Wylie Hall and Legislate in that contentious July finish
There aren’t too many bad ways to win the R3,5 million Gr1 Vodacom Durban July. But the 2014 renewal of the great race will forever be clouded in controversy. Trainer Justin Snaith will rightfully feel a trifle aggrieved to have a potential terrific climax to his greatest ever season ruined by an objection. And let’s not even mention the circus pace.
The boardroom rubber stamp followed a jostling duel over the final 300m between Snaith’s brilliant Dynasty colt Legislate and Weiho Marwing’s Australian-bred outsider, Wylie Hall.
In the end it was a happy enough ending for Snaith and commiserations must go out to trainer Weiho Marwing and his owner Michael Leaf, who experienced the knockout blow of an ultimate high and low within ten minutes in Africa’s greatest race.
Richard Fourie, the regular jockey of the runner-up Legislate objected immediately after the race and was awarded the decision after deliberation by the stewards.
Snaith is no stranger to July drama. His previous winner Dancer’s Daughter dead-heated with the brilliant Pocket Power in 2008.
Something that may bear clarity are the comments of visiting UK journalist Neil Morrice who said on Tellytrack that a decision of this nature would not have been awarded in his home country. Morrice said the fact that the hooter had not gone immediately the two runners had passed the post suggested that the Stipes weren’t necessarily of the opinion that it was warranted.
It is a strange anomaly in this country that the initiator of the objection is often immaterial and whether it is the jockey, trainer or the stipes has no real bearing on anything. In fact the stipes prefer the ‘race review’ neutral ground option and then whatever follows, after being given time to digest the goings-on.
The duel between Legislate and Wylie Hall was played out in front of a capacity crowd of 50 000 at Greyville.
Watch the race here:
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There were was little inkling of what was about to come as the big-race jockeys had the honour of being introduced to President Jacob Zuma during the on-course introductions in the pre-race parade ring.
The large crowd enjoyed the day
MJ Byleveld piloted the outsider Wylie Hall for the first time and there is little doubt that he knew what to expect when he returned to the unsaddling area after holding off an animated Richard Fourie on the Daily News winner.
In a race devoid of any pace, the fancied Legislate was a temporary leader but Wylie Hall then went up to lead and brought the field for home.
Legislate, who was just a length behind Wylie Hall at the 300m appeared to battle to get past the pacesetter and took a few knocks as he himself appeared to move both ways.
But in the end it was all academic as the race was awarded to the brilliant Dynasty 3yo Legislate in an official time of 136,33 secs.
Futura confirmed his invitation to run with a cracking third just 0,60 lengths back. The pace would have destroyed his hopes. Tellina also rattled late to run fourth, just ahead of Snaith’s smashing Jet Master filly In The Fast Lane.
There were many dented ego’s afterwards, and some will blame the lack of pace that was predicted.
Jockey Anton Marcus said he had intended to place Rake’s Progress but had found himself third last and never had a chance thereafter. “He may as well have stayed in his box,’ said Marcus.
He asked why, if we all forecast a possible slow pace, was nothing done about it?
Well, other than the jockeys and the trainers who dish out the riding instructions, who exactly is supposed to legislate that?
Triple Crown hero Louis The King clipped heels and had a few excuses with traffic problems but ran one from last in a dismal end to his memorable season.
Mike De Kock’s Espumanti fought jockey Anthony Delpech all the way around and after not being allowed to stride and have a chance, she eventually gave up the ghost to run stone last.
But it was Legislate’s day and he sealed his nomination for Horse Of The Year in terrific style.
He registered his fifth win from 10 starts and stakes of R4 503 600. It was his fourth feature win in a row and his third Gr1 win. What a horse!
Cheveley Stud bred the R100 000 National Yearling Sale purchase..He is by Dynasty out of the Restructure mare, Champers.
There was further drama afterwards when Legislate was taken for xrays with a suspected knee fracture.
The race also secured the national trainer championship for Justin Snaith.
The July only hosted sixteen runners this year, the third smallest field in a long history dating back to its first running in 1897. Only seven runners ran in the opening year and again in 1908.
The field size had been reduced in view of the new track configuration following the installation of a synthetic track on the inside of the turf course.
Was the pace not always going to be a factor? Read this published a week before the big race:
https://www.sportingpost.co.za/2014/06/durban-july-pacemaker-could-pace-reck-july/
