The R180 000 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Gr3 Cup Trial, a ‘preferential consideration’ race for inclusion in the R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, threw a potential new name into the big race hat when Sabine Plattner galloper Airways Law produced the knockout under an inspired ride by Gareth Wright.
Having only his second run on the turf, with his 4 prior victories all on the all-weather track, Airways Law (10-1) took off from last turning into the home straight and collared Dean Kannemeyer’s revitalised Mount Anderson (6-1) late to win a thriller.
Airways Law (Gareth Wright in blue cap) storms up on the inside to beat Mount Anderson (Keagan de Melo) in a thrilling finish (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The winning margin was a quarter length, and the time for the 1800m a solid 110,04 secs.
The top two are both not current Hollywoodbets Durban July entries, but finished 3 lengths clear of the luckless Gentleman’s Wager (16-1), with the fancied Warrior (5-2), a further neck back in fourth.
Warrior was the first home of six of the seventeen Hollywoodbets Durban July entries running this weekend that lined up in the Cup Trial.
Of the five remaining, Chollima (4,20 lengths), Never Ending Rain (4,30 lengths), Firealley (6,20 lengths), Crimson King (7,90 lengths) and Native Tongue (12,20 lengths), who collapsed in the chute on return, probably did little to enhance their big race prospects.
Watch the replay here:
Bred by her La Plaissance Stud, and raced by Sabine Plattner, the lightly tried Airways Law has improved since gelding in March and took his stakes tally to R351 375 and has now won 5 of his 8 starts, with 2 places.
He is the fifth stakes winner to have emerged from Durban July winner Legislate’s first crop -which consists of just 23 registered foals. This crop also produced the graded stakes winners Hoedspruit and Zimbaba, as well as Listed Sophomore Sprint winner Speed Machine.
Out of the Jet Master mare Beautiful Jet, Airways Law made it a hat-trick of victories with his maiden stakes score.
So will trainer Andre Nel and his team feel it worthwhile to aim at glory in the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July?
The big race final supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 14 June. The weights will be published on the same day.
Final declarations close at 11h00 on Monday, 20 June.
The announcement of the Final Field and Barrier Draws will take place on Tuesday, 21 June.
