Daily News 2000 (Grade 1)

THE Michael Roberts-trained See It Again, already favourite for the Durban July, boosted his claims for South Africa’s most famous race with an emphatic victory in the Daily News 2000 at Greyville last Saturday.

The winning margin was only three-quarters of a length but the 18/10 shot gave a clear impression that he had more in the tank and that he would have won by further had he been asked to make his move earlier.

This was confirmed by rider Piere Strydom who reported: “I thought it was a great performance because I was forced to sit further back than I wanted. I could feel there was an engine underneath me and that he would give it to me at the top of the straight – which he did.”

Roberts, who rode Super Quality to win the July 26 years ago, added: “There have been a lot of doubters about this horse but my main worry was to bring him here in tip-top condition.”

See It Again, by Twice Over and bred by the Drakenstein Stud, is a three-parts brother to dual July winner Do It Again.

He is sure to benefit from six-time champion Strydom’s handling in the big one – he has won the race four times – but owner Nic Jonsson voiced a note of caution, saying: “The July is a lottery. It’s a handicap and a rough race with a big field on a tight track.”

Woolavington 2000 (Grade 1)

THE three-year-old See It Again was promptly cut from 5/1 to 100/30 for the Durban July but there was also a significant move (20/1 to 14/1) for the filly Rain In Holland who readily justified favouritism in the other Group 1 on the card, the Woolavington 2000.

Rider S’Manga Khumalo, famous for his flying dismounts, reported: “It was a bit difficult because everyone was trying to get a position and it was a scramble. I had to keep urging her to make sure she was not going to get cut off but in the end she blew them away.”

Trainer Sean Tarry, who will be bidding for his third July win, added: “It’s a privilege to train a filly like this. S’Manga jelled beautifully with her to win the Colorado and I was shocked when he jumped off her in the Premier - but he has made good here! We are going to be in with a chance on July 1st.”

The four-year-old is owned and bred by Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud and her racing manager Kevin Sommerville said: “She seems to thrive on racing - she is very much like her sire Duke Of Marmalade who was as tough as nails.”

BERNARD Fayd’Herbe, long one of the best in South Africa, is in big trouble in Mauritius where he was suspended for a year – yes, a year - for not riding vigorously enough three weeks ago.

He is required for the Justin Snaith-trained Pomp And Power in the July and seemingly his only chance would be if the South African authorities decide not confirm the ban.

He would have to prove that the penalty “does not comply with the laws of natural justice” while the National Horseracing Authority would need to be satisfied that the offence does not “warrant the finding and/or the sanction imposed.”