OWN CORRESPONDENT, Durban | Saturday 6.00pm.
ARGENTINE-BRED El Picha, under jockey Robbie Hill, swept up on the outside to win Saturday’s Durban July.
The 12-1 gelding is owned by former trainer Terrence Millard, six times a July winner, and trained by his son-in-law Jeff Woodruff. This was Woodruff’s first July victory.
Favourite to win at 3-1, Fort Defiance, carried 56kg, the biggest handicap shouldered by a three-year-old in July history — and it was the weight that cost him the race.
Fort Defiance was running well and appeared to have the race under control until the final stretches, when the weight took its toll and he dropped back to tenth place.
The race ended with El Picha, coming up on the outside to fight off Classic Flag and win by three-quarters of a length. Circle of Life took third place, ahead of Norfolk Realm and Golden Hoard.