Three talented three-year-olds, including two fillies from KwaZulu-Natal stables, were added to the list of Vodacom Durban July hopefuls at the first supplementary entry stage today (Tuesday). They join the 46 remaining horses that stood their ground at yesterday’s first acceptance stage for the R4.25-million, Grade 1 spectacle that draws massive local and international interest and claims the right to be rated the greatest race on the African continent.
The fillies that have joined the battle for a place in the final field of the 2 200m event at the Theatre of Champions at Greyville in Durban on July 7 are the daughter of Go Deputy from the Alyson Wright stable, Flitchity By Farr, and the Duncan Howells stable inmate Fiorella. The third supplementary entry is the bay gelding Rocket Countdown from the Candice Bass-Robinson yard.
Flitchity By Farr gave notice that she was to be given the utmost respect when finishing just over a length second to Secret Potion in the recent Oaks at Turffontein where Takingthepeace failed to win and secure the Triple Tiara. She had shown little before that to suggest she could be a July candidate but her earlier wins over 1 800m and 2 000m indicated that she would enjoy ground and her Oaks performance confirmed that.
Fiorella upstaged superstar Snowdance in the Daisy Fillies Guineas at Greyville recently and indicated that she had a fair amount of talent before that when one-and-a-half lengths fourth behind Takingthepeace in the SA Fillies Classic at Turffontein. The Howells stable is in top form and the Captain Al filly could make her final bid for a big-race invitation in the Grade 1 Woolavington next month.
Rocket Countdown first put his hand up as a gelding worth following when beating the Brett Crawford-trained White River home in the Selangor Cup. White River has since finished second in the Cape Guineas and third in the Byerley Turk and is currently in the top 18 on the first Vodacom Durban July Log.
Rocket Countdown’s latest quest for consideration came when second from the widest draw to Rainbow Ridge in the Cape Winter Guineas confirming that he could be worth considering for a July ticket.
– Journalist Richard McMillan – Gold Circle
Second Declaration: Close 11:00, Monday 4 June 2018
Final Supp Entries: Close 11:00, Monday 18 June 2018
Weights Published: Tuesday 19 June 2018
Final Declaration: Close 11:00 Monday 25 June 2018
FINAL FIELD AND DRAW: ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FINAL FIELD AND BARRIER DRAWS WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY 26 JUNE 2018.
PUBLIC GALLOPS 7am At Greyville Thursday 28 June 2018.
