Turf Talk Newsletter – 22 June, 2026

Happy Verse was scratched from the Hollywoodbets Durban July late on Monday morning (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The final field of 18 runners plus two reserves for the Hollywoodbets Durban July will have been decided by the expert panelists on Monday, but just before the embargoing process was put in place at 11 a.m. there was the shock scratching of the fancied Justin Snaith-trained Happy Verse, who was due to be ridden by the young Australia-based sensation Zac Lloyd.

Jonathan Snaith said later, “Happy Verse has unfortunately sustained a workout injury and was examined by the vet late this morning (Monday). Following a thorough assessment, it was confirmed that the injury will rule him out for the remainder of the current season and potentially for a period thereafter.”

However the good news is he said Zac Lloyd would still get a July ride on one of the other Snaith-trained horses.

Jonathan did not divulge which horse he would now ride and is presumably waiting to see which of their runners are included in the final field of 18 when it is announced at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Tuesday.

The Justin Snaith-trained runners still standing their ground are Wish List, Legal Counsel, Note To Self, Native Ruler and Regulation.

The scratching will have been a blow to Snaith Racing, but in another sense it could be a blessing in disguise, because Regulation is one their most fancied runners and yet was only in position 20 on the final Hollywoodbets Durban July log, so this will give him a better chance of getting into the field of 18.

He will still have to leapfrog one other horse to get a top 18 position, because Happy Verse is the only one of the top 19 on the last log to have come out.

It will not be surprising if Zac Lloyd does get the ride on Regulation if the Legislate gelding gets in, considering his regular pilot JP van der Merwe did not shine on him in his two starts at Hollywoodbets Greyville recently in the WSB 1900 and the Betgames Cup Trial respectively. He was expected to win the WSB 1900, although he was reported to have “choked up” in the Cup Trial.

On the other hand JP does ride to 52kg, which Regulation will be set to carry, and he is not only contracted to Regulation’s owners Greg and Gina Bortz, but he has also won a Hollywoodbets Durban July for them with Oriental Charm two years ago.

There were two other scratchings before the embargoing process took place, Shoot The Rapids and Tenpenny, but they were both outside of the top 20 on the final log, so their scratchings would likely at the most have only had an impact on the reserve runner positions in the final field selection process.

The final field selection panel consists of chairman Raf Sheik (Race Coast), Lennon Maharaj (NHA Chief Handicapper), Aveen Sewpersad (Race Coast), Kurt Felix (Race Coast), Gabriel Soma (4Racing) and Luciano Passerini (4Racing).

Will he or won’t he be in the top 18? The big question ahead of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field Announcement is will the fancied Regulation leapfrog another horse on the final log and get into the top 18? (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The all important Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field Announcement and Draw Ceremony will happen at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Tuesday morning from 11H00 to 11H30.

The final field panelists, consisting of chairman Raf Sheik (Race Coast), Lennon Maharaj (NHA Chief Handicapper), Aveen Sewpersad (Race Coast), Kurt Felix (Race Coast), Gabriel Soma (4Racing) and Luciano Passerini (4Racing), will have had the unenviable task on Monday of choosing 18 runners plus two reserves from the 25 horses still standing their ground.

They would have been helped by the scratching on Monday of the fancied Happy Verse as he was a top 18 on the log incumbent.

The scratchings of Tenpenny and Shoot The Rapids yesterday would not have been of much help as they were outside the top 20 on the last Hollywoodbets Durban July log and at most the only impact they would likely have had on the final field selection process would have beenas horses under consideration for one of the two reserve positions.

The anomaly this year is that one of the most fancied runners in the betting market is the Justin Snaith-trained Regulation, despite him only having been 20th on the final Hollywoodbets Durban July log and having a lowly merit rating of 106, which will mean if he is a runner in the big race he will be 1kg under sufferance carrying bottom weight of 52kg.

The Legislate gelding was fancied to book his place in the July by winning the Gr 3 WSB 1900, but he was caught wide from a wide draw and could only manage a 0,60 length second.

He was then fancied to make amends in the Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial, but he was once again caught wide and he then reportedly choked up. His unplaced run there dented his chances of a place in the final field.
In his favour is that when winning the Gr 3 Ownpay Peninsula Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in December he beat top 18 on the July log incumbent Zeitz by 3,20 lengths when receiving only 1kg and then when finishing an unlucky third in the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in January he beat Zeitz at level weights by 1,55 lengths and beat another top 18 July log incumbent, Native Ruler, by 2,35 lengths at level weights.

Furthermore, he beat top 18 incumbents The Ultimate King and Native Ruler in the WSB 1900, although he was receiving 6kg from The Ultimate King and 8kg from Native Ruler and only beat them by a quarter of a length and 1,35 lengths respectively.

Zeitz reversed form with Regulation when winning the Cup Trial and Regulation was also beaten by Listed Sledgehamnmer winner Field Marshal in the Cup Trial. The latter still stands his ground in the July.

The problem is which horse would Regulation leapfrog if it was decided to put him in the top 18?

The 19th position on the last log was the Gr 3 Jubilee winner Aladdin’s Lamp and he deserves a place as the winner of a traditional July pointer race and he is also in the handicap off his 110 rating carrying 53kg.

The next horse above Regulation on the log in 18th position was Minogue, who has placed a narrow second in her last two races, which were both Gr 2s over 2000m.

However, Regulation has won a stakes race this season, while Minogue has never won a black type race in her career, although she has many stakes places to her name including a Gr 1 runner up finish.

Other horses who have not had stakes wins this season despite some good placed efforts are Choisaanada (17th on the log), I Salute You (15th), Olivia’s Way (14th), Viva’s Liberte (11th), King Pelles (9th), Note To Self (7th) and Gladatorian (6th).

If winning a stakes race is a key criteria then Regulation must have a chance.

It is always a tough decision for the final field panelists and there are always those who either feel disappointed or aggrieved.

However, the Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field Announcement and Draw ceremony is when the famous “July Fever” really kicks into overdrive.

It is a hugely anticipated event by the South African racing community and trainers, owners, jockeys, breeders, grooms, punters and bookmakers will be on tenterhooks when the ceremony starts at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning, with the final field tension being followed by the barrier draw tension.

Race Coast

The final field announcement for the Hollywoodbets Durban Final takes place at 11 on Tuesday morning but the name of Curious Girl may not be in the field of 18 plus two reserves after going down to Jazz Café in the Lucky Fish Winter Fillies Stakes over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

It was a close call at the line but Robbie Hill’s mare got up in the shadow of the post to make things even more difficult for those responsible for choosing the final July field as Curious Girl does boast five wins plus victory over males in the Gr2 SA Derby.

Jazz Café was the lowest rated horse in the nine-horse field and going on the official July weights Curious Girl was at the bottom of the handicap with 46kg, 6kg below the minimum July weight of 52kg so on Saturday’s evidence she is unlikely to be raised the required amount to make her competitive in the July or even make the final line-up. As Hill pointed out, it is difficult for three-year-olds at this time of the year especially over 2400m.

For Hill it was a plan come together and perfectly executed by Rachel Venniker. Curious Girl was always well placed in a race run at no great pace while Venniker was content to sit watching all unfold in front of her.

Approaching the final turn, Venniker gently asked for more as Jazz Café crept closer and was within striking distance crossing the subway. It was a sprint for home with many in contention but Jazz Café and Curious Girl gradually shook them off and had the race to themselves over the final 100m with Jazz Café just making it home with Woman’s World staying on for third.

It was KZN Breeder’s day with the Breeders’ Mile heading the card made up of KZN-bred horses. Tinus Gericke is an integral part of Blue Sky Thoroughbreds along with Bruce le Roux but Go Grayson Go was bred for Gericke’s own account and races in the Gericke family colours.

It was straight forward for Richard Fourie who tracked the hot early pace set by replacement rider Tristan Godden on Wild At War. The field concertinaed at the top of the straight but Fourie had daylight in front of him and Go Grayson Go delivered the coup de grace.

It was the second winner for Frikkie Greyling because earlier the regally bred Queen Of The Air finally got the maiden monkey off her back after two disappointing recent runs. She is by Vercingetorix out of the smart Dynasty mare Hashtagyolo and she provided Serino Moodley, who rode a patient on her, with a third winner on the day. The filly, with only one behind her turning for home in the turf event over 1600m, gradually built up under the hands before Moodley asked for an effort over the final 200m. Racing in a cornel collar, Queen Of The Air obviously has breathing issues, but she had enough in the tank to hold off a determined challenge from Chef’s Kiss.

Fortress Of Fire was a game winner of the Non-Black Type Declarationofpeace 1200 on the poly, getting home narrowly ahead of a fast-finishing Kalahari Roller. Andrew Fortune had pinched an early break in the straight up the inside rail on Magic Surprise but was quickly swallowed up by Fortress Of Fire. However, after a quick glance over her shoulder, it was all hands to the pump for Venniker as Kalahari Roller came flying but Fortress Of Fire held on just long enough to deny Siphesihle Hlengwa.

Thesecretadversary is one of those horses who could build a following just through his good looks as he is solidly built and has an unmistakable white face (Picture: Sky Sports Racing) 

Following Isivunguvungu’s win in the USA on Friday there was further reason to celebrate South African horseracing success abroad on Saturday when Gaynor Rupert led in a homebred winner at Royal Ascot.

Gaynor Rupert’s UK operation Cayton Park Stud bred the St. Mark’s Basilica colt Thesecretadversary together with Coolmore and she part-owns this three-year-old together with Mrs John Magnier.

Running in Drakenstein Stud’s familiar blue colours with a white square the Ireland-based James Stack-trained colt converted 20/1 odds in a field of 14 to win the Gr 3 Jersey Stakes for three-year-olds over seven furlongs on Saturday under Seamie Hefferman.

The Secretadversary jumped well from draw two in the straight race and the solidly built horse with the unmistakable white face traveled well just off the leading line.

At the three furlong mark he moved up to join the leaders still traveling with plenty in hand.

Hefferman got to work at the two furlong mark and gave him his first backhander a few strides later.

He kept at the horse in rhythmical style and The Secretadversary kept going resolutely to hold off his fellow Irish-bred contemporrary Take Charge Star (Starspangledbanner), who jumped from draw one and helped ensure a boil over result as he jumped at 50/1 odds. This pair were a convincing 4,5 lengths clear of the third-placed 25/1 shot Morris Dancer (Palace Pier), while 80/1 shot Green Sense (Starman) was beaten 6,5 lengths into fourth. There was then a shorthead back to fifth-placed Neolithic (Sioux Nation) and the 11/10 favourite Saber Strike (Night Of Thunder) was next best.

Thesecretadversary won a Listed race as a two-year-old over seven-and-a-half furlongs at Tipperary and was placed fifth in the Gr 1 Summer Stakes over a mile on dirt at Woodbine under Frankie Dettori in his next start.

He won his three-year-old debut in the Gr 3 Ballylinch Stud Red Rock Stakes over seven furlongs and 42 yards by 2,5 lengths under Hefferman at Leopardstown.

He followed that with a 12,25 length fifth in the Gr 1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and then finished a five length sixth in the Gr 1 Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh.

Considering his seven furlong form he was good value at 20/1 on Saturday and it might have been his low draw which was offputting in a week in which the high draws looked to have a distinct advantage in the races down the straight.

The fact that Thesecretadversary broke this trend and won in commanding style shows just what a fine performance it was.

Hopefully he can go on to bigger things and perhaps stand at stud at Drakenstein one day.

His sire St. Mark’s Basillica, who is by Siyouni out of a Gr 3-winning Galileo mare, is making waves.

As a racehorse he won the Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes, the Gr.1 French 2000 Guineas, the Gr.1 French Derby. the Gr.1 Eclipse Stakes and the Gr.1 Irish Champion Stakes and he was a European Champion two-year-old and World Champion three-year-old.

Thesecretadversary is from St. Mark’s Basilica’s first crop and so is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Diamond Necklace, who is unbeaten in five starts including three Gr 1s and those Gr 1s iunclude the French 1000 Guineas and French Oaks.

By Ada van der Bent

The first weekend of July is all about one race in South Africa, the Hollywoodbets Durban July Gr 1. 

This time-honoured event was first staged in 1897 and who could image that the humble beginnings of the then Durban Turf Club Handicap, with a purse of 500 guineas, would lead to the multi-million rand spectacle which, despite being a restricted handicap, firmly retains its status as the golden grail of South African racing.

This year’s renewal carries a record stake of R10-million, double that of last year, which makes the July not just the most valuable race ever staged in South Africa, it is also the most hotly discussed race of the year. On the first Saturday of July, racing fever burns across an entire nation and culminates in three short minutes of drama, where skill and luck in running are needed in equal measures.

DID YOU KNOW

The famous black and yellow Oppenheimer silks have cast a long shadow over the July and were carried to victory by five homebred champions, starting with Tiger Fish in 1959. He was followed in 1965 by King Willow, while Principal Boy finished second in 1975, but was promoted when the winner Gatecrasher lost the race on an objection. Greys Inn took the honours in 2004 and was followed three years later by Hunting Tower. The Oppenheimers were also part-owners of 1992 winner Spanish Galliard, while Harry and Bridget’s daughter Mary Slack of Wilgerbosdrift Stud won the race with the homebred Sparkling Water in 2022 and the family also bred the 2003 and 2017 winners respectively, Dynasty and Marinaresco.

The most successful trainer in July history is Syd Laird, who saddled seven winners in the space of seventeen years, amongst them the titans of the turf Colorado King (1963), Sea Cottage (1967), Mazarin (1971), Yataghan (1973) and Politician (1978). Almost twenty years later in 1996, son Alec Laird emulated his father when he captured the 100th July with another standout, London News.

Trainer Terrance Millard came close to matching Laird’s record with six winners, however he achieved the rare distinction of saddling the first three past the post not once, but twice. In 1986, Occult defeated Fool’s Holme and Enchanted Garden and four years later in 1990, Illustrador led home stable companions Olympic Duel and Jungle Warrior. Millard also finished first, third and fourth in the 1983 July won by Tecla Bluff.

In 2015, Maine Chance Farms stepped into the history books as the breeder of the first three across the line when Power King scored from Punta Arenas with Tellina rounding out the trifecta. Adding further lustre to the dream result, all three were sons of resident stallion Silvano, who incidentally, holds the record as the sire of five winners. Power King was preceded by Bold Silvano (2010), Heavy Metal (2013), followed by Marinaresco (2017) and Sparkling Water (2022).

Candice Bass made history in 2017 when Marinaresco’s victory bestowed on her the honour of being the first lady trainer to saddle a Durban July winner. The four-year-old went one better, having been beaten a neck twelve months earlier. Four years later the spotlight fell on Michelle Rix, who, together with father Harold Crawford, trained the 2021 winner Kommetdieding.

Six horses have managed to win the July twice, starting with the inaugural winner Campanajo, who repeated the following year. The most recent horse to achieve that feat is 2018 and 2019 winner Do It Again.

In modern times, jockeys David Payne and Bert Abercrombie tasted July success both as a jockey and trainer. The former piloted rank outsider Chimboraa to victory in 1968 and at the tender age of 24, saddled the 1972 winner In Full Flight.

In 1976, Abercrombie won the 80th running of the July aboard the grey Jamaican Music and eleven years later he tightened the girth on undefeated Bush Telegraph, who won the 1987 running in a new record time whilst extending his perfect score to nine wins from nine starts.

Bush Telegraph became a successful sire, his best offspring London News clinching the centenary running in 1996. That feat has since been emulated by Dynasty, who overcame the extreme outside draw to land the 2003 July. His son Legislate won the 2014 race on an objection.

The July has been won by 14 female runners, the first of which was Peerless in 1903. She also has the distinction of producing 1911 winner Nobleman, the only two-year-old ever to win July. The most recent female winner is Sparkling Water, who showed her male rivals a clean pair of heels in 2022. Fittingly, she won in the silks of the Oppenheimers’ daughter Mary Slack, who incidentally, also bred 2003 winner Dynasty.

There have been two deadheats, arguably the most thrilling and emotional of which in 1967, when the mighty Sea Cottage shared the honours with Jollify, to whom he was conceding 13 kg. Four decades later in 2008, the judges were unable to separate Pocket Power and the grey filly Dancer’s Daughter after the duo had crossed the line as one.

Speaking of Sea Cottage, his half-brother Naval Escort claimed the 1969 title, which makes them the only siblings to have won the July. Remarkably, their half-brother Top Gallant ran second, beaten a neck, in the 1964 July won by Numeral.

Anton Marcus holds the jockeys record with five July winners, the first of which recorded in 1993 aboard the Tony Millard-trained Dancing Duel. Seven years later he guided 1999 winner El Picha to a storied second July win, followed up on 20-1 shot Dunford in 2005 and scored in the Oppenheimer silks on Hunting Tower in 2007. He completed the quintet in 2018 when he piloted Do It Again to the first of two July wins.

RIDGEMONT GARDEN PROVINCE STAKES GR 1

A weight-for-age mile race restricted to fillies and mares, the Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes Gr 1 never fails to attract the cream of South Africa’s distaff runners. Appropriately, it is the second Gr 1 feature on the July card and since the inaugural running in 1963, has been won by many champions, including Equus Horse of the Year Princess Calla, who triumphed in 2023.

DID YOU KNOW

Inaugural winner Arctic Sweep became a celebrated foundation mare for the Scott Brothers’ Highdown Stud, achieving fame as the dam of the Gr 1 winners Arctic Cove, Forever Amber and High Frequency.

Garden Province winners who followed in her footsteps as Gr 1 producers include Diorissimo (dam of champion Scented Royal), Circle Of Life (dam of Deo Juvente), Lyrical Linda (dam of Liege) and Beach Beauty (Broodmare of the Year and dam of Beach Bomb).

Up The Creek, Dancing Danzig and Beach Beauty are the only dual winners of the Garden Province. The former won the 1984 race as a three-year-old and defeated champion Petrava at four.

Diane Stenger became the first lady trainer of a Garden Province winner in 1995 with Dancing Danzig, who duly completed the double twelve months later.

Beach Beauty finished second in 2011 as a three-year-old, but maturity brought out the best in the champion and she captured the race at five and six. Incidentally, her first Garden Province success came at the expense of Espumanti, who would go on to produce 2022 Hollywoodbets Durban July Gr 1 victress Sparkling Water.

Trainer Terrance Millard holds the record of having won the Garden Province seven times. Cilaneum provided him with his first success in 1969 and it would take another 14 years before he saddled his second winner, the American-bred Diorissimo. The floodgates had opened, as the Millard stable would dominate the Garden Province for five of the next six years, the exception being 1987, when Peter Kannemeyer spoilt the Millard party with Alpine Silk. That Millard quintet was made up of Up The Creek (1984 and 1985), Ecurie (1986), Cerulean Blue (1988) and Epoque (1989).

Ecurie and Epoque, half-sisters to the legendary Empress Club, are the only siblings to have captured the Garden Province.

Chasingtherainbow with Richard Fourie up is led in by an elated Robert Barrett (Picture: Wayne Marks)

South Africa’s newest trainer Robert Barrett landed his first feature success with Chasingtherainbow in the R200 000 Winter Mile at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.

The four-year-old Potala Palace gelding had given Barrett his first winner with his first runner on the 19th of May and gave the young trainer a second milestone moment just a month later.

Chasingtherainbow is part-owned by Robert’s grandfather Paul Barrett together with David Curran.

The field in the weather-delayed feature was reduced to just five runners.

Andrew Fortune set the pace on Beware The Bomb with Swiatek and Sugar Mountain next best.

However, halfway through the race, Richard Fourie confidently took Chasingtherainbow around the field to grab the lead.

Chasingthewainbow, who started 9-10 favourite, then forged clear after going all the way to the outside fence and beat Gallic Dream by 2,75 lengths in a time of 98,87 secs for the mile.

“He is a lovely horse. He was so good in the race and so well balanced. He doesn’t hang out, he just goes there,” said Richard Fourie in reference to the gelding’s penchant for finding the outside rail late in his races.

Lucky Fish-sponsored Robert Barrett suggested that Chasingtherainbow may now be given a break ahead of the Cape summer season.

Give It Laldy is a progressive, long-striding gelding by One World and he can make it three wins in six starts by landing the 6th race over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Gavin Lerena makes an appearance in Cape Town today when his main ride comes aboard Give It Laldy in race 8 over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He has always been held in high regard and his last win shows the potential he holds.

Reigning Champion Jockey of South Africa Lerena has found himself in a golden spot by sharing rides with Sean Veale for Hollywood Racing. Lerena has had a rough season through some injuries and serving a suspension for indiscretions last season but he still trading at a high win percentage this season of nearly 19%.

Give It Laldy has only one indifferent run in his career which came over 1600m. He was not ready for that. He did not see out the trip but every other run is good quality, signs of a promising sprinter in the making.

His last victory was visually impressive. Give It Laldy quickened smartly to run away from Objet D’Art who did not seem to be stopping. He ran the finish out of the useful rival who he meets on 2kg worse terms for less than a length deficit. One cannot shake off the feeling that Give It Laldy is so progressive and he has something left in the locker. He has only raced five times for two wins and two places. He is still very much low mileage. It has been two months since his last run so fitness could be an issue with Objet O’Art coming off the same break. Weather has not been rough in Cape Town since the start of May so there is no reason to be behind from a work perspective.

Trainer Lucinda Woodruff has been in sensational form across the coast over the past few weeks. That would enhance confidence around the chances of Give It Laldy as well as Katsu a few races earlier. He has an outstanding chance.

Objet D’Art must stand out as a big danger. He is in a similar profile to Give It Laldy in that he is lightly raced and he must have bright days ahead of him. There has been little to choose between them. Give It Laldy seems like more of a sprinter while Objet D’Art could have be more versatile. Regardless, one cannot be ignored over the other. Craig Zackey is carded to take the ride.

Flying Finley is in the pink of health His brilliant work has been over 1000m lately and it is hard to imagine that he will suddenly not have the legs to run over an extra 100m. He is adaptable to change his running style too while Keagan de Melo gets a tune out of him. With his recent wins, his rating rises and life becomes harder but while he is performing in this manner, he cannot be ignored.

Another Hero has improved with every start and he looks set to exit the maiden ranks in race 1 over 1200m. His sequence reads fourth, third and second including runs to the promising Magma Flow, The Cullinan and Aquae Calidae. Of the raced runners, he has the most compelling form to recommend despite some pleasing runs from the likes of Saratona Sunrise and Rust Never Sleeps.

A first timer looks well primed to win race 2 over 1200m unless Catch me continues to improve but he must be vulnerable because he has not sparked up much. His last start came to the progressive Witch Hazel over this course and distance and he was well beaten. He made his debut in a minor feature so he must have been showing something to kick off against Tag And Release. Waiting Game is from one of the most prolific families on the circuit. Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam and Golden Ducat are half brothers to his mare, In Limbo. Bolero and Gentian are bred to be quick and they could have a touch of ability first up.

Jack A Dandy caught the eye on debut and he must stand a winning chance in race 3 over 1200m. He had no right to finish third behind Sing Forevermore but he found a late finish to end up nearly three lengths behind in third. If this run is not a performance premature from him really finding his feet, he could improve enough and win. Craig Zackey is up for Dean Kannemeyer.

Miss Smiley is no good thing in race 4 over 1000m but she is hinting that a win is around the corner. Her last start was a near miss in second behind Ruby Rex over this course and distance. She is a 10-start maiden which must be taken into account. With a field of unknowns and pedigrees perhaps not as strong as the earlier races, she might have found herself in the right race.

Superhero runs in race 5 over 1500m and he will take all the beating. After hitting the crossbar and finishing second in his last two runs, a win must be due. He gave red hot fancy Navasnine plenty to think about in his last run over 1400m at this course. Crucially, that was his first run after nearly a year off the track. He van only step forward from the run and strip a fitter horse.

Katsu has kept good company and that should serve him well off top weight of 62kg in race 6 over 1600m. Recent runs to Hollywoodbets Durban July entries Tenpenny and La Pulga and a recent run to the progressive Major Master indicates a sharp drop in class. He generally runs well above himself and he does not let the team down. Woodruff sends him out with Mickaelle Michel in the irons taking 1,5kg off his back.

Backinthefastlane and Trip To Camelot are both tree-year-olds starting at a low base after maiden wins but both look capable of scaling up from Class 5 company. They meet in race 7 over 1950m. Both have reasons to work with them. Backinthefastlane just needs to show that he can reach this trip. His form is solid and he must have a top chance while Trip To Camelot is taking the long route but he should love this trip being a relation to SA Derby winners Hero’s Honour and Legend Of Arthur.