2023 Durban July Entries - Four horses top merit ratings at the first stage

Gary Emmerson

Editor

Last updated: 06 Jun 2023

Share

Gary Emmerson 06 Jun 2023

Share this article

73 horses were nominated for the 2023 Durban July at the first entry stage
Do It Again, Pomp And Power, Safe Passage and See It Again top the ratings
Defending champion Sparkling Water has been retired to stud

Do It Again will carry top weight in his sixth Durban July. (Getty)

Cousin Casey remains the favourite for the 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July following the first entry stage today.

Glen Kotzen's star three-year-old jumped to the head of the betting after ante-post favourite, Charles Dickens was ruled out of the race by Candice Bass-Robinson. Cousin Casey has been handed a merit rating of 122, two points below the four top-rated runners in this year's Durban July.

Two-time winner, Do It Again will become the first horse to make six appearances in the Durban July and Justin Snaith's eight-year-old will have to carry top weight. As will four-year-olds Pomp And Power and Safe Passage, who were rated 124. Shock Cape Derby winner, See It Again was also rated 124 but, being a three-year-old, he won't be carrying top-weight.

Defending champion, Sparkling Water was retired to stud earlier this week. Another big name who will be missing this year's Durban July is King's Plate winner Al Muthana, who wasn't handed an entry at the opening stage.

Do It Again is one of nine runners that Justin Snaith entered up today. Mike De Kock, Sean Tarry and Brett Crawford accounted for seven entrants each.

2023 Durban July Top-Rated Entrants

Name	Age	MR
Do It Again	8	124
Pomp And Power	4	124
Safe Passage	4	124
See It Again	3	124
Puerto Manzano	5	123
Astrix	6	122
Cousin Casey	3	122
Rascallion	5	122
Zapatillas	4	122
Anfields Rocket	3	120
Golden Ducat	6	120
Linebacker	5	120
Rain In Holland	4	120
Silver Darling	4	120
Without Question	3	119
Nebraas	6	117
Surjay	4	117
Aragosta	4	116
Jimmy Don	3	116
Red Saxon	4	116
Union Square	3	116
Son Of Raj	3	115
At My Command	3	114
Billy Bowlegs	3	114
Litigation	4	114