It’s a race that every year throws up its fair share of drama and yesterday’s R3.5 million Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July was not different. A capacity crowd of 50 000 had to hold their breath once again as the objection hooter sounded across Greyville Racecourse for the second consecutive year shortly after the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Power King (22-1) had roared to victory ahead of Punta Arenas (28-1), Tellina (25-1) with the closest of the fancied runners Futura (9-2) in fourth place. The Quartet, with a pool of over R14 million, paid R85 000. (image: Lady Laidlaw and Stuart Randolph after their July win) 

This was Kannemeyer’s third July victory after Dynasty and Eyeofthetiger and Stuart Randolph’s first. Power King is owned by Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables.

Kannemeyer said he had been concerned but the right decision had been made. “When you win this race it’s always the perfect ride,” he quipped. “We are very happy and the gods were very kind.”

“This was Lady Laidlaw’s first ever visit to Durban and Greyville and it was a great way to introduce her.”

Post-race and a now composed Lady Laidlaw said, “I calmed myself down first and looked at the film and my friend said the other rider had made the mistake. But my boy outdid them all.”

“My heart did sink when I heard the hooter,” said Randolph. “But after I looked at the head-on I knew I was safe. The other horse bumped me twice.”

An emotional Stan Elley, who retires from training after 40 years at the end of the month, was bitterly disappointed but said it had been a fair decision. “I have no complaints. If you had offered me second place at 6 o’clock this morning I would have taken it with both hands.”

Geoff Woodruff expressed similar sentiments about third-placed Tellina. “If you had offered me third yesterday I would have taken it. It also showed that he deserved his place in the field. This was his ninth placing in group races.”

In other Gr1 action on the day Dennis Drier had another remarkable afternoon winning both the two-year-old Gr1’s with Chestnut ‘N Pearls in the Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper and Seventh Plain just got the upper hand in a blanket finish to the Gr1 Durban Golden Horseshoe.

Anton Marcus has been adding steadily to his Gr1 record and also scored a double with Seventh Plain and then riding a superb race from a wide draw on the Duncan Howells-trained Same Jurisdiction.