Sean Tarry’s two Vodacom Durban July winners, Pomodoro and Heavy Metal, jumped off at odds of 28/1 and 16/1 respectively and this perhaps augurs well for this year’s race where he runs 20/1 shot Shango and 35/1 chance Tierra Del Fuego (Track & Ball odds).

Tarry’s pair could be viewed as two of the most unexposed horses in the field. 

Shango was still immature when winning the prestigious Grade 2 TAB/Betting World Dingaans going away in impressive style. The Captain Of All colt later had to miss the Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas after a minor setback so did not have an ideal preparation for the Grade 1 SA Classic and at the time of the latter race the yard had a significant number of horses suffering from high temperatures. He duly ran below par but then proved he would stay the July trip by going close in the Grade 1 SA Derby. His next run was in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and Tarry said beforehand, “Shango is doing very well but I think this run will bring him on for the July. He does well in Durban and once there I expect to see him make good improvement.” He was duly left a touch flat-footed at the top of the straight before running on strongest of all for a 3,05 length fourth. His recent preparation was thus similar to Pomodoro’s 2012 July preparation. Pomodoro followed a dead-heat victory in the SA Derby with a staying on 4,75 length fifth in the Daily News before winning the July. On the downside for Shango the Daily News this year was run in a crawling 125.8 seconds compared to the 120.02 time of Pomodoro’s year in 2012. A further negative to the form is that Western Fort finished just 0,6 behind Shango in the SA Derby but was then beaten 17,75 lengths by Hawwaam in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge. However, the latter race was almost certainly not Western Fort’s run as he was asked to lead, whereas he had come from off the pace in the SA Derby.

On the other hand four-year-old Tierra Del Fuego’s run in the Champions Challenge makes him possibly one of the best value horses in the July.

Tarry said conservative tactics had been deliberately deployed in the Champions Challenge as it was the first time Tierra Del Fuego had been trying a middle distance trip. The long striding Skitt Skizzle colt ran on well from near the back of the field for a five length third. The Turffontein 2000m trip is tough and on that performance, especially considering he was running on all the way to the line, he should stay the Hollywoodbets Greyville 2200m. He finished just 1,50 lengths behind Soqrat in the Champions Challenge but is now 4kg better off with him in the July. Soqrat is quoted by Track & Ball as a 13/1 chance and Tierra Del Fuego is 22 points longer. 

Tierra Del Fuego jumps from draw eleven which is the draw, together with draw 8, which has produced the most July winners in the last 70 years.

Shango also has a good draw of seven.

Shango is known as a lazy work horse but stretched out nicely at Hollywoodbets Greyville at the July Gallops on Wednesday. Tarry said, as he had predicted, Shango was thriving in Durban.  

Tarry was also pleased with Tierra Del Fuego’s July gallop at Randjesfontein earlier in the week.

Gavin Lerena has ridden both horses often, including being aboard Tierra Del Fuego in the Champions Challenge and Shango in the SA Derby. 

However, his official riding weight is 57kg so he will be aboard Tierra Del Fuego, who carries 55kg off a 124 merit rating.

Lyle Hewitson, whose riding weight is 52kg, will be aboard Shango, who carries 53kg but off a 116 merit rating is officially 4kg under sufferance. Hewitson rode Shango in the latter’s first four career starts.

Tarry concluded by pointing out that Lerena felt Tierra Del Fuego had been worth slimming 2kg to ride. This horse does appear to be way to big a price in the July market and will be especially worth considering for a top six finish. Shango is a more realistic price and it should not be forgotten that he jumped at odds of 36/1 when winning the Dingaans.

By David Thiselton

The Vodacom Durban July gallops are not often a good pointer to the big race itself but if they were, then three horses could be included as roving bankers for the quartet this year, the Eric Sands-trained favourite Rainbow Bridge and the Justin Snaith-trained pair Bunker Hunt and Belgarion.

All three glided effortlessly down the Hollywoodbets Greyville straight yesterday morning displaying impressive actions and appear to be in mint condition.

Do It Again, who will be attempting to make history by winning the race for the third time in succession, was asked to do more than any of his Snaith-trained stable companions and also impressed with his big action. He recorded the fastest 400m to finish time of the day so he would possibly be able to be included to make it a four horse boxed quartet, but there is still a lingering doubt about him being quite the same horse he was due to his overall form this season.

Of course it is never that easy for punters and in a race which is notoriously rough the applecart can easily be upset. 

Furthermore, one of the big guns, the Adam Marcus-trained Vardy, was not present and will do his gallop at Summerveld tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. together with his stablemate, last year’s third-placed Twist Of Fate.

Camphoratus was the first to gallop this morning. She has always had a lovely action when at her best and displayed it this morning. She finished sixth in the July last year and trainer Robbie Hill believes she will be even better this year.

Miyabi Gold has not given a moment’s trouble in her career despite not having a smooth action in front. Trainer Justin Snaith commented that the Silvano’s are strong-boned, so that might explain it. Her action can never be described as impressive but she looked full of well-being and being a Silvano she is likely better than she was last year when finishing fifth.

Sean Tarry’s horses can never be discounted and Shango, whom he said has always been a lazy work horse, strode out well. His stablemate Tierra Del Fuego completed his gallop earlier in the week at Randjesfontein and Tarry was pleased with that workout too.

Padre Pio was ridden by Ant Mgudlwa who was later officially booked for the ride by trainer Dennis Bosch. He did nothing wrong but has a tough task, being 4,5kg under sufferance according to official merit ratings.

Grade 1 Cape Derby winner Golden Ducat is also officially 4,5kg under sufferance and was beaten by Padre Pio in the recent Grade 1 Daily News 2000. However, trainer Eric Sands said he had not been comfortable in either of his starts at Hollywoodbets Greyville and had thus been fitted with a different type of noseband this morning. Sands said for the first time he had handled the track well and he certainly strode out well.

Silvano’s Pride is the likely pacemaker this year and trainer Justin Snaith said she only knew one way of running and that was to take a strong hold so the pace should be a good one this year. The strong bone of Silvano was evident in her as she strode solidly down the Hollywoodbets Greyville straight under Sereno Moodley, who will become the second member of the passionate Indian racing community to ride in the July after Ronald Singh. 

There will be a double for the community as Deanthan Moodley will become the first Indian to be head stipendiary steward on Vodacom Durban July day and he was also watching over the proceedings this morning.  

The Tony Rivalland-trained Tristful, who is first reserve, was the last to gallop and strode out well.

By David Thiselton

There were no surprises in the Vodacom Durban July final field announcement today but there would have been a few gasps around the country during the draw ceremony.

The July logs were adhered too and as expected the vacant three places in the top 18 following the scratchings of Hawwaam, Snapscan and Eyes Wide Open were filled by Cup Trial winner Capoeira, Jubilee Handicap winner Divine Odyssey and Track & Ball Derby runner up It’s My Turn. The two reserves are Tristful and Hero’s Honours.

The draw procedure started on draw 13 then went incrementally up to 18 and then went down to one and incrementally up to 12.

When Justin Snaith’s runners appeared four times in the first six draws some were wondering whether the cards had been shuffled.

His fancied runners Belgarion, Do It Again and Bunker Hunt landed draws 17, 18 and 14 respectively. His expected pacemaker Silvano’s Pride landed draw 15 and his other female runner Miyabi Gold landed draw 4, meaning all five of Snaith’s runners were drawn in the first ten draws.

Eric Sands’ pair, Golden Ducat and last year’s runner up Rainbow Bridge, also came out together in draw one and two respectively.

The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Vardy drew nine. His stablemate Twist Of Fate, third last year, also drew well in barrier position six. 

The leading three-year-old Got The Greenlight was first out the box and drew thirteen. 

National champion trainer Sean Tarry’s pair Shango and Tierra Del Fuego drew positions seven and eleven respectively. 

Potential pacemaker Padre Pio drew well in three, meaning Silvano’s Pride out in 15 might have her work cut out to get to the front. 

Capoeira is also a potential pacemaker and drew in eight so there is a nice spread of draws among the potential frontrunners.

Mike De Kock, who like Snaith has won four July’s, has only one runner this year, Soqrat, and he drew nicely in five. 

Although, connections would probably prefer to be drawn close to the middle, history indicates that the draw is not of much significance in the July. 

By David Thiselton

Vodacom Durban July trainers will have the option to take part in the traditional July Gallops at Greyville tomorrow (Wednesday).

The gallops will start at 9 a.m. and Gold Circle will provide a feed but it is not clear yet whether Tellytrack will cover the event live.

Justin Snaith is one trainer who will definitely be bringing his horses to the course and he said, “The July is an important race. The planning for each horse has to be meticulous and the gallops were always part of their program. I feel I will be able to take on the Johannesburg horses after they have completed this important part of their preparation. There were rumours at one stage that the gallops would not take place but my feeling is that you should not fix something that is not broken. The gallops do not work in Cape Town but they have been part and parcel of the July forever. The public are able to see each horse working and it creates atmosphere too.”

The public, of course, will not be allowed on course this year but will hopefully be able to watch the gallops live on Tellytrack.

Each gallop will be put on a Gold Circle platform for viewing online. 

The gallops schedule will be published on this platform later today following the Vodacom Durban July Final Field Announcement.

By David Thiselton

All eyes will be on the Vodacom Durban July Final Field Announcement tomorrow, which will be shown live on Tellytrack from 13h05.

The July draw ceremony will follow as per tradition. 

The final field announcement brings with it annual disappointment which is often accompanied by criticism of the selection panellists. 

However, it is impossible to please everybody and the particular problem the panellists invariably face is that different criteria can produce a different order of selection. 

An example can be seen in the case of Pack Leader, whose respective seventh place finishes in both the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and Sun Met have likely been the best performances on paper put up this season by any of the borderline horses, but against him was his lack of a placed run this season (until his recent running on fourth in the Cup Trial) and this was presumably the reason he was excluded from both of the July logs.

He also performed slightly worse on paper (i.e. at the weights) than runner up Tristful when finishing fifth in the recent WSB 1900m. 

Pack Leader did perform better than third-placed Camphoratus in that race on paper but finished behind her too and, furthermore, the latter is a Grade 1 winner and finished sixth in last year’s July. The latter accolade is a big plus in Camphoratus’ favour and was presumably the reason she was placed 17th on the last July log ahead of 20th positioned Tristful, who beat her in the WSB 1900 and performed better on paper too. 

In any case there have been no subsequent performances that can justify Pack Leader leapfrogging Camphoratus and Tristful, so Pack Leader’s chances depend on how important sticking to the log is considered to be. 

The scratching of Eyes Wide Open today made it easier for the panel. 

Hawwaam and Snapscan were two other top 18 log incumbents previously scratched. 

The log 19th-positioned Lady Of Steel was also previously scratched. 

So Tristful who was in 20th place on the last log, looks set to fight out one of the three vacant places with three other horses, Cup Trial winner Capoeira, the Jubilee Stakes winner Divine Odyssey and the Track & Ball Derby runner up It’s My Turn. The latter has proved he retains his ability with two good runs following a layoff of about a year-and-a-half. 

Of the others Roy’s Riviera had some good form earlier in the season, including winning the Flamboyant Stakes and finishing a 4,50 length third to Queen Supreme in the Yellowwood Handicap over 1800m when giving the latter 6,5kg. She was also just a quarter-of-a-length behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Ronnie’s Candy in the latter race receiving just 1kg. 

Roy’s Riviera also beat last year’s July fifth-placed Miyabi Gold in both meetings they had over 2000m last season. However, she was only in the five horses looking in on the last July log and then dented her chances by finishing last in the Cup Trial. She had a chance to make amends in Saturday’s Grade 2 Track & Ball Oaks but unfortunately the race had to be abandoned.

Western Fort finished a good 1,10 length fourth in the Grade 1 SA Derby but then did himself no favours by finishing a 17,75 length eighth in the Grade 1 weight for age Premier’s Champions Challenge. 

Hero’s Honour’s 9,50 length fourth in the latter race was good by comparison but he was among the five horses just outside the top 20 on the last log and nothing has happened since to justify him leaping over those top 20 incumbent’s still standing their ground. 

Sovereign Spirit finished third in the Cup Trial but that was not good enough considering he was receiving 6,5kg from Pack Leader and beat him by only 0,70 lengths.

Victoria Paige has some fair form including an unlucky third in the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and a fourth place finish in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000. She is also half-a-kilogram less under sufferance than Tristful according to official merit ratings and the weights. However, against her is that she has not appeared on either of the July logs. 

All in all the final field this year is going to be tense for the connections of Capoeira, Divine Odyssey, It’s My Turn and Tristful, unless the panelists choose to ignore the July logs then others will also come into it. The conditions of the July name the winners of the Cup Trial and Jubilee as horses who are given preferential consideration so Capoeira and Divine Odyssey will be surprise omissions. It’s My Turn has a much higher merit rating than Tristful, so it looks as if the latter is favourite to be named first reserve. 

The debate, sometimes acrimonious, which follows the final field announcement has become part and parcel of the July and adds to the intrigue of the great race. 

The hard-done-by also have the chance to prove a point in the Grade 3 consolation race on the day, which is known as the Campanajo 2200, named after the horse who won the first two runnings of the July.

By David Thiselton

Eyes Wide Open was the most significant scratching just a day before the Vodacom Durban July final field announcement.

The other scratching was Duke Of Spin.

Eyes Wide Open finished a strong-finishing fourth in last year’s July.

However, he has not been able to match that form this season and could only manage a moderate fourth in Saturday’s final qualifying race, the Grade 3 Track & Ball Derby.

Trainer Glen Kotzen said he had pulled up a hundred percent sound and explained, “It was a big rush to qualify him after his gelding and he has had three quick runs in successions. The owners have now decided it would thus be better to give him a breather until the Gold Cup so he will have no more runs until then.”

He was bought recently by the Gujadhur family, who have one of the world’s oldest racing stables and are virtually royalty in Mauritius racing circles. 

The five-year-old is out of a mare whose only win was over 1000m and his female side is a mixture of speed and middle distance class. His fast finish off a slow pace in last year’s July also suggested he has plenty of speed.

However, both his sire Dynasty and damsire Jallad impart stamina so there can be hope he will stay the Gold Cup 3200m distance.   

By David Thiselton

Glen Kotzen runs last year’s Vodacom Durban July fourth-placed Eyes Wide Open in the Grade 3 Track And Ball Derby at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today and a good run will ensure the most famous colours in Mauritius are seen in the VDJ this year.

The light blue silks with red crossed sashes and a red cap belong to the famous Gujadhur family, who are virtually royalty in Mauritius racing circles and any big win they have on the island is widely celebrated due to their popularity.

The family bought the five-year-old son of Dynasty especially to have a July runner this year.

Kotzen admitted everything was a bit rushed after the sale as the horse had to be transported to Durban and gelded.

He said Eyes Wide Open had not put a foot wrong since gelding and the operation had also brought with it soundness and happiness.

He said, “He ran three lengths back in the Drill Hall and then in the WSB 1900 came down the inside when everything was going down the outside.”

He added, “He has had an excellent prep and will be cherry ripe for this run.”

Eyes Wide Open stayed on strongly for fourth in the July last year so should not have a problem staying this 2400m trip.

He is drawn five in the eight horse field and has Anton Marcus aboard.

Kotzen said about his chances of qualifying for the July, “He is in a high log position, but you never know and that is why we are running him here, just to make it concrete.”

Eyes Wide Open was in 16th place on the final July log and two horses above him have been scratched.

Kotzen runs Coral Bay and Je Ne Sais Quoi in the Grade 2 Track And Ball Oaks and said although both were officially out at the weights the ratings in staying races sometimes proved to be misleading.

He concluded, “They both needed that last run and have come on from it and they both stay very well.” 

By David Thiselton

Racing guru Jay August has been providing a myriad valuable stats for industryman to work with recently and one of his recent revelations might well have an impact on the pace in this year’s Vodacom Durban July.

August points out that the first 1200m of the 2017 July was run in a fast 73,4 seconds, which enabled Marinaresco to come from way off the pace to win.

However, he reckoned the slow opening 1200m of both the 2018 and 2019 July’s, 76,7 seconds and 75,6 seconds respectively, played into the hands of Do It Again due to his superior sprinting speed.

August points out that in a normal turf race the finishing speed for the winner would be around 102-103% where finishing speed is the final 400m average metres per second compared to the horse’s average metres per second for the rest of the race.

He goes on to say that in the 2018 July Do It Again’s finishing speed was an astounding 109%.

He also pointed out that Vardy had produced a high finishing percentage in the Gold Challenge when coming from last off a crawl to run Rainbow Bridge to a 0,90 length second.

So if Do It Again is back to his best he won’t mind a slow pace again.

Vardy will probably actively want a slow pace as he is yet to prove he stays this trip.

Rainbow Bridge and Twisted Fate, second and third last year, will need the pace to be quicker as they were unable to match the sprinting speed of Do It Again in the straight from handy positions.

Eyes Wide Open, Miyabi Gold and Camphoratus were able to produce good finishes from off that slow pace last year to get into the places, which is interesting as they will be carrying the same minimum weights. 

Of course not all of those who would benefit from a slow pace would mind a fast pace. 

Most top horses prefer a good pace, as long as they have the necessary stamina reserves, as their superior VO2 max (the measurement of the maximum amount of oxygen an athlete can utilize during intense exercise) enables them to keep going while others are crying enough.

So where will the pace come from this year then?

The four key horses look to be Silvano’s Pride, Padre Pio, Rainbow Bridge and Twist Of Fate. 

The draw will also play an important role in determining the pace.

A natural front runner would probably not want to be drawn too low as this would mean he or she would have to use up a bit of fuel early to hold his or her position. 

Being drawn wider out gives the horse a chance to move to the front at a steady tempo, although if the inside drawn horses are rushing this horse will then have to step up a gear.

Nevertheless, Silvano’s Pride showed last time when comfortably winning the Grade 2 Tibouchina she has enough pace to lead over 1400m, so she should definitely have enough pace to lead over 2200m even if it is in a Grade 1 against the boys.

In fact she led the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 last year and won that too.

The point that will make her a dangerous runner in the July is that she was able to dictate in both the Woolavington 2000 and the Tibouchina. 

Punters often make the mistake of looking through a card and if finding a front-runner they automatically assume the pace will be good.

However, if that front-runner is able to dictate then it will likely lead to a controlled pace more likely to suit the leader and not as fast as the others will need or want. 

Therefore, as Silvano’s Pride is able to dictate, it must now be determined whether there are any in the field who will be willing to take her on.

Padre Pio is a definite candidate as he opened up a big lead in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000. He showed he was also able to respond to the rider’s instructions despite facing the breeze as he was cleverly given a breather coming up the hill. Visually it looked as if he was folding but instead he amazed many by finding plenty in the straight and finishing a 1,50 length second.

Of the aforementioned pair it is going to be a lot easier on paper for four-year-old Silvano’s Pride because off her 118 merit rating she sneaks into the handicap carrying the minimum weight for a female of 52kg. 

Three-year-old Padre Pio, on the other hand, will be 4,5kg under sufferance carrying 53kg.   

Rainbow Bridge will also be a candidate to lead. 

In last year’s Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1800m he over-raced when caught without cover and showed what a superstar he was by still winning the race cosily. He was thus always going to be interesting if taken to the front and in this year’s Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m he showed that he was able to relax and dictate when taken to the head of affairs. However, he will never again be given as easy a lead as he was given in that race.  

Twist Of Fate is another who has been effective from the front before. 

Rainbow Bridge and Twist Of Fate would both want it faster than either Silvano’s Pride and Padre Pio, so the pace picture is most intriguing this year. 

Furthermore, there will be eleven runners in total carrying the minimum weight for their respective genders and those of them who are capable of being up there might want to force the pace in order to ensure the higher weighted more fancied runners have to carry those big masses. 

The annual pace question will be one of the debates emanating from the final field and draw ceremony next Tuesday.

By David Thiselton

Frank Robinson’s Australian-bred mare Roy’s Riviera will run for the third weekend in succession in the Grade 2 Track And Ball Oaks over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday in her bid to qualify for the Vodacom Durban July.

She finished a disappointing last place in the Grade 3 Cup Trial over 1800m after being caught in a handy position without cover and appearing to travel too strongly.

However, Robinson said the tough five-year-old daughter of All Too Hard had come out of the race very well and added, “Her legs were ice cold and her blood was good, so there was nothing untoward at all and she looks amazing. She probably just ran too freely in her second run after a six month layoff.”

Roy’s Riviera was among the five horses just outside the top 20 on the last July log so a good run on Saturday might see her still making the final field.

Robinson said he would probably remove the blinkers as she cannot afford to race too freely again over this longer trip.

This mare always appears to be underestimated by the oddsmakers and a closer look at her career shows that she is very capable.

She ran unplaced in this race last year and had few excuses as she was well drawn and had a good passage. However, her previous race had been in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, also over 2400m, where she finished fifth and was just a shorthead and behind subsequent Gold Cup winner Dynasty’s Blossom to whom she gave 2kg.

So this year coming in off a 1400m run and an 1800m race she has likely had a better preparation although those races have come on top of each other.

Her sire All Too Hard won three Group 1s over 1400m in Australia and one Group 1 over 1600m but he also finished a neck second in the prestigious Group 1 Cox Plate over 2000m at Moonee Valley. Roy’s Riviera’s half-sister Sebring Sally finished fourth in a Group 1 over the Track and Ball Oaks distance of 2400m and her grandam won over 2100m.

Sereno Moodley rides on Saturday partly due to Robinson’s promise to give him the ride in the July.

By David Thiselton 

The Grade 3 Cup Trial winner Capoeira has been supplemented into the Vodacom Durban July.

The four-year-old Andre Nel-trained Oratorio gelding won Saturday’s open handicap event by 1,80 lengths off a merit rating of 110 and has been raised by the handicappers to 115.

This means he will be 2,5kg under sufferance in the big race off the 53kg he will be set to carry but as is well documented only seven horses in the race will be in the handicap i.e. not under sufferance.

Capoeira showed himself to be not far behind the best when finishing a 6,50 length third to Hawwaam at level weights in last year’s Grade 1 Daily News 2000.

The winner of the Cup Trial does not gain automatic entry into the July under the conditions of the race but is given “preferential consideration.”

By David Thiselton