Three-year-old comeback for Harry Lime

This son of Var won his first two starts with ease, the second being the Grade 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m at Scottsville. As a result Harry Lime was one of the favourites to win the Grade 1 Gold Medallion over the same course and distance but unfortunately he was drawn on the wrong side of the track in a big field and although showing up prominently for much of the race, he eventually faded out to finish seventh, 6.50 lengths behind Guiness.

Trainer Justin Snaith then opted to try Harry Lime over further, and entered him in the Grade 1 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m at Greyville on Durban July Day but he faded late to run eighth, 4.55 lengths behind talented Afrikaburn. One is not sure whether he failed to stay or whether his performance was affected by some ailment as he pulled up coughing.

Harry Lime now takes on a decent field in a MR 91 Handicap over 1200m and will be ridden by Richard Fourie. It is a field of hard knockers and it will be interesting see how he has progressed.

Although now seven-years-old, Bad Winter remains competitive and he stands out as the main threat. This Yogas Govender-trained son of Western Winter has not visited the No 1 box since October last year but recently he has not been far off the winner. He has been racing in decent company and in his penultimate start Bad Winter finished a 3.25-length third behind talented De Kock.