Selukwe Quietly Fancied By Many And Lands A Good Draw

Andre Nel is elated to pull out draw six. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Serino Moodley was in strong contention 200m out in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July as the Gareth van Zyl-trained Flag Man probably put his nose in front and he has a chance this year with a horse plenty of punters fancy, the Andre Nel-trained five-year-old Pomodoro gelding Selukwe, who came from way off the pace to win the Gr 3 WSB 1900 in impressive style.

He has a tough ask on paper as he is officially 2kg under sufferance, but in the 1900 he did beat two quietly fancied three-year-olds, Okavango and Native Ruler, and he landed a fine draw of six on Tuesday morning.

Byron Forster, who oversees Nel’s Summerveld operation, said, “The horse is doing well and obviously the draw helps.There does seem to be a lot of speed in the race and I hope we get into a good position.I will leave it up to Serino.”

Selukwe does quite a lot by himself when working, so will not have a companion at Tuesday mornings Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops.

If ever there was a person who deserves to win the country’s most famous horse race, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, it is Sabine Plattner as she has poured an immense amount into the South African racing industry.

She looked to have the race won in 2002 with the Brett Crawford-trained Angus only for the great fillly Ipi Tombe to burst through and deny him by a head.

Her chances don’t look quite as good this year, but nobody would begrudge Selukwe if he came through to win at odds of 17/1 with the sponsor in the familiar grass green and indigo colours.