Category Archives: Y-Champions Season

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Mountain run a mystery

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Jockey Bernard Fayd’herbe said WSB Cape Guineas winner Silver Mountain “didn’t raise a gallop” in the Gr 2 Daisy Guineas on Friday night.

His brother Robert, who is taking care of Mike Bass’s SA Champions Season string at Summerveld, has also been left mystified as the star filly has pulled up 100% fine.

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

The diminutive Silvano filly lacked her normal zip and might not have enjoyed the going on the night, which appeared to be soft.

She finished a 5,5 length fifth having turned for home perfectly placed to pounce from a midfield position on the rail.

The stablemate from the Mike Bass yard Nightingale ran a cracker to finish second and will relish the extra trip of the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000.

Bernard was also aboard a fancied disappointment in the Gr 2 Canon Guineas, the Justin Snaith-trained Baritone, who was moving up well before running out of steam.

However, he reported to the stipendiary stewards the colt had “choked up in the latter stages.”

Meanwhile, some anomalies have already surfaced out of the new handicapping guidelines, which the handicappers had forced upon them despite being strongly opposed to some of the new restrictive measures.

For example, Nightingale could only be raised to a 92 merit rating due to the rule a Gr 2 runner up can only be raised a maximum of five points.

This means she would receive 3kg from Daisy Guineas fourth-placed Flying Ice in a handicap, despite having beaten her on Friday night by 3,5 lengths.

Another example is the Joey Soma-trained Fortissima, who is currently merit rated 82, despite having finished second in the Gr 2 R1 million SA Oaks.

By David Thiselton

rock on baby nh

Rock On Baby has talent

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Trainer and jockey comments for Scottsville today

Dennis Drier is expecting a good run from Rock On Baby (4th race), a talented sprinter who was found to be coughing after her disappointing last start in the Gr 2 WSB Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m at Kenilworth five months ago.

Drier has won five of the last six runnings of the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion and the public are still waiting for his contender for this year’s renewal, so all eyes will be on Seventh Rock colt Rocky Valley in the first over 1000m. Drier said, “He should run a nice race.” He is out of the fair sprinter by Mogok, Valley Of Rubies, who finished runner up in the Gr 3 Sycamore Sprint. He is owned by Markus Jooste, whose retained rider Anton Marcus will however be aboard the Charles Laird-trained Buffalo Soldier, who is by Warm White Night out of a USA-bred dam who hasn’t produced much to date. However, Laird has a fine record with first-timers so the betting should be watched closely.

Drier said the first-timer Anime in the second race would probably need the run. However, she is well bred being by Count Dubois out of Gr 2 KZN Guineas winner Rei Rei, so can’t be discounted.

Drier said it is about time Lighting The Fire, who runs in the fifth race over 1400m, “lit his fire” and he at least seems to be back down to a competitive merit rating and is over a suitable trip so can’t be ignored.

Warren Kennedy spoke on behalf of the Gavin Van Zyl yard and said, “Qatar Springs (7th over 2400m) is doing very well and has beaten all of these horses before. He stays well and should win.

Bagger Vance (5th) is one of my better rides on the day, he has the weight turnaround with Never Settle and should be there.

Northern Storm ran a cracker on debut. There was a lot of talk about Rebel Rose on debut (the Wendy Whitehead-trained filly duly finished second to an odds on shot) and she could be the one to beat, but if you go on times Northern Storm is ahead of her. It’s a difficult race and there are a lot of first-timers too but Northern Storm should be in the first three.

Cronological (3rd race) made a decent comeback but what you see is what you get, she is a struggler. Hello Mah also runs here but the 1000m is too short for her.

Lil Red a Rooster (1st race) has to improve.

Captain At Sea (8th) is a smart colt, but is drawn high on debut. It’s a weak field though and he has a quartet chance.”

Dennis Bosch was bullish about Lavender Bank and gave all his other runners chances too.

He said, “Lavender Bank will run a good race (3rd race – Anton Marcus retains the ride after she was backed to 9/20 on debut but ran green around the turn on the poly, although she still ran an eyecatching race to finish a staying on 1,3 length fourth).”

Bosch continued, “Regardstobroadway (4th) has always been talented but wasn’t being ridden correctly and is now being ridden the right way.”

He said Your Worship (7th) was also not given a good ride last time. However, the blinkers are back on and Delpech is aboard so he expected a decent run.

Bosch also expected a decent run from the sprinter Shezaleader (4th) too and this filly certainly loves the Scottsville straight.

By David Thiselton

Stuart Randolph (Nkosi Hlophe)

Randolph ponders July ride

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The current incumbent Vodacom Durban July “trophy-holding” jockey Start Randolph is still not sure who his ride for this year’s big race will be, but he knows he will need to find a good one to beat Friday night’s Gr 2 Canon Guineas winner Black Arthur.

Stuart Randolph (Nkosi Hlophe)

Stuart Randolph (Nkosi Hlophe)

Randolph also spoke of what it meant to win the July and how the race had changed from a tactical point of view due to the new much narrower track.

Randolph was happy his mount in Friday night’s Guineas, the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Mambo Mime, settled after being dropped out from a wide draw and even more happy to find himself on the rail behind the favourite Black Arthur, even if it meant he was in last place.

However, Black Arthur soon appeared to be battling, as he was being pushed along continuously by jockey Anthony Delpech.

“I thought he was going nowhere so I pulled my horse out and went alongside him.”

Mambo Mime went to the outside in the straight and ran on strongly to finish a 1,5 length third.

However, out of the corner of his eye Randolph could see Black Arthur powering home towards the inside.

He said, “He looked like a Ferrari, horses just don’t do that.”

The bookmakers agreed and have made Black Arthur the new big race favourite.

Kannemeyer arrived in KZN last year without believing he had a serious July horse and ended up winning it with Power King.

He is in similar territory this year and his four current entries are Mambo Mime, Cape Speed, Solid Speed, Balance Sheet and It Is Written.

Kannemeyer will likely never again have as good a horse as his first July winner Dynasty.

Mambo Mime (Nkosi Hlophe)

Mambo Mime (Nkosi Hlophe)

His second July winner Eyeofthetiger arrived in KZN proven in both class and stamina capacity, having finished a narrow third in the Cape Derby.

Cape Speed looks to have the stamina capacity, but still has to prove his class.

Mambo Mime, who was coming of a win in the Gr 3 Byerley Turk on Friday night, is now proven in class, but not stamina capacity.

Balance Sheet could be a dark horse as one who has won over 1600m and finished second in last year’s Gold Cup over 3200m. He is a four-year-old gelding by Silvano, like Power King was last year. Another common point is his arrival in the province with a merit rating of 100. However, Power King cantered to victory in his pipe opener over 1400m at Scottsville last year, before booking his place with a runner up spot in the Betting World 1900, while Balance Sheet has already had two runs and has been unplaced in both.

Five-year-old Solid Speed, who is by the great Dynasty, has an even more similar profile to Power King. He arrived in the province rated 100, won his pipe opener at Scottsville, albeit over 1600m, and he also has proven class over 2400m.

It Is Written is also a five-year-old gelding by Dynasty and has won eight races from 1400-1800m. He has started his Champions Season in fine style, which has seen his merit rating rise from 99 to 102.

Randolph is looking towards Kannemeyer for his July horse again and will have some difficult choices to make in the next few weeks.

The first question most South African jockeys are asked when introduced to a stranger is, “Have you won the July?”

Randolph is now among the privileged few who can answer “yes”.

Solid Speed (Nkosi Hlophe)

Solid Speed (Nkosi Hlophe)

He said sometimes this fact seemed surreal and he often asked himself, “Did I really do it?”

Last year the field almost resembled a rolling maul in the straight, for despite the track being narrower the jockeys all made a bee line for the outside.

Randolph said jockeys knew what to expect on July day in terms of crowd noise, but horses obviously did not.

In his opinion tiring horses in the July tend to roll away from the grandstand noise.

The best traffic avoiding run for those coming from off the pace can therefore usually be found on the outside of horses.

In the past switching outward off the false rail would have put one near the middle of the track.

However, on the narrower track, and with last year’s false at four or five metres, this instinctive tactic led to congestion on the outside.

Hopefully, the decision already made to limit the false rail to a maximum of one metre this year will hopefully solve the problem.

However, one certainty is jockeys these days need to do extra homework studying the final carded July field.

By David Thiselton

Three supplemented for July

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Rocketball, who came within a nostril of spoiling the Triple Crown party for Abashiri last month, was yesterday among three supplementary entries for this year’s Vodacom Durban July.

Gavin van Zyl’s runner was joined by Brooklyn Brawler from the Justin Snaith yard and Dean Kannemeyer added It Is Written to his entry.

Brooklyn Brawler has come to hand of late, winning three of his last four starts including a Progress Plate over 1600m at Scottsville last month in his South African Champion’s Season warm-up. He is a likely contender for the Gr1 Daily News 2000.

It Is Written won the Gr3 Christmas Handicap and more recently finished runner-up to Way Of Light in The Sledghammer at Scottsville.

He was less than four lengths behind Dynastic Power in the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 last year and he is likely to be in the line-up again later this month.

First supplementary entries close this morning. First acceptances were yesterday and the entry was reduced to 52 from the original 65.

Sc# Horse               Mass   MR        Draw  B  A  T  Trainer

0  LEGAL EAGLE          0.0  120 (120)    0      A  T  Sean Tarry

0  ABASHIRI             0.0  117 (113)    0      A     Mike Azzie

0  FRENCH NAVY          0.0  115 (115)    0      A     Sean Tarry

0  BRAZUCA              0.0  111 (107)    0      A  T  Johan J van Vuuren

0  INARA                0.0  111 (111)    0      A     Mike Bass

0  PATERFAMILIAS        0.0  110 (110)    0   B  A     Mike Bass

0  SILVER MOUNTAIN      0.0  110 (106)    0      A     Mike Bass

0  RABADA               0.0  109 (105)    0      A     Mike Azzie

0  MASTER SABINA        0.0  108 (108)    0      A  T  Geoff Woodruff

0  SAMURAI BLADE        0.0  108 (104)    0      A  T  Sean Tarry

0  STONEHENGE           0.0  108 (108)    0      A  T  Sean Tarry

0  GOLD ONYX            0.0  107 (107)    0      A  T  Sean Tarry

0  MAC DE LAGO          0.0  107 (107)    0      A  T  Weiho Marwing

0  NEW PREDATOR         0.0  107 (103)    0      A     Johan van Vuuren

0  OLMA                 0.0  107 (107)    0      A  T  Frank Robinson

0  PROSPECT STRIKE      0.0  107 (103)    0      A  T  Sean Tarry

0  PUNTA ARENAS         0.0  107 (107)    0   C  A     Dennis Drier

0  BELA-BELA            0.0  106 (102)    0      A     Justin Snaith

0  DEO JUVENTE          0.0  106 (106)    0      A     Geoff Woodruff

0  MASTER’S EYE         0.0  103 (103)    0      A     Justin Snaith

0  SOLID SPEED          0.0  103 (103)    0   B  A     Dean Kannemeyer

0  HALVE THE DEFICIT    0.0  102 (102)    0      A     Sean Tarry

0  NEGROAMARO           0.0  102 ( 98)    0      A     Johan J van Vuuren

0  ROMANY PRINCE        0.0  102 ( 98)    0      A     Ormond Ferraris

0  DISCO AL             0.0  101 (101)    0      A     Joey Ramsden

0  DYNASTIC POWER       0.0  101 (101)    0      A     Vaughan Marshall

0  IT’S MY TURN         0.0  101 ( 97)    0      A     Justin Snaith

0  TEN GUN SALUTE       0.0  101 ( 97)    0      A  T  Duncan Howells

0  THE CONGLOMERATE     0.0  101 (101)    0      A     Joey Ramsden

0  TROPHY WIFE          0.0  101 (101)    0      A     Sean Tarry

0  ST TROPEZ            0.0   99 ( 99)    0      A     Joey Ramsden

0  BALANCE SHEET        0.0   98 ( 98)    0      A     Dean Kannemeyer

0  DYNAMIC              0.0   98 ( 98)    0      A     Justin Snaith

0  MASTER SWITCH        0.0   98 ( 98)    0      A  T  Geoff Woodruff

0  SYLVESTER THE CAT    0.0   98 ( 94)    0      A     Duncan Howells

0  DIESEL JET           0.0   97 ( 97)    0      A     Erico Verdonese

0  MAMBO MIME           0.0   97 ( 93)    0      A     Dean Kannemeyer

0  MARINARESCO          0.0   97 ( 93)    0   B  A     Mike Bass

0  BLACK ARTHUR         0.0   96 ( 92)    0      A     Justin Snaith

0  CAPE SPEED           0.0   96 ( 92)    0      A     Dean Kannemeyer

0  CELTIC CAPTAIN       0.0   96 ( 92)    0   B  A     Gavin van Zyl

0  TRADING PROFIT       0.0   96 ( 92)    0      A     Mike Azzie

0  DEPUTY JUD           0.0   95 ( 95)    0      A     Mike Azzie

0  SARATOGA DANCER      0.0   95 ( 95)    0      A     Duncan Howells

0  DEPUTY RYDER         0.0   94 ( 94)    0   X  A     Neil Bruss

0  JUBILEE LINE         0.0   92 ( 88)    0      A     Mike de Kock

0  BANKABLE TEDDY       0.0   89 ( 85)    0   B  A     Brian Wiid

0  OLE GUNNAR           0.0   88 ( 84)    0      A  T  Paul Lafferty

0  NIGHTINGALE          0.0   87 ( 83)    0      A     Mike Bass

0  RAINY DAY BLUES      0.0   87 ( 87)    0      A  T  Joe Soma

0  ELUSIVE SILVA        0.0   86 ( 82)    0      A     Justin Snaith

0  MILLA’S WORLD        0.0   85 ( 81)    0      A     Sean Tarry

(52)

***Supplementary Entries Received as at 14:15 – 9 May 2016***

0   0   ***ROCKETBALL          0.0  105 (101)    A  T  Gavin van Zyl

0   0   ***BROOKLYN BRAWLER    0.0   92 ( 88)    A     Justin Snaith

0   0   ***IT IS WRITTEN       0.0  102 (102)    A     Dean Kannemeyer

Important Vodacom Durban July dates to diarise:

  • First Supp. Entries: Close 11:00 Tuesday, 10 May 2016
  • Second Declaration: Close 11:00 Monday, 30 May 2016
  • Final Supp. Entries: Close 11:00 Monday, 6 June 2016
  • Weights Published: Tuesday, 7 June 2016
  • Final Declaration: Close 11:00 Monday, 20 June 2016
  • Final Field and Draw: Announcement of the Final Field and Barrier Draws will take place on Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Public Gallops:  7am at Greyville Racecourse, Thursday, 23 June 2016

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Black Arthur or Bela-Bela

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Anthony Delpech was asked shortly after landing the Canon and Daisy Guineas double at Greyville on Friday night which of the two Justin Snaith-trained winners he would prefer to partner for the Vodacom Durban July.

Black Arthur was the answer, the main reason being the horse’s stamina reserves. He waxed lyrical about the classy colt and could not quite believe how far out of his ground he had come from. Later, Snaith said the answer to the aforementioned question lay in the betting. Black Arthur’s July odds were slashed from 50/1 to 12/1 last week and following his Guineas win he is now 33/10 favourite with Betting World.

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Delpech had earlier called Bela-Bela a “special” filly, but was not sure she would get the 2200m July trip, although he felt against her own gender she would “get away” with the 2000m of the Gr 1 Woolavington.

Both horses have come out of their respective races superbly, according to Snaith.

He confirmed Bela-Bela would be going for the Woolavington, which has always been her aim.

However, Black Arthur is a typically immature son of Silvano and Snaith said, “He is high quality and we want to still have a horse for next season, so must be careful which route we take with him.”

It was the first time both Delpech and Snaith had achieved the Guineas double at the same meeting. However, Delpech had been confident of doing it. He had told his family in the morning how badly he had wanted to add this accolade to his CV and felt this could be the year.

Snaith went close to the Guineas double two years ago. In The Fast Lane was beaten in the fillies race at odds of 15/10, before Legislate won the Guineas at odds of 11/2.

This year it was Legislate who let the side down, running no sort of race in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m, despite starting at odds of 11/10.

Snaith said the former Equus Horse a Of The Year had been far too “quiet” in the parade ring for his liking and the yard were still monitoring him yesterday, but nothing obvious had yet been detected.

By David Thiselton

snaith site

Three-year-olds impress

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Punters were treated to three thrilling feature races at Greyville Racecourse in Durban on Friday evening when South Africa’s Champion Season got off to a sparkling start of dancing and fireworks and outstanding performances by the three-year-olds.

The three Grade 2 races – The Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes, the Daisy Fillies Guineas and the Canon Guineas – set the stage for what could be one of the best seasons at the Theatre of Champions with the finest horses in the country in action.

Justin Snaith

Justin Snaith

The performances by the young horses are likely to see a change in the betting for the Vodacom Durban July and in the July Log and punters are likely to be scrambling to get the best odds possible on the likes of the filly Bela-Bela and the colts Black Arthur and New Predator that won their races impressively.

Trainer Justin Snaith and jockey Anthony Delpech clinched the Guineas double with Bela-Bela and Black Arthur to take the major honours on the evening but the performance of the three-year-old New Approach colt New Predator from the Johan Janse van Vuuren stable, that led throughout to win The Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes against a quality older field, was most impressive.

Janse van Vuuren decided to contest this race instead of the Canon Guineas because of a bad draw in the classic event and decided to take on the older horses after his superb third behind Legal Eagle in the Horse Chestnut.

Jockey Weichong Marwing, back from an injury-induced break, showed his outstanding tactical ability by taking the colt to the front from the break then controlling the pace before sending his mount for the judge.

As they headed for the line the Dennis Drier-trained Triptique put in a spirited challenge down the inside rail as course specialist Ice Machine from the Charles Laird stable made his customary flying finish from the back of the field down the centre. They were gallant efforts but to no avail and New Predator went on to win.

Diamond King, that made his run from the top of the straight, ran a gutsy fourth place with Legislate and The Conglomerate running below their known ability.

In the Daisy Fillies Guineas Silver Mountain from the Mike Bass stable was strongly fancied by punters to win but the daughter of Silvano failed to fill expectations with Our Destiny and Bella Sonata heading the early action ahead of Negroamaro and Killer Woman. Negroamaro took the lead in the straight but the Snaith filly Bela-Bela and Nightingale, stable mate to Silver Mountain, put in strong late runs to fill the first two places ahead of Negroamaro and denying trainer Janse van Vuuren a quick double. The Neil Bruss-trained Flying Ice ran well for fourth place.

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

Bela-Bela in particular had the pundits sitting up and taking notice as she stormed through from well off the pace to win with absolute authority.

Rabada from the Mike Azzie stable and the Snaith-trained Black Arthur disputed favouritism among punters for the Canon Guineas and they showed there may not be too much between them in filling the first two places.

Anton Marcus got Rabada quickly across from his outer draw to slot in behind Sylvester The Cat that set a blistering early pace with Black Arthur settled back in the pack. Rabada took the lead in the straight up the inside rail while Delpech brought Black Arthur down the centre of the track with the Silvano colt producing a powerful finish to snatch the victory. The early dash for position and the hot early pace may have had an effect on Rabada in the closing stages so his less than a length defeat was very good.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Mambo Mime ran on for third place ahead of Malak Al Moolook from the Sean Tarry stable.

There were some very smart three-year-olds in action on the night and many will no doubt have the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and the Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July on their programmes which presents a mouth-watering picture of what racegoers can look forward to in the weeks and months ahead.

Ends

Black Arthur (Nkosi Hlophe)

Black Arthur in good shape

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Black Arthur, the new favourite for the Vodacom Durban July, came out of his win in Friday night’s Canon Guineas in great shape but no decision has yet been taken on whether he will run in the Daily News en route.

Justin Snaith said yesterday: “Black Arthur pulled up as well as I could have asked. We are undecided about the Daily News at the moment. We will have a chat with the owners and make a decision.

Black Arthur (Nkosi Hlophe)

Black Arthur (Nkosi Hlophe)

“But the aim for Bela-Bela (winner of the Daisy Fillies Guineas) has always been the Woolavington on May 28 so she will go for that.”

However there is a question mark about the 2014 July winner Legislate who had been due to contest the Rising Sun Gold Challenge on June 11 before being retired to stud. He started favourite for the Drill Hall and managed only fifth.

Snaith said: “He was very quiet before the race which is unlike him and in the parade ring I was a little bit concerned. Anthony Delpech also felt he was quiet in the race. He is fine this morning – there is no sign of anything – but the owners are in discussion about him and the decision will be made by them. It’s out of my hands.”

Nightingale, a generous 12-1 when beaten only half a length by Bela-Bela, will renew rivalry in the Woolavington but plans for 12-10 favourite Silver Mountain (sixth) have yet to be confirmed.

Candice Robinson said: “Nightingale is a good filly and she has improved. Also the 2 000m will be better for her but it was a disappointing run from Silver Mountain. Bernard Fayd’Herbe said she didn’t quicken up at all. We can’t find anything wrong and she pulled up fine. We will take bloods in the morning.”

Mike Bass’s successor confirmed that Winter Guineas winner Marinaresco will run in the Winter Classic on May 21 “and we will the take it from there,” while Inara remains on target for the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province on July day despite finishing with only one behind her in the Premier’s Champions Challenge nine days ago.

Candice said: “It was a tough task but Grant van Niekerk said that she got badly cut into and lost it behind. She was never going after that.”

By Michael Clower

Black Arthur new July favourite

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Black Arthur and stable companion Bela-Bela had bookmakers scrambling to change their odds display for the Vodacom Durban July after Justin Snaith’s charges turned in superb performances in the Gr2 Canon Guineas and G2 Daisy Fillies Guineas, and Friday evening at Greyville could prove a defining meeting in Africa’s Champion Season. All three features provided plenty of fodder for the formbook and any intrepid punters sitting with 12-1 about Black Arthur and 45-1 about Bela-Bela, may not be in the league of those who got the 5000-1 about Leicester City, but are entitled to be smug.

After stunning displays in the two Classics, Black Arthur displaced Legal Eagle (4-1) as anti-post favourite for the July – 3-1 on some boards but 7-2 still available – while Bela-Bela is now 14-1. Of Black Arthur Delpech said, “He’s the type of horse I would like to ride in the July,” the four-time July winning jockey confirming what all had just witnessed.

Black Arthur, home-bred by Alec and Gillian Foster, was beaten favourite in the Investec Derby at the end of the Cape summer but arrived in KZN with a mighty reputation. Delpech has the pick of the Snaith rides for the Western Cape Champion trainer during his KZN campaign and it took a single gallop for Delpech to decide between Baritone, Derby winner It’s My Turn and Black Arthur.

Seemingly out-paced from the gate as Sylvester The Cat set a suicidal gallop in overcoming his wide draw, Delpech slotted him in on the rail behind a charging pack. “I thought it might be a touch short for him but they went very, very fast which was in his favour,” Delpech confirmed.

Black Arthur led in by Justin Snaith with Anthony Delpech up - Nkosi Hlophe

Black Arthur led in by Justin Snaith with Anthony Delpech up – Nkosi Hlophe

Aimed for home, Delpech threaded his mount through the traffic and once in space the son of Silvano sailed through to win as he liked in spite of the winning margin being less than a length.

Race favourite Rabada settled in behind Sylvester The Cat and looked destine to keep his clean sheet at Greyville in tact before Black Arthur mowed him down with the line in sight while third and fourth placed Mambo Mime and Ten Gun Salute also had their July odds trimmed after promising performances.

All four look destined to meet in the Daily News 2000 that at this stage is brewing into one of the races of the season.

If Delpech needed a dress rehearsal for Black Arthur he got it in on the grey Bela-Bela who turned in a similar display of galloping in the Daisy Fillies Guineas to give trainer and jockey a Classic double. Nearer last than first turning for home, Delpech also had to pick his way through traffic before accelerating away to win in commanding fashion. It was a display out of the top draw.

“I rode two very good horses tonight,” was Delpech’s parting shot.

Race favourite Silver Mountain never got going and it was left to stable companion Nightingale to carry the stable flag although Bela-Bela went past her like she was looking for parking.

Johan Janse van Vuuren commented before the race that Negroamaro was off her best form but it was not by far. “I think she’s still a bit soft. We skipped the Oaks to go for the Woolavington.” The grey was in contention half a furlong out but was run down by Bela-Bela and Nightingale.

But if Negroamara was underdone, Van Vuuren’s New Predator was “gaar” as they say in Afrikaans. The three-year-old blew away his rivals in the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes in a display that will have sent a chilled down Sean Tarry’s spine if indeed Legal Eagle has the Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge on his agenda.

New Predator

New Predator

Although beaten four lengths by Legal Eagle in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, New Predator was given a puzzling ride that afternoon as he was sent for home nearly 800m out, but he did show an exceptional turn of foot albeit off a slow pace.

The Greyville ‘mile’ with its short straight is right up New Predator’s alley and the switch in course could extend Tarry’s champion a tad more.

Disappointment was race favourite Legislate but Snaith was quick with an explanation. “Legislate didn’t saddle well. He walked around the ring with his head down and I know we were in trouble. But what can you do.”

Snaith will no doubt have the puzzled solved by this morning and have Legislate back on track to defend his Gold Challenge crown.

Triptique ran a cracker in second in his first venture beyond 1200m and could now be a candidate for the Gold Challenge while Ice Machine ran his usual game race, coming from last to third.

By Andrew Harrison

Betting on the R4,25 million Vodacom Durban July to be run over 2200m at Greyville on Saturday, July 2:

7-2 Black Arthur, 4-1 Legal Eagle, 11-2 Abashiri, 14-1 French Navy, Bela-Bela, The Conglomerate, 16-1 Brazuca, New Predator, 20-1 Rabada, Nightingale, 22-1 Mac De Lago, 25-1 Samurai Blade, Marinaresco, 33-1 Silver Mountain, Master Sabina, Deo Juvente, It’s My Turn, 40-1 Negroamaro, 50-1 Baritone, 55-1 Trophy Wife, 66-1 Inara, Dynastic Power, Ten Gun Salute, Mambo Mime, Saratoga Dancer, 7-1 Paterfamilias, 80-1 Olma, Prospect Strike, Punta Arenas, Romany Prince, Cape Speed, Master Switch, 100-1 and upwards others.

Baritone (Nkosi Hlophe)

Baritone to step up

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Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

The SA Champions Season kicks off with three Gr 2s at Greyville tonight and Justin Snaith should go close to landing a feature race treble.

In the Canon Guineas Baritone has to overcome a tricky draw. However, he looks to be an ever improving sort and should have come on from his Byerley Turk run, where he ran on strongly and only just failed. He came from a wide draw that night and was carrying 4kg more than the winner Mambo Mime. He should appreciate the 200m step up in trip.

His stable companion Black Arthur is highly regarded and the form of his Gr 3 Cartier Politician Stakes win has worked out well. Before that he beat Mambo Mime by 0,5 lengths over 1600m and the latter is now 5kg better off with him. This puts Baritone’s Byerley Turk effort into a good light on strict formlines. Mambo Mime is learning all the time and improving so could earn a cheque.

Rabada won a Gr 1 over course and distance as a two-year-old and has come on in leaps and bounds from his recent

victorious comeback from injury. His SA Triple Crown-winning yard is on a high and he is a big runner, despite a wide draw.

Prospect Strike finished just 0,75 lengths behind Rabada in the aforementioned Gr 1 and is coming off a 1,2 length defeat by the latter over 1400m. He should now be cherry ripe and will relish the step up to this trip. The downside is the very wide draw.

Muwaary was disappointing in the Gr 1 SA Classic, but the maestro trainer Mike de Kock is likely to have got to the bottom of it and this classy sort could bounce back.

Redcarpet Captain has had excuses for his last couple of starts, including over racing, and from a good draw with the blinkers off he could use his telling turn of foot from off the pace to run a good race.

It’s My Turn won the Investec Cape Derby in good style and should be staying on after being dropped out from a wide draw.

Exit Here’s last run can be ignored, as he hated the sloppy conditions on the poly after a torrential downpour, and he will relish the step up to 1600m from the 1400m of the Million Dollar where he ran a fine fifth considering the slow pace didn’t suit him.

Sylvester The Cat and Ten Gun Salute both have plenty of class and it would be no surprise to see them involved in the finish, although the former has a tough draw.

It's My Turn (Liesl King)

It’s My Turn (Liesl King)

Victorious Jay is better than his last start and could bounce back.

Malak Al Moolook could earn if repeating his Gauteng Guineas third place.

Royal Armour has to prove he is as good on turf as he is on the poly.

The selection is Baritone to beat Rabada and Black Arthur, with Mambo Mime and Redcarpet Captain next best.

The Daisy Guineas sees a much anticipated clash between Silver Mountain and Bela-Bela, who are both packed with class. Silver Mountain should be perfectly suited to Greyville with her zippiness and fine turn of foot.  Bela-Bela is much better than her Cape Fillies Guineas run, when well beaten by Silver Mountain. Her subsequent Paddock Stakes third proved how good she is and the best has probably not been seen of her yet, so a victory over Silver Mountain would not be a great surprise. Trainer Neil Bruss is bullish about the chances of Flying Ice, who will relish the step up in trip and who has been unlucky in her last two starts when finishing second in both. The Bella Sonata yard believe she is better than her form suggests and she has enjoyed a fine preparation. Shatoosh has a long stride and a fine turn of foot. She could be the dark horse. Intergalactic has a chance on her Empress Club Stakes run when a 1,4 length third to Inara. Fromafar raced wide when winning a feature here over 1400m last time, so can’t be written off.  Nightingale and Negroamara both have class but would both prefer a touch further. Alexa has a good draw for a change and is an interesting runner as one who made up a lot of ground from hopeless positions in the Gauteng Guineas and SA Fillies Classic. Our Destiny over raced with blinkers on and they are now off so she could earn if repeating her Cape Fillies Guineas runner up finish. Taffety Tart and Lala have the ability to earn but have tough draws. Killer Woman looks to have some class but will have to put her last poor run behind her.

The selection is Silver Mountain to beat Bela-Bela and Flying Ice with Shatoosh and Bella Sonata next best.

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

The IOS Drill Hall Stakes could be won by Ice Machine if things pan out right for him.

There does not look to be much hope of the good pace he will prefer and Legislate could in that case dictate from the front.

However,  Ice Machine is still tipped to fly up and touch off Legislate, with Night Trip, who seems to love Greyville, staying on for third. The dark horses are Saratoga Dancer, who has plenty of class and the best has not yet been of him, and Triptique, who has been doing very well but there is a question mark over the trip. New Predator also has to be given a lot of respect on his best form.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Baritone (Nkosi Hlophe)

power king

Vodacom Durban July Log

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Vodacom Durban July Log – as at 4 May 2016

South Africa’s highest rated horse, Legal Eagle, heads the 2016 Vodacom Durban July Log as issued by Gold Circle today. Triple Crown hero Abashiri occupies 2nd spot with French Navy in third. 
18 runners will face the starter for the Vodacom Durban July on Saturday, 2 July 2016, and the log reflects the composition of the field as if the race were to be run at this point in time.
 
NO
HORSE
TRAINER
M/R
1
LEGAL EAGLE
Sean
Tarry
120
2
ABASHIRI
Mike
Azzie
117
3
FRENCH NAVY
Sean
Tarry
115
4
BRAZUCA (AUS)
Johan
Janse van Vuuren
109
5
INARA
Mike
Bass
111
6
IT’S MY TURN
Justin
Snaith
101
7
MASTER SABINA
Geoff
Woodruff
108
8
RABADA
Mike
Azzie
109
9
SILVER MOUNTAIN
Mike
Bass
110
10
SAMURAI BLADE (AUS)
Sean
Tarry
108
11
NEW PREDATOR (AUS)
Johan
Janse van Vuuren
107
12
PATERFAMILIAS
Mike
Bass
110
13
DEO JUVENTE
Geoff
Woodruff
106
14
MAC DE LAGO (AUS)
Weiho
Marwing
107
15
BELA-BELA
Justin
Snaith
106
16
NEGROAMARO
Johan
Janse van Vuuren
102
17
OLMA
Frank
Robinson
107
18
PUNTA ARENAS
Dennis
Drier
107
19
STONEHENGE
Sean
Tarry
108
20
SOLID SPEED
Dean
Kannemeyer
103
21
TROPHY WIFE
Sean
Tarry
101
22
THE CONGLOMERATE (AUS)
Joey
Ramsden
101
23
ROMANY PRINCE
Ormond
Ferraris
102
24
MASTER’S EYE
Justin
Snaith
103
25
DYNASTIC POWER
Vaughan
Marshall
101
DEPUTY JUD
Mike
Azzie
95
GOLD ONYX (NZ)
Sean
Tarry
107
PROSPECT STRIKE
Sean
Tarry
107
EXIT HERE
Charles
Laird
105
HALVE THE DEFICIT
Sean
Tarry
102
AFRIKABURN
Gavin
van Zyl
100
TEN GUN SALUTE (AUS)
Duncan
Howells
101
DISCO AL
Joey
Ramsden
101
BALANCE SHEET
Dean
Kannemeyer
98
ULTIMATE DOLLAR
Justin
Snaith
99
ST TROPEZ
Joey
Ramsden
99
BARITONE
Justin
Snaith
104
CELTIC CAPTAIN
Gavin
van Zyl
96
SYLVESTER THE CAT
Duncan
Howells
98
DYNAMIC
Justin
Snaith
98
DIESEL JET
Erico
Verdonese
97
MAMBO MIME
Dean
Kannemeyer
97
TRADING PROFIT
Mike
Azzie
96
MARINARESCO
Mike
Bass
97
CAPE SPEED
Dean
Kannemeyer
96
BLACK ARTHUR
Justin
Snaith
96
JUBILEE LINE
Mike
de Kock
92
SARATOGA DANCER
Duncan
Howells
95
STORMY ECLIPSE
Charles
Laird
94
DEPUTY RYDER
Neil
Bruss
94
PERSIAN RUG
Mike
de Kock
93
UNBELIEVABLE CHAD
Paul
Lafferty
92
SILVER SPRING
Gavin
van Zyl
92
MASTER SWITCH
Geoff
Woodruff
98
BANKABLE TEDDY
Brian
Wiid
89
OLE GUNNAR
Paul
Lafferty
88
NIGHTINGALE
Mike
Bass
87
RAINY DAY BLUES
Joe
Soma
87
ELUSIVE SILVA
Justin
Snaith
86
NIGHT SHADOW
Gavin
van Zyl
86
MILLA’S WORLD
Sean
Tarry
85
KINAAN (AUS)
Mike
de Kock
84
FORT MEYERS
Sean
Tarry
84
WARGAMES
Johan
Janse van Vuuren
78
 
The next log will be issued on Monday, 30 May 2016.