Do It Again In July Repeat

[Wandering Eyes]

It took 19 years, but the Justin Snaith-trained Do It Again (SAf) (Twice Over {GB}) and Richard Fourie rewrote the record books as Do It Again became the first horse since 2000 to record back-to-back victories in the R4,250,000 G1 Vodacom Durban July.

The Twice Over gelding, carrying top weight of 60kg, fought a fierce duel with Rainbow Bridge (SAf) (Ideal World) and Gavin Lerena down the home straight to prevail by 0.4 lengths with Twist Of Fate (SAf) (Master Of My Fate {SAf}) in third a further 1.3 lengths back. The winning time was 2:15.04 on a good track.

Unfortunately the tote favourite, the Mike De Kock-trained Hawwaam (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}), became unsettled in the barriers and reared, dislodging jockey Anton Marcus. The colt injured himself slightly in the process, leading to him being scratched by the course vet.

Once the field had been reloaded and sent on their way, Fourie settled Do It Again midfield, with Lerena positioning Rainbow Bridge slightly ahead, two off the rail. Return Flight (SAf) (Pomodoro {SAf}), leading the field from the jump, set a brisk pace through the first turn and into the back straight. Coming around the final turn, Fourie started moving the long- striding Do It Again through the field in order to give the gelding a clear run up the middle of the track. Lerena meanwhile had found the perfect gap on the rail and deftly sent Rainbow Bridge through and into the lead. With both horses drifting inward, they ended up locked in a duel in the final furlong, with neither prepared to give an inch.

It was a bobbing of heads until Do It Again proved that his 2018 win was no fluke as he slowly inched clear of Rainbow Bridge. Once in front, Fourie wasted no time in celebrating, standing in his stirrups and waving his whip in salute. After winning the 2014 Vodacom Durban July in the boardroom, Fourie was delighted to finally win the race on the racetrack. “At least I got my own victory lap this time”, he quipped. Quite rightly he took full advantage of that victory lap trotting Do It Again down to the 300 metre mark while waving to the crowd, before cantering back.

Fourie was full of praise for Do It Again, saying, “he is simply remarkable. He is such a smart horse. He is very intelligent and he definitely has a big-match temperament.”

Snaith said he always believed that Do It Again was capable of a repeat victory despite having to carry top weight of 60kgs. “I am very sorry for Sheikh Hamdan, the owner of Hawwaam. I would have preferred to win the race fair and square, but I was never worried about my chances of winning the race,” he said. “This is the best horse in South Africa.”

When asked whether Do It Again could be heading overseas, Snaith replied that it could be a possibility. “If the exports open up, anything is an option. However his owners like racing in South Africa and for now we are going to have glass of champagne and enjoy the moment. Then I think we are going to put him away for a bit before getting him ready for next season.”

Winning owners Nic Jonsson and Bernard Kantor were on hand to lead their champion in and could not contain their delight. Kantor explained that while he felt happy beyond belief, the victory was tinged with sadness after the death earlier this year of part owner Jack Mitchell. “It is however absolutely remarkable to win it twice in a row, but he is a truly special horse”, he added. Do It Again, by Twice Over out of the Casey Tibbs (Ire) mare Sweet Virginia (SAf), was recording his seventh victory and his fourth Grade 1 win, taking his earnings to R8,410,000.

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