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Johannesburg trainer Mike Azzie continued his excellent run of success when his three-year-old Rabada won the G1 Daily News 2000 at Greyville in a fine trial for the Durban July.
Rabada has shown a distinct liking for Greyville and has now won three from four at this track, making his total wins five from eight. His earnings have doubled to just under R2.5 million.
There were many hard luck stories as a slow pace marred the running of the Daily News 2000 but Anton Marcus was manna at his best as he nursed favourite Rabada through to win from It’s My Turn, Mambo Mime and Rocketball.With Marcus dropping his stick at the entrance to the straight it looked as if It’s My Turn had his measure but Azzie’s three-year-old kept finding to the line.
“I had my doubts about him staying but we were helped by the slow pace up front,” Marcus said.“I dropped my stick at the top of the straight and was just flicking the reins at him. It was a really game win.”
“I always maintained that he was a good horse,” said Azzie and Rabada has repaid that faith as it was the second G1 win for the son of Summerhill-based Brave Tin Soldier.Meanwhile Justin Snaith would not be drawn on whether his star filly Bela-Bela would take her place in the Vodacom Durban July after landing the G1 Woolavington 2000.
It was an impressive performance by the grey who was given another professional ride by Anthony Delpech.“I never had any doubt that she would stay,” said Snaith but neatly side-stepped the July issue.
“She’s a very good filly and we will have to make the right decision. It will be up to the owners.”Balance Sheet looks on track for the Gold Cup after a game win under Delpech in the G3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, getting home ahead of Helderberg Blue, No Worries and Crime Victim.
Pressed on whether Balance Sheet would take his chances in the July, trainer Dean Kannemeyer was hesitant.“Possibly, but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. The Gold Cup was the first time he went passed 2400m last season and he ran second,” Kannemeyer said.
