The ruling favourite for the Vodacom Durban July has been scratched from the showpiece event.

De Kock was quoted on his website, mikedekockracing.com: “We weren’t happy with the way Vercingetorix pulled up after the Daily News, which was a first concern. Secondly, as stated after the Daily News, we were worried about the extra 200m he’d have to take on in the July. We consulted with his owner, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, who is in full agreement and supports our decision.”

The horse will be on a shipment to Dubai for the 2014 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

The July has seen a plethora of scratchings including Cherry on the Top; all told 17 horses were witthdrawn. Variety Club was not part of the final supplimentary runners and will not take part.

SCRATCHED RUNNERS FOR DURBAN JULY 2013

CHERRY ON THE TOP
KNOCK ON WOOD
VERCINGETORIX
TEQUILA SUNRISE
ALEXANDRA PALACE
IZORA
GALILEO’S DESTINY
SANSHAAWES
ILHA BELA
MUJAARIB (AUS)
TIME OF SONG
BARACAH
LIANCOURT ROCK (AUS)
VERTICAL TAKEOFF
ENCHANTED KINGDOM
CAYMEN ISLAND
BEACH BEAUTY