Anthony Delpech, hoping that Bela-Bela can give him a fifth Vodacom Durban July victory, believes that the grey filly has a big chance on Saturday week.

The former champion said yesterday: “I always had a question mark in my mind about whether she would stay because she has so much speed and then she won the Woolavington. I said then to Justin Snaith ‘If you are going to run the filly in the July I am going to ride her.’”

Immediately after the Woolavington Delpech said that his 2011 July winner Igugu was the best filly he had ever ridden but that Bela-Bela could be the second best. He confirmed that view yesterday, adding: “She is very good, really special.”

Michael Clower