IN a day of firsts for trainer, horse and jockey, the Brett Crawford-trained Winchester Mansion was guided home by Kabelo Matsunyane to win the Hollywoodbets Durban July at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday.

Winchester Mansion earned a R2.94m share of the R5m total stake by beating off the challenge of Michael ‘Muis’ Roberts’ pre-race favourite, See It Again. Bless My Stars edged out two-time winner Do It Again, the eight-year-old veteran who also became the most capped runner in Hollywoodbets Durban July history.

The 30 000 spectators were treated to a thrilling spectacle as two horses and two jockeys gave it their all.

The two joined in combat 300m out as they pulled clear of the opposition, and it was a duel to the line.

Piere Strydom, bidding for his fifth win in the race before his expected retirement, had to switch See It Again off the heels of a tired Without Question but looked to just hold the upper hand on his challenger as Michael Roberts’ runner See It Again stuck resolutely to his guns. But Winchester Mansion gained inch by inch, and it was a nod of the heads at the line with Winchester Mansion prevailing by a head.

Crawford was almost speechless but was full of praise for his jockey.

“When you’ve got a guy like Strydom on your inside, you don’t expect the other jock to get past him, so full credit to that guy back there as he’s had a phenomenal season – he rode a great race, and he’s set himself a great future ahead.”

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