Owner Stincky Pooe draws 12 for his charge Purple Pitcher. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).
Kabelo Matsunyane won the Hollywoodbets Durban July in his third ride in the great race in 2023 on the Brett Crawford-trained Winchster Mansion and in his fifth ride, on the Robyn Klaasen-trained dual Gr 1 winner Purple Pitcher, he has draw 12 to negotiate.
He said, “We have done a good prep with him.The draw is not the worst of draws. I think I can work with draw 12 and I am just looking forward to the day.Hopefully, I can overcome the draw with ease and he can be in the best position to run a good race. Asa front runner you preferto be a bit out.If you have a low draw and you come out a bit sluggish they can cover you too quickly.With the outside draw, you can just take your time and try to overcome it.Obviously, it is not the easiest of draws. You can end up making your horse do too much early.It is a catch-22 situation … you just have to work smart with it.”
Purple Pitcher finished a 10,25 length 14th last year from draw eight under Philasnde Mxoli.
That was Klaasen’s second tilt at the big race.
She finished a fine fifth with Second Base in her July debut in 2023.
