Note To Self is the ruling Hollywoodbets Durban July favourite and can land his first Gr 1 in the Daily News 2000 (Picture: Wayne Marks)
The Daily News 2000 meeting is one of the most important of the season as the Daily News 2000 itself is the biggest three-year-old pointer race to the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
The one to beat in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 is Note To Self, who is the ruling favourite for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. He will relish the 2000m trip and has a fair middle draw of six. His massive stride can carry him home after being relaxed in a handy positioin by Andrew Fortune. The best weighted runner is Hazy Dazy who is rated 117 and gets 2,5kg gender claim. She is distance suited and has an electric turn of foot, so should go close after not having to be used early due to her good draw. Star Major will have to be dropped out to the back from a wide draw, but he willl enjoy the step up in trip, so he should be able to make up a lot of ground in the straight, as he did in the WSB Guineas when coming from last to win. Jan Van Goyen ran a fine first race after gelding and was a touch unlucky. This race will tell whether he gets 2000m and if he does his class and lovely action can carry him close. Happy Verse has not fulfilled the potential he seemed to show as a youngster, but this is his second run after gelding and with Richard Fourie up he has to be respected despite a wide draw. Master Spy has a big stride and ran on well for third in the SA Derby. He will need a big run here to qualify for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
In the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000 Wish List will be hard to beat and can score a fourth big race win in succession. She won both the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes over 1800m and the Gr 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby over 2000, so will have no problem with the trip. She is improving all the time and is a potential superstar, so is difficult to oppose, although draw five out of seven in a small field is not easy to negotiate. Keukenhof should enjoy the step up in trip and should be running on after being dropped out from a wide draw. Callmegetrix proved herself over this trip last time and should be in the shake up. Minogue was second to Callmegetrix in that race but is now 1kg worse of for a length beating. Rainbow Lorikeet has class but might need it having been freshened up after a below par last run. Beach Verse can do better than last time and should be coming into her own. Kissing Machine is outclassed here.
In the Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m Curious Girl is a progressive type who has a beautiful action and this Gr 2 SA Derby winner can make it five in a row having to carry just 53,5 kg from a good draw of two. Saxon Dynasty was eyecatching in victory over 1900m at this course last time and should relish this trip. Royal Invitation is a good stayer with a nice big action and althouh he prefers a more galloping track he can do well from draw three under Fortune. Dance King has been knocking on the door and has the form to be a contender. Continentalexpress should be right there if able to overcome a wide draw.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Impressive caught the eye the last time she ran over this trip and from a plum draw is the one to beat.
In the eighth race over 1200m on the poly Tripoffaith has caught the eye before and has speed and plenty of ability. She will enjoy the step down in trip and from a good draw can go close. Captain’s Pride came from well back to run a good third last time and in this smaller field could go close after being dropped out from a wide draw. Whatastar should be involved in the finish too.
In the ninth race over 1200m on the poly the talented Gallic Victor is dropped in trip and the blinkers are fitted. He ran a good third at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth the last time he ran over this trip and from a good draw should be in the shake up here. Black Frost ran a cracker at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time out and from pole position should make a bold bid here. Winter In London has a better draw than last time and looks capable of earning. Mickaelle Michel has her third successive ride on him.
In the first leg of the PA over 1400m on the poly Juliet Tango won well last time and looks to be coming back to her best so can handle a five point raise. Mano Pandaram has been doing well with his raiders lately. De Vlugge comes off a hattrick and this progressive sort could make another bold bid from the front off a four point higher mark. Perilla has been in good form. He is capable of going close and Gavin Lerena is up.
In the second race over 1600m Captain T ran on well over 1000m last time, but being by Captain Of All, who can get them to stay despite having been a sprinter, out of a Horse Chestnut mare who won up to 2000m, he should enjoy the step up in trip and he is a contender if able to overcome a wide draw. Brightsunnyday ran close up behind the promising Hop Hop Spinnekop and should be in the shake up. Quandura ran well last time over 1800m and has a chance with a 4kg claimer up.
In the first race over 1200m on the poly, Bangkok Magic looks to be a better horse than his debut appears to be on paper and he should be right there in an un inspiring field. Two Tigers ran a cracker over this trip at Turffontein Inside last time and the pole position draw will suit because he tended to hang in. First-timer Scotch Again is by Querari and is a half-brother to SA Oaks winner Secret Potion. Free Roaming was not disgraced in a fair field last time. Brigitte Ann has some fair Highveld form and could be a threat.
The horses are selected in the order mentioned in each event.
