Verdonese gets a shot at July with Choisaanada

“Over the moon”. That was how trainer Erico Verdonese described his feelings on Tuesday shortly after the news broke that his runner Choisaanada will in fact get a shot at the 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July after the scratching of the early favourite, Star Major.

Star Major was pulled out of the R10-million race by trainer James Crawford on Tuesday after his Querari gelding was diagnosed with an infection.

Many pundits believe that Choisaanada, also by Querari, should have been in the July from the start, but the panel responsible for deciding the final field only saw Verdonese’s runner fit enough to fill the first reserve spot.

Verdonese was in fact so confident that Choisaanada would get into the July, that he didn’t enter him for any other race on July Day.

“He should have been in from day one,” said the trainer on Tuesday. “It didn’t have to go this way.”

Apart from getting his runner into the final field, Verdonese is also fortunate that Choisaanada will jump from gate 4, as that was the stall rteserved for the 4-1 favourite Star Major.

“It’s a lucky break,” said Verdonese. “Jumping from gate 4 helps. I’m happy with the draw. I would have liked 8 or 9,” he joked.

Verdonese also confirmed he would be engaging Rachel Venniker for the ride.

“I am sticking with Rachel. She was there for me and she declined another ride because we thought Choisaanada would be in. So I have to stick with her.

“She rode him the last two outings and I very happy to give her the ride.”

Choisaanada is Verdonese’s first July runner.

“I have worked for a lot of trainers so I have been in there, but this is the first time on my own,” he said.

The Turffontein-based trainer was also full of praise for Crawford.

“I also need to say the trainer of Star Major did a big thing. He could have scratched his horse at the last minute, but he did such a wonderful thing by scratching Star Major early enough for my horse to get a run. He did something big and I would like to thank him personally. It was a big move on his behalf.”

Verdonese also confirmed that Choisaanada worked extremely well on Tuesday morning and that he is in excellent shape.

“I just hope he can finish the race and do well. That’s all.”