Lion in Winter Jockey Glen Hatt during the 2011 Vodacom Durban July. Photo: Steve Haag / Gallo Images
Gothic provides a first Vodacom Durban July runner for trainer Kumaran Naidoo and the three-year-old Silvano gelding will be ridden by experienced Glen Hatt.
Hatt said at Summerveld yesterday, “Prior to his July gallop I thought it would be a bit hard for him as a young, light-framed horse, but afterwards I was very happy.
He gave me that same elastic feel he did in the Derby, he does it so effortlessly. He loved his gallop and pricked his ears at the end.”
Naidoo added, “He’s doing really, really well. He’s going along nicely and we’re just keeping him ticking over into the race.”
Gothic goes into the race as the winner of only one race, a work rider’s maiden over 1800m.
However, the number of wins has no relevance in the merit rating system, that has been in place in South Africa for many years now, and form is a far more important guide to a horse’s ability.
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