William Iron Arm is currently quoted at 25/1 by the sponsor for the Hollywoodbets Durban July and after rig surgery makes his comeback on Thursday. (JC Photos)
The long-striding William Longsword colt William Iron Arm has his first run this week since having rig surgery.
The racing manager of his owners Playgate SA, Rob Champion, said only the ascended testicle had to be removed in the surgical procedure, so the Klawervlei Stud-bred Tony Peter-trained horse remains a colt.
Rob added, “He appears to be more within himself now. He was hanging a lot in his races and they put that down to the probable effect of that squeezed up testicle. He has been loving his work, Calvin has been very happy with him, so we are just holding thumbs he come through the Progress Plate on Thursday okay. It is his first run from a break, so is like a prep run. He will run in the Jubilee. Hopefully he can win that and squeeze into the July on the back of his Gauteng Guineas and SA Classic third places and a Jubilee win.”
William Iron Arm is currently merit rated 117.
His weight in the Hollywoodbets Durban July as things stand would be 53kg and he would be 3kg under sufferance, presuming See It Again runs off his 132 merit rating.
On Thursday William Iron Arm runs in a Progress Plate over 1800m at Turffontein Inside carrying 58kg off a 117 merit rating.
On paper he should doddle it as he is 7kg better off than any other runner according to official merit ratings.
Calvin Habib rides from the middle draw of four out of seven.
This will be the first time he has run on a tight course and will be a good learning vurve considering the venue for the big one, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, is at the tight Hollywoodbets Greyville track.
