Durban - Jockey S'Manga Khumalo became the first black jockey to win the prestigious Durban July at Greyville racecourse on Saturday.
It was 28-year-old's sixth group one success, with his biggest race victory previously being the Summer Cup at Turffontein.
Khumalo and the four-your-old gelding, Heavy Metal, flashed past the post to win the July Handicap over 2200 metres, giving owner Chris van Niekerk and his trainer Sean Tarry their second successive win in Africa's biggest race.
Last year Van Niekerk won with Pomodoro who ran a disappointing race to finish unlucky 13.
His rider Pierre “Striker” Strydom said the colt did not show his true potential on Sunday.
Khumalo said he was grateful to Tarry for giving him the opportunity to ride Heavy Metal.
“I have been with Sean Tarry since I was a young boy and he has taught me well,” Khumalo said.
“I rode in Australia for a short time and I want to go overseas again but this time for a longer period.”
Van Niekerk said he was thrilled and at the same time humbled by winning the race again especially after the large crowd had acknowledged former president Nelson Mandela in his birthday month.
The crowd stood in silence for 67 seconds before singing the national anthem, as a tribute to Mandela, who was spending his 29th day in hospital. He was receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection.
Plans to sell Heavy Metal would not go ahead after Sunday's big win, said Van Niekerk.
“I would have liked to send Heavy Metal to race in Hong Kong and we were considering the matter,” he said.
“We will make a decision later, if the conditions are satisfactory.”
Jockey Sean Cormack, who rode the runner-up Run For It, said he was well-placed from the start and he travelled well throughout.
“I thought that we were going to win when we were alongside Heavy Metal in the home straight but, although I tried my best, Run For It was just not able to get the better of Heavy Metal.”
The favourite, Capetown Noir, did not feature and, at no stage, looked to have any chance of winning.
Heavy rains on Thursday forced the cancellation of the first two races on the card and it was feared the track would be very soft. However, it was not the case and the large, colourful crowd was treated to some excellent racing. - Sapa