While the fairer sex haven’t tasted Durban July success since Igugu walloped the boys in 2011, Sean Tarry’s scintillating Gr2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes winner Rain In Holland is now one of two ladies, alongside Sparkling Water, in the top four in the Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post betting market.
Despite a lack of pace in the small field and not settling in running on Saturday, Richard Fourie made it four wins from four scintillating rides on the massively talented daughter of Duke Of Marmalade, when Rain In Holland (1-5) changed legs at the 350m and powered home to win the Gerald Rosenberg and beat Perfect Witness (6-1) by 1,25 lengths in 125,35 secs.
Rain In Holland (Richard Fourie) surges clear of Perfect Witness to win the Gerlad Rosenberg (Pic – JC Photos)
Another Drakenstein raced and bred galloper – another smart daughter of Futura- in Pink Tourmaline (16-1) finished 1,30 lengths back in third and looked dangerous late, but cost herself a good few lengths by drifting radically inwards in the latter stages. Who knows what happens if she ran straight?
A daughter of deceased Danehill sire Duke Of Marmalade, Rain In Holland is out of the Aqlaam mare Imvula, a half sister to Durban July winner Dancer’s Daughter. The mare was purchased in the UK, where she won once from two starts.
Rain In Holland has now won 9 races with 4 places from 13 starts for race stakes of R2 414 750. That sum excludes the SA Triple Tiara R1 million bonus.
The prize-giving was officiated on by the late Gerald Rosenberg’s son, Johnny. It’s great to see racing maintaining these links with the past.
Next start for Rain In Holland looks to be the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 28 May.
The Durban track is probably not her ideal stage – she won the Gr1 Thekwini there at the end of last season with a heart-stopping late run.
But her top trainer has mastered the blinkers switch, and she will line up a much more streetwise competitor at the end of the month.
Interesting times! And then it could be a straight run into the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
