2022 Durban July Result - Sparkling Water bolts up at Greyville

Mike De Kock's Safe Passage had topped the betting for most of the build-up. However, after a deluge of support during the last 24 hours, it was Justin Snaith's Pomp And Power who entered the Greyville stalls as the Durban July favourite.

Linebacker drifted a little before the off, going off as the third-favourite. There was also support Aragosta, Do It Again and Waterberry Lane before the starter sent the field on their way.

2nd Jet Dark

3rd Safe Passage

4th Do It Again

5th Kommetdieding

As expected, the early pace wasn't particularly fast. Astrix and Flying Carpet were kept wide for a while from their high stalls, before eventually angling over to set the pace.

Sparkling Water and Do It Again were positioned behind the leaders. Pomp And Power was restrained four rows back. Kommetdieding and Linebacker raced in the final third of the field, as Second Base and Al Muthana brought up the rear.

As the field began to turn for home, Do It Again was angled out and struck the front. Suddenly, S’manga Khumalo unleashed Sparkling Water and Mike De Kock's mare quickly put daylight between herself and the chasing pack. Khumalo raised his arms in celebration as Sparkling Water crossed the line a fantastic four-length winner of the 2022 Durban July.

Joint-top weight, Jet Dark flew home late on to finish second, ahead of Safe Passage, who made good late progress to finish third. Do It Again secured his fifth top-four finish in the Durban July, with Kommetdieding crossing the line a little one-paced back in fifth.

Pomp And Power simply couldn't pick up and finished a long way down the field. Third-favourite Linebacker was barely mentioned throughout the race.