Snaith trio top the July boards

THERE has been quite a lot of movement in the betting for the Vodacom Durban July after last weekend’s racing.

Firstly, Do It Again’s victory in the Grade 2 Daisy Guineas over 1 600m at Greyville has seen him move to the top of the boards along with filly Oh Susanna and early favourite African Night Sky and they are all trading at 8-1. All three are trained by Justin Snaith.

Oh Susanna was withdrawn from the Guineas on Friday night but should be back on the track soon, while last season’s Winter Series winner African Night Sky might have drifted slightly with the nest that Anton Marcus injured his wrist at the Greyville meeting. Marcus pulled out of his rides at Turffontein on Saturday and now there is some doubt as to whether he will ride African Night Sky in the Grade 2 WSB Greyville 1900 on Saturday, May 19.

Furthermore, Gold Circle put out a statement yesterday that champion trainer Sean Tarry has withdrawn four of his runners for the R4,25-million race – French Navy, Safe Harbour, Silver God and Throng. They were all at long odds and had no impact on the betting.

There were also some excellent runs from Coral Fever and Abashiri who finished first and second respectively in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein.

By all accounts Abashiri is likely to run in the Durban July but Robbie Sage, trainer of Coral Fever, is doubtful whether his charge will travel to the July. “I’m not sure his style of running suits the Greyville track so we will have to think about it.”

In addition his charge has been given a 10-point hike in his merit ratings for the win and is currently sitting on 120.

Abashiri has been lifted eight points from 109 to 117.

Current betting on the Vodacom Durban July.

8-1 OH SUSANNA, AFRICAN NIGHT SKY, DO IT AGAIN

16-1 CORAL FEVER, ABASHIRI 20-1 CASCAPEDIA 25-1 NOBLE SECRET, WHITE RIVER, SURCHARGE

33-1 ITS MY TURN, MAJESTIC MAMBO, PACK LEADER, NOTHER RUSSIA

40-1 SECRET POTION, GOLD STANDARD, LEGISLATE, ELUSIVE SILVA, PLATINUM PRINCE, ROYAL CRUSADE

50-1 LADY IN BLACK, THE SLADE, TILBURY FORT, HEAD HONCHO

66-1 PEROVSKIA, TAKINGTHEPEACE, FORT EMBER, GLIDER PILOT, SILVAN STAR, LIEGE, SILVA`S BULLET, LIKE A PANTHER

80-1 GIRL ON YHE RUN, SABINA`S DYNASTY, RABADA, CHARIOTS OF GOLD, GREEK FIRE, MAMBO MIME, SOCIAL ORDER, SARATOGA DANCER

100-1 AND UPWARDS OTHERS