Astro News more of a contender for Durban July MyZA

It’s Durban July time! Photo: Vodacom Durban July

Charles Laird knows what it takes to win the Vodacom Durban July and he, Jane Thomas and the Clairwood environment have worked the oracle with Astro News, who is becoming more and more of a contender.

“Kevin (Shea) says every time he rides him he is a new horse,” said Laird.

Laird acquired the Silvano gelding in January and sent him straight to Jane Thomas’ KZN Midlands spelling farm as he had emerged from his previous start on the Highveld with sore feet.

Thomas got his feet right in a month or two, leaving Laird with limited time to qualify him for the July.

However, 39 days later he won the Grade 3 Cup Trial, having won a Graduation Plate over 1400m just ten days earlier.

That got him into the big race and since then he has continued to improve.

Shea was ecstatic with his July Gallop last Thursday and duly tipped him to finish in the first three in a subsequent panel discussion he sat on.

However, Laird does feel Astro News has been a bit harshly treated by the handicapper, considering he is 1kg worse off with Wagner from the Summer Cup, despite having been beaten 1,25 lengths.

“He got five pounds for winning a Grade 3 and Wagner got three pounds for winning a Grade 1. There must be a reason for that, but I’d like to know what it is.”

Laird continued, “I’ve instructed Kevin to ride him for a Place and if something happens and he is suddenly in the first three, who knows.”