Rainbow Bridge and Vardy are the joint top weights in this year’s Vodacom Durban July carrying 60kg. 

Only eight of the 27 horses still standing (26 acceptors and one supplementary entry) are in the handicap according to official merit ratings and 19 are under sufferance.

The eight horses in the handicap with their merit rating and weight in brackets are:

Rainbow Bridge (134 60kg)

Vardy (134 60kg)

Do It Again (133 59,5kg)

Soqrat (132 59kg)

Twist Of Fate (127 56,5kg)

Bunker Hunt (124 55kg)

Tierra Del Fuego (124 55kg)

Silvano’s Pride (118 52kg)

Below is the full list of weights. Horses in red are scratched.

0	Hawwaam	Scratched	(4C)	60	134	A M	Mike de Kock
0	Rainbow Bridge	Accepted	(5G)	60	134	A	Eric Sands
0	Vardy	Accepted	(4G)	60	134	A	Adam Marcus
0	Do It Again	Accepted	(5G)	59.5	133	A	Justin Snaith
0	Soqrat (AUS)	Accepted	(4C)	59	132	A	Mike de Kock
0	Twist Of Fate	Accepted	(4C)	56.5	127	BA	Adam Marcus
0	Bunker Hunt	Accepted	(4G)	55	124	A	Justin Snaith
0	Tierra Del Fuego	Accepted	(4C)	55	124	A	Sean Tarry
0	$Queen Supreme (IRE)	Scratched	(4F)	54	122	A	Mike de Kock
0	Chijmes	Scratched	(4G)	53	120	A	Gary Alexander
0	Belgarion	Accepted	(4G)	53	119	A	Justin Snaith
0	Got The Greenlight	Accepted	(3C)	53	118	AT	Joe Soma
0	It’s My Turn	Accepted	(7G)	53	118	A	Dean Kannemeyer
0	Divine Odyssey	Accepted	(5G)	53	117	A	J A Janse van Vuuren
0	Shango	Accepted	(3C)	53	116	BAT	Sean Tarry
0	$Capoeira	(4G)	53	115	BA	Andre Nel
0	Eyes Wide Open	Accepted	(5G)	53	115	A	Glen Kotzen
0	Golden Ducat	Accepted	(3G)	53	115	A	Eric Sands
0	Hero’s Honour	Accepted	(5G)	53	115	A	Gary Alexander
0	Padre Pio	Accepted	(3G)	53	115	A	Dennis Bosch
0	Roy Had Enough (AUS)	Scratched	(5H)	53	115	A	Frank Robinson
0	Magnificent Seven	Scratched	(5G)	53	114	A	Justin Snaith
0	Pack Leader	Accepted	(5G)	53	111	BA	Glen Kotzen
0	Crown Towers (AUS)	Scratched	(4G)	53	109	A	Justin Snaith
0	Tristful	Accepted	(4G)	53	109	A	Tony Rivalland
0	Sachdev	Scratched	(3G)	53	108	A	Justin Snaith
0	Western Fort	Accepted	(3C)	53	108	CA	Paul Peter
0	Herodotus	Scratched	(4G)	53	107	CA	Glen Kotzen
0	Nexus	Scratched	(4G)	53	107	A	Justin Snaith
0	G G’s Dynasty	Scratched	(4G)	53	106	A	Brett Crawford
0	Leopold	Scratched	(3G)	53	106	A	J A Janse van Vuuren
0	D’ Arrivee	Scratched	(5G)	53	105	A	Candice Dawson
0	Majestic Mozart	Scratched	(4G)	53	105	AT	Candice Bass-Robinson
0	Promiseofamaster	Scratched	(3G)	53	104	A	Candice Dawson
0	Cornish Pomodoro	Scratched	(3C)	53	102	AT	Sean Tarry
0	Silver Host	Scratched	(3G)	53	102	A	Justin Snaith
0	Cat Daddy	Scratched	(4G)	53	101	A	Glen Kotzen
0	Duke Of Spin	Accepted	(4G)	53	101	A	Mike de Kock
0	Liberty Hall	Scratched	(3G)	53	101	A	Dean Kannemeyer
0	More Magic	Scratched	(4G)	53	101	A	Candice Bass-Robinson
0	Sovereign Spirit	Accepted	(4G)	53	100	BA	Candice Bass-Robinson
0	Tree Tumbo	Scratched	(3G)	53	99	A	Sean Tarry
0	Vikram	Scratched	(4G)	53	99	BA	Andre Nel
0	Alibi Guy	Scratched	(3G)	53	98	A	Mike de Kock
0	Born To Perform	Scratched	(5G)	53	98	PA	Dennis Bosch
0	Azores	Scratched	(3G)	53	97	A	Dean Kannemeyer
0	Silvano’s Pride	Accepted	(4F)	52	118	A	Justin Snaith
0	Snapscan	Scratched	(4F)	52	118	A	Glen Kotzen
0	Miyabi Gold	Accepted	(5M)	52	115	A	Justin Snaith
0	Lady Of Steel	Scratched	(3F)	52	113	A	J A Janse van Vuuren
0	Victoria Paige	Accepted	(3F)	52	112	A M	Sean Tarry
0	Roy’s Riviera (AUS)	Accepted	(5M)	52	111	BA	Frank Robinson
0	Camphoratus	Accepted	(5M)	52	110	A	R A Hill/S R Hill
0	Return Flight	Scratched	(4F)	52	106	AT	Sean Tarry
(54)

Total Entries: 54

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By David Thiselton 

Vodacom Durban July fever is building and with just 19 days until the big race the general public will be attempting to either match their dreams to the names of July runners or match the latter to current events.

One old July myth is that a good sardine run leads to the favourite winning.

Do It Again is likely the most topical name in the field as he will be attempting to “do it again” by winning the race for a history-making third time in succession. 

This year sees the 50th anniversary of the July being run over the distance of 2200m and as a 50th anniversary is called a “golden anniversary” the mare Miyabi Gold and the three-year-old gelding Golden Ducat fit that bill.

It is the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke Of Edinburgh visiting the Greyville racecourse and names which relate to royalty among the entries are the fancied Belgarion, who is a mythical king, and Sovereign Spirit and Crown Towers, both of whom are unlikely to make the final field.

A 25th anniversary is known as a “silver anniversary” so Bunker Hunt is the most appropriate horse relating to the royal visit. Nelson Bunker Hunt and his brothers attempted to corner the world’s silver market in the 1970s and had nearly done so by 1980 before government intervention saw their empire collapsing. 

Got The Greenlight could be a topical name at a stretch as many businesses await the government greenlight to reopen.

Tristful means sad and this year’s July being run behind closed doors will be a sad reality.

A pandemic that can be matched to the COVID-19 was the Spanish flu which raged about 100 years ago between 1918 and 1920 and a hero of that time was Padre Pio, who due to a shortage of doctors used to administer vaccines himself and it might have been the reason he contracted the deadly disease himself although he did survive it. Padre Pio is currently twelfth on the July log.

In 1520, exactly 500 years ago, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan sailed past an archipelago off the southernmost tip of the South American mainland and saw many fires flicking in the darkness. He thus called it Tierra Del Fuego (“land of fire”). Tierra Del Fuego was 15th on the last July log.

There have been many topical winners of the July and three examples are described below.

In June 1960 the Springboks beat the All Blacks 13-0 and both tries were scored by the left wing, Hennie van Zyl, who wore jersey no. 13. A week later the July was won by a horse called Left Wing who carried saddle cloth no 13, so it has ever since been known as “The Rugby July.”

In 1981, shortly before the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Dianne Spencer, the July was won by a horse called Big Charles.

In 2004 the number ten horse Greys Inn carried the South African flag on his saddle cloth to symbolize ten years of democracy, he duly won the race.

In the comments section below please mention any topical names you are able to spot among the current entries.

By David Thiselton

Hawwaam has been scratched from the Vodacom Durban July.

Two other horses who were in the top 20 on the last July log, Snapscan and Lady Of Steel, have also been scratched. 

Magnificent Seven and Roy Had Enough, who were both in the five horses just outside of the top twenty on the log, have also been scratched, and so has the former’s stablemate Nexus, who finished second in the Grade 3 Cup Trial on Saturday.

There have been a lot of other less significant scratchings and only 26 horses have been left standing.

There are two more traditional qualifying races, the Grade 3 Track And Ball Derby and the Grade 2 Track And Ball Oaks, both to be run over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.

Top 18 July log incumbent Eyes Wide Open runs in the Derby and so do It’s My Turn and Duke Of Spin, who will be hoping to force their way into the VDJ final field.

Roy’s Riviera is the only horse still among the July entries who is running in the Oaks. It is the third successive weekend she will be running, but she is tough and trainer Frank Robinson will be hoping she has more luck than she had in the Cup Trial, where she was caught outside of horses without cover.   

Hawwaam’s scratching was not a surprise at all as trainer Mike de Kock had said a long time ago he would be departing for an overseas campaign at the earliest feasible date and that date was always likely to fall in this month before the July. 

Nevertheless, it will be a disappointment for his myriad fans.

By David Thiselton

The Grade 3 World Sports Betting Cup Trial run at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday failed to have much impact on the race for a place in the Vodacom Durban July final field although the much talked about Nexus did make a bold bid to land the win he needed and it remains to be seen whether the triumphant Andre Nel-trained Capoeira will be supplemented.

Nexus is unlikely to be considered for the final field unless it cuts up badly as he was running off just a 105 merit rating and was beaten 1,80 lengths into second despite receiving 2,5kg from the 110 rated Capoeira.

All of Sovereign Spirit (third), Pack Leader (fourth), Cat Daddy (fifth), More Magic (sixth), Born To Perform (seventh), G G’s Dynasty (ninth), Herodotus (tenth), Magnificent Seven (eleventh) and Roy’s Riviera (last) are also July entries and none of them did enough to advance their cause.

Ironically, of the July entries who ran, only the pair who finished at the back, Magnificent Seven and Roy’s Riviera, appeared anywhere on the second log and both were among the five horses who were just outside of the top 20.

Capoeira, a gelding by Oratorio, finished third in last year’s Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and has now proved that was no fluke.

Gavin Lerena slotted him in beautifully behind the pacemaker Herodotus after breaking well from draw ten.

Lerena skipped for home at the top of the straight on the back of just a steady pace and try as they might Nexus, Sovereign Spirit and Pack Leader, who all ran on well, were unable to catch him.

Capoeira, who jumped at generous odds of 16/1, was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Stud.

By David Thiselton

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Divine Odyssey produced a storming late run under Raymond Danielson to win yesterday’s Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap over 1800m at Turffontein and thus put up his hand for a place in the Vodacom Durban July final field.

The five-year-old Oratorio gelding ran a 2,80 length eighth in last year’s July and is listed among the five horses just outside of the top 20 on the current July log.

Divine Odyssey caught the favourite Marshall Foch, who set the pace, and Full Mast close to home and won going away by one length.

The only other runner holding a July entry, D’Arrivee, could only manage fourth so his chances of making the final field are gone.

Last year’s Jubilee winner Barahin finished a five length tenth in the July.

The previous year the pair that fought out the Jubilee finish, Yakeen and Tilbury Fort, were both included in the final July field and finished 14th and eighth respectively.

In 2017 the Jubilee winner Coral Fever was supplemented into the July but was then eliminated by the final field selection panel.

The likely reason for the latter decision was that Coral Fever would have been way under sufferance in the July off a relatively low merit rating.

Divine Odyssey ran off a 114 rating yesterday and will likely be raised a point or two but he will still likely be under sufferance in the July. However, this year there are currently only nine horses out of the 47 remaining entries who are in the handicap as it stands, so Divine Odyssey will definitely be seriously considered for a berth.

By David Thiselton

Dennis Drier won his eighth career Grade 1 Golden Horse Medallion on Saturday and this was his eleventh Grade 1 victory at Hollywoodbets Scottsville overall, so he deserves to be given the freedom of Pietermaritzburg, but the feats of Sean Tarry at this course are not as well documented and he in fact surpassed Drier and made it twelve Grade 1 triumphs at the city track.

It was an equally memorable day for Gareth van Zyl, who landed the first Grade 1 of his career. 

Tarry’s filly Celtic Sea put up the equal most remarkable performance on the day to retain her Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint crown. 

This was the seventh time Tarry had won this race and Celtic Sea followed Carry On Alice as his second dual winner. 

On a day when those coming from off the pace were finding it difficult to make up the deficit, the Captain Al filly was nurtured through a flat spot at the 500m mark by Gavin Lerena before powering home on the inside rail to catch her market rival Run Fox Run and the 16/1 shot Singforafa in a three-way head bobbing finish. 

That made it eleven Hollywoodbets Scottsville Grade 1s for Tarry and he then made it twelve when his big horse Warrior’s Rest won the Golden Horse Sprint by the narrowest of margins from Ultra Magnus, meaning Brett Crawford had been denied by a shorthead for the second race in succession. 

It was Tarry’s second successive win of this race and his third in your years. 

Warrior’s Rest, who is by What A Winter, in retrospect was a suitable type for the conditions on the day as he is able to maintain a strong gallop from start to finish and the 18/1 shot did just that under a light weight of 52,5kg and an intelligent ride by Callan Murray. 

The reigning Equus Champion Sprinter Kasimir finished third carrying top weight. 

Tarry had only just failed in the first Grade 1 of the day, the Allan Robertson, when his filly Ecstatic Green joined the Van Zyl-trained Vernichey in front. However, the latter, by Vercingetorix, fought back bravely and only just prevailed under Warren Kennedy. War Of Athena flew up for third. 

Drier then dominated the Golden Horse Medallion. His charge Pray For Rain showed exceptional natural pace and was still going well through the 400m mark. However, Drier’s Master Of My Fate colt Tempting Fate looks something special and reeled his stablemate in to win by a comfortable 1,50 lengths under Sean Veale in a performance which matched Celtic Sea’s. No Laying Up stayed on well for third ahead of the favourite Erik The Red and the fancied Joseph Barry. 

Drier has won seven of the last eleven renewals of the Medallion having first won it way back in 1990.

Avontuur Stud also have an enviable Hollywoodbets Scottsville record and bred both Tempting Fate and Pray For Rain. 

Klawervlei Stud increased their fine Hollywoodbets Scottsville record with Vernichey’s win. 

Celtic Sea was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfonrein Stud and Warrior’s Rest was bred by Lammerskraal Stud. 

By David Thiselton

Ashley and Andrew Fortune have four Grade 1 runners at Hollywoodbets Scottsville tomorrow including the much talked about favourite in the Allan Robertson, Winter Smoke. 

Ashley said they hoped Winter Smoke proved to be as good as her debut win combined with the favourite tag suggested she was. She added that a number of jockeys who had ridden her had said she had given them the feeling of being “special.” 

Afternoon Tea also runs in the Allan Robertson as the Fortunes are mindful that there are only so many chances a horse has of running in a Grade 1 race. Ashley described her as consistent and expected “a nice run”. 

The yard run Invidia in the Golden Horse Sprint. He is officially 2,5kg under sufferance but this was only because they decided not to take the six points penalty for running second in the Post Merchants, run recently over this same course and distance. He would otherwise be carrying 52,5kg instead of 52kg. He is thus 1kg better off with Post Merchant’s winner Eden Roc for a 0,5 length beating. 

Ashley said Invidia had come on from the Post Merchants, was in a good space and she expected a nice run. 

The first-timer Validus runs in the Golden Horse Medallion and throwing him into the deep end here was forced upon the connections by the interruption to horses’ programs lockdown had brought. However, Ashley said this Dynasty colt was definitely of “the quality” to take a chance with in this field. 

All of these horses have been staying at Summerveld for varying lengths of time and have all been enjoying themselves there. 

By David Thiselton    

Dennis Drier will tomorrow be going for his seventh Grade 1 Golden Horse Medallion win since 2010 and his eighth overall and he has a strong coupling this year in Tempting Fate and Pray For Rain. 

Later in this Hollywoodbets Festival of Speed meeting he has a chance of winning the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint with Cartel Captain. 

Tempting Fate by Master Of My Fate is out of the speedy Drier-trained filly Miss October whose Trippi daughter Spring Break ran a 4,20 length eighth against the boys in last years Medallion before going on to finish a close second in the Umkhomazi Stakes over this same 1200m distance at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Tempting Fate is unbeaten in two starts and last time out showed good pace and a strong kick to win the Grade 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in a time 0,30 seconds quicker than the Strelitzia on the same day. His stablemate Pray For Rain by Soft Falling Rain was a 0,60 length second at level weights after playing up at the start. 

Drier said, “Both came out of that last race superbly and I couldn’t be happier with them going into this race.” 

He put Pray For Rain’s antics at the start down to ring rustiness.

He added, “Tempting Fate is the choice on what they have shown.”

However, he concluded by saying they were two-year-olds so it was difficult to say and they would show what they were made of in the race. 

The pair face a strong field and are priced up as 7/2 second favourite and 16/1 with Track And Ball. The favourite Erik The Red is at 23/10.

Tempting Fate is ridden by stable jockey Sean Veale from draw 12 and Pray For Rain has Ant Mgudlwa up from draw one. 

Cartel Captain has come into his own this season. Drier said he was in a “tough” renewal of the Golden Horse Sprint but on the other hand had a light weight “along with most of the field.” He said he also could not be happier with his preparation. He has Sean Veale up from draw eight. 

Vaughan Marshall has two runners in the Medallion, Joseph Barry and No Laying Up. 

Both have been at Summerveld since March. 

He said Joseph Barry had come on a lot from his third place finish in the Godolphin Barb and he believed he could “definitely” reverse form with Tempting Fate and Pray For Rain. 

He agreed No Laying Up would be suited to Hollywoodbets Scottsville based on his debut win over the tough Kenilworth 1000m when showing good pace and then fending off the horse he became involved in a dual with to win cosily. However, No Laying Up suffered a “hiccup” after arriving at Summerveld and is a “bit behind” Joseph Barry. Nevertheless, Marshall said he had been doing very well and could finish in the frame. 

Joseph Barry has Anton Marcus up from draw eleven and it looks likely that Keagan de Melo will get the ride on No Laying Up, who jumps from draw six. 

Gareth van Zyl has a chance of landing his first Grade 1 in the Allan Robertson with the second favourite Vernichey. He said he had been surprised how green she had been last time when winning the Strelitzia over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville as he had regarded her as a “forward” filly. He added she had come on a lot from the run but acknowledged that most of the opposition would also have improved. 

Vernichey has a good action which is suitable for the tough Hollywoodbets Scottsville course and the most pleasing aspect of her Stelitzia win was that she had come from off the pace to win going away. 

Van Zyl mentioned the Ashley Fortune-trained favourite Winter Smoke as the one he had been hearing a lot about.

Warren Kennedy retains the ride on Vernichey who is drawn ten. 

Van Zyl runs the biggest outsider Princekresh in the Medallion. He will have to do a lot to reverse a 4,75 length defeat by Tempting Fate in the Godolphin Barb. Van Zyl said fitting blinkers could help his cause but admitted he would be very happy if he just made the frame. 

Donovan Dillon rides from draw seven.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith is bullish about two of his horses for the Festival Of Speed meeting at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday, Nexus and Erik The Red, and is hopeful for his other three, Kasimir, Miss Florida and Magnificent Seven. Callan Murray rides the latter and the rest will all be ridden by stable jockey Richard Fourie.

Snaith runs the improving Nexus in the Grade 3 Cup Trial over 1800m, which forms the first leg of the Pick 6 and will whet the appetite for the following Jackpot of Grade 1 1200m sprints. This four year-old by Dynasty won his first start as a gelding in impressive style over 1500m at Kenilworth. Snaith said, “Nexus is a serious racehorse and a lot of people who don’t know him might know him after Saturday. He is not far off my top July runners, there’s not much in it at all, and there were times when I thought he might be better than some of them. I think it will take a very good horse to beat him. He might run in the July or he might not. He was bred in KZN so he qualifies for the KZN Breeders Million Mile and we will either run in the one race or the other.” Nexus is drawn three in the twelve horse Cup Trial field and off a merit rating of 105 carries 55,5kg.

He also runs Magnificent Seven in the Cup Trial and said, “it’s his first run for a year and we’re hoping for a positive run.” The five-year-old Horse Chestnut gelding carries top weight of 60kg and is drawn six. 

Snaith runs the exciting Captain Al colt Erik The Red in the Golden Horse Medallion. He has won his last four starts after a debut 5th over 900m and Snaith said, “Erik The Red is doing very well in Durban, if he takes to the track I expect a good run. He’s a proper two-year-old, probably the most ready and exposed two-year-old I’ve ever brought to KZN, I usually bring unraced two-year-olds, so I’m expecting a big run from him, definitely.” In his last start in the Listed Kuda Somerset 1200 at Kenilworth on June 9 he gave the whole field weight and a 4,25 length slamming so only looks to be getting better. He is drawn ten in the fourteen horse Medallion field.

Snaith runs the reigning Equus Champion Sprinter Kasimir in the Golden Horse Sprint and said, “He’s doing well, I’m very happy with his prep, I think he is one run short so this will be a nice prep into the Mercury Sprint on Gold Cup day. But, it’s very hard, he’s got to give weight away to everybody, so we are just hoping for a positive run. He hasn’t run at Scottsville since he was a three-year-old (finished sixth in the Tsogo Sun (Golden Horse) Sprint) but I did gallop him there so he got to see the track again.” The Captain Al gelding carries 60kg from draw nine.

The yard run Captain Al filly Miss Florida in the SA Fillies Sprint brought to you by The Witness. This will be the first time she has raced at Hollywoodbets Scottsville since winning the Grade 1 Allan Robertson last year. However, Snaith said, “I took her for a gallop there and she loved it. She will have to cause a big upset though, but it’s Scottsville so you never know.”  Miss Florida is drawn highest in the eleven horse field and is one of seven three-year-olds participating.

By David Thiselton

Three classic winners and the defending Champion Stayer feature in the main event of the 3^rd meeting. It is an open race, with numerous runners capable of taking the honours.

Baritone switched yards during the off-season. He has been well-prepared for his seasonal debut and can make it. Table Bay represents the winning trainer of last Saturday’s Duchess Of York Cup and is expected to be right up there, while others to follow in this 1500 metre contest include Alshibaa, Opera Royal and King’s County

In what is a very welcome move, this Saturday sees the return of all the owners, whose names are in the race card.

Race 1

#6 CHESTER’S WISH made up some ground to finish 3^rd last time out. With a run under his belt, he can do even better this time round. #5 Seven Carat made it all the way last Saturday. He can justify his trainer’s decision to enter him once again. #9 Valerin was an impressive winner in his last start. He runs well fresh and having drawn perfectly, he can go close. #2 Hit The Green has benefited greatly from his seasonal debut. He can make his presence felt.

1. #6 Chester’s Wish

2. #5 Seven Carat

3. #9 Valerin

4. #2 Hit The Green

Race 2

#1 BLACK INDY caught the eye in his seasonal debut. He is down in class and will appreciate running over longer. He jumps from draw 1 and is tipped to mount a bold bid. #2 Mr Green Street scored a last gasp win in his previous showing. He is capable of confirming. #9 Man From Seattle makes his return to competition in good form, and can be thereabouts, while #4 Carlton Heights and #3 All Aboard are worthy of consideration for the lower placings.

1. #1 Black Indy

2. #2 Mr Green Street

3. #9 Man From Seattle

4. #4 Carlton Heights

Race 3

#3 MARAUDING won both of his two races last season. His last win was simply mind blowing. Well-trained, he is primed to seal his hat-trick. His nearest danger is #1 Apollo Star, who will relish running in this class. #2 It Doesn’t Matter is an inconsistent performer, but with his yard bang on form, he is worth a thought. #5 The Right Stuff looks the likeliest to crack the quartet.

1. #3 Marauding

2. #1 Apollo Star

3. #2 It Doesn’t Matter

4. #5 The Right Stuff

Race 4

#8 VISION OF TRUST has come out very well from his seasonal debut. He can earn Praveen Nagadoo’s yard a precious win here. #3 Candy Apple made a direct visit to the winner’s enclosure on his debut. He has a good chance of doubling the score. #2 Varside has been well-prepared for his return to competition. He always gives his best and is worthy of consideration. Debutant #10 Trojan Winter is a promising sort and as he represents the in-form Simon Jones stable, he must be watched very closely.

1. #8 Vision Of Trust

2. #3 Candy Apple

3. #2 Varside

4. #10 Trojan Winter

Race 5

#4 PATROL OFFICER ended his debut season with three consecutive wins. Well-trained and breaking from the ace, he can continue his winning streak. #1 Viking Trail is always thereabouts and can go very close. #3 From The Ashes has shown up well in his workouts and if he can replicate this in the real thing, he won’t be very far away. #6 Lemon Drop Shot is a promising newcomer and it is worth keeping an eye on him.

1. #4 Patrol Officer

2. #1 Viking Trail

3. #3 From The Ashes

4. #6 Lemon Drop Shot

Race 6

Since setting foot in Mauritius, #1 VIRTUE has performed genuinely. In excellent shape and form, he sets the standard. #7 Trippi’s Express, newcomer at Rameshwar Gujadhur stable, has shown a lot of promise. He can rattle the favourite. #5 Afdeek never runs a bad race and on his best form, he is very hard to beat. His stable mate #2 Ideal Secret will relish running in this class and can make his presence felt.

1. #1 Virtue

2. #7 Trippi’s Express

3. #5 Afdeek

4. #2 Ideal Secret

Race 7

#2 BARITONE has settled very well since being taken on by Patrick Merven. In good nick, he can mount a bold bid. #4 Table Bay represents the winning trainer of last Saturday’s Duchess Of York Cup. Heruns very well fresh and merits the greatest of respect. #1 Opera Royal returns after his fantastic 2019 campaign. A genuine sort, he is entitled to go close. #5 Alshibaa has drawn excellently and on his current form, he is worthy of consideration, while #7 King’s County looks to be the sole frontrunner, and merits a mention.

1. #2 Baritone

2. #4 Table Bay

3. #1 Opera Royal

4. #5 Alshibaa

Race 8

#3 MR HARDY refused to take part when last seen. He has come out very well from the long break and with his stable bang on form, he can rebound in style. #9 Volatile Energy went from gun to tape last Saturday. He has been entered again, a decision which must be respected. #2 Well Connected has come out well from his recent start. A class dropper, he can be bang in the shake-up. #6 Sand Path got the better of a certain Northern Spy in his last start. He is not prevented from doubling the score.

1. #3 Mr Hardy

2. #9 Volatile Energy

3. #2 Well Connected

4. #6 Sand Path

Race 9

Winner from start to finish last Saturday, #4 VERY VARY has been entered again. He has once again drawn excellently and will be a very tough nut to crack. #2 Poinciana is a promising newcomer. He once competed against the likes of Eden Roc and African Warrior. He can start his Mauritian career on a winning note. #8 Pick Eight Captain, another debutant, has worked well, and with his fellow newcomers at the same stable having made an impression, he must not be overlooked. #1 Minnesota Dream represents the in-form Gilbert Rousset yard and can show up at the first time of asking.

1. #4 Very Vary

2. #2 Poinciana

3. #8 Pick Eight Captain

4. #1 Minnesota Dream

BEST BET OF THE DAY:

MARAUDING (Race 3)

This Gujadhur stable-trained gelding starts his second season in Mauritius, after making quite an impression in 2019. His first win was straight forward, while his second win was simply impressive, coming from the back to steal it at the very death. Back from the very long break, he has steadily progressed in training and showed complete satisfaction in his barrier trial in midweek. High expectations have been placed on him for this season and he can start his campaign in the same manner as he ended the last.

VALUE BET OF THE DAY

VISION OF TRUST (Race 4)

This Praveen Nagadoo-trained runner makes his second start of the season. He was not disgraced in the inaugural meeting, completing the quartet after following very close to the pace. He has benefited from that run and looks to be in better shape and form. He breaks from a good-looking draw and as he is a horse that has won when leading, he has the ability to make it all the way.