What the connections had to say after the 2017 Vodacom Durban July draw:
[1] MARINARESCO
Assistance trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe: Marinaresco is doing well at home, his work has been good and all is very much on song,” said Fayd’Herbe, Candice Bass- Robinson’s KZN assistant.
Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson: “Nine is a perfect draw for Marinaresco. He has to be given a chance and half to three-quarters the way back is where he needs to be ridden.”
Jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe: “I have still to study what is around me but I am happy enough with nine – it’s certainly better than ten and upwards.”
[2] FRENCH NAVY – comments to follow
[3] MASTER SABINA
Trainer Justin Snaith: Doing well. As a two-time Summer Cup winner I think he is well weighted on 57.5kg. He’ll run his race. Don’t worry about the draw. All can change in a matter of seconds.
[4] BRAZUCA – comments to follow
[5] KRAMBAMBULI
Trainer Justin Snaith: Has not come off the bit in his last two wins. I know it was against weaker but he has done nothing wrong. It will not be easy at the weights and he will need a pace. I think he will tuck in at the back of the field to save energy and look for a strong finish.
[6] SARATOGA DANCER
Trainer Duncan Howells: His last run was a bit disappointing but all that is now behind him. His work is very good and is back to his normal, honest self.
[7] THE CONGLOMERATE
Trainer Joey Ramsden: I was very happy with his last run. He ran a good race without hammering him. He’s in good order. Anton (Marcus) thought about riding him but eventually stuck to the other horse (Edict Of Nantes).
[8] IT’S MY TURN
Trainer Justin Snaith: Nicely in (at the weights). I purposely missed the Gold Challenge because we didn’t want any more penalties. He needed the Betting Word 1900 badly but is doing good work at home. His biggest asset is Piere Strydom. He’s the right guy for a big race.
[9] TEN GUN SALUTE
Trainer Duncan Howells: Has come through the Betting World 1900 very well and has recovered from his back problem. He is doing very well.
[10] NIGHTINGALE
Assistance trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe: “I am very happy with Nightingale. She is doing very well at home and has had a nice prep. She is coming well at the right time.
[11] BLACK ARTHUR
Trainer Justin Snaith: Have aimed him specifically for the July. He’s the horse to beat. He’s a huge runner off 54.5kg. Horses run for Grant van Niekerk and he can ride him confidently. Of the older horses he’s the right horse. There are lots of big races in the winter season but really this is the race we all want to win and you have to sneak into the race off the best weight that you can.
Jockey Grant van Niekerk: Drawn 11 and 17 on close-seconds Smanjemanje and Marinaresco, said of Black Arthur’s eight draw: “I am very happy. Thank you Justin Snaith!”
[12] EDICT OF NANTES
Trainer Brett Crawford: My stable is in top form at the moment and I am very happy with my horses. Edict has come through his last run like he never had a run – he is very well.
[13] AL SAHEM – comments to follow
[14] MR WINSOME
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer: I’m very happy with his 1900 performance. That’s what made me think of supplementing him for the July. He is well weighted and is a tough, sound and consistent horse. I won this race two years ago with Power King off a similar weight so I don’t think that he’s without a chance.
[15] ELUSIVE SILVA
Trainer Justin Snaith: He’s beautifully weighted and is a 2200m plus horse. He missed the Cape summer because of injury and off 53kg he is a huge runner. All my horses are well in at the weights.
[16] PAGODA
Trainer Geoff Woodruff: Was all at sea at Greyville when having his first run here but is bound to improve from the outing. Off a low weight should run well with Al Sahem – if he (Al Sahem) has a chance, so should Pagoda.
[17] TILBURY FORT
Jockey Greg Cheyne: Was satisfied with Tilbury Fort’s 11 slot, saying: “He will come in one when the reserves come out and I started from ten when I won on Big City Life in 2009.”
[18] SAFE HARBOUR – comments to follow
[19 – Reserve] HORIZON
Assistance trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe: Doing well, had three runs here in KZN – he is fit and well and all is going well with him. Hopefully he gets in, if he does, he will be a big runner at the weights.
[20 – Reserve] NEBULA
Trainer Brett Crawford: Is fit and well but unlikely to run. Not sure where we go from here. We still have to decide.
