The first Vodacom Durban July log was out yesterday and some will claim that it contained one or two surprises while others will be happy. But as usual it is sure to draw a lot of discussion.
The recent Gr 1 winners are packed at the top of the log and include the three most fancied runners Majmu, Futura and Wylie Hall.
Legal Eagle will attempt to become the third SA Derby winner this century to win the July and is the highest placed three-year-old male on the log in fifth, one behind the highest placed three-year-old filly Majmu. There are six three-year-old fillies in the top 20 on the log, which must be a record, although it is not surprising as this could be the best three-year-old fillies crop ever seen in the country.
Three-year-old The Conglomerate was an impressive winner of the KRA Guineas last Saturday and not only was his merit rating raised to 108, but he has joined last year’s July winner Legislate on a price of 8/1 in the betting. He is one of five three-year-old males in the top 20 and finds himself in position 13, one behind the oldest horse in the top 20, the seven-year-old gelding Gold Onyx, who is known as a Greyville specialist. Gold Onyx has a history of being omitted from the July at the eleventh hour, but might now finally get his first chance to run in the big race since finishing a 2,65 length seventh in 2012.
The Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge was the only race in South Africa to make it onto the IFHA’s recent top 100 races in the world list, but the winner of this race last year, the 113 merit rated-King Of Pain, finds himself outside of the top 20 too. He finished a 1,75 length second to the log number one Futura in last season’s Gr 1 Champions Cup over 1800m despite carrying joint topweight, so the grounds for his omission from the top 20 can only have to do with his relative inactivity since then, having had only two more runs, including a lacklustre performance in the Gr 2 Drill Hall Stakes over1400m on Saturday.
Another possible surprise is the omission of the Joey Soma-trained Athina from the top 20 as she flew up for a head second in the prestigious Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes over 1800m. The reason might be that her only performance against the boys in a Gr 1 saw her well beaten in the SANSUI Summer Cup.
The twice-placed Triple Tiara bridesmaid Trophy Wife, who also finished runner up to Majmu in the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes, is not in the top 25, which could be counted as another surprise considering she comes from a vintage crop, whereas Deputy Jud, coming from a relatively disappointing crop of male three-year-olds, finds himself in position 15 on the log after Triple Crown third and second-place finishes. The reason could be that Deputy Jud has proved his stamina reserves by finishing runner up in the SA Derby.
– By David Thiselton
Picture: Wylie Hall (Nkosi Hlophe)
