Sunday, 8th July 2007 at 1:13 pm

Davidson overshadows Hunting Tower at July

It’s always a fierce contest at the Vodacom Durban July - the horses, supposedly the main attraction, versus the social whirl of fashion and celebrity that tends to take centre stage. This year that contest was particularly close, Hunting Tower’s late surge making for one of the more memorable race’s in the July’s 111-year history; but even the day’s star equine attraction couldn’t quite match Craig Davidson in full cry.

The celebrity contingent was as healthy as ever; Feverpitcher caught up with Schalk Brits, Trevor Halstead, Herschelle Gibbs, Adrian Garvey, Brent Russell, Grant Fleming, Gcobani Bobo, Jo Bayvel and Jacques Botes amongst others during the day, and assorted Miss South Africas past and present were floating around in designer minimalism. But it was former Springbok scrumhalf Craig Davidson who anchored the standout performance of 2007.

He had a choir of sorts with him, certainly, but the little number nine deserved the standing ovation he got for the performance that closed the Sharks celebrity marquee late on Saturday night: having lost a large amount of money on various horses during the day, Davidson bid farewell with a haunting rendition of John Denver’s ‘I’m Leaving On A Jet Plane’. Seven times.

In fact, it was into number eight when Feverpitcher decided to slip away; there’s every chance Davidson is still belting out the sole number in his musical repertoire this morning… Still, memorable finish to a magnificent day out at the races; Sunday will be muted in Durban, one would suggest, the city playing out to the quiet sounds of lingering hangovers and the men’s final from Wimbledon. And perhaps a soulful scrumhalf clinging to the final verse of John Denver’s signature number.