Danie Toerien
In an interesting turn of events ahead of the Hollywoodbets Durban July, trainer Justin Snaith has supplemented four-year-old Underworld into the entries for the big race.
By Querari, the gelding has produced four top-notch runs on the trot, which has seen his merit rating rise to 109 and, should he make the final field, he could well be a contender.
Underworld ran third to Selukwe in the Grade 3 Greyville 1900 in his penultimate outing and followed up with a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m last time, finishing just 0.3-lengths behind Madison Valley.
Before that, he won two in a row – once at Fairview and once at Greyville over 1900m and 1600m respectively, so it's fairly obvious he is on the up.
With Underworld now also vying for a place in the final July line-up, it takes Snaith's number of July hopefuls to seven of the 30 runners.
The final field and draw will be announced on Tuesday, 24 June, with the final field consisting of 18 runners as well as two reserves.
All accepted runners will participate in mandatory gallops on Thursday, 26 June.
The 30 runners hoping to make the final July field, in order horse, weight, merit rating, trainer, and ante-post betting as provided by World Sports Betting are:
Legend Of Arthur - 53 - 117 - Sean Tarry - 13-1
Future Swing - 55 - 117 - Justin Snaith - 50-1
Immediate Edge - 53 - 108 - Mike/Mathew de Kock - 8-1
Purple Pitcher - 57.5 - 122 - Robyn Klaasen - 60-1
Rainbow Lorikeet - 53 - 111 - Candice Bass-Robinson - 66-1
Joy And Peace - 53 - 110 - Alan Greeff - 150-1
Son Of Raj - 56 - 119 - Tony Peter - 100-1
The Equator (IRE) - 54 - 110 - Tony Peter - 50-1
Atticus Finch - 57 - 121 - Alec Laird - 33-1
Madison Valley - 54 - 115 - Frank Robinson - 45-1
Eight On Eighteen - 57 - 129 - Justin Snaith - 2-1
On My Honour - 53 - 116 - Glen Kotzen - 40-1
Magic Verse - 54 - 113 - Justin Snaith - 60-1
Selukwe - 54 - 111 - Andre Nel - 18-1
Confederate - 53.5 - 118 - Fabian Habib - 33-1
Royal Victory - 59 - 125 - Nathan Kotzen - 18-1
Beating Wings - 53 - 113 - Stuart Pettigrew - 100-1
Okavango - 54.5 - 120 - Justin Snaith - 20-1
Gladatorian - 60 - 127 - Stuart Ferrie - 22-1
Litigation - 54 - 113 - Sean Tarry - 100-1
Oriental Charm - 60 - 127 - James Crawford - 6-1
Pomodoro's Jet - 55.5 - 118 - James Crawford - 70-1
Holding Thumbs - 54 - 108 - Glen Kotzen - 40-1
Underworld - 54 - 109 - Justin Snaith - 35-1
Thunee Playa - 54 - 104 - Mano Pandaram - 150-1
See It Again - 60 - 127 - Michael Roberts - 10-1
Native Ruler - 54 - 119 - Justin Snaith - 28-1
My Best Shot - 53 - 116 - Alan Greeff - 35-1
Mucho Dinero - 54 - 115 - Justin Snaith - 100-1
The Real Prince - 56.5 - 120 - Dean Kannemeyer - 18-1