | T A | Tristan Godden | Michael Miller | |
| 8 | 8 | Formagear | 54 | 106 | A | S’manga Khumalo | Peter Muscutt | |
| 9 | 9 | Safe Passage | 58 | 112 | A | Muzi Yeni | Mike de Kock | |
| 10 | 10 | Ponte Pietra | 54 | 103 | A | Serino Moodley | Dean Kannemeyer | |
| 11 | 11 | Master Redoute | 58 | 113 | T A | Corne Orffer | Andre Nel | |
| 12 | 12 | Baratheon | 52 | 98 | A | Jabu Jacobs | Piet Botha | |
| 13 | 13 | River Romeo | 52 | 101 | A | Jason Gates | Lorenzo Karriem | |
| 14 | 14 | Imilenzeyokududuma | 54 | 105 | CA | Athandiwe Mgudlwa | Gareth van Zyl | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (2,13) (3,5,6 | ||||||||
Justin Snaith’s runner Without Question has not been out since finishing third in the Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met under Rachel Venniker and may need the run. A win could also see his handicap rating increase but stable companion Mucho Dinero has something to prove.
Like Without Question, he runs in the silks of prolific KZN-based owner Nic Jonsson. Mucho Dinero was most disappointing in his local debut behind Formagear but was reported to have been changing legs throughout.
From the head-on replay he appeared to lose his action coming over the subway which is a worry for his supporters but Snaith is a master of his trade and Gr2 Premier Trophy winner Mucho Dinero should be spot on come Saturday.
Narina Trogon – steps up on Saturday (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Narina Trogon, named after a colourful but elusive bird and bought on an on-line sale by stalwart owner Morgan Govender, has come well for his new stable and according to assistant trainer Craig Eudey, nothing went to plan last time out as the gelding fought for his head when the instructions were to tuck the horse in.
However, stable rider Tristan Godden was left with no option but to make the pace as Narina Trogon jumped keenly and proved difficult to settle. However, he kept running to win a smart race. This will be a further test and to see if the form holds any water.
Sponsor of the Hollywoodbets Durban July will be hoping that Imilenzeyokududuma will come to the party for them. He was closing late on Narina Trogon from last in the straight in that same race. It was a race run at a pedestrian gallop so the form could prove suspect but it was a promising showing.
Future Swing was in that same race and after looking dangerous a furlong out he ran out of steam. Expect a much better showing this time around and Snaith could have another ‘Belgarion’ ace up his sleeve!
Brett Crawford, following Snaith’s pattern, was successful with Winchester Mansions in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July and saddles Oriental Charm who has shot up the handicap after his third place in the Cape Derby.
Saturday’s WSB 1900 should be a magnifying glass to the possible outcome of the R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July to be run over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the first Saturday of July – be there!
