Kommetdieding sparkles in his Durban July gallop

Brendan Gaillard

The official gallops for this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July took place at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Thursday morning, giving the punting public the opportunity to see their favourite horses in action.

The Grade 1 race will be run over 2200m on Saturday 2 July.

Each gallop was timed and televised on Racing240.

Second Base, stable companion Puerto Manzano, Brett Crawford's KZN Guineas winner Zapatillas, Sean Tarry runners Flying Carpet and Nebraas, as well as Paul Peter-trained Astrix, are all big-race runners not stabled in the province. They were put through their paces on the Highveld and had their gallops pre-recorded, timed and broadcast during the morning's production.

Last year's Durban July winner, Kommetdieding, wowed onlookers as he strode out purposefully on his own under Gavin Lerena on a crisp morning. Not seen publicly since his fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Premier's Champions Challenge at Turffontein on 30 April, the son of Elusive Fort showed his wellbeing and no signs of rustiness as he blew away the cobwebs in a manner that would have encouraged his legion of fans and instilled a degree of confidence.

Michelle Rix, who co-trains the four-year-old colt with father Harold Crawford, said: "That was fantastic, seeing him strut his stuff out there. Absolutely brilliant!"

Kommetdieding overcame the widest No 18 draw on his way to winning the race under 53kg in 2021 and has a more favourable starting berth in stall No 13 this time around, although he must shoulder joint top weight of60kg.

Justin Snaith and Mike de Kock saddle nine of the 18 runners in the race and their charges also impressed in their final public workout.

The former saw two-time winner and another crowd favourite Do It Again stretch his legs under big-race rider Aldo Domeyer. "He's spot on. He loves it around here. Ignore him at your peril," said a bullish Snaith.

Domeyer was full of smiles aboard the evergreen seven-year-old and gave him a pat down the neck passing the packed grandstand.

Another former Snaith-trained winner of the race, Belgarion, only recently stepped off the float after an arduous drive from Cape Town and will be put through his paces under Piere Strydom at Summerveld on Saturday morning.

Dual L'Ormarins Queen's Plate winner Jet Dark, another carrying 60kg, caught the eye when running on from last to third in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and also impressed in his workout under Domeyer. "He's got the credentials and will be coming into the race cherry-ripe,12-1 is very generous," commented Snaith.

Cape Derby winner Pomp And Power was ponied down to the starting point of his gallop and took a keen hold of the bit under red-hot rider Richard Fourie. "He's so well, jumping out of his skin. I've never had him better," said his champion trainer Snaith who isn't too concerned by his charge's antics of 'overdoing' things.

Craig Zackey was aboard Legislate (2014 winner) gelding Hoedspruit who was very workmanlike in his workout, not giving too much away.

Grade 1 winning stablemates Aragosta (SA Derby winner) and Safe Passage (Daily News 2000 champion) worked together, as De Kock sent his big-race runners out in pairs. The latter, ruling favourite for the race at 7-2, did what was asked of him under Muzi Yeni while Warren Kennedy sat swinging on the reins of the former who continues to fly under the radar at a generous price of 14-1.

S'manga Khumalo partnered the only filly in the race Sparkling Water in her work alongside Al Muthana who travelled well in the hands of Yeni, deputising for Callan Murray who flies in from Australia for the ride.

Linebacker bounced back to form with a fast-finishing second in the Gold Challenge when fitted with blinkers for the first time and trainer Vaughan Marshall confirmed earlier this week that his charge will again be sporting the headgear come the big race a week on Saturday. Last year's runner-up, who is 1,5kg better off with Kommetdieding for that defeat, worked with a stable companion and pricked his ears as he drew alongside passing the grandstand. He worked without the blinkers.

While many are concerned how he might travel in a slow-run race, Marshall is confident Linebacker will bring his 'A-game' on July day. "I'm not worried. He's given us no reason to think that (he'll pull/overrace)," said Marshall.

Apprentice Rachel Venniker was given a warm reception by those in attendance, and for good reason. She will become the first female rider to compete in the race in its 126-year history.

Joe Soma saddled last year's favourite for the race Got The Greenlight (finished third) and has booked Venniker for the ride on Grade 1 SA Classic winner Red Saxon. The flashy chestnut son of Red Ray was punched out in his gallop as he drew alongside a stable companion turning into the straight with Venniker showing off her tremendous poise and balance in fine style.