A hole in one for Eight On Eighteen?

THE Gr1 Daily News 2000 is always a guiding light as to the chances of three-year-old males going into the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and at first glance the race looks to be something of a Justin Snaith/Nick Jonsson benefit. Snaith saddles four of the seven runners with three of them, including the 5-10 ante-post favourite Eight On Eighteen, carrying the Jonsson silks.

- ANDREW HARRISON

The presence of Eight On Eighteen in the field has likely scared off much of any lessor opposition given that finishing in close proximity to Eight On Eighteen would see their handicap ratings ramped up but Mike and Mathew de Kock have risen to the challenge with their filly Spumante Dolce.

Fourie

Richard Fourie will be aboard Eight On Eighteen who arrived in KZN for South Africa's Champions Season on the back of wins in the Gr1 WSB Cape Met and Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby. He made his debut in the Gr2 WSB Guineas and fell just short of catching stable companion Sail The Seas, with Muzi Yeni pinching a break on Eight On Eighteen who was finishing best of all, a win possibly thwarted by a difficult passage at the top of the straight.

It was an excellent effort by Eight On Eighteen over a distance now possibly short of his best. With experience on the course and back over an ideal trip he is the worthy favourite. The De Kock's have spurned the Gr2 Tote Woolavington 2000 and are hunting Gr1 glory for their filly.

De Kock

She is currently 13th on the Hollywoodbets Durban July log and as a three-parts sister to the former Mike De Kock-trained Durban July winner Sparkling Water, this trip should suit.