Trainer Mike De Kock saddled first and second past the post as Bold Silvano stormed home ahead of Irish Flame to make it a third win for the acclaimed conditioner in the Vodacom Durban July. Orbison, Service Ace and Happy Valley were next best making it a virtual clean sweep for the 3 year olds.
Red Rake set a blistering pace from the start while Love Is In The Air found herself in second spot with Bold Silvano and Irish Flame in close pursuit. As the pack jostled for position, there was not much change in the order before Love Is In The Air took the lead into the grand stand finish, but De Kock's plan was soon made evident as the front runners weakened and Bold Silvano shot through the inside with a keen burst of acceleration. Kevin Shea set sail soon after aboard Irish Flame and the pair skipped clear but Anthony Delpech and Bold Silvano galloped determinedly in the final furlong to hold off the favourite and stable coupling to win a gutsy and well deserved win. He is a magnificent specimen and an awesome mover, and after his perfect preparation he was always going to be a big contender. After this victory, he now becomes the first horse since Occult, 24 years ago, to complete the Greyville 1900 - Durban July double. Irish Flame has had an equally scintillating season and the pair look set to give Mike a powerful head start to his Dubai campaign next year.
Bold Silvano is owned in partnership by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and Gill Thompson who sold half a share of the horse to De Kock's Dubai patron earlier this year and was bred by Ashley and Rose Parker's Ascot Stud in East London. Congratulations to all the connections on a brilliant Durban July victory.
From the balance of the runners Orbison should receive the most credit after clinching third position and is certainly a rising star in South African racing. Service Ace surprised the most hardened critics after the one time winner galloped clear of a top class field only to get edged narrowly into 4th spot by Orbison and he to will stake much acclaim as a future star candidate for trainer Mike Azzie.
Our four way coupling were disappointing, and although not given much of a chance in this race they were no match for the powerful 3 year old coupling. Fort Vogue's chances were dismantled early on in this race and never settled in the running from his wide position as did Pocket Power, who looked magnificent on the day. The Champion broke well from his wide stall gate but he too was found wanting on the outer periphery which was too much for him to handle at this stage of his career and we will assess his future plans this week. Love Is In The Air was given no chance after a suicidal move at the top of the straight to pass the pacemaker which put pay to her chances of running closer. She was well positioned in second place and more carefully ridden she may well have run out a top 6 finish. River Jetez was unfortunately also caught out three deep and was unable to produce her best effort from there and the best she could manage was 6th.
The only other chances on the day for the Bass stable came from Super Storm and Golden Parachute who both went down narrowly.
Super Storm was desperately unlucky not to secure his win after falling a nose short to Saluki while Golden Parachute put up a game effort in the Gold Vase but went down a length to the top three year old filly Equiparada from the De Kock stable.
On the whole it was a wearisome day for Mike Bass and the team but that is how racing goes said Mike, you must take the ups with the downs and the good luck with the bad luck with equal receipt.
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Pocket Power still a champ in many peoples eyes, especially me....May he have long restfull days in the open fields!