Significant scratchings from the Hollywoodbets Durban July

THE Hollywoodbets Durban July final field panellists have had their task made easier by a spate of significant scratchings from the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

- DAVID THISELTON

The Justin Snaith-trained Sail The Seas was number three on the first Hollywoodbets Durban July log, but has had some issues.

He was scratched yesterday morning alongside his log incumbent stablemate Pacaya, who was number 18 on the first log, but whom ran disappointingly in Saturday's Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m.

Yesterday's big scratching was last year's runner up Cousin Casey, who was tenth on the July log, and his absence from the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge on Saturday indicates he must have an issue.

Fiery Pegasus

Fiery Pegasus was number 12 on the July log and was scratched a while ago.

Mike and Mathew de Kock have likely signalled their intent to go for the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes with the crack filly Spumante Dolce, who was 13th on the July log, by scratching her on Monday.

The Lucky Houdalakis-trained Gr 1 SA Derby runner up Wild Intent, who was number 15 on the July log, also failed to fire in the Cup Trial and true to what Lucky had said about not just wanting to be "a field maker", he was duly scratched on Monday morning alongside his stablemate Musical Score, who was a disappointing sixth in the Gr 3 4Racing Jubilee Stakes over 1800m on Sunday at Turffontein Standside.

A surprise scratching was the Roy Magner-trained Olivia's Way.