Bold Silvano wins South Africa's greatest race, the Durban July

  PICTURE: goldcircle.co.za  

Bold Silvano leads De Kock 1-2 in Durban July

Report: South Africa, Saturday

Greyville: Vodacom Durban July (Grade 1 hcap) 1m3f, turf, 3yo+

MIKE de Kock crowned his record-breaking South African season when 13-2 chance Bold Silvano (Anthony Delpech) and Irish Flame landed a memorable one-two in the country's greatest  race, the Vodacom Durban July.

De Kock's outsider Red Rake set a blistering pace but was virtually ignored by the other runners as he blazed a trail nearly ten lengths clear.

He was a spent  force by two furlongs out and Delpech soon drove Bold Silvano ahead before taking the SAR3 million (£262,000) event.

Kevin Shea  on 100-30 favourite Irish Flame gave chase but he never got much closer than the length by which he was beaten.

Orbison was three and a half lengths back third in a race where three-year-olds filled the first five  places.

Delpech, 41, winning the race for the third time, said:  "Coming into the straight I was going so well that my only concern was not to get there too soon as the pacemaker had had enough.

"This  is a very good horse - there is more improvement to come and he will be a Dubai World Cup candidate."

Mike De Kock: third Durban July

  PICTURE: Mark Cranham  

De Kock was also winning his third Durban July and the 13-2 winner is owned by his principal patron, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al  Maktoum.

This was the final day of the South African season and the new champion trainer said: "This is a nice end to the season and makes up for us  getting beaten a short head in the Dubai World  Cup.

"Both the first two had an unbelievable preparation," he added.

"Nothing went wrong which is  unusual and now it's next stop Dubai for Bold Silvano, Irish Flame and Happy Valley [fifth]."

Mike de Kock and wife Dianne welcome Durban July winner Bold Silvano

  PICTURE: goldcircle.co.za  

Also on  Saturday

Greyville: Garden Province Stakes (Grade 1) 1m, turf, 3yo+ f/m
 
Mike de Kock and Anthony Delpech rounded off their brilliant day when 13-2 shot Here To Win came from a long way back to lead well inside the final furlong of the Garden Province Stakes and beat Imperious Star by half a length.
 
Delpech said: "I was second or third-last early on but I wasn't too concerned because I knew she has a very good turn of foot. She was getting beaten over longer distances but she is better over this trip.
 
"Where Mike is so good is that he has them spot on for the big days and I was very bullish about this filly."
 
De Kock added: "We have been talking about sending her to Dubai but I think we will probably keep her in South Africa."

Greyville: Durban Thekwini Stakes (Grade 1) 1m, turf, 2yo fillies

Happy Archer (Sean Tarry/Anton Marcus) completed a three-timer and justified 9-5  favouritism with an impressive performance.

The Australian-bred strode away after hitting the front a furlong and a half out.

 She was eased before the line but still beat Silent Call by two and a half  lengths.

Tarry said: "She's not a very big filly but I'm going to keep the Cape Fillies Guineas in mind for her. She accelerates smartly and, if they have a turn of foot,  you've got a chance."

The  race was delayed for almost half an hour while the temporary running rail was  removed after the stewards decided that the course was too narrow for 16  runners.

Greyville: Premier's Champion Stakes (Grade 1) 1m, turf,2yo

Gold Onyx (Sean Tarry/Felix Coetzee) completed a notable two-year-old double for his  trainer when mercilessly cutting down hot favourite Kavanagh in the closing stages.

De Kock's Kavanagh looked like justifying odds of 13-10 when Kevin Shea drove him into the lead over a furlong out but, not for the first time, he proved vulnerable to a strong finisher.

Kavanagh was beaten three-quarters of a length with another De Kock runner, Zanzamar, two and a quarter lengths back  third.

The New Zealand-bred winner is ason of Aidan O'Brien's Irish 2,000 Guineas and St  James's Palace Stakes winner Black Minnaloushe but had disappointed behind Copper Parade and Kavanagh in the  Golden Horseshoe last time.

Tarry  said: "I couldn't find any explanation for that run but the horses didn't seem to finish at Clairwood that day.

"He is going to want every inch of ten furlongs  next season and so I might switch him off and wait for an autumn Johannesburg campaign."