Category Archives: Horseshoe

Charles Laird (Nkosi Hlophe)

Laird represents a dynasty

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Charles Laird will represent a famous dynasty in this year’s Vodacom Durban July. His charge Ice Machine put in a fine gallop under big race jockey Donovan Dillon on the top sand track at Summerveld yesterday in his final bit of work for Saturday’s prestigious event.

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

Laird said, “He’s come through his prep very well. Always the downside is that he missed his last race (the Gold Challenge). We’ve tried to make it up, I hope we have.”

Consequently, the classy six-year-old Silvano gelding put in the fastest piece of work at the July gallops and impressed all and sundry.

Ice Machine has a reputation as an unsound type but Laird confirmed that he was “very, very sound” at present and added, “He’s always been sound with me, people say he’s unsound but he was scratched that last time only because he stood on a stone at the course.”

Laird admitted there would always be a stamina doubt and said, “You’ve just got to ride him very quietly, he has a tremendous turn of foot and I said to Donovan try and ride him to place and see how we go.” Furthermore, training measures have been taken to counteract his apparent lack of stamina.

Main Submission (Nkosi Hlophe)

Main Submission (Nkosi Hlophe)

Laird said about his chief Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe (1400m) contender Main Submission, “He showed tremendous speed on debut, but I’ve always believed he is a miler plus. He’s very well, his prep’s gone good. It might be a little soon for him (this is only his second start), but I’m hoping not.” The Oracy colt has seen the Greyville turn, but only on the polytrack. He continued, “Red Hot Poker is an honest type, he’s drawn very wide and it’s not easy for him.”

Laird did not regard his Gr 1 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper contender Ninefold’s unplaced run in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over the 1400m course and distance as disappointing at all and said, “She’s a very green filly and she got absolutely lost around the turn. We’ve put a pair of pacifiers on her, we took her to the Greyville course proper last Wednesday and she galloped very, very well. If she doesn’t get lost early on she’s a big runner.”

“Resolution (race 2) is doing very well, she’s going to stud, we’ve prepped her, she likes the course and distance, I think she will run very well.”

Admiral's Eye (Nkosi Hlophe)

Admiral’s Eye (Nkosi Hlophe)

“Bold Inspiration (race 8), we would love a bit of rain, he’s very, very well. In his last start Stuart (Randolph) said while he was on the bit he was very, very happy, but he does feel the going, so I’ve put special shoes on him. If it’s not too hard I think he will run well.”

“Admiral’s Eye (race 9) has a very tough task and it’s her last start before going to stud.”

“Chosen Dash (12th) is very well, I don’t know if his grass performance is as good as his poly (easy winner on poly on Sunday), but at Scottsville he definitely showed that the 1000m was far too short, he’s taken the race very well, drawn a little bit wide but you can expect him to be competitive.”

Charles’ grandfather Alec got the Durban July ball rolling by riding the winner in 1911, his legendary Great Uncle Syd Garret followed up by riding two July winners and training three, his equally famous Uncle Syd holds the record of seven July winners as a trainer, his cousin Alec trained London News to victory in 1996 and Charles himself trained Hunting Tower to win the race in 2007.

Charles’ father Russell was a top trainer in his own right and once labelled the Laird’s ‘The Sob Mob’, “When we win we cry, when we lose we smile.”

Red Hot Poker (Nkosi Hlophe)

Red Hot Poker (Nkosi Hlophe)

A victory for the six-year-old Silvano gelding Ice Machine will likely be particularly emotional this year.

He is owned by one of Durban’s most passionate racing couples, Roy and Gladys Meaker. The Meaker’s became involved in racing in the 1970s through trainer Sonny Whiteford’s daughter-in-law. It wasn’t long before they tasted the adrenalin rush of big race success and in the 1976/1977 season they won the Holiday Inns with Gigantic and the J&B Met with Bahadur. Their first experience of “July Fever” was with those two horses, who ran in the big race as three-year-olds in 1976, finishing fifth and seventh respectively at odds of 7/1 and 6/1.   Gigantic ran in four July’s in total, without ever placing. The Meaker’s other July runner has been Secret Rites, who finished 10th as a 6/1shot in 1993.

Ice Machine is currently a 40/1 shot with Betting World, but if he stays he has the class to give the Meaker’s a first July place, or even a dream win. The day will coincide with their granddaughter Mia’s birthday and Roy’s birthday is on Sunday. Ice Machine’s biggest fan is likely the Meaker’s son Shawn, who is awaiting Saturday with more than just keen anticipation.

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: PA Leg 1 starts in race 3  – estimated pool R 3.6 million.

Sean Tarry (Liesl King)

Legal Eagle good to go

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Champion trainer elect Sean Tarry has a Vodacom Durban July favourite for the first time this year in the exciting three-year-old colt Legal Eagle. However, the pressure is eased by the fact that he has not only won the July twice but has no fewer than five runners in the big race this year.

Legal Eagle (JC Photos)

Legal Eagle (JC Photos)

He said, “Legal Eagle’s prep has gone very well. I would have been happy if he had run a place in the Jubilee. Without being very hard on him he surprised me, not that he won but by the way that he won. I haven’t had to be overly hard on him. He had a lovely gallop last week Wednesday, he’s come through it well and won’t do much before he leaves on Thursday. Let’s just hope that he travels well.”

“French Navy’s preparation has gone smoothly, he’s handled the travel no problem, and everything at this stage is good. He’s a tough horse, he’s a big, burly horse, he copes with everything, takes it in his stride, he has a great temperament.” Tarry was not concerned about his weight and said, “54,5kg for a horse that’s won two classics is fair.”

“Halve The Deficit’s form is quite solid. If the two opposition horses to beat are Wylie Hall and Majmu (and obviously also respect for Futura) then, based on his meeting with them in the President’s Champions Challenge, at the weight turnabouts he should finish on top of them. He’s probably had a better prep for the July this year than he did last year and I think he’s in a better place. I think my two three-year-old males are better horses, but that’s not to say that he is without a chance. Piere (Strydom) will know what to do from that draw and he knows the horse well, he’s versatile, he can come from off them or he can go handy.”

Halve The Deficit (Nkosi Hlophe)

Halve The Deficit (Nkosi Hlophe)

“Gold Onyx’s last run was disappointing, obviously he over raced and was too handy carrying 60kg. He emptied out quicker than I would have hoped, but he rode him completely differently to how he is normally ridden. Obviously from the draw (18) he will just be dropped to the back and hope that he runs on. He quickens up well and comes from off them in most of these big races where they never go hard. They crawled in Cape Town and he still finished off well.”

Tamaanee was found to have a lifted shoe after her disappointing run in the Woolavington and it was bent into her foot so there were genuine excuses. Tarry also felt that being strange to the course had affected her.

French Navy (Nkosi Hlophe)

French Navy (Nkosi Hlophe)

He said, “Her last run has taken the shine off her completely. I thought her previous win In the Gerald Rosenberg was exceptional, she won in a very good time on the same day as Wylie Hall and Majmu over the same distance. The form is very good, there have been four winners from that race, and I wouldn’t discount her. She would have learnt a lot from her two visits to Greyville. She has a nice light weight and if she can race up handy I think there are a few positives that people seem to be overlooking.”

Tarry added that how the race unravelled was out of his hands. However, his prediction was that the pace would not be a slow one.

Carry On Alice will also be travelling down from Johannesburg for the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes and Tarry said, “I’m not that confident of her over a mile, but if she got the mile as a two-year-old here, then if she’s going to get a mile anywhere it’s going to be at Greyville.

Gold Onyx (Nkosi Hlophe)

Gold Onyx (Nkosi Hlophe)

She had a wide draw in last year’s Thekwini and now she’s well drawn. Also her other two attempts at a mile weren’t bad. In the Majorca she ran a week after the Cape Flying, so that wasn’t ideal, and in Jo’burg it was her second run after a rest in the soft so that wasn’t ideal either. I can’t be as bullish over a mile, but I think she has plenty in her favour and is a massive runner.”

He continued, “Master Archer (race 1) has a bad draw, but good form. His last run can be ignored as he found trouble and was drawn 16. I think it’s an open race but he has a chance.”

“Kolkata (race 4) will bounce back. The change of season affects him, he’s had a few respiratory issues but I think we’re on top of them. He’s dropped nicely in the ratings, I think he will be there.”

“Escape Route (race 6), first time out he ran a place behind Redcarpet Captain coming from last. I think he is a horse who gets lost in his races and this Greyville 1400m may be a bit sharp for him, but we’re hoping that it’s a pointer for us for the Gr 1 mile on Gold Cup day. So, although we’re hoping he goes close here, we’re thinking more of it as a prep.”

“The Hangman (race 8) is in a good space, moving well, loves the course and distance. He’s in Jo’burg, he seems to enjoy the travelling, he could have an each way chance.”

“Rikitikitana (race 12), it’s a R1 million race and we managed to get him in at the last minute. It’s a tough race, he will be running on and we will be hoping for the best.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.

Draw one doesn’t matter

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Four-times Vodacom Durban July-winning trainer Mike de Kock runs the two-time Gr 1-winning three-year-old filly Majmu and the Gr 1 SA Oaks winner Pine Princess in the big one on Saturday and has a few other chances on the day.

Majmu (Liesl King)

Majmu (Liesl King)

Majmu missed her preparation run in Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 but she enjoys running fresh and was clearly well in herself and moving well at the July gallops last Thursday.

Jockey Anthony Delpech dismissed the suggestion that the number one draw was unfavourable in the July and said, “If you were drawn in pole position in a grand prix you would take it, it is the shortest way around. All I have to do is hold my position and I’m not sure why everybody says you have to rush a horse to do so from the number one draw, you don’t have to.” Delpech added that no race can be planned beforehand and it would be foolish to do so.

Accordingly, the legendary Michael “Muis” Roberts once said, “The first 50m of a race are in fact the most important”, as that is when a few split second decisions, including an early prediction of the pace, can potentially seal your fate. However, Majmu supporters will be confident. Delpech, who will be going for a record-breaking fifth July win, can find a good position from that draw. Majmu was staying on late in the President’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein after appearing to hit a bit of a flat spot in the straight, so should stay the Greyville 2200.

Pine Princess will obviously have no problem with the trip and has been one of the most backed runners since the final field announcement.

De Kock said both of his charges has been doing “very well.”

Pine Princess (Nkosi Hlophe)

Pine Princess (Nkosi Hlophe)

He spoke about the rest of his runners, “Dashing Scarlet (race 2) is not an easy filly to train, she is capable of better than what she’s shown and is a filly that shouldn’t be left out. Ataab (race 3), I’m hoping she will enjoy the step up in trip, she’s capable but she’s quite high in the ratings and if she runs a place it will be a good run.”

He agreed that Smart Mart (race 4) was a big runner and said he was well. He will raid from Jo’burg, which in theory could be an advantage for a staying race due to the altitude training he has enjoyed.

De Kock fits blinkers to Almashooqa (race 5) as she had run around in the finish last time and he believes it cost her the race. He called her a “nice filly” and gave her a “big chance, “especially from the draw.” In the same race he has Captain’s Song, whom he described as a “very smart filly, but drawn very badly”, and Sharp Princess, “a nice filly, but probably wants a bit further.”

Muwaary’s (race 6) last run spoke volumes and De Kock also described him as a “smart horse, but badly drawn.”

He continued, “Trip To Rio (race 8) is drawn in the bush, first run after gelding, do well to run a place. Tiger Territory (race 10) has been freshened up a little bit and works well on the poly. Love To Sail (race 11), it’s probably a bit short for her, but she’s quite a nice filly.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.

 

Dennis Drier (Nkosi Hlophe)

Drier bullish about his July day team

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Dennis Drier was bullish about his team for Vodacom Durban July day, which includes three Gr 1 contenders.

Seventh Plain (Nkosi Hlophe)

Seventh Plain (Nkosi Hlophe)

He said, “I’m very happy with Seventh Plain (6th race), I’m not worried about the 1400m trip and I think he’s a big runner. I was a little bit disappointed with Chestnuts N Pearls (5th race) in the Allan Robertson, but I think she’s looking for further and she’s doing well and working well and I’m expecting a much better run.

“Jet Aglow (9th race) is no champion, but she’s a very good filly and I think she’s done what she has to do to go to stud, the blinkers are coming off and if she’s more relaxed she could run into the money. Barbosa (10th race) is a soldier and hope he can earn a cheque and at his best he could win it. Balkan (10th race) is a half decent little filly, she won well on Met day, but up against the boys it’s not easy. She needed her last run and is now spot on and at the weights she could run into the money.

Jet Aglow (Liesl King)

Jet Aglow (Liesl King)

“Generalissimo, Triptique and Beckefdorf (11th) are all well although Cape Town didn’t agree with Beckedorf and he may be a little ring rusty. If I really had to put my head on the block I would maybe go Generalissimo, but Triptique is also very good, he’s a lovely horse I rate him and I think he’s going places. He could be the surprise of the day but Generalissimo is a really good horse, he loves the poly and he’s still maturing. You will see the best of him as a four and five-year-old, His forte is his gate speed and he missed the break last time in the Tsogo Sun Sprint.

“Ricochet Flier (reserve 12th) is bred to go a trip but we hope he gets in. Firewood (1st) I rate and think he is one of my better runners on the day. J’s Outsider (4th) ran a good race last time and he has come on since he’s been here in KZN and I think he could run into the money, it’s a tough race but he’s a runner.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.

Justin Snaith (Nkosi Hlophe)

Snaith ‘pressing buttons’

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Reigning National Champion Trainer Justin Snaith (Pictured) will be attempting to land a third Vodacom Durban July on Saturday, although his L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and J&B Met winning Dynasty colt Futura has drifted out in recent days to 6/1 joint third-favourite with Betting World.

Futura & Sean Cormack (Nkosi Hlophe)

Futura & Sean Cormack (Nkosi Hlophe)

Snaith said, “Futura is all good, it’s like pressing buttons, it’s easy. Going into the race everything is going to plan, we’ve got a few days still to go, so everyday becomes more important the closer we get to the race, but extremely happy with him. I’m not worried about anybody else in the race. I think he’s going to run a big race.”

Asked on Futura’s merit rating of 120, Snaith said, “I think there’s no such thing in South Africa as a 120, but if you ever had to give a horse a 120 you’ve got to give it to Futura. I do think they were hard on Legal Eagle; 120 for winning a Gr 3 in Jo’burg in the off season, although I’m not saying he won’t come on in time. But Futura is spot on. He’s got a lot asked of him with 60kg, it has never been done, but that’s what I like to hear.”

Lineker (Nkosi Hlophe)

Lineker (Nkosi Hlophe)

Snaith runs Lineker and Star Chestnut in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m, and said, “My intention was not to bring two-year-olds to run in Gr 1s but these two have found themselves in the field. I haven’t pushed them, their races are bringing them on in a very nice way and I think they have nice futures. The jockeys are talking highly of Lineker, which is always a good sign. I’m not sure whether Star Chestnut is up to this level at this stage of his career. But, with their good draws, expect them in the money.”

Acrostar runs in one of the strongest Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Provinces in years. “Snaith said, “There’s depth in this race, it’s very strong, but with her pedigree we would be very happy with a Gr 1 top 3 here. Her previous three races were prep runs and she’s ready now.”

Star Chestnut (Nkosi Hlophe)

Star Chestnut (Nkosi Hlophe)

Snaith was “a bit disappointed” Dynamic was not in the July and said, “I think being a Gr 2 winner and some of those horses haven’t even won a feature race he should have got in. I think if he does run in the July he will be in the first three. He’s doing well at home and we expect a good run. It’s obviously a lot weaker than the July, so he will have a good chance, but I think there are some very smart three-year-olds in this race, like St. Tropez and Ultimate Dollar, and they certainly will be hard horses to beat. Ultimate Dollar is doing very well and at the weights there is not going to be a lot in it. Ultimate Dollar was very lame after he kicked the faulty gates (before being scratched from the Daily News 2000), but he’s come on since then, there’s been enough time. His gallop was very good going into this race, although obviously the starting gates are a concern. Krambambuli might be outgunned at this stage of his career, he is still very young and immature. He definitely didn’t stay in his last race over 2400m.”

He continued, “Arniston (R8) won a very good race last time, I thought he might be a little outgunned over 1400m at Scottsville, but he was quite impressive. He will love Greyville, this track is perfectly tailored for him, and I give him a place chance. But it’s a very competitive race, there are some smart individuals, so just hoping for a good race.

Muscatt (Nkosi Hlophe)

Muscatt (Nkosi Hlophe)

Muscatt (race 10) was given a bit too much of a penalty last time so I’m just taking some weight off him with a 4kg claimer. 1000m is a basic race to ride. Divan (Neethling) has been riding the horse everyday and has a lot of confidence in the horse and himself, so I hope for a good run here.

“Heartland is doing very well, I don’t train on poly, so this is their first time on the poly. Pedigree-wise Kingvoldt should suit the poly and action-wise Heartland should suit it. Obviously there are some very fast individuals but these are two quality horses and we’re just hoping for good races. We’re hoping Heartland is a miler, but on the poly they at least go fast. I just hope he comes out of the race well and we will then save him for the summer.”

By David Thiselton

Please note that Heartland and Krambambuli have subsequently been scratched

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.

Deputy Jud (Nkosi Hlophe)

Azzie’s July string in top shape

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In form Mike Azzie’s ever professional outfit will have his Vodacom Durban July day string in tip top condition and he was bullish about a number of his nine runners on the day.

Deputy Jud (Nkosi Hlophe)

Deputy Jud (Nkosi Hlophe)

He runs Deputy Jud in the big one from draw 15 with stable jockey Corné Orffer up and said, “He is doing exceptionally well, he’s not a horse that over exerts himself in work, but his demeanour and his condition is in in top shape. I can honestly say we have never had him moving better than the way he is moving and this morning’s (Tuesday’s) work really excited me. He wasn’t near ready for the Daily News 2000 and has come on tremendously since then.”

In the Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m Azzie has a strong hand with four runners and he said, “The stable elect would definitely be Frosted Honey. Mella Maria and Meliflora have both done very well since they’ve been down here, their preps have been faultless. Had Frosted Honey not had a hiccup I would not be concerned about any horse in that field, but she did have a hiccup coming into this race and my major concern is that she might just be behind the eight ball, but her work has been phenomenal and she has come to hand beautifully. I think La Strada is a little bit out of her depth.

He continued, “Prince Of Orange (race 8) must be a big runner, he’s working very, very well, he’s got a good rider (Raymond Danielson), get him nicely placed and we see how the race unfolds. I think the horse everybody has to beat is MLJet.”

Mella Maria (Nkosi Hlophe)

Mella Maria (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rock Me Var (10th) put up some eyecatching work yesterday (Tuesday) on the beach sand and Azzie said, “He’s done very well since coming down to KZN and has taken to the polytrack like a duck to water. He’s coming from a deep draw but he’s well and we’re hoping he can continue in his winning form.”

“Isphan (11th) was forced wide early in the Post Merchants which didn’t help and he’s coming from another deep draw here, but he’s in very, very good shape and is working exceptionally well. If he can overcome that draw it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him win a race like that.”

Azzie’s contender in the last, the KZN Yearling Sale Million, is the eyecatching Var colt Hot August and he said, “He was bought and has been prepped specifically for this race, everything has been towards this day. I’m just hoping everything pans out the way we expect it to. He is a big runner. I deliberately ran him in that last night race to give him a good look at track and the lights. So, he will be familiar with his surroundings. It was all a build-up, he was well in need of the run, and has come on in leaps and bounds.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: Jackpot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 5 – estimated pool R2,1million.

Helderberg Blue (Nkosi Hlophe)

Head gear for Helderberg

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Mike Bass felt that his Vodacom Durban July contender Helderberg Blue had worked “particularly well” with first time cheek pieces in the July gallops last Thursday and Bernard Fayd’Herbe had agreed, so he was going to declare them for race day. Bass didn’t want to put blinkers on because the nervous Jet Master gelding was “too scatty”. However, a couple of jockeys, including Anton Marcus, who rode him in the Cup Trial last time out, had suggested cheek pieces in order to “maybe make him just a little bit keener.”

Helderberg Blue (Nkosi Hlophe

Helderberg Blue (Nkosi Hlophe)

Meanwhile, Hammie’s Hooker and Inara both put in good gallops on Saturday morning on the grass and Bass thought both would run good races in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m. However, if he had to stick his neck out he might side with Hammie’s Hooker as an older and stronger mare who therefore appeared to work better on the sand at home, although he added that on race day on the grass it could all change.

Equity Kicker didn’t scope too clean after his last start and Bass hoped he would run better in the eThekwini Sprint over 1000m on the polytrack. Being by Trippi he should love the poly and Bass gave him a “good chance.”

He runs Mountain Master in the Gr 3 tabGold 2200m and having run some good races over this sort of trip in Johannesburg he would have given him a good chance but for the wide draw. He had been forced to go to the front due to a wide draw when finishing fifth in the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 and the yard weren’t keen to repeat the tactic.

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: Jackpot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 5 – estimated pool R2,1million.

Hot Ticket (Liesl King)

Kannemeyer has strong July Day string

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Dean Kannemeyer has a competitive string of seven for Vodacom Durban July on Saturday at Greyville, including Hot Ticket and Power King who run in the big one.

He said, “Hot Ticket just worked over 400m at the July gallops because it’s a condition of entry, he had run a few days earlier in the Gr 2 Track And Ball Derby over 2400m at Scottsville. I don’t think the Derby was really a true race, because the first five horses varying from an 81 merit rating to 112 went to the line together. He ran a good race in the J&B Met last year finishing very strongly over 2000m and he loves Greyville, he quickens up well at Greyville. He’s doing well, but it’s a tough race, the weights are quite close up at the top.”

Hot Ticket (Liesl King)

Hot Ticket (Liesl King)

“I think Power King has had a very good prep. In his first run in the Champion Season he beat Ice Machine exceptionally well over 1400m, which is too sharp for him, and then he ran a very good race in the Betting World 1900. He looked like an unraced two-year-old under the lights, he didn’t know where he was and I thought the saddle had slipped. But he made up at least 12 lengths up the straight and got beat a neck.

“He’s nicely drawn and if all goes well in the running and it’s a clean run race and there’s a genuine pace, then with 53kg as a four-year-old you suddenly come into the race. He’s earned his stripes, it’s never an easy task but he’s doing well. Sometimes he enjoys gaps between his races and enjoys coming out fresh so I didn’t run him again after the 1900. He’s not a great worker but he’s been moving exceptionally well.”

Power King, who will be ridden by Stuart Randolph from draw seven, certainly caught the eye striding out superbly on the beach in his pacework at Summerveld yesterday (Monday). Hot Ticket, who will be ridden by Karl Neisius from draw 9, is a character who sometimes chucks it in halfway through his work and he was only mildy interested yesterday, but was striding out nicely.

Kannemeyer runs Western Winter colt Never Settle in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m from draw eight under Neisius and he said, “I think he’s a horse with lots of potential, I fancied him first time out but he missed the break and got into the kick back, so we were terribly disappointed. But we put a line through that and in his next run he still jumped slowly, it wasn’t an exceptionally strong race, but he still won exceptionally well.

Power King (Nkosi Hlophe)

Power King (Nkosi Hlophe)

“I think he’s come on, but it’s only his third run and he may just lack the experience as some of those two-year-olds are really tuned up and I don’t push my two-year-olds. But I think he has the potential to be up there with the top horses on what he shows me back home. He has galloped on the grass and used himself exceptionally well.”

Solid Speed is topweight in the Gr 2 SABC Gold Vase over 3000m, where he jumps from draw nine under Neisius and Kannemeyer said, “He had issues so I rested him in the summer but I always thought he had great potential. He hasn’t put a foot wrong. He’s gone up in the weights but he’s an improving horse. I think he will go 3000m, but the race will tell. He’s high up already and I have to take whatever I can with him, so we’re going for the Gold Vase and the Gold Cup. He is doing very well.”

Balance Sheet runs in the Gr 3 tabGold 2200 from draw three under Randolph and Kannemeyer said, “It was all wrong last time, it was a slow run race and they sprinted and he was caught wide. He’s won three over 1600m, but on pedigree he is bred to go 2400m. He’s nicely drawn, it’s a tough race, but he has bottom weight. Greyville doesn’t suit him when they go slow and sprint, but if they go a good gallop he will be competitive.”

Classy Fighter runs from draw two in race 1 over 1400m on the polytrack under Luyola Mxothwa and Kannemeyer said, “He was badly drawn last time and ran into a bit of trouble up the straight. It’s a tough race but he is nicely drawn and is always there. This is his maximum trip.

It Is Written won on Sunday and is still carded for the tabGold 2200, where he will have a chance as one that finished quite close up in both the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 and the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m.

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: Jackpot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 5 – estimated pool R2,1million.

Mr Roy (Nkosi Hlophe)

Wrights hopeful

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Alyson Wright has a fair chance of success with her small string on Vodacom Durban July day.

Western Winter colt Mr Roy runs in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m from draw 10 under Johnny Geroudis, Kochka runs in the Listed Canon Business Centre Handicap over 1600m from draw 15 under Athandiwe Mgudlwa and Mumsy’s Jet runs in the first race, a MR 83 Handicap over 1400m on the poly, from draw six under Anthony Delpech.

Mr Roy (Nkosi Hlophe)

Mr Roy (Nkosi Hlophe)

Kevin Wright said, “Mr Roy is up against it. He’s a horse I’m really fond of and I think the 1400m will suit him, I feel that maybe we’re looking at the back end of quartets but it’s hard to get into these races and we would rather have a ticket than not have one. He certainly has ability but the race will tell whether he’s just short of those top three horses.

“Kochka has a wide draw, which is unfortunate. Everybody points to him winning his Gr 1 over this distance from a wide draw but it’s not in his favour. I’ve put Athandiwe back on him, he knows him better and rides him work every morning. He came out of the last race very well, although I just think he doesn’t have the condition yet and we’re still three months away from getting him back in the shape he was as a two-year-old. But he undoubtedly still has a shout and if he was well drawn he would be the horse to beat. Last time was over 1800m and he hit the front 200m out, so the mile is right but it’s a question of how quickly he will get through them from the back and he will need a lot of luck from the back.”

“Mumsy’s Jet is so consistent. He’s working very well, we gave him a nice break, he’s being prepped for this race from six weeks ago, he’s had a nice rest, he’s fresh, he’s well and I’m sure he’s going to run a very big race.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: Jackpot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 5 – estimated pool R2,1million.

michael muis roberts trainer lk

Michael Roberts is in good spirits

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Jockey legend and now Summerveld trainer Michael Roberts has four runners and a reserve on Vodacom Durban July day, including one Gr 1 contestant.

He said about Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe runner Vous Et Var, “Unfortunately he kept on drawing wide in the races winners can run in and I think he’s going to make into a nice three-year-old, so I didn’t want run him and mess him up. He has finally cracked a good draw but it’s a tough one and if he ran in the first half I would be over the moon.”

Vous Et Var (Nkosi Hlophe)

Vous Et Var (Nkosi Hlophe)

He runs Natal and Durban Blues in the KZN Yearling Sale Million and said, “Natal won very impressively and is a smart horse. Durban Blues has been a nice filly. I would like both of them to get a slice of the cake but I would think Natal is the preference.”

He runs Spectrum mare Alina in the second, a 1400m fillies and mares handicap on the polytrack, and this is her favourite course and distance. He said, “She loves the poly and has been very consistent on it. She likes running fresh so I expect a good run from her. Unfortunately she’s not drawn the greatest but she has a lot of gate speed.”

Theseus is first reserve in the eThekwini Sprint over 1200m on the poly and he said, “He’s a decent animal and is seven to ten pounds off the top sprinters. He won well and then went a bit off but I was happy with his last run. If he gets in I will think of putting blinkers on and he will have a squeak.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: Jackpot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 5 – estimated pool R2,1million.