The four-year-old won comfortably by about four lengths with an electrifying turn of speed in the final stretch.
S’manga Khumalo on Sparkling Water after winning the Durban July main race, 2 July 2022, Durban. Picture: Jacques Nelles
Filly Sparkling Water streaked away from her male rivals to win the Hollywoodbets Durban July at Greyville on Saturday.
It was a fifth July victory for trainer Mike de Kock, a second for jockey S’Manga “Bling” Khumalo and a first for owner Mary Slack.
The daughter of Silvano, bred by Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift Stud, Sparkling Water was the only female to make the final field for South Africa’s biggest horse race.
The four-year-old won comfortably by about four lengths with an electrifying turn of speed in the final stretch.
Jet Dark, from the Justin Snaith stable, ran on strongly to grab second place, just ahead of De Kock-trained and long-time ante-post favourite Safe Passage.
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- S’manga Khumalo celebrates winning the Durban July main race on Sparkling Water, 2 July 2022, Durban. Picture: Jacques Nelles
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- S’manga Khumalo on Sparkling Water crosses the finish line winning the Durban July main race, 2 July 2022, Durban. Picture: Jacques Nelles
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- S’manga Khumalo celebrates winning the Durban July main race on Sparkling Water, 2 July 2022, Durban. Picture: Jacques Nelles
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- Jockey S’Manga Khumalo celebrates his victory on Sparkling Water at the Durban July. Picture: Gallo Images
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- S’manga Khumalo on Sparkling Water after winning the Durban July main race, 2 July 2022, Durban. Picture: Jacques Nelles
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- Sparkling Water crosses the line to win the Durban July. Picture: Gallo Images
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- S’manga Khumalo on Sparkling Water after winning the Durban July main race, 2 July 2022, Durban. Picture: Jacques Nelles
Also Read: PICS: Throwback to some of the best and worst Durban July fashion
Slack is the daughter of Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer, who owned six July winners.
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