Two horses enter Durban July fray late, while key hope scratched

TWO horses have made a late call to nominate for the  R5million Durban July, with Musical Score and My Best Shot supplementary entrants for the Grade 1 feature at Greyville Racecourse.

Trained by Lucky Houdalakis, Music Score blasted into contention on May 11 with a win in the Pinnacle Stakes at Turffontein, with oddsmakers now pricing the gelding at 40-1 to win the Durban July. 

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Whether Musical Score contests the 2200m Durban July is likely to come down to how he performs in the Jubilee Stakes (1800m) on Sunday, June 8. 

Eastern Cape trainer Alan Greeff also made the decision to include My Best Shot for the Durban July after the first declarations stage. 

Another three year old, My Best Shot moved into Durban July contention after becoming the first horse to claim the Eastern Cape Triple Crown, which means he has won over distances from 1400m to 2400m. 

Grade 1 winner Fire Attack, which had been priced as short as 12-1 to win the Durban July in early betting, was scratched after it was revealed he had a bruised foot.

Other notable movements in the projected field for the Durban July, due to be raced on July 5, include Dean Kannenmeyer’s Red Palace (25-1), Andre Nel’s Cape Eagle and Anthony Peter’s Ultimate King, who were all scratched. 

Rough hopes Barbaresco and Without Question were also pulled from the Durban July nominations. 

You can view the latest Durban July odds here, or check out the future betting at HollywoodBets.net.