Muzi Yeni is aboard the Hollywoodbets Durban July favourite Safe Passage and having finished fifth twice as well as fourth, third and second in previous Julys he will be hoping to finally get into the winner’s enclosure.
He said at yesterday morning’s Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops, “The horse is in a great space, the gallop was phenomenal. Couldn’t have asked for a better prep so I’m very fortunate and pleased to be on him. He has a massive chance.”
Asked if there was any extra pressure being on the favourite he said, “Obviously nobody will be looking to give you an inch, but I’m going into the race with confidence on a horse this fit and well.”
Muzi was on the joint-favourite with bookmakers last year, Got The Greenlight, and he said, “I think he should have won the race. It is a pity, taking nothing away from the winner, that it just didn’t fall according to plan in the first half of the race, there was a lot of scrimmaging. But we’re back here with another big chance again, so hopefully we have a Safe Passage!”
Muzi has ridden in the July before for Mike de Kock and said, “I ran fifth on Happy Valley (in 2010) and was just a bit too far out of my ground.”
He concluded, “Mike is a master conditioner and is bang in form and that’s what you want.”
Picture: Safe Passage (far side) worked with Aragosta yesterday morning (Warren Kennedy up). (Candiese Lenferna Photography).
