The three-year-old Jallad colt, Rabiya, destroyed the opposition in the R750 000, Grade 1 Daily News 2200 at Greyville Racecourse in Durban on Sunday. He was so impressive in winning that he is likely to be installed as the outright favourite for the Vodacom Durban July.

After experiencing problems early in the race and coming from off the pace with a blistering finish reminiscent of that seen from champion stable companion Dynasty two years ago, Dean Kannemeyer’s colt stamped himself as potentially the best of his age in the country.

Durban bookmakers said unofficially on Sunday that the grey would be priced up today as the favourite and while 2-1 was suggested by one, the extent to which his odds would be slashed from last weeks 8-1 would only be officially known on Monday.

Before Sunday’s meeting, Winter Solstice was the favourite at 7-1 with Rabiya at 8-1 and the two fillies, Irridescence and Royal Aproval, at 10-1. Tyson and Silverpoint were on offer at 12-1 with Grey Arrow, Jam Alley, Gang Related and Dunsinane at 14-1. Ilha Da Vitoria was quoted at 16-1 with 20-1 and upwards the balance.

After the running of the Daily News 2200, Dean Kannemeyer said he was extremely happy with the colt’s performance and this was another good step in its preparation for the Vodacom Durban July.

The odd-on Mike de Kock Caesour filly, Irridescence, is also expected to shorten from 10-1 today after her impressive win in the R500 000, Grade 1 Zimbali Lodge Woolavington 2200. She won a good race from Joshua’s Princess and Shadow Dancing, the latter not being an entry for the big race on July 2 but whose trainer might now consider entering her as a supplementary entry.

The results of Sunday’s two Grade 1 feature events and that of the R300 000 Grade 2 Astrapak 1900 on Friday night leave the Vodacom Durban July selection committee with a major re-think on the Vodacom Durban July picture and considerable changes to the Vodacom Durban July Log might emerge in the next few days.

The disappointing performance of St John Gray’s Jam Alley on Friday night could put his chances of a big race run in jeopardy while the apparent below par performance of Geoff Woodruff’s star filly Royal Approval on Sunday might not be enough to eliminate her. In her case, she raced wide for most of the way and had a lot of ground to make up in the home straight.

Another excellent performance on Sunday was that of Neil Bruss’s Jallad gelding, Zebra Crossing. He had not featured in the top 30 on the Log before that race but he ran a great second to Rabiya in the Daily News 2200 which should see his chances improve dramatically.

In the R125 000, Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, Bruss’s Western Winter gelding, Western Prospect, cemented his place in the top 20 on the log with a great win over Kipketer and The Badger. Western Prospect is also seen as a major contender in the Grade 1 Cannon Gold Cup early in August and on Sunday’s performance will likely be a short price in the betting for that race.