Hollywoodbets Durban July (Group 1)

MARY Slack reaped a fitting reward for saving South African racing from bankruptcy when her homebred Sparkling Water powered home at 16/1 in last Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July at Greyville.

The Silvano filly, friendless in the market after taking a walk from 6/1, was the first of her sex to win South Africa’s most famous race since Mike de Kock scored with Igugu 11 years ago.

De Kock also trains this one and, although he had not had a July winner since, his tally now stands at five.

De Kock, also responsible for third-placed Safe Passage, was quick to pay tribute saying: “This win was as deserving for an owner as any in the history of the race. We are truly thankful, both for her patronage and for what she has done for South African racing.”

Mrs Slack, who had a winner at Royal Ascot with Claymore in the Hampton Court, confessed: “I had always been rather dismissive of the July, saying it’s a handicap or my horse would get hurt, but this is so wonderful I can’t really believe it.

Great female line

“Sparkling Water comes from a great female line and, when she is back at the stud, it will be even greater.”

The fifth July winner for former champion sire Silvano, Sparkling Water was bred by Mrs Slack in partnership with daughter Jessica and is out of the British-bred Dansili mare Espumante.

Mrs Slack’s own racing pedigree is every bit as good: she is the daughter of Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer who owned six July winners, breeding most of them.

When racing operator Phumelela ran into financial difficulties last year Mrs Slack poured a fortune into a new company, 4Racing, to keep everything on the road.

Her black with scarlet cap colours were passed on to her by Jim Joel, owner of Derby winner Royal Palace and Grand National hero Maori Venture.

Sparkling Water was the second July winner ridden by the colourful S’Manga Khumalo who succeeded in booking himself for both the winner and runner-up Jet Dark! The stipes understandably took a dim view and fined him R5,000 (€300).

Khumalo, who has a fondness for flying dismounts and jewellery (his fellow jockeys call him Bling), had his mount well placed throughout and sent her clear over a furlong out to beat Jet Dark by three lengths.

Fined

On a less satisfactory note, Bernard Fayd’Herbe on Jet Dark was fined for hitting his mount 17 times as was Callan Murray on unplaced Al Muthana (14 times).

The limit in South Africa is internationally high at 12 and, while jockeys maintain that the modern whip doesn’t hurt, they are not on the receiving end! I have read scientific reports that say the horses do feel it.

Star filly Captain’s Ransom failed to quicken when odds-on for the Group 1 Garden Province Stakes (curiously sponsored by Brentford Football Club) and managed only fourth behind the Gimmethegreenlight mare She’s A Keeper. The favourite will now be put away until next season.

Well pleased

This was the first major meeting without restrictions since the start of Covid and the racecourse management seemed well pleased with a crowd they estimated at 30,000.

BLOB Hollywoodbets and owner Greg Bortz have agreed to put up R330 million (nearly €20 million) to ensure Cape Town racing continues at Kenilworth - and hopefully Durbanville too although it was not mentioned in Tuesday’s announcement. Mrs Slack has been providing temporary finance.