Justin Snaith is aiming to win the now Hollywoodbets-sponsored R5 million Gr1 Durban July for the sixth time when he sends out a power attack at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 2 July.
Snaith will be bidding to join the illustrious ranks of Terrance Millard, who also saddled six, and the record-holder Syd Laird who won the showpiece a record seven times.
July champion Syd Laird and his wife Marlene
Syd Laird’s reign extended over 17 years with Kerason winning in 1961 and Politician delivering his final July trophy in 1978.
The Millard July magic saw a rapid fire six winners over seven years – starting with Tecla Bluff in 1983 and rounded off by Illustrador in 1990.
The relatively youthful Snaith’s reign has already lasted twelve years, and started with the grey filly Dancer’s Daughter dead-heating with Pocket Power in 2008.
Justin Snaith leads Kevin Shea on 2008 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July (Pic -Gold Circle)
The reigning SA Champion also won the July in contentious fashion with Legislate in 2014, and then achieved a hat-trick with Do It Again (2018 and 2019) and Belgarion winning in 2020.
Snaith galloped a few SA Champion Season contenders at Kenilworth on Wednesday. He says than any bookmaker pricing Hoedspruit up at 20-1 has got it wrong.
But watch the clip for more:
Only eight currently active trainers have won the July previously. They are Michelle Crawford-Rix (1), Justin Snaith (5), Candice Bass-Robinson (1), Mike de Kock (4), Sean Tarry (2), Dean Kannemeyer (3), Glen Kotzen (1) and Dennis Drier(1).
Interestingly, Candice Bass-Robinson made history when becoming the first lady trainer to win the race in over a century when Marinaresco won in 2017. But four years later, Michelle Rix would make light of breathtaking history to repeat the fairer sex feat with Kommetdieding (2021).
Summerveld kingpin Dennis Drier is the senior statesman in the ranks – his winner coming thirty years ago with Spanish Galliard in 1992.
It’s been some time between drinks for Mike de Kock – his last winner was over ten years back with the outstanding Igugu (2011). He is seen on the pic above after Ipi Tombe won in 2002.
His Randjesfontein colleague Sean Tarry will also be itching to follow-up on his halcyon years of 2012 and 2013 when Heavy Metal and Pomodoro carried the Chris van Niekerk silks to victory.
Entries for the Hollywoodbets Durban July will close at 11h00 on Tuesday 19 April, with the entries list being embargoed and released on Wednesday 20 April.
Please click on the image below to see the betting:
