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Waterberry Lane looks destined to do more than just fulfil the promise made by Dean Kannemeyer on the week of owner Mike Rattray’s recent passing.

“Mike I will enter him in the July for you,” said a choking up Kannemeyer after the Soft Falling Rain gelding had won the Grade 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

He subsequently stayed on for for a not disgraced 2,30 length sixth in the Grade 2 WSB Guineas.

On Saturday he appeared to prove he gets middle distances when running on from last in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 for a 2,25 length fourth.

Furthermore, the handicappers raised him two points to 117 for that run, meaning he will be only be 1,5kg under sufferance carrying the minimum weight for a three-year-old male of 53kg as things stand if he lines up in the July. 

However, on the downside jockey Keagan de Melo felt he had only just got the 2000m so it is open to question whether he can stay a further 200m.

It was always a dream of Rattray’s to win the Durban July and sadly it went unfulfilled.

It will be fitting in the year of his passing to see the racing doyen’s silks in the parade ring for this season’s renewal of the big race and fate might take a hand and even see his colours crossing the line first.

Rain In Holland and Double Superlative’s scratchings after the first July log opened up two positions on the second log which was published yesterday.

Waterberry Lane filled one of the vacancies and Zillzaal came in to position 20 from the six horses who were just outside the top 20.

Those six horses have been reduced to five.

Picture: Waterberry Lane (Candiese Lenferna Photography)