KZN Champion trainer Duncan Howells believes his star filly, Same Jurisdiction, only has the draw to beat in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m on Vodacom Durban July day. He has other fair chances on the day too, despite having generally enjoyed no luck with barrier positions.
Same Jurisdiction ran on strongly in the Gr 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m at Greyville last time out, also from a wide draw, to be beaten 0,5 lengths by Garden Province contender Hammie’s Hooker. However, she was carrying a 2kg Gr 1 penalty compared to Hammie’s 1kg Gr 2 penalty, so she will effectively be 1kg better off on Saturday in this weight for age race. Furthermore, Howells said she had needed that run and had “improved tenfold” since.
He said, “Her workouts have been exceptional and if she overcomes the draw she will win.”
Anton Marcus retains the ride and they jump from draw 14 in a classy field of 15.
Howells’ other Gr 1 contender on the day is the Elusive Fort filly Lauderdale who runs in the Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m. Last time out over the course and distance she ran one wide in a handy position and found another gear halfway down the straight to fly home and be beaten just 0,35 lengths in the Listed Devon Air Stakes. However, the form of that race is not looking too good at present.
Howells said, “We fancied her to just about win last time (despite 12/1 odds). She is above average and is well in herself but has the draw to overcome.”
Howells has three runners in the Gr 2 SABC Gold Vase over 3000m. Crime Victim comes off a facile win over 1950m in a Winter Challenge final at Scottsville. However, he is 0,5kg worse off with Solid Speed from a Greyville 2400m race in which the latter beat him by 2,25 lengths. He was slightly baulked in that race, before staying on strongly so should stay the trip despite his pedigree, suggesting he is not a certainty too. He has the advantage of a pole position draw and S’Manga Khumalo aboard so this resolute galloper could be a big runner.
Howells said, “All three of the runners will see out the trip. Crime Victim is exceptionally well and has improved a lot since his last outing. Beewithmee (drawn 6 Donovan Dillon rides) was a bit disappointing last time but stays well so we are taking our chances and he has improved in his workouts in the last couple of weeks. Roc N’ Rose (draw 13 Warren Kennedy rides) has a nice galloping weight and I think her last couple of races can be ignored due to the very slow pace in both. I think she is crying for this extra distance.”
Howells runs Right Approach three-year-old gelding Easy Lover from draw 11 out of 16 in the Listed Canon Business centre Handicap over 1600m and confirmed that as a horse who likes to find cover he is not the type that is suited to wide draws. He added, “He is well in himself and consistent, so as he is quite well weighted we are taking a chance. He is capable of running in the first four, but the draw could be his undoing. I think he is looking for a bit further now, but he is coming off a break and running fresh so should enjoy the 1600m.”
The yard run the Lateral filly Trini’s Colateral in the Non-Black Type KZN Yearling Sale Million over 1300m and Howells said, “She’s a nice filly but it’s difficult from the draw. It’s a once off race so we have to take our chances. She will enjoy the extra 100m and if she overcomes the draw she is set to run in the first four.”
By David Thiselton
Picture: Same Jurisdiction (Nkosi Hlophe)
VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.
