A wave of disappointment has swept through the South African horse racing community. One of the top contenders, See It Again, has been officially scratched from this Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July. The announcement, which came on Tuesday morning, has sent shockwaves through the racing world. Leaving punters and fans stunned just days before Africa’s greatest horse racing event.
The reason for the sudden withdrawal was due to an abnormal blood count. Dealing a devastating blow to the hopes of trainer Michael Roberts and the entire stable. This news comes after the five-year-old son of Twice Over had already shown signs of a potential issue. Having only been paraded during the public gallops due to complications with a temperature spike. While there was hope for a recovery, the latest bloodwork results have made it impossible for the horse to compete.
A clearly disheartened Michael Roberts spoke to the Sporting Post, expressing his profound disappointment. “It’s hard enough getting a horse into the big race, and now having to scratch is a bitter pill to swallow,” he stated. “We have to act in the best interests of the horse. We hope to have him ready for the Champions Cup at the end of the season.”
The scratching of See It Again has significantly altered the landscape of the R5 million race. The horse was a major contender, and his absence now opens the field for other hopefuls. As a result of this development, the Sean Tarry-trained Litigation will now get a run in the prestigious event. Ridden by Grant van Niekerk, Litigation will jump from draw 15. All eyes will be on this new entry to see how he fares against the remaining competition.
This last-minute change is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of horse racing. The health and well-being of the athletes are always paramount, and while the decision to scratch See It Again is undoubtedly a setback for his connections. But it is a necessary one to ensure the horse’s welfare.