The scratching of Hollywoodbets Durban July log contenders Main Defender and Royal Aussie on Wednesday has opened the door for fringe contestants as the countdown to the big race continues.
There have been 33 scratchings in total at time of writing on Wednesday at 14h00, with recent withdrawals including the likes of Lucky Lad, Snow Pilot, Pyromaniac, Celestial City and William Iron Arm.
Here is the log, with the two scratchings indicated:
Dean Kannemeyer has only Green With Envy left in the mix after having taken Ponte Pietro out after his fourth placed finish in Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial.
There are five Hollywoodbets Durban July hopefuls in action this weekend.
Justin Snaith’s WSB Cape Town Met winner Double Superlative runs in a Pinnacle Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, while all of Aragosta, Cape Eagle, Future Pearl and Without Question step out in the Tabgold Gr3 Derby.
With the final supplementary entries closing at 11h00 on Tuesday 18 June, there is still time for a back-door entry. Weights will be published that same day.
A total of 27 have accepted thus far, with the two supplementary entries Double Superlative and Meridius not yet accepted.
Final declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 24 June.
A final field of 18 runners plus 2 reserves will be announced on Tuesday 25 June.
