Heavy Metal rocks Vodacom Durban July. Photo: Go South Online
Racehorse Heavy Metal’s life has changed dramatically since he crossed the finishing line of the Vodacom Durban July that was held at Greyville on Saturday, July 6.
If the four-year-old had lost in the July he’d currently be back chewing teff in his old barn, looking at the familiar scenery of Randjesfontein on the Highveld. Instead, he narrowly won the country’s biggest race and is now in a strange stable at Kenilworth, staring at Table Mountain, probably never to see his mates at Randjes again.
Heavy Metal was whisked from Durban to quarantine quarters in Cape Town this week, his July victory having handed him a ticket to international competition and his connections knowing time was critical in the protracted process of horse exportation.
Heavy Metal’s trainer, Sean Tarry, says the gelding is well- suited to Hong Kong’s tight Sha-Tin track. But it’s unlikely he’ll get to Hong Kong in shape for this December’s feature season, so 2014 it must be – via Dubai in March and Singapore in June.
Tomorrow, South Africa’s Shea Shea is among the favourites for the prestigious July Cup at Newmarket in the UK.
Another great sprinter, What A Winter, makes his swansong in the Mercury Sprint at Clairwood today. – Sport Live
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