Entries for this year’s R3.5 million Vodacom Durban July closed at 11am this morning (Tuesday) and entries will be announced at the launch of Africa’s Champion Season at Greyville Racecourse on Thursday.

As per tradition, the race will be run over 2200m on July 2, the first Saturday of the month.

Last year’s race attracted 60 initial entries and Gold Circle officials are expecting a similar number this year. A maximum 18 horses will be allowed to run.

Likely to be at the top of the initial list is the exciting Legal Eagle, winner of the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and more recently the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes at Turffontein.

Legal Eagle is rated the best horse in the country and if trainer Sean Tarry decides to accept for the big race, he is sure to be allotted top weight.

Tarry and owner Chris van Niekerk won the July in consecutive years with Pomodoro in 2012 and Heavy Metal in 2013 and last year’s Gr1 Daily News 2000 winner French Navy is another from the stable likely to be pencilled in come Thursday. French Navy was the victim of some serious traffic problems last year and although he has been a little off his game of late, Tarry has more than enough time to prime his charge for another crack at Africa’s greatest horserace.

Captain America was second best behind Legal Eagle in the Horse Chestnut but will likely be taking his place in the field alongside Legal Eagle in the 2000m Premier’s Champion Challenge come Derby Day at Turffontein at the end of the month and how he fares there could determine whether Brett Crawford allows his charge to take his chances in the July.

By Andrew Harrison