A large contingent of Vodacom Durban July candidates, including the superstar filly Oh Susanna, are among the 40 entries for the three feature events that make Daily News 2000 day one of the most important meetings of the year.

In all, 19 of the horses nominated today for the R2-million, Grade 1 Daily News 2000, the R1-million, Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 and the R300 000, Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup to be run at Greyville in Durban on Saturday, June 2, are among the 46 currently on the entry list for the R4.5-million, Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July to be run over 2 200m at Greyville on July 7.

Among the nominations for the Daily News 2000 is the Silvano filly Chariot Of Gold from the Sean Tarry stable that has also been nominated for the Woolavington 2000 where she could, if opting for the filly contest, come up against Justin Snaith’s Sun Met winner, Oh Susanna. Tarry is likely to make the decision on which race to compete in at the final acceptance stage at the end of the month.

The Daily News 2000 has attracted 17 entries of which 12 are July nominees and with most sporting strong form qualifications the 2 000m event is likely to produce a close and thrilling finish. The entries include Do It Again, Pack Leader and Steel Rose that completed the top four behind winner Eyes Wide Open in the Grade 1 Investec Cape Derby.

The three talented Cape three-year-olds could come up against one of the leading Gauteng colts Surcharge for the first time, setting the stage for an exciting north-south battle. Surcharge was, what some believe, an unlucky second in the SA Derby at Turffontein when he come from well back to be beaten into second place by Hero’s Honour. The Gimmethegreenlight gelding had finished second in both the Gauteng Guineas and SA Classic before that showing he has plenty of talent.

Pack Leader, Glen Kotzen’s Philanthropist colt that was scratched from Saturday’s World Sports Betting 1900 at Greyville after showing signs of colic before the race, is among the Daily News entries. He was well fancied to win Saturday’s race and could be high in the betting for this top three-year-old clash.

Tap O’ North, one of the nominees not entered for the July, is among the entries having finished third in the Daisy Guineas and second two runs before that in the Cape Guineas. He beat White River in the Greyville race and they could meet again here where their form suggests there is not much between them.

In the Woolavington 2000, the nomination of Oh Susanna could have discouraged the entry of a few fillies leaving just 10 nominations. However, there is a purse of R200 000 for second place and the filly that lowered the colours of superstar Snowdance in the Daisy Fillies Guineas at Greyville, Fiorella, will undoubtedly be aiming the do the same to her stable companion.

The Duncan Howells-trained daughter of Captain Al had previously run just 1.5 lengths behind the star De Kock-trained filly Takingthepeace in the SA Fillies Classic stamping herself as one of the better members of her school this season.

Lady In Black, second to Oh Susanna in the Paddock Stakes in the Cape, will be out to regain her reputation after her disappointing run in the Daisy Fillies Guineas.

In the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, four July contenders are among the 13 nominations including the Dean Kannemeyer-trained geldings The Slade and It’s My Turn, both having failed to impress in the World Sports Betting 1900 at Greyville last Saturday. Journalist Richard McMillan.