Re:HDJ GALLOPS - Thursday 23 June 2022

The Hollywoodbets Durban July gallops produced an early morning buzz at Hollywoodbets Greyville today as a decent sized crowd watched the big race's participants being put through their paces.

The buzz rose a notch after the Justin Snaith-trained Do It Again put up an outstanding gallop under big race rider Aldo Domeyer. The seven-year-old twice winner of the big race was first up and glided past the stands with his big stride and did not show any signs of ageing.

Later his more fancied three-year-old stablemate Pomp And Power caused a stir for a different reason.
Having pulled most of the way in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and still managing to finish a close second there are some pundits who believe he just needs to settle to win the July. The watchers were thus going to take note of his behaviour and it was not good. He went down with a pony but gave Richard Fourie a hard time. He took quite a strong hold in the gallop after he had eventually cooperated. However, he did stride out well behind his work companion and accelerated nicely when switched out in the straight. However, there is no obvious pacemaker in the July which is a concern for his supporters.

The other stable companions of that pair, Jet Dark and Hoedspruit, put up pleasing work.

Former winner Belgarion had his official gallop at Summerveld yesterday (Wednesday) having only arrived in KZN this week.

Their superstar stable companion Captain's Ransom lit up Greyville this morning with her sheer presence and will take a power of beating in the Grade 1 Brentford FC Garden Province Stakes.

The July favourite Safe Passage ran with stable companion Aragosta and both strode out well and are in a good space. Their Mike de Kock-trained stable companions Sparkling Water and Al Muthana worked together and also put in nice work.

The reigning champion Kommetdieding put up one of the gallops of the day and looks back to his best. Trainer Michelle Rix was delighted.

Last year's runner up Linebacker strode out well in a relaxed work out with stable companion Look For Hounds. Trainer Vaughan Marshall obviously believes Linebacker is spot on because he left the blinkers at home.

Joe Soma-trained Grade 1 SA Classic winner Red Saxon looked in fine fettle and strode out well under Rachel Venniker, who will make history as the first woman to ride in the July.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Waterberry Lane strode out well and will attract plenty of sentimental support running in recently late doyen Mike Rattray's colours.

Andre Nel-trained reserve runner Airways Law put up a good gallop and will try and prove a point in the July consolation race, the Grade 3 Vodacom 2200, presuming there are no scratchings before 08H15 on Friday July 1.

The Sean Tarry-trained pair Flying Carpet and Nebraas and the Brett Crawford-trained Zapatillas all galloped at Randjesfontein.

The Paul Peter-trained Astrix and the Johan Jansen van Vuuren-trained pair Puerto Manzano and Second Base galloped at Turffontein.