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The 'Cape Comet' Kommetdieding came from the outside 18 draw to win the 125th edition of the Vodacom Durban July, in the process rewriting a number of records on Saturday.
The win gives trainer Michelle Rix a July title on her debut, making her the second female trainer after Candice Bass-Robinson to win the title, and it also makes owner Ashwin Reynolds the first owner of colour to win the country's biggest race.
Rix, who trained the three year old with her father Harold Crawford asked jockey Gavin Lerena to shed four kilograms to meet his eventual race weight of 54 kilograms, and he masterfully took the three year old to the line ahead of Linebacker and pre-race favourite Got The Greenlight.
"Kommetdieding has only been racing for twelve months, this is his seventh race. After his first four starts in Cape Town which were scintillating we knew he would be something special," said Rix.
An emotional Rix said sharing the special moment with her father spoke volumes about their operation.
"When you do it with family it just adds that special touch," said Rix.
"We are very much a family orientated business and clearly it has worked for us."
She added that she owed a debt of thanks to Lerena for accepting her challenge to shed weight for the big race.
"Good grief! Hats off to Gavin. I phoned him a couple of weeks ago and said 'Can you do it?' and he was so professional about it. 'Give me four days,' he said. 'I am going to speak to my dietician'.
"He got back to me on the fourth day and said 'I will do it'. Let me tell you a more professional jockey doesn't come around too often," she added.
Result of the 2021 Durban July
1. 18 KOMMETDIEDING Gavin Lerena H.Crawford/M.Rix
2. 7 LINEBACKER Grant Van Niekerk V.Marshall
3. 14 GOT THE GREENLIGHT Muzi Yeni J.Soma
4. 16 DO IT AGAIN Richard Fourie J.Snaith
