SCRATCHED. Oh Susanna has been withdrawn from the R4.25-million Vodacom Durban July on Saturday 7 July despite her win in Saturday’s Grade 1 Woolavington 2000. Picture: Gold Circle
Oh Susanna has recovered from injuries sustained in the Sun Met and is on course to campaign in the KwaZulu-Natal winter season.
The 2018 Equus Horse of the Year, who became the first three-year-old filly to win the Met in more than 100 years last year, failed in her double bid in Cape Town’s big race last month, finishing seventh and 3.80 lengths behind Rainbow Bridge.
Oh Susanna’s post-race veterinary report read like a dispatch from the Charge of the Light Brigade – a mouth injury, cuts in her right hind leg and lameness.
Her trainer, Justin Snaith, explained: “I think it happened when [stablemate and race favourite] Do It Again ducked in behind her.
We put her on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories that night, but on the Monday after the race she could hardly walk.”
However, by the end of that week she was “OK again”.
She is now resting and recuperating in a paddock she shares with the champion trainer’s other brilliant female galloper, Snowdance.
“She will go to Durban and we just have to choose which races,” revealed Snaith.
Another Cape-based star, Eyes Wide Open, is also heading for KZN.
Glen Kotzen had to abandon Vodacom Durban July ambitions with the Cape Derby winner last season but is determined to get there this time – despite problems that have arisen.
The Woodhill trainer, successful in the July with Big City Life 10 years ago, said: “Eyes Wide Open is haemo-concentrating.
We got him right before the Met but obviously not right enough.
He came with a strong run but didn’t go through with it.
“It is a lot of work but we will get him right. Maybe the change of scenery will help as he has done very well up there in the past.”
– Gold Circle
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