Do It Again Does It Again in Durban July

There's no other way to say it: Do It Again did it again July 6 at Greyville Racecourse in South Africa, winning the iconic Vodacom Durban July (G1) for the second consecutive year.

Coming off the fence at the top of the stretch, the 4-year-old son of Twice Over rallied down the middle of the course for jockey Richard Fourie and caught longtime foe Rainbow Bridge by half a length, becoming the first back-to-back winner of the race since El Picha in 1999-2000.

"This was simply outstanding," Fourie said. "He's done it again. He's such a smart horse. He's so intelligent."

"Relief," trainer Justin Snaith said of his emotions as Do It Again swept to the lead. "I'm so happy for him."

Fourie kept Do It Again well back in the field and saved ground through the first half of the 2,200 meters (about 1 3/8 miles). With rivals bunched in front of him, he confidently took the overland route and was as near the grandstand as the rail as he mounted his challenge.

It was the seventh win from 13 starts for Do It Again and a confirmation of the belief of his connections.

"He's the best weight-for-age horse, and now he's proved he's the best by far in South Africa," said Jonathan Snaith, Justin's brother and partner in the family racing dynasty. "He will go down as one of the greatest."

Do It Again entered the July off a win in the June 8 Rising Sun Gold Challenge (G1) over the course. He was second to Rainbow Bridge in the Sun Met Celebrated With G.H. Mumm (G1) in January after winning the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate (G1) in his return from the 2018 July victory.

While plans for Do It Again remain up in the air, Justin Snaith before the race discussed the possibility of competing internationally should the current stringent South African quarantine rules be modified.

"If it opens up, anything's an option," he said.

Jonathan Snaith said travel would be an option, with the 2020 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (GIT) at Keeneland a target.

"It would be up for discussion with the owners," he said.

The complexion of the race changed as the favorite, Hawwaam, was scratched at the gate after acting up and sustaining a hip injury.

Mike de Kock, who trains the 4-year-old Silvano colt for Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said, "It would have been interesting" if Hawwaam ran.

De Kock said while the scratch was disappointing, "At least we still have a horse."

After the race, de Kock tweeted: "After all the drama, happy to report Hawwaam is fine. We will live to fight another day."

Do It Again's part-owner Bernard Kantor, noting the death during the past year of another member of the ownership group, Jack Mitchell, said the repeat win "comes with happiness beyond belief but with sadness as well."

On the same card, Celtic Sea defeated Justin Snaith's star Street Cry filly Oh Susanna by one length in the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes (G1) for fillies and mares, possibly Oh Susanna's last race. Eden Roc, a Var colt trained by Sean Tarry, ran his record to 3-for-3, winning the Durban Golden Horseshoe (G2) for 2-year-olds with a late effort.