Freaky- good three year-old, Kommetdieding (speed score 112) won the 2021 Durban July on Saturday at Greyville’s “behind closed doors” meeting, beating off Linebacker (s/s 111) Got the Greenlight (s/s 111) and Do It Again (s/s 110.) It was a great triumph for stalwart trainer Harold Crawford and his daughter, Michelle Rix for not only picking this 50 Grand Elusive Fort “cheapie” off the Klawervlei Farm Sale, but then campaigning him with suss and aplomb, culminating in this historic win.
Jockey Gavin Lerena excelled with a finely judged, forceful ride from a wide draw of 18, building up momentum at the right time on the bend and keeping going strongly to ward off gallant Linebacker’s stretch run. Got the Greenlight also ran with credit to be close up in third, whilst Do It Again suffered a tough trip (which cost him momentum) to manage fourth. Rascallion (s/s 109) and Sovereign Spirit (s/s 108) also ran sterling races on the fringes of the places.
Zarina (s/s 108) sprang a massive 75/1 upset in the G1 Garden Province Stakes, weaving her way through traffic off a hot pace to deny Princess Calla and the formidable, War of Athena (s/s 108 as well). Heavily backed, Captain’s Ransom’s early exertions to overcome a wide barrier and attend a fast pace took its toll and she could only manage a figure of 102.
Zarina is a temperamental Master of My Fate filly with great acceleration – that’s when she’s in the right frame of mind! Keagan de Melo handled her brilliantly as she tore through a swift come home sectional in a race that set up just right for a deep closer. Candice Bass is the winning trainer.
A similar scenario unfolded in the G2 Merchants over 1200m when Kasimir, dropped out near the back from draw 13, rushed through down the inside under Richard Fourie, as tiring pace pressers, Chantyman (s/s 107) and MK’s Pride (s/s 107), slugged it out in the centre of the track.
In getting back to winning ways, the Justin Snaith trained, past champion sprinter, Kasimir (s/s 109 + has run 114 @ best) showed that he still has what it takes to blow away the best speedballs in SA. This after a few declining efforts which tested the faith of his supporter’s, which, together with the draw factor, accounted for overlay odds of 14/1.
The juveniles also got a chance to shine in G2’s with Mike de Kock’s Desert Miracle (Golden Slipper) and Dean Kannemeyer’s, Waterberry Lane (Golden Horseshoe) earning the same speed score of 94. Taking nothing away from the latter, also well ridden by de Melo, arguably the superior performance was delivered by Desert Miracle. Punted like there was no tomorrow into 6/10, she raced three wide and finished quickly. Her closing sectional was swift (106% as a ratio to final time,) as she drew off by a steeplechase margin.
Both stayers’’ races were false run affairs with the slow early tempo placing a premium on positioning and acceleration rather than a proper test of endurance. Sean Tarry trained both winners with Nebraas best in the G3 Gold Vase after getting a perfect rail hugging passage, whilst Shango quickened up to prevail in an exciting three-way photo finish over Black Knap and a low- flying Silver Host in the G3 2200.
Finally, the performance of Native Tongue (s/s 100:106%) is worth a mention. This young gelding returned after a 69 day freshening to lumber Silver Operator (s/s 99) close to the wire and looks a smart, progressive sort. This Snaith-trained entry has now won four of 9 starts with more victories in prospect.