It’s D-Day for many of the borderline cases when the final field for this year’s R4.25 million Vodacom Durban July are announced at a function at Greyville Racecourse today. The announcement of the 18 runners and two reserves and the draw for barrier positions can be viewed live on DSTV Tellytrack channel 239 starting at around 1pm.

Thursday morning will see the traditional July gallops taking place at Greyville where all 20 of the July runners will be in action for the public to have one final view of their fancies before the big race on Saturday, July 1.

The gallops start at 7pm sharp and can also be viewed live on Tellytrack while on-course patrons will be treated to the traditional hot coffee and Chelsea buns.

Officials are predicting mega exotic bet pools on the day and punters who find the right combinations should be rewarded with decent returns. The Pick 6 pool is a guaranteed R10 million but expected to climb well beyond that, while the Quartet pool on the Vodacom Durban July is a guaranteed R13 million with an estimated pool of R15 million plus.

The win pool on the main race is expected to top R10 million while the tote will pay out on the first six placed horses with the expected pool to reach well over R8 million.

With a R100 000 quartet carry-over on the first race of the 12-race card, punters can get off to a rollicking start with the pool expected to reach R1 million.

The racecard will be on sale from Thursday at all TABgold and Track&Ball outlets with tote betting on the meeting opening on Monday, June 26, giving punters a full week to sort out their bets before the big day.

By Andrew Harrison