Trainer Sean Tarry and owner Chris van Niekerk notched up their second consecutive Vodacom Durban July victory and S'manga Khumalo became the first black jockey to win South Africa's premier race as Heavy Metal (SAF) powered through from off the pace to deny Run For It (SAF) and Do You Remember (SAF) in a thrilling finish and in front of a capacity crowd at Greyville on Saturday. The next three places were filled by No Worries (SAF), Jet Explorer (SAF) and Whiteline Fever (SAF).

As expected, there wasn't a huge amount of pace on show early on. Wagner took up his customary front-running role with E-Jet close up in second. Love Struck and Punta Arenas were also prominent, as was Seal, who raced very wide and never looked comfortable. Jet Explorer and stable companion Run For It both enjoyed the box seats on the inside rail, the former leading his team mate by about a length, with a similar margin back to Do You Remember, another to hug the rail, racing about six lengths off the pace. Wylie Hall and Pomodoro were in the middle of a bunched up field, while Khumalo had Heavy Metal some way back, easily ten lengths off the speed and about fifth from last. No Worries raced with him as Wild One brought up the rear.

Wagner was tackled from all sides upon entering the straight and it was Jet Explorer who staked the first serious claim for victory, grabbing the lead about 300m out. He couldn't sustain his effort, though, and the real action was about to unfold to the inside. Run For It had taken a bit of time to warm up but he took over inside the last furlong and briefly looked set to end his big-race hoodoo. Do You Remember was running a blinder to his inside but the final twist was about to be provided. Heavy Metal had come from near last to challenge for the lead in a matter of strides in the straight and he imposed himself in the last 100m, stretching past Run For It to post a narrow and memorable victory.

A breathless Khumalo thanked van Niekerk and Tarry for providing him with his big opportunity. "He [Tarry] did not put any pressure on me or give me too many instructions. He said that I know the horse well."

Referring to how the race had panned out, he said he had been happy with his position. "In the straight, I followed Run For It. I knew if I got him, nothing else would beat me."

Tarry was able to savour not just a July double but an amazing big race run on the day itself, having earlier won the Gr 1 Golden Slipper and Gr 2 Gold Vase, also for his principal patron van Niekerk.

"He had to have a chance," said Tarry. "He's already won a Grade One and came through his prep very well."

Heavy Metal is certainly one of the most improved horses around. He's always looked a decent enough prospect, but it was only his shock victory in the Gr 1 Champions Challenge in April that thrust him firmly into the big-race spotlight. Two excellent prep runs in a Pinnacle event and the Gr 3 Jubilee Handicap marked him out as a serious contender here, but many may have been put off by his big impost of 59.5kg. He made light of it in the end and this was a win full of merit as he was conceding a significant 3kg to a very talented rival in runner-up Run For It.

One has to feel for Run For It, who was running up his fifth placing in a major Gr 1 event. There were no excuses in evidence this time around, though - he had just about everything in his favour but simply found one too good for him on the day.

Do You Remember did her connections proud with another courageous effort. She was outgunned in the end by two serious older horses with proper Gr 1 credentials and she came out of the race with her reputation enhanced.

No Worries proved that his excellent run in the Daily News 2000 was no fluke. He came from well back to grab fourth and confirmed the Daily News form with all the rivals from that race who re-opposed him here. His connections can look forward to having a lot of fun with him next season.

Jet Explorer, like Run For It, appeared to have everything in his favour, but tired late after looking a possible winner at one stage. He may just have been caught out for stamina in the closing stages.

Sixth-place Whiteline Fever, another one with stamina doubts, ran a respectable race at the weights and should continue to be competitive in the big middle-distance events next season..

4 b g Silvano (GER) - Percussion by Baroon (GB)
Owner: Mr C J H Van Niekerk
Bred by Bosworth Farm Stud
Winning trainer: Sean Tarry