Curious Girl gets HWB Durban July call-up!

Three-year-old filly Curious Girl has earned a late call-up to Saturday's Grade 1 R10-million Hollywoodbets Durban July following the scratching of The Ultimate King.

Originally the second reserve, Curious Girl takes her place in the field from an ideal barrier three - a second runner for the stable alongside Aladdin’s Lamp, and a second runner for the race sponsors, who also have Peter Muscutt-trained Isivivane in the line-up.

Mathew de Kock commented: "We feel for the connections of The Ultimate King. Racing has a habit of throwing curveballs at everyone, all the time. But we're in the race now and Curious Girl is doing very well. She has a tough task, but she'll be giving of her best."

Headline-making jockey Mickaëlle Michel, who so unfortunately lost her ‘July’ ride when the ante-post favourite Star Major was scratched earlier this week, has been booked to partner Curious Girl.

Mathew said: “We felt sorry for Mickaëlle having to miss out on such a big opportunity and offered her the ride because she's a friend of ours, more than anything else. But she's also more than capable of holding her own, so we have all the confidence and we're very pleased to have her on board.”

Michel said: "So much has happened over the last 24 hours. I was very disappointed when Star Major had to be withdrawn, but it was the right decision for the horse, who now has the time he needs to recover.

"I'm smiling again. I was so excited about riding in South Africa's biggest race and now I've been given another wonderful opportunity. I'm really looking forward to the occasion."

Michel believes Justin Snaith's Note To Self and Regulation are the horses to beat.