CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

  • Bob Brogan
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CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

1 year 8 months ago - 1 year 8 months ago
#845046


The last 7yo to win the “July” was St Seiriol in 1945 – that’s a mighty long time ago! But Do It Again will be looking to re-write the history books when he lines up on Saturday in the 2022 renewal of the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July. He will also look to become the first ever 3-time winner of the coveted title. Already a two-time winner of South Africa’s greatest horse race, Do It Again showed he had not lost any of his zest for racing when putting up a flawless winning display in the WSB 1900 back in mid-May. Admittedly the opposition was weaker than he meets on Saturday but he shouldered 62 kgs and smashed his ten rivals. Do It Again is clearly a different horse at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He has raced at the City track 12 times for six wins and six placings including finishing third and fourth in the last two editions of this great race. He was somewhat unlucky last year, suffering interference at a crucial stage of the race but for which he might well have troubled those in front of him.In addition last year he gave Kommetdieding 4,5 kgs and now he receives 1,5 kgs from the defending Champion. He looked an absolute picture of well-being at the official gallops last week and he must have as good a chance as any of grabbing the lion’s share of the huge prize money on offer. Of course winning the Durban July is no easy task – rather than good luck, you need an absence of bad luck and Aldo Domeyer, who rides Do It Again for the first time will be hungry to secure his first ever victory in South African horse racing’s showpiece. But for trainer Justin Snaith, winning the “July” has become a regular feature of his career over the past few years. He needs one more victory to equal Terrance Millard’s achievement of saddling six “July” winners and two more to equal Syd Laird’s record 7 victories in the race. As back up for Do It Again, Snaith has an additional four runners in this year’s race, including 2020 winner Belgarion. He also brings the well-handicapped Hoedspruit, a son of his 2014 winner Legislate, as well as Triple Grade 1 winner Jet Dark and the highly talented but headstrong Pomp and Power. His five jockeys Aldo Domeyer (Do It Again), Piere Strydom (Belgarion), Bernard Fayd’herbe (Jet Dark), Craig Zackey (Hoedspruit) and Richard Fourie (Pomp and Power) are amongst the best in the land and Snaith has every right to be confident that one of his team can land the prize. Perhaps Snaith has most to fear from the Vaughan Marshall-trained Linebacker who finished a close second behind Kommetdieding some twelve months ago. Linebacker has had a perfect prep into the big race on Saturday and really caught the eye when running on strongly in the recent Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m three weeks ago. His conqueror that day, Al Muthana, has yet to prove that he can be equally effective over 2200 metres and Jet Dark who was third in the Gold Challenge is now 1,5 kgs worse off with Linebacker. Even on the form of the Cape Town Met at the end of January Linebacker should have the measure of Jet Dark and Kommetdieding at the weights. That said, Jet Dark and Kommetdieding are pure class and it would be foolish to discount their chances. Kommetdieding galloped very well last week and seems to be over the effects of his disappointing Highveld campaign while top-weight Jet Dark has a fine turn of foot and his late charge from off the pace is an exciting hallmark of his racing style. Fayd’herbe previously won the “July” on a top weight when he carried Marinaresco to victory under 60 kgs in 2017.While the older horses mentioned above all have strongclaims, the brigade of exciting 3yo’s will be out to stake their claim and knock the “old boys” off their perch. Safe Passage was a dominant winner of the Daily News 2000 and is the favourite to follow up in Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July. It’s reasonable to presume Safe Passage will confirm the Daily News form and finish ahead of Pomp and Power, Aragosta and Waterberry Lane and he certainly appears to be the leading light amongst the Mike de Kock quartet. De Kock has not won the “July” since Igugu’s triumph in 2011 and the former South African Champion trainer will be keen to get back on the winners’ roll. Igugu was also the last filly to win the race but included amongst De Kock’s four runners is the highly talented 4yo filly Sparkling Water, who with just 53,5kgs on her back would not be a surprise winner in many eyes. She has been solidly supported in the betting market and with S’Manga Khumalo in the saddle, many will be shouting for her. Khumalo’s only success in the race came in 2013 when he steered Heavy Metal to victory.

SELECTION: 1. (2) DO IT AGAIN; 2. (4) LINEBACKER; 3. (10) SAFE PASSAGE; 4. (13) KOMMETDIEDING.

By Graeme Hawkins

Image: DO IT AGAIN –REMINISCING?
Photo: Gold Circle / Candiese Lenferna
Last edit: 1 year 8 months ago by Bob Brogan.

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  • Dave Scott
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Re: CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

1 year 8 months ago
#845048
Good article 👍 👏

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Re: Re:CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

1 year 8 months ago
#845049
Why not? 7yo’s sometimes win overseas too.


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  • mr hawaii
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Re: Re:CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

1 year 8 months ago
#845058
yes - if he's racing against other pensioners :P

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  • the duke
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Re: CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

1 year 8 months ago
#845075
Do It Again is a huge runner imvho.This horse will NOT have STAGEFRIGHT as he has been here and competing with massive crowds present.I will not underestimate the effect the expected huge crowd will have on many horses contesting on this day.It will be overwhelming for many and therefore you can expect some huge results.

The crowd factor has been non existent for almost 2 years.... Tread carefully Clanners and have a profitable day...

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  • HiIamThursday
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Re: CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

1 year 8 months ago
#845080
Will not finish in the first 6 this year😒

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Re: CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

1 year 8 months ago
#845147
definitely a legend of this race. Would love for him to Do it Again!
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  • drdom
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Re: Re:CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

1 year 8 months ago
#845158
Few decades back the 2 best horses in the field were 7yo.
Pas de quoi was robbed by some pretty shocking interference by Surfing home and Flaming Rock was third and flying . Pas de Quoi won the Met that year and finished off winning the champion stakes in August as an 8year old ,
Of course William Penn was even older winning the Met so I have no problem with a horses age if they can perform like Do it Again did in the 1900 . I just think he is a monster if he can get the run he needs, but vulnerable if doesnt get a clear run at the right time as he is not the sort that can weave through them

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  • Thor
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Re: Re:CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

1 year 8 months ago
#845327
I really hope they retire Do It Again now. Horse ran it's heart out here, but has done enough now to enjoy his retirement before he sours to racing.

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  • PeterD
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Re: Re:CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

1 year 8 months ago
#845336
I really hope they retire Do It Again now. Horse ran it's heart out here, but has done enough now to enjoy his retirement before he sours to racing.

A false pace which did not suit him, yet he ran just a couple of lb below Kommetdieding and 4 lb below Jet Dark, and put up the 3rd best performance in the race at the weights.
Seems to be sound and still enjoying his racing, so why retire a healthy, happy horse that can still compete with the very best??
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  • Muhtiman
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Re: Re:CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

1 year 8 months ago
#845338
Ran a creditable race and looked the part in his gallop and on the day.....but was rather pissed of with Sheldon's shrieking about his antics at the gates.....not necessary to scare the bejesus out of punters ands connections with those rather unnecessary over emphasized observations ....:huh:

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  • Thor
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Re: Re:CAN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DO IT AGAIN?

1 year 8 months ago
#845349
Because Legal Eagle.

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