While both are good sportsmen and seasoned racing folk, trainers Andre Nel and Sean Tarry are disappointed and shocked that Airways Law and Nebraas respectively did not make the final field of 18 for Saturday’s R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. Both are reserves.
Twenty runners (18 plus 2 reserves) were selected from the 28 that stood their ground at final acceptance. There will always be hard-luck stories, as any horse included means another would be left out.
While there is still time until 08h15 on Friday, neither Nel nor Tarry want to come in through the back door on somebody else’s rotten luck.
Airways Law turns it on from last to wi n the Cup Trial from Mount Anderson (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Andre Nel said that Airways Law, who is now carded for the R175 000 Gr3 Vodacom 2200, or ‘consolation July’ as it is tagged, is on the up and spot on for Saturday.
“He has improved more than 30 pounds in his last 3 runs – and it is not inconceivable that he can improve further. One makes the deduction that the reserve runner would run last had all run. I don’t see Airways Law landing up last. And how many Cup Trial winners have not gone on to make the Durban July field? Now we are relegated to the ‘consolation’ race. It’s an ordinary handicap for a stake of R175 000 and hardly consolation. It goes without saying that we are very disappointed not to have made the cut.”
After winning the ‘preferred consideration’ event, the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial, Legislate son Airways Law was supplemented at a cost of R30 190 into the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
The handicappers awarded Airways Law a 108 merit rating after he had come from last to win the Cup Trial over 1800m by 0,25 lengths from the consistent Mount Anderson.
He will be 3,5kg under sufferance if running in the July, and was merit rated lower than many other borderline horses.
Trainer Sean Tarry told us that he was ‘shocked’ when his ultra consistent Equus Champion stayer Nebraas was made second reserve.
Nebraas – a top stayer and trainer is shocked by omission (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“Nebraas has won 6 of his last 8 starts – 4 of those were in features. I’m shocked he didn’t get in. He is a decent staying sort, who would have been a massive runner off his weight, and could have possibly led in a race that looks devoid of any pace.”
The 2021 Marshalls World Of Sport winner Nebraas does not run in any other race on Saturday and will likely bid to defend his title in the 3200m contest at the end of the season.
