Captain America taken out of 2017 Durban July

After discussions with the owners of Captain America, winner of the Gold Challenge over the weekend at Greyville, Crawford Racing has decided to withdraw their Group 1 winning star from the Durban July handicap.

Previously rated 116, the additional penalty of around 1kg that he’s just received for that sterling win made a difficult task as top weight appear insurmountable – the July distance of 2200m is already pushing his stamina reserves to the outermost limit .

Trainer Brett Crawford feels that, under the circumstances, it makes better sense to focus on the Champions Cup where he would be more favourably weighted given the conditions of the race.

Captain America has compiled a tremendous race record of nine wins from 28 starts for earnings of close to R5 million. The powerful pace- pressing galloper has performed with distinction around the country in high class races, and whilst he gets middle distances is at his most formidable over a mile – six of his wins coming over this trip.