Abashiri and Liege bypass the Jubilee

The Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap of 1800m at Turffontein on Sunday will be the final hope for horses still looking to qualify for the Vodacom Durban July over 2200m at Greyville on Saturday 7 July.

Mike de Kock-trained Cascapedia is guaranteed her place in the R4.25-million field but others, such as Social Order, Tilbury Fort and Yakeen are still hoping to book their places.

However, while they will be fighting it out for the R250,000 stake and the points that go with the win, two other horses, who are confirmed runners in the Durban July, will be lining up in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m but for different reasons.

Sansui Summer Cup winner Liege had accepted to run in the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge but as he has not raced since the Summer Cup in November, under Gold Circle regulations he would be required to first run in a barrier trial.

There were discussions in progress but it appears the outcome now is that Liege will stay in Joburg and prove his fitness in this Pinnacle Stakes. Lyle Hewitson will take the ride.

Mike Azzie, trainer of Abashiri said earlier he was planning to run his charge in the Jubilee Handicap but as Abashiri would have to carry 62.5kg and concede huge chunks of weight, he would rather opt for this Pinnacle Stakes for which Abashiri is the best handicapped runner.

Piere Strydom has been declared to ride him in the July and as long as he gets the green light from the doctors on Friday, will be aboard in Sunday’s race.