Vodacom Durban July day tomorrow has a guaranteed Pick 6 pool of R10 million and it is expected to reach over R11 million, so this is a bet many punters will not want to miss.

The first leg is the SABC Gold Vase over 3000m and is a potential stumbling block. However, the three most fancied are Hermoso Mundo, who won the Gold Bowl over 3200m full of running, Banner Hill, a long-striding sort who is also proven over this trip, and the gallant Serissa, who is as good as he’s ever been at age seven and has a perfect draw for his front-running style. Others to consider are Sun On Africa, who has always struck as a good stayer in the making and looks to have come into his own, Helderberg Blue, who is off the same merit rating as when second in the Gold Cup last year, and Captain Splendid, who seems to enjoy Greyville where he won the Lonsdale Stirrup in eye-catching style.

The second leg, the Gold Circle Golden Slipper, is the toughest of the Pick 6 legs and including the whole field has to be a consideration. However, the smaller budget selections in order of preference are Desert Rhythm, London Secret, Let It Flow, Neptune’s Rain, Gee Whizz, Bridal Veil and Lady In Black (if she gets in),.

Helderberg Blue (Nkosi Hlophe)

The third leg is the Durban Golden Horseshoe and Captain And Master looks top class and makes plenty of appeal from a plum draw. However, Trojan Harbour and Ancestry caught the eye in the Gatecrasher Stakes at Greyville. Highveld raider Hakeem and Varallo also have class and will enjoy the trip, so have winning chances too.

Leg four is the big one. Edict Of Nantes has the all right credentials to win July. He has good gatespeed and his good temperament means he can be switched on and off at will. He has an exceptional turn of foot and will stay the trip comfortably. His jockey Anton Marcus will be going for a record breaking fifth July, while his trainer Brett Crawford has already landed five Grade 1 victories this season. His draw of 12 means he will be away from the early scrum and Crawford is happy with it. He can be compared to the older horses on a line through Gold Standard, who made the frame in what looked to be an exceptionally strong Met field. Edict Of Nantes is right up with Gold Standard on his best form, yet is merit rated eight points lower so looks well weighted. He is a banker consideration. However, he beat his three-year-old contemporary Al Sahem by 0,5 lengths in the Daily News 2000 and the latter is now 0,5kg better off. Furthermore, Al Sahem is by the great sire Silvano, whoe progeny improve continuously and whom have won three Julys between them. Edict Of Nantes sire Count Dubois is yet to have a July winner. So, Al Sahem must be included in the Pick 6, despite his pole position draw meaning he is going to have his work cut out to avoid being shuffled back in the pack. It looks like a three-year-old race and the bold opinion is that this pair will be enough to get through this leg.

The fifth leg, a MR 104 Handicap,  is a tricky affair. Hashtag Strat has exceptional cruising speed and can stay all the way to the line over this minimum trip, so will have a big shout from a plum draw of two. Angel’s Power has a fine turn of foot and will be suited to the fast pace in this race over an ideal trip. Asstar runs well fresh and is two points higher than winning a Listed race over course and distance. Our Destiny is another who will be suited to the fast pace, while the classy Attenborough is interesting with first-time blinkers on. Doing It For Dan should be able to use his big action in a race with as much pace in it as this one, while pole position-drawn Horse Guards has a fine form chance and has come to hand since gelding.

The KZN Yearling Sale Million is the last leg and Al Mariachi will be all the rage having finished third in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion over 1200m last time and looking likely to `stay the 1300m trip. However, he has a wide draw and is not the certainty he is being made out to be. The Dazzler won his debut with long strides and did it easily and with Delpech up will be a big runner. Prince Of Kahal beat older horses well last time, Well Connected could still be anything. Cat’s Legacy and Crymeariver can also be considered.

By David Thiselton