2014 Vodacom Durban July

The turf track at Greyville has been narrowed to accommodate the construction of the new Polytrack along its inside and consequently a maximum of 16 runners will be allowed to face the starter for the Grade 1 R3,5 million Vodacom Durban July over 2200m on Saturday July 5.

While Gold Circle reserves the right to ultimately determine the final field, the Company will convene a panel comprising Messrs Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle Racing Executive), Jay Harrielall (Gold Circle Racing Manager), Roger Smith (Senior Handicapper based on the Highveld) and Matthew Lipps (Senior Handicapper based in KZN) to adjudicate.

Neil Butcher, Chairman of Gold Circle’s Racing Sub-Committee, will be in attendance at all meetings of the Selection Panel. The Panel will also be responsible for issuing a series of logs, the first of which will appear on Tuesday May 6.

Gold Circle’s Racing Sub-Committee has resolved that the winners of the following races (from January 2014 to June 2014) will be precluded from elimination save that, where appropriate, the Company reserves the right to request a public gallop to determine the wellbeing/fitness in the event that any of these winners have not raced within three months of the date of final declarations:

L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate (Gr 1), Kenilworth 1600m, (Winner: Cape Town Noir)
J&B Met (Gr 1), Kenilworth 2000m, (Winner: Hill Fifty Four)
Investec Cape Derby (Gr 1), Kenilworth 2000m, (Winner: Legislate)
SA Classic (Gr 1), Turffontein 1800m, (Winner: Louis The King)
SA Fillies Classic (Gr 1), Turffontein 1800m, (Winner: Athina)
SA Derby (Gr 1), Turffontein 2450m (Winner: Louis The King)
President’s Champions Challenge (Gr 1), Turffontein 2000m (Winner: Yorker)
Daily News 2000 (Gr 1), Greyville 2000m
Woolavington 2000 (Gr 1), Greyville 2000m

Rising Sun Gold Challenge (Gr 1), Clairwood 1600m Winners of the following four races (November 2013 to June 2014) will enjoy preferential consideration for inclusion in the final field while the Company also reserves the right to include a maximum of two special invitations at its discretion:

Sansui Summer Cup (Gr 1), Turffontein 2000m (Winner: Yorker)
Betting World 1900 (Gr 2), Greyville 1900m
Cup Trial (Gr 3), Clairwood 1800m
Betting World Jubilee Handicap (Gr 3), 1800mThe logs issued by the Selection Panel will reflect the horses in order of preference at the time of publication with due regard to the above.

IMPORTANT DATES TO DIARISE: