Sean Tarry’s SA Triple Tiara queen Rain In Holland is on track for a tilt at the Hollywoodbets Durban July after a sensational victory in Saturday’s R1 million Gr1 Woolavington at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
In an ironic twist, Rain In Holland was winning the inaugural ‘open’ Woolavington after missing it in her 3yo term last year as she was off injured.
Her victory on Saturday was another master stroke and remarkable training achievement by multiple champion trainer Sean Tarry, whose previous win in the prestigious event dates back to 2008 when Marthinus Mienie piloted the ill-fated Wendywood to victory.
Rain In Holland storms home under Smanga Khumalo (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
A decision to amend the Woolavington race conditions to accommodate all ages was made to preserve the quality and ensure the pattern flow and Gr 1 status. The change was unanimously agreed by the Local-graded races pattern committee and approved by the Asian Pattern committee members on 14 February 2023
While it has been widely debated, the alternative was to downgrade the Woolavington to a Grade 2 if the race continued as a 3yo only fillies race – changing the conditions and adding a depth of quality was surely the better option in order to retain Grade 1 status.
Sean Tarry and Drakenstein’s Kevin Sommerville with the magnificent trophy (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
For Tarry and the high-riding Drakenstein team, it was another well-taken Gr1 success for a filly who was top-class as a 3yo, but seems to be getting even better with age and will now line up in the Hollywoodbets Durban July on 1 July.
Allowed to relax early off a decent pace set by Ice Sunsation, Rain In Holland (9-4) was produced down the inside by Smanga Khumalo and she ran on powerfully to hold off recent Listed East Coast Cup winner Time Flies (20-1) by 1,30 lengths in a time of 124,53 secs.
The defending champion Silver Darling (17-2), a Hollywoodbets Durban July entry, ran a cracker for third, with Hold My Hand (12-1) coming from last to grab fourth.
The unlucky horse of the race was Marina (8-1), who couldn’t find a gap and ran a decent 2,55 length fifth.
Watch the replay:
Trainer Sean Tarry and jockey Smanga Khumalo won the Durban July in 2013 with Heavy Metal and have celebrated a ‘reunion’ of sorts this season. They won two races on the afternoon.
In acknowledgement of his good supporters, Drakenstein Stud, Tarry added that it was not an easy job with a big horse ‘unless you have the people who trust you and know how to take the pain with the pleasure’.
Raced and bred by Drakenstein Stud, Rain In Holland has won 11 races with 6 places from 21 starts for stakes of R3 528 500.
A daughter of deceased Danehill sire Duke Of Marmalade, she 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.
Second declarations for the Hollywoodbets Durban July close on Monday 29 May.
