A R20 million Pick 6 has been projected for Saturday’s bumper Hollywoodbets Durban July racemeeting and with TAB betting already open, and a massive Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge prize to play for, there is unprecedented interest in the big race.
Michelle Wing and her Racing News team have been hard at work and provide fans with a unique insight from the big race runners’ connections.
Watch the preview show at the base of these comments.
- See It Again: “The weight is a question. I would have loved to have seen him with around 55 in the race, but he’s on the up. I believe he’s the best 3 year old in the country”, Michael Roberts.
- Winchester Mansion: “He’s absolutely flying at home. He should be spot on for this race. With a good draw and a nice, light galloping weight on his back, I think this is a very, very strong runner. I wouldn’t leave him out in any of your bets”, James Crawford.
- Safe Passage: “Certainly at the weights, at the ratings, he’s definitely a runner”, Mike de Kock.
- Without Question: “I was very impressed with that gallop (23 June 2023). This horse does everything the right way”, Justin Snaith. “I’m very happy that Trip Of Fortune got supplemented and pushed him back down to where he should be. I now get my full 4 pounds. The draw … it could get a bit bumpy, but he’s a big boy”, Richard Fourie.
- Son Of Raj: “The way he won the Derby, he must have a massive chance, because I’ve got no weight and I’m very well drawn”, Muzi Yeni.
12.Pacaya: “We’ve always thought that he’s the best handicapped horse in South Africa. He is peaking and I need to just tone him down a little bit, and if I get that right, the mixture right, he’s a horse that’s going to be a big runner”, Justin Snaith.
- Rain In Holland: “56.5 is a big weight for a filly and she’s drawn 17. You know 17 can keep you out of the trouble as well. I’m hoping for a big run”, Sean Tarry.
- Dave The King: “I am very, very happy on today’s work (23 June 2023). He’s starting to settle down and just going in the right direction. He’s a runner, especially now that the weights stay down a bit”, Craig Zackey. “The Cape 3 year olds, for me, stand out. He’s from Cape form. I would have no problem having him in front (re the pace)”, Mike de Kock.
- Rascallion: “I was very, very happy with his workout. He did it in a good time and comfortably. He’s come through it well. It’s not ideal (draw 15) and we’re going to need a little bit of luck, I’m sure”, Vaughan Marshall.
- Do It Again: “I think I got an instant connection when I slipped into the saddle. He put up a tremendous gallop”, Gavin Lerena. “I’m as confident with him going into this race, as any of the races I have with him. Beautifully weighted and a 6 draw”, Justin Snaith.
- Puerto Manzano: “For a dual group 1 winner, I think he’s very well weighted and he’s in the form of his life. The verdict is still out as to whether he enjoys Hollywoodbets Greyville”, Keagan de Melo.
- Pomp and Power: “18 draw, we’re on the outside. Not concerned about the draw, whatsoever. If he was drawn 1, I would have said you can ‘can’ his chances now. But complete hit or miss. How’s he going to play up with the crowds screaming and shouting. We’re going to do everything we can”, Justin Snaith.
- Bless My Stars: “Obviously a big ask in this field. She’s had a really good prep. She’s got a half decent draw and with that weight, who knows”, Sean Tarry.
3.Time Flies: “She did get quite a big merit rating increase after her last start. She’s proven that she’s a filly that can get in the mix up, the shake up with the big horses”, James Crawford.
- Billy Bowlegs: “I think we’ve got more than just a runner, we’ve got a horse with a chance. He’s coming right at the right time. With 53.5 and draw 5, we’re quite excited”, Alec Laird.
- Silver Darling: “Whether the fillies are good enough and they come in with the form with Rain In Holland and Time Flies, I don’t know. I do think the fillies are going to find it hard against the older horses, that they’re giving weight to”, Justin Snaith.
- Trip of Fortune: “Obviously a question mark over the distance, as he hasn’t been this trip before, and he has top weight. He not drawn well at 16, but will be dropped in, in order to see out the trip. If he can get away with it, it will be at this track”, Candice Bass-Robinson.
- Second Base: “I just encourage the public to judge him on his most recent run. He obviously took well to his change of stable and change of environment, and I believe that he is a different horse to what he was before”, Robyn Klaasen.
Enjoy the show:
