The Gr1 Daily News 2000 is traditionally the best pointer to the Vodacom Durban July so will be watched with great interest by pundits and punters alike on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
The Vaughan Marshall-trained Linebacker is attempting to become the first horse since Legislate in 2014 and Big City Life in 2009 to do the WSB Guineas, Daily News 2000 and Vodacom Durban July treble and he looks capable of doing it.
Linebacker is the one to beat on Saturday (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
David Thiselton writes on www.goldcircle.co.za that Linebacker was unlucky in the Gr1 Cape Guineas, when finishing a narrow second, then won the Gr1 Cape Derby over 2000m at Kenilworth on February 27.
He was next seen in racecourse gallop at Hollywoodbets Greyville with his stable companion Rascallion in the build up to the WSB Guineas and after showing off his elastic-like action and fine turn of foot in the latter race to win cosily he was recently seen again putting in another fine gallop at Hollywoodbets Greyville with Rascallion.
Rascallion has started a shorter price than Linebacker in all three of their meetings, which shows how well he is regarded at home, although he has beaten all three times, finishing third on all three occasions.
He started 5/10 favourite in his KZN debut in the Listed Sledgehammer over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and could only manage a disappointing fourth but he would have come on for the run and he has landed a plum draw of three for the Daily News.
Cape hero Kommetdieding (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
However, a bigger threat to Linebacker will come from Kommetdieding, who as a rags-to-riches fairytale is possibly the most popular horse in the country.
The Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix-trained colt lost his unbeaten record in the WSB Guineas but suffered a bad bump in the early stages meaning he had to run on from too far back. He finished a 2,10 length third, although it has to be said Linebacker was never under any pressure to win.
The Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock was responsible for bumping Kommetdieding in the WSB Guineas as he proved difficult to control in the early stages, as he had been in the Cape Derby.
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer will be hoping a new type of bit helps this talented colt run to his potential from pole position.
The Gatekeeper was an unlucky fifth in the Cape Guineas and fourth in the Cape Derby and is regarded as a future star by trainer Justin Snaith as he is still immature.
Highveld raider Second Base comes off a fine running on second to ruling Vodacom Durban July favourite Got The Greenlight in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge and will be running on again, although he has had a busy season.
The best might not yet have been seen of another Highveld raider Flying Carpet, who has plenty of scope for improvement and his good draw will suit him as he needs cover in order to maximize his good turn of foot.
Copper Mountain finished close to Second Base when third in the WSB Guineas and was subsequently a close second to Got The Green Light in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut stakes. However, he failed in the WSB SA Classic over 1800m so still has to prove he stays beyond a mile, although he should do so on pedigree.
Shah Akbar finished fourth in the SA Derby but was well beaten and needs a big step up to earn a cheque here.
Dr Doolittle is talented and might prove himself better than his unplaced run in the SA Classic although he is unlikely to threaten the like of Linebacker.
Full Blast takes a big step up in class.
Infinite Wonder was well beaten in the WSB Guineas so needs to improve.
Please click on the image below to read more
