Hat-trick seeking Do It Again tops the initial log for the 2020 Vodacom Durban July which will be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 25 July 2020. Apart from Do It Again, all of Rainbow Bridge, Vardy, Soqrat and Hawwaam boast an official rating of 130+ and these occupy the next four positions on the log which was issued by Gold Circle today. A total of 52 entries were received at the first stage and the log identifies the top 20 with the next five listed in alphabetical order. With a number of critically important features due to be run over the next few weeks, the log could be subject to significant change and will be updated during the first week of July.
Three year olds Golden Ducat and Gotthegreenlight have cemented
their places in the Vodacom Durban July line-up courtesy of their respective
victories in the Cape Derby and SA Classic.
Glen Kotzen saddled two fillies in the in the World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas on Sunday, June 7 with both running forward races. Follow The Star finished fourth and Point of Sale fifth finishing alongside her stable companion.
Mississippi Burning, trained by Adam Marcus, showed her class when flying through on the inside to open her winning account in KZN and a Grade 2 under the belt.
Follow the Star was hampered when making her run and had to check as her stable companion ran across her and she had to switch drastically, by this time the race was over as a contest for the pair.
Kotzen said, “they are both top fillies and will come on from their runs. Follow The Star will be aimed at the Woolavington 2000 (Grade 1) over 2000m and Point Of Sale The Tibouchina (Grade 2) over 1400m.” Point Of Sale got going too late but has a powerful finish that will make her a strong contender in the Tibouchina Stakes.
Follow The Star has a stout pedigree being out of a Galileo mare that should see her excelling over the longer trip in the Woolavington 2000 which is scheduled June 28 at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Jockey Stuart Randolf said, “She gave me such a good feel, in the race I was tracking the winner Mississippi Burning and as she started to get going I had to check. She managed to find her feet and started to get going again which is a good sign because usually when horses get bumped like that they don’t pick up again so easily, but she was tremendous. We would have run a lot closer if we had a trouble-free run however, she will be suited to the 2000m in the Woolavington.
“I’m excited and have my fingers crossed hoping to ride her again”.
The second running of the Klawervlei Farm Sale Graduate Race at Kenilworth next Tuesday accounts for R225 000 (over 40%) of the day’s R545 000 stakes.
The feature race’s prize money is that stated in the catalogue for the Klawervlei Farm Sale 12 months ago but breeders have taken such a hammering (and many are fearing more of the same at the coming sales) that nobody would have blamed the stud for slashing the stakes.
John Koster, whose big breeding operation has topped the national log in four of the last six seasons, is to be admired for sticking to Plan A and the stud has been rewarded with a field of 14.
The Glen Kotzen-trained Tanzanite Queen, beaten only a neck on debut when Cape Town racing resumed last week, could well start favourite. She will be ridden by Aldo Domeyer who won last year’s race on the Sean Tarry-trained Rock The Globe.
The Vaal Classic track stages a competitive nine race meeting today with the highlight being a Mr 102 handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m.Paul Peter is still on cloud nine after Summer Pudding landed the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara on Saturday and another three-year-old filly, Fly Away, can put him back in the winner’s enclosure in the aforementioned race.
The Mike de Kock-trained Battleoftrafalgar has a chance in the last race of the day.
This filly has speed and a good action and loves it when the ground is on top, which was not the case in her last start after some seasonal rain. She will get the fast ground she is looking for today and can beat Green Plains, who has recently bounced back to something close to the classy speedster she once was. Mademoiselle is in good form and has a sustained finish so should be in the shake up too.
Those three have been chosen to get punters through the Pick 6 and Jackpot and Fly Away has been made a Place Accumulator banker. However, the risk averse could also consider including three others who are capable of winning on their day in both the Pick 6 and Jackpot. They are All Of Me, Nawaasi and Winter Watch.
FORMGUIDES
R1 Preview: SINGLE RED ROSE (3) has plenty of pace and has been knocking on the door. INCOGNITO (1) improved to finish a narrow second to a fair sort last time over 1200m and showed pace. TIME HAS COME (8) was not disgraced last time over this trip and can improve again. (David Thiselton 3-1-8) R2 Preview: THUMBS UP (12) finished just 2,40 lengths behind the classy Erik The Red in the last of three good runs in Cape Town. ACCOMPLISHED (1) showed speed in both starts over 800m late last year. VALYRIAN KING (10) was disappointing last time but went too fast and with a more conservative ride will be right there. (David Thiselton 12-1-10)
R3 Preview: ABERDARE (1) is a full sister to the Grade 1 winner as a Juvenile, Forest Indigo. FEAROFMISSINGOUT (5) is a full sister to the twice Grade 1 third-placed Like A Panther. CELESTIAL LOVE (2) is by What A Winter out of a half sister to the Grade 3-winning stayer Balance Sheet. (David Thiselton 1-5-2) R4 Preview: PACIFIC WINTER (7) showed good pace when just failing over this trip last November. ABIA (9) returns to the trip of her promising debut after disappointing over 1200m. WOODLAND MAGIC (1) is also dropping back to the trip of his two best runs. (David Thiselton 7-9-1)
R5 Preview: THEREVADA (7) showed promise early in his career and now off a merit rating which has dropped to competitive 69 he has Lerena up from pole position over a suitable trip. WAQAAS (6) is ideally distance suited but has a tricky draw to overcome. STRADA STATALE (8) will be dangerous if able to get to the front from a wide draw under a 1,5kg claimer. (David Thiselton 7-6-8)
R6 Preview: KAPAMA (9) has come into her own and can make it two wins from her last three starts over this suitable trip. TYRUS EXPRESS (4) has been in good form and will run well fresh over this trip. WHIPPING BOY (2) is distance suited and well drawn with a 4kg claimer up off a merit rating which has dropped to a competitive level. (David Thiselton 9-4-2)
R7 Preview: FLY AWAY (1) will relish the fast ground after having to contend with ground that was not on top last time. GREEN PLAINS (2) has bounced back to form and should be right there. MADEMOISELLE (8) is also in good form and this speedster should be staying on strongly. (David Thiselton 1-2-8)
R8 Preview: RAINBOW HAZE (3) has struck as one with plenty of scope and could have benefited from the layoff. OCEAN CITY (4) has plenty of pace and will be a threat on the expected fast ground. HERSTEL (8) ran well in his only start after his debut win and can improve again. (David Thiselton 3-4-8)
R9 Preview: GALACTIC WARRIOR (9) is speedy and consistent. BATTLEOFTRAFALGAR (8) has the ability to go close. ICE EATER (11) also has a form chance. (David Thiselton 9-8-11)
Place Accumulator: (R108) Leg 1: 1,5,2 Leg 2: 7 Leg 3: 7,6 Leg 4: 9,4,2 Leg 5: 1 Leg 6: 3,4 Leg 7: 9,8,11
Pick 6: (R2835) Leg 1: 7,9,1 Leg 2: 7,6,8,1,9,11,5 Leg 3: 9,4,2,8,1 Leg 4: 1,2,8 Leg 5: 3,4,8 Leg 6: 9,8,11
Jackpot: (R315) Leg 1: 7,6,8,1,9,11,5 Leg 2: 9,4,2,8,1 Leg 3: 1,2,8 Leg 4: 3,4,8
Apprentice Kyle Strydom, nephew of champion jockey Piere Strydom, continued in the family tradition when winning on only his second ride in the professional ranks at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
Riding the gelding Transonic for Dennis Bosch in the last race of the day, Strydom got home comfortably to make a cracking start to his career in the saddle.
A ‘long drink of water’ as the English would say, the tall and thin 18-year-old has a racing pedigree with multiple SA champion jockey, Piere and trainer uncle Jacques Strydom sons of veteran Port Elizabeth trainer Hekkie Strydom.
Belgarion, third favourite for the Vodacom Durban July with
most bookmakers and already backed from 9-1 to 7.5-1 this week with Track And
Ball, runs next in the World Sports Betting 1900 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on
Saturday week. The four-year-old is hot favourite, 13-10 with the sponsors
and 1.35-1 with Track And Ball.
Belgarion, son of the 2003 July winner Dynasty, has been
laid out for the July since his last run when he won the Glorious Goodwood
Peninsula Handicap at Kenilworth five months ago – and in all probability for a
great deal longer than that.
Belgarion (Liesl King)
Justin Snaith, now bidding for his fifth July win, has been
guarding the gelding’s merit rating as if it is part of the stable’s crown
jewels – and in a way it is. Snaith told me after the Peninsula victory:
“Belgarion has a huge future come the Natal season. The previous time I ran him
– when he won the Settlers at Durbanville in September- he got a sharp rise in
the weights and I had to put him away. Had I not done so he would have gone up
the ratings too quickly.
“That’s why I am not going to run him again in Cape Town
this season. He is a horse who will run well in the July but not if he is at
level weights with the best ones.”
Belgarion, only beaten twice in seven starts, pleased his
trainer in that racecourse gallop with Do It Again at Greyville last Sunday: “I
was very happy- I thought both of them galloped nicely.”
Do It Again runs in the Gold Challenge on June 28 and, if all goes well, he could attempt to become the first horse in history to win the July three times. Belgarion, though, is the one of more immediate interest.
Furthermore the 1900 has often proved significant in the build-up
to the July. Last year’s winner Eyes Wide Open went on to finish fourth in the
big one and the 2018 victor Elusive Silva was third. The 2015 and 2016 July
winners both ran in the 1900, Power King finishing second and The Conglomerate
fourth.
Mike
and Adam Azzie will be targeting the Grade 2 Camellia Stakes over 1160m on
Champions Day for their promising filly Wylie Wench and are looking forward to
the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint too after Rivarine bounced back to his best at
the Vaal yesterday.
Wylie Wench, who has only had four starts, made it three 1450m wins in a row last week with a comfortable victory in a MR 92 handicap for fillies and mares at the Vaal.
Wylie Wench (JC Photographics)
The
Azzies gave her a test of speed recently by working her with Rivarine and Mike
said, “She did exceptionally well.”
She
has also shown speed in her 1450m races and is of course from the family of
Azzie’s great sprinter National Currency.
Azzie
scratched her from the Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas, run at Greyville on Sunday,
because she drew wide but she might still appear in Durban this season as he
would like to see her in a race at the Vodacom Durban July meeting.
That
race might be the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m.
Azzie
said, “The Garden Province will be a big ask right now but she is getting
better and better. Next year it will definitely be the right race for
her.”
Six-year-old
Var gelding Rivarine, who is out of Pocket Power’s J&B Met-winning
full-sister River Jetez, has on occasion threatened to become a top class
sprinter but has largely been disappointing. A Grade 3 and a Listed win are his
best achievements.
However,
on Monday he beat some good horses, including Grade 1 winners Chimichuri Run
and Might High, when finishing a 2,5 length second to Mr Flood over 1000m.
Azzie
said, “He enjoyed the break and we have now got on top of a few niggles he
had.”
He
added, “But Mr Flood is going to be a tough nut to crack in the
Computaform Sprint.”
Indeed, Lucky Houdalakis looks to possibly have another rags-to-riches superstar on his hands.
Out Of
Your League lived up to his name on Saturday when causing a 45/1 upset in the
Grade 1 SA Derby and although the win gives him an automatic entry into the
Vodacom Durban July trainer Fabian Habib did not entertain any thought of an
entry.
He
confirmed the July would be too sharp for him and added, “He will even go
3200m. He is a young horse so the Gold Cup this season might be too early in
his career but we will make a decision closer to the time.”
Habib
knew Out Of Your League would fight back on Saturday when appearing to have
been swamped close to home after setting the pace.
He
said, “He is the sort of horse who looks for company. In an earlier race
over 2400m he was overtaken and fought back to be beaten a short-head. He is an
out and out stayer.”
Habib
was brought up in racing and at the National Two-year-old Sale one day went and
watched the horses having their afternoon walks. He spotted Out Of Your League
and recalled, “He just had this presence about him.”
He
secured him for R130,000.
Out
Of Your League has a fine staying pedigree being by SA Derby and Daily News
2000 winner Elusive Fort out of an unraced mare (by stamina influence Del
Sarto) who was a half-sister to the useful Listed winner Buscador.
Hollywoodbets Scottsville
Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison
Race 1
12 TRICKSTER 8 MRS PLAYER 5 QUEEN ISABELLA 9 SCENTED MISTRESS Preview: Mostly first timers but Cape visitor TRICKSTER (12) can improve on her Kenilworth debut effort. MRS PLAYER (8) was a touch disappointing on debut but did find some market support. QUEEN ISABELLA (5) has been rested since her smart barrier trial and should come on from that. SCENTED MISTRESS (9) is a nicely bred visitor and one to watch in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 12-8-5-9).
Race 2
10 KEEP THE LIGHTS ON 6 MY LADY 9 SHADES OF RED 3 EYE CATCHING. Preview: KEEP THE LIGHTS ON (10) was well supported on debut and was narrowly beaten. That experience should tell. MY LADY (6) made a fair debut over coursed and distance and can improve on that showing. SHADES OF RED (9) improv3ed nicely at her second barrier trial. EYE CATCHING (3) made a modest Cape debut but should come on from that effort. (Andrew Harrison: 10-6-9-3).
Race 3
6 SAN ANDREAS 8 VAR’S ELUSION 10 HARDWIRED 11 CAPTAIN OUPIE Preview: SAN ANDREAS (6) showed up well in his barrier trial and is likely to come on well from that. VAR’S ELUSION (8) has put in two smart efforts on this course and should run another bold race. HARDWIRED (10) showed up well in his first run back from a break and has done well on this course. CAPTAIN OUPIE (11) showed up well at long odds in his Cape debut and has a chance on that showing. (Andrew Harrison: 6-8-10-11).
Race 4
1 ASTUTE VISION 2 TWICEASFAST 8 TO DO RON RON 12 CHANEL ALLURE Preview: ASTUTE VISION (1) has shown promise and has improved in blinkers. She should go well again. TWICEASFAST (2) showed up well in her barrier trial and is one to watch in the betting. TO DO RON RON (8) failed narrowly last time out. She has improved in blinkers. CHANEL ALLURE (12) looks held by To Do Ron Ron on their last meeting but has gone close over course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-8-12).
Race 5
4 RED ROCK CANYON 1 DONALD MCDONALD 6 LORD OF THE MANOR 11 POWER TO COMMAND Preview: RED ROCK CANYON (4) shows some useful Cape form over the trip. He has improved in blinkers and should go close. DONALD MCDONALD (1) showed up well on debut. He should much prefer this trip and has the best of the draw. LORD OF THE MANOR (6) caught the eye when running on well in a recent sprint. He should prefer this trip. POWER TO COMMAND (11) has been trying further but can run fresh over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-6-11).
Race 6
9 ON THE DOUBLE 5 PERFECT AIR 6 ELECTRIC SURGE 2 DOWN TO EARTH Preview: ON THE DOUBLE (9) goes well over course and distance. She has drawn a little wide but should go well again. PERFECT AIR (5) won her last start in the Cape. She may prefer it a bit further but can race fresh over this shorter trip. ELECTRIC SURGE (6) is much better than her last run when taking on males. She had smart form in useful company before that. DOWN TO EARTH (2) won well first up out of the maidens. She has jumped in the ratings but does show some promise. (Andrew Harrison: 9-5-6-2).
Race 7
5 TWIST OF FATE 10 AZORES 8 BORN TO PERFORM 6 GG’S DYNASTY Preview: TWIST OF FATE (5) has smart form in top company. He is well weighted here and at best should be hard to beat. AZORES (10) has promising Cape form. He jumps in class here but has a light weight. BORN TO PERFORM (8) is always game and won well last time out. GG’S DYNASTY (9) has smart form at this course and should be close-up. (Andrew Harrison: 5-10-8-9).
Race 8
3 SKIDOO 1 WINTER BLUES 11 YESSIRICANBOOGIE 10 CANDY GALORE Preview: Open. SKIDOO (3) has smart Cape form over the trip. He must have a strong chance. WINTER BLUES (1) is always game and goes well on this course. YESSIRICANBOOGIE (11) showed top class potential as a juvenile. She was narrowly beaten last run but does have a big weight. CANDY GALORE (10) was an easy winner over course and distance last time out. She meets stronger here but is smart on her day. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-11-10).
Race 9
8 KINGSTON ROCK 4 SPEED OF NIGHT 5 MAI TAI 12 LETABA Preview: KINGSTON ROCK (6) has been knocking at the door for some time now but he goes well over this trip and with a claiming apprentice up should go close. SPEED OF NIGHT (4) shed his maiden last run but has shown potential. The blinkers go on. MAI TAI (5) is a useful filly. She has improved in cheek pieces and goes well this trip. LETABA (12) tried further last run but seems best over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-5-12).
Race 10
3 ROCKCLIFFE 5 JUSTAGUYTHING 2 STORMY MISS 7 RETAIL THERAPY Preview: ROCKCLIFFE (3) is way better than his last start. He has done well to stronger and at best should go close. JUSTAGUYTHING (5) is back over his preferred trip and a repeat of his last run can see him into the money. STORMY MISS (2) took on a strong field first up out of the maidens. She is lightly raced and can still improve. RETAIL THERAPY (7) shed her maiden last run but has made steady recent improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-2-7).
