POMODORO, brilliantly ridden by Piere Strydom, won the 2012 Vodacom Durban July at Greyville on Saturday.
The 28-1 chance from the Randjesfontein stables of Sean Tarry overcame the widest draw of 20 to snatch a short-head victory from another big outsider, Smanjemanje (55-1) – trained by Tyrone Zackey and ridden by Grant van Niekerk.
About half a length back was Chesalon (18-1) in third, just ahead of fourth-placed Eton Square (40-1). Fifth was Solo Traveller (40-1) and sixth Vettel (9-1).
With four long-odds runners making up the Quartet, the bet paid out a whopping R304,357.50.
Hot favourite Jackson (2-1), who seemed above himself in the preliminaries, raced handily but failed to deliver his usual acceleration and failed to make it into the first six places. Second favourite Ilha Bela was undone by her wide draw and was left with too much to do in the run-in.
Pomodoro, a three-year-old colt by Jet Master, was bred by his owner, Chris van Niekerk, one of the South Africa’s most prominent racing patrons.
