Gold Circle

A small but quality field of nine will line up in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 on Saturday, a race which has become one of the best pointers to the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

The Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear winner and ruling Hollywodbets Durban July favourite, the Justin Snaith-trained 118 merit rated-Pomp And Power (Vercingetorix), has drawn pole position and his high-flying jockey Richard Fourie will be attempting to win his sixth Grade 1 of the season.

The Grade 1 WSB SA Derby winner, the Mike de Kock-trained Aragosta (Rafeef) is also an entry.

However, he is officially merit rated nine points lower than Pomp And Power and has a tricky draw of seven to overcome. Fourie rode him in the SA Derby and has been replaced by Kabelo Matsunyane.

The joint highest rated runner in the race and only other Grade 1 winner is the Joe Soma-trained WSB SA Classic winner-Red Saxon (Red Ray) who has landed the middle draw of five and will be ridden by his regular pilot Julius Mariba.

The Grade 2 WSB Guineas winner and narrow WSB SA Classic runner up, the Mike de Kock-trained 117 merit rated-Safe Passage (Silvano) has drawn six. His regular pilot S’Manga Khumalo has lost the ride to Muzi Yeni and this might be because the connections want the horse’s July rider to be aboard in this race. 

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Waterberry Lane (Soft Falling Rain), twice a Graded winner at Hollywoodbets Greyville but both races over 1400m, is merit rated 115 and will be out to prove he stays this trip. He has landed the widest draw of nine but is likely to be dropped out.   

 
The Paul Matchett-trained  SA Classic fourth-placed 109 merit rated- Super Excited (Vercingetorix) has drawn four.The Vaughan Marshall-trained 104-rated Senso Unico (Twice Over) has drawn two and will relish the step up in trip and could improve in his second run after gelding.

The Lorenzo Karriem-trained KZN hope Hasta Manana (William Longsword) looks held on form over shorter and has to prove he stays the trip.

The Alyson Wright-trained Beyondtheboundary (Gimmethegreenlight) is officially way out at the weights off a 74 merit rating but is well bred and is a scopey sort who will enjoy the step up in trip.

Final Field Below:

	1	Pomp And Power	60	118	1	Justin Snaith		Richard Fourie
	2	Beyondtheboundary	60	74	2	Alyson Wright		Gavin Lerena
	3	Senso Unico	60	104	3	Vaughan Marshall		Sean Veale
	4	Super Excited	60	109	4	Paul Matchett		Juan Paul v’d Merwe
	5	Red Saxon	60	118	5	Joe Soma		Julius Mariba
	6	Safe Passage	60	117	6	Mike de Kock		Muzi Yeni
	7	Aragosta	60	109	7	Mike de Kock		Kabelo Matsunyane
	8	Hasta Manana	60	104	8	Lorenzo Karriem		Serino Moodley
	9	Waterberry Lane	60	115	9	Dean Kannemeyer		Keagan de Melo

The chief supporting feature to the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 on Saturday is the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.  

The Woolavington was thrown wide open when star filly Rain In Holland was scratched last week.

Highveld raiders Sprinkles, Marigold Hotel and Perfect Witness, merit rated 110, 110 and 109 respectively, after good respective performances behlind Rain In Holland in various Turffontein Graded events, hold the trump cards and have all drawn well.

Light Of The Moon is a Highveld filly who could be better than her 92 rating having finished close to Rain in Holland in the Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks, whilst 98 rated Juliet Tango is open to improvement. 

Kailene and Silver Darling lead the Western Cape challenge.

Bye Bye Bombshell has proved she stays and is on the up while Lillybelle should relish the step up in trip on pedigree.

KZN have three runners in the 12 horse field, Capetown Beauty, Monoshada and Aerial View, but they all have mountains to climb at the weights.

Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 Final Field: