In the end the Vodacom Durban July final field selection panellists had a fairly straight forward task, although there might still be one or two grumbles from disappointed connections and punters.

Daily News third-placed Horizon being made reserve and the Gr 3 Jubilee winner Coral Fever also not making the final 18 were the only decisions which could be considered contentious.

Horizon (Liesl King)

However, Horizon had little chance of winning the race on paper on known form with Edict Of Nantes and Al Sahem and his trainer Candice Bass-Robinson had already spoken of the Grade 1 Champions Cup being a more suitable race for him, so the connections are unlikely to be too upset.

Coral Fever won the Jubilee off a merit rating of 89 and beat a horse who was 0.5kg under sufferance, so it was not difficult to punch holes in that form.

The favourite Edict Of Nantes drew barrier position 13.

His nearest market rival Al Sahem received a rousing cheer when he drew pole position, but it is questionable whether this is a good draw these days. There have been a few slow run Julys recently, so being handy has become preferable and a horse drawn in pole might have to be used up to a certain extent to hold position.

Piere Strydom’s last two July wins have been on horses drawn 20, so he is unlikely to be too unhappy about his mount It’s My Turn’s draw of 17.

Last year’s winner The Conglomerate drew low in three. Trainer Joey Ramsden has made a habit of landing outside draws in the July and when his turn came there were only two numbers left for The Conglomerate, three and twenty. On this occasion he phoned Mayfair Speculators Racing manager Derek Brugman for help and between them, after much deliberation, they got the draw they probably preferred.

Last year’s runner up Marinaresco was the first horse to be drawn and his part-owner Marsh Shirtliff drew nine, a lot better than his draw of 17 last year.

However, he has drifted out to 10/1 in the betting and two horses above him in the market, Elusive Silva and Black Arthur, drew a wide 15 and a favourable eight respectively.

Durban couple Roy and Gladys Meaker had their first July runner way back in the 1970 and Gladys drew barrier ten for their supplementary entry this year, Mr Winsome.

By David Thiselton