David Thiselton

THE VODACOM DURBAN JULY result proved that the gap between the merit ratings of the top weights and the ultimate chief protagonists is too wide and the handicapper is going to have a problem narrowing it.

The Cape Town Met first three Rainbow Bridge, Belgarion and Sovereign Spirit ran close to the relative form of that 2000m weight for age (wfa) event. Rainbow Bridge and Belgarion also ran quite close to their relative form in last year’s July.

However, they were beaten more than five lengths by Kommetdieding, who on wfa terms beat Linebacker by half-a-length and Got The Greenlight by 0,70 lengths.

This suggests that unless the Met can be considered a weak race the first three in the July were too lowly rated.

What adds to this reading of the race is the performance of Do It Again.

Despite being very unlucky he was beaten only 1,75 lengths carrying 57,5kg off a merit rating of 129.

Considering the bad luck he proved himself every inch up to 129 and perhaps better. 

Therefore the handicappers appear to have two options; 

1) to rate the race highly.

2) to rate it lowly while giving the top weights significant decreases in merit rating.

Handicapping guru Jay August summed it up, “The problem is that Rainbow Bridge has become detached from a proper handicap rating, and any horse who runs against him at wfa becomes similarly detached – this year’s July proved this adequately. While Rainbow Bridge remains in form at wfa level his rating is unlikely to reduce and any horse that races close up against him at wfa is then attracted into that higher level relative to those horses who bypass  such challenge.”

David Thiselton

KEAGAN DE MELO will have to be nicknamed the “knockout kid” after scoring the third Grade 1 of his career on the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained 75/1 shot Zarina in the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes on Saturday, the same race in which he scored his first Grade 1 win last year on the 40-1 shot Temple Grafin.

Respective meeting bankers War Of Athena and Celtic Sea were among the vanquished in those two races and both results caused massive Pick 6 knockouts.

However, the new darling of the South African turf War Of Athena was gallant in defeat and her close third would have clinched her the Equus Champion Three-year-old filly award as she had fellow twice Grade 1 winner, Captain’s Ransom, beaten by three lengths. Furthermore, she was just a short-head behind the perennial brides-maid Princess Calla, whom she had beaten by 2,10 lengths over her probable best trip of 2000m in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.

War Of Athena showed in defeat just how huge her heart is and has to be considered unlucky as she was blocked off from her trusty pacemaker Only The Brave by Captain’s Ransom in front of her and Princess Calla outside of her. 

Captain’s Ransom did he opposite of what the connections’ pre-race comments had suggested by rushing forward from the off.

Perhaps they had predicted a slow pace but as it happened War Of Athena from pole position did not hang around and, furthermore, Caya Coco made a bee-line for the front from draw eight with Princess Calla from draw nine on her quarters.

Captain’s Ransom thus had to do a lot of work to get around the field. 

Meanwhile, Only The Brave’s intention was clear from the off and from her wide draw of 14 she galloped to the front and set fast fractions.    

Caya Coco was behind her and Captain’s Ransom then managed to slot in behind Caya Coco and in front of War Of Athena. 

Richard Fourie then gave Captain’s Ransom a breather and a gap of about three or four lengths opened between Caya Coco in second and Captain’s Ransom in third.

Muzi Yeni on War Of Athena could not shift outward as Princess Calla was sitting alongside his mount.

Princess Calla was thus able to enter the straight with plenty of momentum while War Of Athena continued to be blocked by Captain’s Ransom.

By the time War Of Athena got going down the inside she had a couple of lengths to make up on Princess Calla who was galloping strongly down the centre.

Captain’s Ransom was a spent force by the 200m mark.

Meanwhile, Keagan de Melo had settled Zarina perfectly from the off, finding a one wide position with cover in the back half of the field from draw five. 

One race earlier in the Vodacom Durban July on the Bass-Robinson-trained Supreme Sovereign De Melo lost his position rounding the Drill Hall when appearing to be forced outward by an incident and he was trapped wide thereafter.   

It was a different story in the Garden Province and De Melo entered the straight with plenty of horse beneath him.

Zarina crept forward and, after ducking outward to avoid a shifting Zimbaba, she began to make telling inroads.

The final 100 metres were thrilling.

Princess Calla was out in front and looked the winner.

War Of Athena was closing but not quickly enough.

However.  Zarina then joined her and the courageous little filly responded by finding hidden reserves.

Meanwhile, a desperate Lyle Hewitson was attempting to throw Princess Calla across the line.

They went across the line as one and the photo finish showed the Zarina to have got there by a hair’s breadth. 

Zarina’s groom Zanekhaya Mahesi received a R5,000 reward from Jonsson Workwear and Bass-Robinson and De Melo both received the same reward.    

The famous Bass yard had once again left a big racemeeting with a Grade 1 trophy. 

Zarina, a three-year-old filly by Master Of My Fate, was bred by Oldlands Stud and is owned by Marsh Shirtliff, Ian Longmore and Bryn Ressell.

She has won five of her ten starts and was generous odds considering the Bass yard’s reputation for bringing young horses on slowly but surely. 

Candice said one could hardly have expected Zarina to beat the two chief protagonists War Of Athena and Capain’s Ransom, considering their form, but her becoming a Grade 1 winner had not surprised her.  

Andrew Harrison

VODACOM DURBAN JULY day marks the sharp end of the season where reputations can be made, confirmed or consigned to the dustbin of history. The preceding eleven months are a dress rehearsal for the last ones standing in the final month of the season and the annual Equus Awards on the line.

This year’s crop of three-year-old males is a vintage one but it has also been a year marked by a lack of quality among the older ranks, especially in the middle distance category.

Rainbow Bridge, Got The Greenlight and Do It Again stand out but they have had their moments. In Saturday’s showpiece at Hollywoodbets Greyville there were hard luck stories for both Do It Again and Got The Greenlight but Rainbow Bridge just didn’t fire.

Gavin Lerena showed all his skills on VDJ winner Kommetdieding and literally scupper the chances of Do It Again recording a record third win in the race. Lerena rode shotgun throughout and when it came to the business end, he had Do It Again stitched up in a pocket.

Whether Do It Again could have won is a moot point, but his chances were compromised by some smart race riding from Lerena.

Joey Soma is never one to bleat in the second, or as on Saturday, the third box, conceding that Got The Greenlight was beaten fair square in third place but he thought that many of the jockeys may have anticipated a stronger pace than they got.

“That led to a concertina effect and some horses suffered. But the ifs don’t matter. Nothing changes the result. We all went in with our eyes open, we knew it’s a tough race and agonising with post-mortems are not going to change the result,” he told Sporting Post.

Triple Crown winner Malmoos ducked the July battle after a tough season and it was left to the two best sophomores to fight it out. Linebacker had twice got the better of Kommetdieding in the WSB Guineas and the Daily News 2000 and although he won those races with authority, Kommetdieding did not enjoy the best of passages in either contest.

The roles were reversed on Saturday with Kommetdieding getting a dream passage and Linebacker having to thread his way through traffic. Arguably a little unlucky but that’s racing and the result is in the record book.

As for Rainbow Bridge, Luke Ferraris looked to have ridden the perfect race even though the big gelding was a little keen in the early stages, but he emptied out quickly in the straight, finishing five lengths back to the winner. On the evidence of Saturday’s race and his previous July showings it may be conclusive that he does not quite see out eleven furlongs.

Rainbow Bridge, Do It Again and Got The Greenlight may well have a deciding battle in the Gr1 Champion Stakes over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the final Saturday of the current season, a race that could be further spiced if Kommetdieding, Linebacker and Rascallion accept the challenge.

The much-anticipated match-up between War Of Athena and Captains Ransom in the Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes did not play out as expected. Captains Ransom did not come to the party and War Of Athena had to be content with third, although she galloped her heart out, beaten two short-heads by 75-1 outsider Zarina and Princess Calla, the result having to be decided by the judges.

Captains Ransom got first run on War Of Athena and looked to be going great guns, but she soon emptied out with War Of Athena battling up the inside with Princess Calla looming large. But just when it looked to be a two-horse affair, Zarina came roaring out of the pack making it a three-way duel to the line.

Zarina had previously won the Gr3 Prix du Cap but proved no match for Captains Ransom in their three other encounters or in deed her other meetings with second-placed Princess Calla.

War Of Athena was far from disgraced, beaten two short-heads, the spark that launches her usual gun for the line missing and instead she grinded it out on pure guts. Paul Matchett’s charge has entertained all season and deserves a lengthy break.

Most impressive winner on the day and one who shot her hand up for Equus honours like little Johnny at the back of the class was Desert Miracle. Money came in torrents for Mike de Kock’s filly who started deep in the red for the Gr2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper and it was money on the mark as she left her opposition for dead streaking clear to win by the best part of eight lengths.

De Kock indicated that she is a filly lengths better around a turn and you won’t be getting rich if she takes her chances over a mile in the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes on Gold Cup day even if she draws in Marriott Road.

In contrast to the finish of the Golden Slipper, the Gr2 Durban Horseshoe was a cavalry charge for the line with Keagen De Melo blasting through on the inside to snatch victory aboard Waterberry Lane for Dean Kannemeyer and staunch owners Mike and Norma Rattray.

Kannemeyer has the smart Cosmic Highway in his yard and he may be eyeing the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Juvenile Stakes come the last Saturday in July.

Andrew Harrison

PUNTERS face a tricky card at Hollywoodbets Greyville this afternoon but a little homework could prove highly profitable.

In the first, a maiden sprint over 1000m Varistocracy made an eye-catching debut against older horses and if he can build on that he should prove difficult to beat and could get punters off to a profitable start. Danger could be Royal Virtue who has improved with each outing although he has been rested and takes to the poly for the first time. He meets little of note.

In the second, a maiden over 1200m, Quenanza has shown recent improvement although her last run was possibly a touch too far and she can do better this shorter trip. Princess Sabrina made sudden improvement second time out on the poly for her new stable and can build on that. The surprise package could be Space Oddity who caught the eye when chased up from a wide draw in her debut for her new stable and with blinkers on could surprise.

The third is a maiden over 1400m where Double Edge looks the part. He made a smart debut and is sure to come on from that effort from a favourable draw. Of the balance, Diedi has improved at recent outings and steps up in trip. He has shown form on the poly track. Guy Fox finished in front of Double Edge when last they met but he has already had nine starts and the experience can see Double Edge turn the tables.

In the fourth, a maiden over a mile, is loaded with horses of modest ability however, Papillon was touched off over further last run and could prove more effective over this shorter trip. Hiroshima has shown some recent improvement and although a wide draw is a concern she can still go close with and in-form Muzi Yeni aboard. Embarras de riches was a touch unlucky last run and she has done well on the poly. Ruby Sky switches to the poly and has shown some ability.

In the fifth, a lowly fillies and mare handicap, almost the entire field is in with a chance. However, Panna Cotta caught the eye first time out for her new stable and although she has drawn a touch wide the drop in trip should suit. Royal Kitty has also drawn wide but has useful form over course and distance and a claiming apprentice should help. Flower Season caught the eye in her first run for a new stable and can do better here.

The sixth is another wide open handicap. Perfectly Putt has not been far back at recent outings and with a 4kg claimer up he carries 48kg which will make him very dangerous. Coup De Tete needed his last run and is lightly raced but he had shown some promise in PE. Land Of Mystery has been rested and has his first run for a new stable. This may be a touch short and he may need the run but is one to watch.

The seventh is a 1400m handicap and Gold Season ran way below best in the soft last time out. Prior to that he was touched off over course and distance and the poly appears to be his forte. Montana Sky goes very well over course and distance and his last run over a mile when favourite may have been just too far. Straight Six was a recent maiden winner from a wide draw. He is lightly raced, shown steady improvement and can follow up.

Sofia Erin has been rested and changed stables but ran a cracker on the poly last time out. She should still be competitive in an open handicap. Is the likely favourite but returns from a lengthy break. She had useful form in good company before that. Although she may need the run, she meets modest opposition. Harper’s Dream has not been far back at recent outings and goes well on the synthetic surface while Arctic Princess is way better than her last two. She has a difficult draw but with some luck in running can win it and should not be left out of any calculations.

The last is another handicap lucky packet. Fly The Coup is lightly raced but his best recent effort has been on the poly. He takes a big drop in class. Leslies Pathtofame has been runner-up at his last two. He goes well on the poly and can score another win. Justaguything has come to hand of late and should go close in this line-up while Winter Waves is a lot better than his last effort. He showed up well in his penultimate start behind the highly thought of Ashford Castle and a repeat of that effort will see him in the money.

RACE 1: 2 VARISTOCRACY   5 ROYAL VIRTUE   1 SERENA SLAM   10 DAWN RAIDER

Preview: VARISTOCRACY (2) made an eye-catching debut against older horses. If he can build on that he should prove difficult to beat. ROYAL VIRTUE (5) has improved with each outing. He has been rested and takes to the poly for the first time but meets little of note. SERENA SLAM (1) takes on males but showed up well over course and distance last run and can finish in the money again. DAWN RAIDER (10) does seem a little better than his last run and can earn a cheque. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-1-10).

RACE 2: 7 QUENANZA   2 PRINCESS SABRINA   12 TRENADORA   8 SPACE ODDITY

Preview: Keep an eye on the betting on the first timers. QUENANZA (7) has shown recent improvement. Last run possibly a touch too far and can do better this shorter trip. PRINCESS SABRINA (2) made sudden improvement second time out on the poly for her new stable. She can build on that. TRENADORA (12) has the worst of the draw but caught the eye last run and does not have much to beat here. SPACE ODDITY (8) caught the eye when chased up from a wide draw. Blinkers on and can do better. (Andrew Harrison: 7-2-12-8).

RACE 3: 3 DOUBLE EDGE   2 DIEDI   5 GUY FOX   7 LUCRETIUS

Preview: DOUBLE EDGE (3) made a smart debut and is sure to come on from that effort from a favourable draw. DIEDI (2) has improved at recent outings and steps up in trip. He has shown form on the poly track. GUY FOX (5) finished in front of Double Edge when last they met but he has already had nine starts. LUCRETIUS (7) was not far back on debut in yielding going. He is sure to have come on with the experience. ANCIENT STATE (10) can do better than his last run.  (Andrew Harrison: (3-2-5-7).

RACE 4: 1 PAPILLON   12 HIROSHIMA   3 EMBARRAS DE RICHES   5 RUBY SKY

  Preview: PAPILLON (1) was touched off over further last run. She is down in trip but meets modest opposition. HIROSHIMA (12) has shown some recent improvement. A wide draw is a concern but she can still go close with and in form Muzi Yeni aboard. EMBARRAS DE RICHES (3) was a touch unlucky last run. She has done well on the poly and has a strong winning chance. RUBY SKY (5) has shown some ability and switches to the poly. (Andrew Harrison: 1-12-3-5).

RACE 5: 9 PANNA COTTA   11 ROYAL KITTY   4 HOT MONEY   5 FLOWER SEASON

Preview: PANNA COTTA (9) caught the eye first time out for her new stable. She has drawn a touch wide but the drop in trip should suit. ROYAL KITTY (11) has drawn wide but has useful form over course and distance. Claiming apprentice should help. HOT MONEY (4) has come good of late and can follow up on her last win. FLOWER SEASON (5) caught the eye in her first run for a new stable and can do better here. (Andrew Harrison: 9-11-4-5).

RACE 6: 9 PERFECTLY PUTT   5 COUP DE TETE   1 LAND OF MYSTERY

Preview: PERFECTLY PUTT (9) has not been far back at recent outings. With a 4kg claimer up he carries 48kg which will make him very dangerous. COUP DE TETE (5) needed his last run. Lightly raced he had shown some promise in PE. LAND OF MYSTERY (1) has been rested and has his first run for a new stable. This may be a touch short and he may need the run but one to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 3-9-5-1).

RACE 7: 5 GOLD SEASON   4 MONTANA SKY   10 STRAIGHT SIX   11 TWO OF US

Preview: GOLD SEASON (5) ran way below best n the soft last start. Prior to that he was touched off over course and distance and the poly appears to be his forte. MONTANA SKY (4) goes very well over course and distance. Last run over a mile when favourite may have been just too far. STRAIGHT SIX (10) was a recent maiden winner from a wide draw. Lightly raced, he has shown steady improvement and can follow up. TWO OF US (11) has been in good form of late, Wide draw a concern and a rise in the handicap. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-10-11).

RACE 8: 1 SOFIA ERIN   4 SILVER DAZZLE   2 HARPER’S DREAM   11 ARCTIC PRINCESS

Preview: SOFIA ERIN (1) ran a cracker on the poly last time out. Has her first run for a new stable but should still be competitive in an open handicap. SILVER DAZZLE (4) returns from a lengthy break but had useful form in good company before that. She may need the run but meets modest opposition. HARPER’S DREAM (2) has not been far back at recent outings and goes well on the synthetic surface. ARCTIC PRINCESS (11) is way better than her last two. Difficult draw but with some luck in running can win it. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-2-11).

RACE 9: 1 FLY THE COUP   6 LESLIES PATHTOFAME   3 JUSTAGUYTHING   9 WINTER WAVES

Preview: FLY THE COUP (1) is lightly raced but his best recent effort has been on the poly. He takes a big drop in class. LESLIES PATHTOFAME (6) has been runner-up at his last two. He goes well on the poly and can and another win. JUSTAGUYTHING (3) has come to hand of late and should go close in this line-up. WINTER WAVES (9) is a lot better than his last effort. He showed up well in his penultimate start behind the highly thought of Ashford Castle and a repeat of that effort will see him close again. (Andrew Harrison: 1-6-3-9).

Andrew Harrison

Copper Mountain is among the top three-year-olds in the country and he should take some beating when he lines up in the KZN Breeders Mile at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. All the races on the card are restricted to KZN-bred horses and Copper Mountain should prove the best of them on the day.

After running Got The Greenlight close in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, much was expected of him going into the Daily News 2000 where he was up against the cream of the western Cape contingent that included eventual winner Linebacker, Rascallion and Kommetdieding.

However, things did not pan out as Gavin Lerena had to battle a slipped saddle from a wide draw and Copper Mountain was still only beaten four lengths.

He has now had the benefit of a spin on the course and with a handy galloping weight should be the horse to beat.

Sean Tarry is a staunch supporter of KZN-bred horses, and has an enviable record on this day. He saddles the most obvious danger in fellow three-year-old Willow Express. A son of the former Tarry-trained Willow Magic, the grey has been in mustard form of late winning back-to-back over 1400m and then going down a neck to stable companion Tree Tambo over a mile, caught close home.

Of the older brigade Chijmes has been racing in strong feature company of late and takes a drop in class while seven-year-old Rouge Allure is a game old campaigner who found her best form last outing and can finish in the money.

Tarry can get his afternoon off on a winning note as he saddles Miss Magician in the first. The daughter of Willow Magic progressed steadily from her debut to score a bloodless victory last time out.

Tarry also saddles Voltron, also a winner last time out, but a bigger threat could come from Ashley Fortune’s runner Aunty Lizzy who was a well-supported winner on debut, showing plenty of guts to hold onto her lead.

In the second, Sikhulu made a smart debut and from a pole position draw and experience under his girth he should come on from that effort. Not Your Call started at long odds last run but did improve on his debut effort and the form of that race has worked out well. Lady Tiptree takes on males but has improved with every outing and should be competitive while Desert Crusader improved in blinkers when taking on older horses last start.

Winter Smoke lumps joint top weight in the third but she has been competitive in smart feature company. She is quick and this surface should suit. Duwabi Princess, another daughter of Willow Magic trained by Tarry, is way better than her last effort. Her form before that was consistent and from a good draw, she should go close. Umzinduzi has been trying further but her best form has been on the poly and she has the benefit of a good draw while Stella Act was in a work riders’ race last run and may just have needed the outing.

Ishnana is a couple of lengths better at Hollywoodbets Scottsville but has done well on this course. He is on the poly but should be right up there in the fourth. The well-named Royal Wulff has been flying of late and bids for a fifth straight win. He makes his poly debut but Khumalo has jumped ship which is a concern. Spiritofthegroove is a filly who has seemingly lost her way. However, she is smart when things go right and she takes a big drop in ratings with blinkers back on. Hard To Play showed up well from a tough draw on the turf last run. He has a better draw here and is dropping in the ratings.

Tupelo Honey is due a change of fortune when he contests the fifth. She has been knocking at the door for some time now and was a beaten favourite at her last two. She gets a change of pilot which could make a difference and the form of her last race has been franked. She faces a small but competitive field where and of Admire Me, Run April Run and Wishful Girl Linn are all in with a shout.

In the sixth, Against The Grain has his third run after a break and has improved with each outing. The blinkers go on over his optimum trip. Prince Of Taranto has shown up well in two post maiden efforts and now tries blinkers while Captain Who has the worst of the draw but has caught the eye in two starts for his new stable. Likely favourite is Caliente who is something of a course and distance specialist. He gives weight all round but loves this surface.

The last is wide open. Truly Wicked has been up against stronger of late and was close-up over course and distance last time out. He is on his favoured surface. Irish Wonder Girl boasts useful Highveld form in good company. She has been on the poly and comes from a smart Highveld yard. Have A Go Jo is another Tarry runner and is way better than his last effort. He has some useful Highveld form to back his claims. Winter Time takes on males but has been in good form and the form of her last race has been franked although she does take on much stronger and Tiger Tank is another to consider.

David Thiselton

There are plenty of decent horses running in the nine-race meeting at Turffontein Standside today.

The highest rated race is the fifth, a MR 104 Handicap over 1600m. Sean Tarry has three of the six runners and the progressive Ndlamu could follow up on his fluent win last time when stepped up to this trip for the first time. Rock The Globe is off a competitive mark at the moment so might be the chief threat and the 1400m specialist Putontheredlight has to be respected from pole position.

The eighth is a fillies and mares MR 93 handicap over 1400m and the Alec Laird-trained Spice Market will try and score a quick double over course and distance. This front-running Flower Alley filly was run out of it in her penultimate start over 1450m but the gelding that beat her by two lengths, The Contractor, has gone on to win his next two starts.

Last time against her own gender in a Pinnacle Stakes event she couldn’t be caught and romped in by 3,75 lengths under 4kg claimer Mfanelo Zuma. The latter is aboard again and she is not going to be easy to catch. Lee Express ran on well to win over 1400m last time and this filly is lightly raced so the best has probably not been seen of her yet. She has a chance from pole position carrying just 52.5kg.

Chloris chased her home last time to finish third, beaten just 1,50 lengths, and has her third run after a layoff so can go close. The wide draw should not bother her as she came from last in the aforementioned race. The topweight All Of Me is a decent ten-time winner and stays this trip but does have to deal with a seven-point raise for her recent win over 1200m and she has to lug 63.5kg so it will be tough despite a good draw of three. Ululate disappointed last time in a Listed race over 1600m but she was a bit keen early when being asked to overcome a wide draw and will be a threat here from a fair draw. 

The seventh race is a MR 90 handicap over 2000m and the admirable seven-year-old Zeal And Zest could be the one to side with. He is drawn in pole which will suit him ideally as he enjoys leading and his last start over this trip, when finishing just half-a-length behind Vodacom Durban July contender Johnny Hero, reads well. Trend Master was stepped up to a middle distance for the first time in over a year last time and won by a quarter of a length from Reunion, who romped home by 5,30 lengths next time out.

Three other winners also came out of Trend Master’s race so he has a fine chance here despite having been raised five points. Irish Wonder Girl proved her liking for this trip last time when taking off late to get up and she is just three points higher and has a good draw. Category Four is capable of running on if ridden well i.e. ensuring he is covered even if that means dropping him out to the back.

Topweight Tyrus Express is capable of winning a race like this too but on collateral form looks to have a hard task with Trend Master.  

The sixth is an interesting Progress Plate over 1600m and the talented Nartjie could bounce back. He is drawn three under Luke Ferraris and his record over this trip reads an easy win, albeit in the maidens, and a narrow second to Tree Tumbo. He should be cherry-ripe and the first-time cheekpieces might help over this shorter trip too. Sound of Summer has only had three starts for two wins and is on the up so might be the chief threat from draw two. Gee For Go won the Grade 3 Fillies Mile over this course and distance so has obvious ability. However, she was beaten 1,80 lengths by Nartjie last time they met over this trip and is only half-a-kilogram better off and she has a wide draw too. Ecstatic Green showed a good turn of foot when proving she stays 1450m a couple of runs ago but she has to now prove she stays this trip. Promiseofamaster is the joint best weighted but has issues and this is the second time he returns from a long layoff, this time of over a year.   

In the first race Mufasa looks talented and could follow up on his easy debut win.

Paul Peter could then make it a double in the second with Bathing Beauty who caught the eye in her winning debut in March, although Warren Kennedy is interestingly aboard Freed From Desire.

A third win for Do It Again in the Vodacom Durban July this year will make history. A second consecutive win for Belgarion will place him in the company of only five other horses to achieve that. More records this year? #VDJ2021

David Thiselton

Eric Sands was unaware the Vodacom Durban July final field announcement and draw ceremony was being televised live yesterday and was surprised to learn, while driving back home from town in Cape Town, that his stalwart Rainbow Bridge had drawn in pole position, one lower than his draw of two last year. He said, “It didn’t pan out well for us last year but I would rather be drawn in one than 18. We will be employing different tactics, he has a rider aboard who has a lot of confidence and lastly he will be very well on the day.” The gaps between Rainbow Bridge’s three SA Champions Season programmed races, the Grade 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes, the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and the Vodacom Durban July, has been an unusual six weeks and three weeks this season as opposed to a normal five weeks and four weeks. Therefore, Sands left a little bit of condition on him for the Gold Challenge, where he recorded his third win in succession. He said, “I left a little bit more condition on him than normal in case he ran badly in the Gold Challenge, because I would then have needed something to work with to get him ready for the July. It was not a lot more condition than normal, I would say it was just an extra 4kg or 5kg.”   Rainbow Bridge went handy last year, tracking his stable companion Golden Ducat, and in fact covered the first 2000m of the race in a faster time than the Hollywoodbets Greyville 2000m course record set by London News in the 1996 Daily News 2000, so he went palpably too fast. Sands took responsibility for the tactical error and said afterwards,  “I outwitted myself a little bit really…” He went on to explain he had anticipated the chief Snaith trio of Belgarion, Do It Again and Bunker Hunt coming across from their wide draws and believed he would thus be trapped on the rail. Consequently, he had asked the jockeys to move off the rail in the first 400m. Luke Ferraris has reverted to the hold up tactics Rainbow Bridge was known for in the early days of his career and this has brought the best out of the star Ideal World gelding. At the age of six he has never been in better form and is the front-runner for the Equus Horse Of The Year Award. Rainbow Bridge’s pole position July draw might pan out well this year as the known front-runners Shah Akbar and Crown Towers are drawn low in three and five respectively which means Ferraris can possibly afford to sit still from the off and be in a potentially nice position for free.

David Thiselton

Piere Strydom, sidelined with a semi-detached retina, will not be back in time to fulfil one of his remaining ambitions in a star-studded career, i.e to ride in the Vodacom Durban July one last time and he is also eleven short of his ultimate target of 5500 winners.   He said, “I have shelved my plans to retire at the end of this season because I had wanted to travel around the country riding and also wanted to ride in one more July.” Strydom will thus be back to ride in next year’s Vodacom Durban July where he will be bidding to join Anton Marcus on a record five winners of the country’s biggest race. He will also enjoy himself travelling around the country riding and whittling down the eleven more winners he needs to reach his 5500 goal. Strydom’s first July winner was on the Alec Laird-trained London News in 1996 and he followed with wins on the the Mike Bass-trained Trademark in 2001, the Sean Tarry-trained Pomodoro in 2012 and the Joey Ramsden-trained The Conglomerate in 2016.
Trademark was well dawn in two but all of the others were widely drawn. London News was drawn 14 and led from pillar to post and both Pomodoro and The Conglomerate were drawn 20 out of 20. On both of the latter occasions Strydom managed to get his mounts into handy positions.  His ride on The Conglomerate will always be viewed as one of the great rides in the history of the big race as he managed to slot him into a one wide and two back position from that wide draw and then stole a march on the main protagonists at the top of the straight. His ride on London News was equally great as he took him into the lead going around the Drill Hall and skipped clear coming off the false rail, timing it to perfection, as the challengers from all sides just failed to catch him. Strydom has taken a few knocks in his time in the saddle which might have contributed to his current eye condition.  He is currently still experiencing the symptoms of the retinal tear, which includes lightning-like flashes in the corner of his eye. The retina has to be rested until the tear has settled and repaired and the length of time it takes varies from person to person.