De Kock sparkles in Durban July

Jack Milner

They say if you need someone to do a man's job, give it to a woman.

Mike de Kock did just that and it handed him his fifth win in the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday as Sparking Water stormed to a three-length victory over Jet Dark, with Safe Passage in third and Do It Again fourth.

The four-year-old daughter of Silvano is owned by Wilgerbosdrift Stud and it gave Mary Slack her first Durban July winner. While her parents, Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer, won the race six times, and Wilgerbosdrift has bred a number of champions, this is Slack's first winner as an owner.

Sparkling Water was ridden by S'manga Khumalo, giving him a second victory in this race.

The race was monopolised by trainers De Kock and Justin Snaith as between them they trained the first four past the post.

Sparkling Water paid R12.40 for a win and R2.80 a place.

Jet Dark (16-1) finished 0.30 lengths ahead of Safe Passage (11-2) who in turn was 0.40 lengths in front of of Do It Again (25-2). Fifth place went to last year's winner Kommetdiding. 

There was some drama at the start as Do It Again played up and had to be checked out by the vet before being passed fit to race while Pomp And Power had to have his bridle replaced. 

There was a lot of bumping and boring shortly after the start but as jockey Craig Zackey pointed out, "that's par for the course at the start of the Durban July". Fortunately for Sparkling Water, Khumalo got her out in a flash from No 12 draw and got her perfectly placed on the inside right up with the leaders, and kept her well away from all the commotion. 

Astrix tried to get to the front but he ended up getting in a duel with Puerto Manzano, while Pomp And Power once again gave jockey Richard Fourie a torrid ride as he kept pulling, as was the case in the Daily News 2000. Despite all the drama at the start Aldo Domeyer had Do It Again well positioned with Hoedspruit on his outside, Muzi Yeni sat midfield on Safe Passage and Bernard Fayd'Herbe had Jet Dark fourth last on the rail.

As the field turn for home, Do It Again hit the front and moved a length clear of Hoedspruit while Sparkling Water had a clear path on the inside. The filly struck the front 200m from home and it was clear nothing would stop her.  

 Meanwhile, Yeni got a response from Safe Passage, while Jet Dark produced a powerful finish on the outside.

But the bird had flown and nothing was going to catch Sparkling Water. 

"I can't believe it, it's wonderful," said Slack. "I couldn't be happier. 

 "She comes from a strong female line and soon she'll be at stud and it will be even better."

De Kock has always expected a big win form this filly. "We are privileged to share this moment of great joy with Mary. This win was as deserving for an owner as any in the history of this great race.

"We are truly grateful for her patronage and what she has done for racing."

Talking about the race, he added: S'manga had a game plan and rode peach of a race."

Khumalo said he had belief in the filly. "Yesterday (Friday) I went o get on her just to walk with her and feel how she is. The best thing Mr de Kock has ever done was to give her a break.

"She had run three races two group 1s and a handicap in a short time and they were three hard races so I felt that given a chance and given a break she would come back stronger and she was eager to come out.

"As the gate opened she just flew out and I just knew from there they would really have to pick up their legs to beat me because I'm carrying 53.5kg."   

Speaking about Safe Passage, Yeni said: " I just couldn't get momentum coming into the straight and they got first run on me."

Picture: Gold Circle/Candiese Lenferna