It’s Futura all the way for Snaith

REIGNING national champion trainer Justin Snaith will be attempting to land a third Vodacom Durban July on Saturday, although his L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and J&B Met winning Dynasty colt Futura has drifted out in recent days to 6/1 joint third-favourite with Betting World.

Snaith said, “Futura is all good, it's like pressing buttons, it’s easy. Going into the race everything is going to plan. We’ve got a few days still to go, so everyday becomes more important the closer we get to the race, but I’m extremely happy with him. I’m not worried about anybody else in the race. I think he’s going to run a big race.’’

Quizzed on Futura’s merit rating of 120, Snaith said, “I think there’s no such thing in South Africa as a 120, but if you ever had to give a horse a 120 you've got to give it to Futura. I do think they were hard on Legal Eagle - 120 for winning a Gr 3 in Jo’burg in the off season - although I'm not saying he won’t become one in time. But Futura is spot on. He’s got a lot asked of him with 60kg. It has never been done, but that's what I like to hear.’’

Snaith runs Lineker and Star Chestnut in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m, and said, “My intention was not to bring two-yearolds to run in Gr 1s but these two have found themselves in the field. I haven’t pushed them, their races are bringing them on in a very nice way and I think they have nice futures.

“The jockeys are talking highly of Lineker, which is always a good sign. I’m not sure whether Star Chestnut is up to this level at this stage of his career. But, with their good draws, expect them in the money.’’

Acrostar runs in one of the strongest Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Provinces in years. Snaith said, “There’s depth in this race. It’s very strong, but with her pedigree we would be very happy with a Gr 1 top 3 here.

“Her previous three races were prep runs and she’s ready now.’’

Snaith was “a bit disappointed’’ Dynamic was not in the July and said, “I think being a Gr 2 winner and some of those horses haven’t even won a feature race.

“He should have got in. I think if he does run in the July he will be in the first three. He’s doing well at home and we expect a good run. It’s obviously a lot weaker than the July, so he will have a good chance, but I think there are some very smart three-year-olds in this race, like St. Tropez and Ultimate Dollar, and they certainly will be hard horses to beat.

“Ultimate Dollar is doing very well and at the weights and there is not going to be a lot in it. Ultimate Dollar was very lame after he kicked the faulty gates (before being scratched from the Daily News 2000), but he’s come on since then. There’s been enough time. His gallop was very good going into this race, although obviously the starting gates are a concern.’’

Muscatt was given a bit too much of a penalty last time so I’m just taking some weight off him with a 4kg claimer. 1000m is a basic race to ride. Divan (Neethling) has been riding the horse everyday and has a lot of confidence in the horse and himself, so I hope for a good run here.’’