Marinaresco has gone one better than a year ago to win the Durban July, South Africa's premier race.

Candice Bass-Robinson has become the first female trainer to win South Africa's premier race, the Durban July at Greyville.

Marinaresco, who finished second last year when trained by Bass-Robinson's father and co-owner Mike Bass, carried top weight of 60kg on Saturday.

Ridden by Bernard Fayd'Herbe, the four-year-old held off El Sahem by a head.

After Bass decided not to renew his trainer's licence, his daughter and assistant stepped in to run the stable.