Vodacom Durban July third favourite Vardy was soundly beaten by his stable companion Twist Of Fate in their official Vodacom Durban July gallop on the Summerveld bottom grass track last Thursday but this was of no concern to trainer Adam Marcus.

He said, “Twist Of Fate is a very good work horse, at home there are very few horses who can beat him when paired up, and Vardy, you put him with a weak maiden and he will come out second best, so he just does what he needs to do, he saves it all for the racecourse.”

Twist Of Fate is no slouch on the racecourse too and finished third in last year’s July.

Marcus continued, “Twist Of Fate I thought put up an exceptional gallop and has come through it exceptionally well. I thought he strode out well and just the manner and the way he did the gallop I was very impressed.”

“Vardy always gallops in a laid back manner, so I was very chuffed with him, he strode out well, he’s also come through his gallop very well, so very pleased.”

“We’re going into the final week confident that their level of well-being is where we want it to be and they are looking great.” 

There looks likely to be a good pace this year and Marcus elaborated, “We always hope they are true run races. Silvano’s pride is in the race and Padre Pio also has a lot of natural speed so hopefully it’s a true run race. I hope it is not a case of just a lot of early speed to get their positions and then everyone starts putting the brakes on and easing back. If they maintain the pace throughout the race then it’s going to be a true run race and the best horse should win.”

It was put to Marcus that Vardy, who has plenty of speed and who has never raced this far before, might not want a fast pace.

He replied, “I am always of the opinion we don’t need a fast pace for Vardy but we don’t want a crawl either. He got caught out in the Grade 1 last time (Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge) where the race was actually given to Rainbow Bridge, who just dictated at his own pace and sprinted for home. So, we don’t want them to be going flat out because then it is a very testing 2200m, but if they can go a fair pace throughout that will give them every chance.”

Twist of Fate wore blinkers for the first time in his career in last year’s July and will where them on Saturday for the first time since joining the Marcus yard.

Adam said, “He’s is going to go positive. We’re fitting the blinkers on him, so I want him to be up there, obviously not to lead but just behind that early speed. He’s still a colt and he’s starting to think a little bit in his work and I just think the quarter cup blinkers should benefit him.”

The blinkers help such a horse stay focused.

The Vodacom Durban July is the one missing piece in the jigsaw for Adam and his immediate family, although the extended family have five victories, all through his record-breaking uncle Anton.

Adam elaborated, “It is the one race that has eluded my Dad, although he obviously spent the majority of his riding years overseas, so there is a space in the trophy cabinet for it.” 

By David Thiselton

Muzi Yeni and Running Brave led the field a merry dance and caused a major upset when making all the running in the KwaZulu-Natal Breeders Mile at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Friendless in the market and starting at 18-1, Yeni had no hesitation in sending Paul Matchett’s filly to the front from the jump. Midway through the race, it all looked to be panning out as expected with favourites Nexus and dual Fillies Guineas winner Mississippi Burning both well placed and within striking distance turning for home.

However, when all came off the bridle, Running Brave still had plenty of gas in the tank and try as they may, Nexus and Mississippi Burning were not able to peg back the deficit and indeed, made no impression on the winner over the final furlong.

It was the complete opposite in the Track & Ball Oaks, the race switched from Hollywoodbets Scottsville last week after a jockey protest and the meeting abandoned. The Robbie Hill-trained rank outsider Moon In June, 49-1 with the books and R52.70 on the tote, lobbed along at the rear as the field travelled for home at a leisurely pace.

Things only got serious approaching the final turn and Craig Zackey asked his mount her first serious question. The answer was positive as Moon In June swung wide off the rail and getting a dream split, she quickened through the middle of the field.

Kelpie and Ballet Shoes got first run but Moon In June was not to be denied even with Kelpie lugging in and forcing her off a straight line.

Favourite Chitengo was compromised by the pedestrian early pace and was unable to go with them in the sprint for the wire and finished a modest fourth.

For Pick 6 punters it was back to the drawing boards for another stab come Vodacom Durban July day with the Michael Roberts-trained Ad Altisima the only favourite obliging. Serino Moodley, who has his first VDJ ride aboard Padre Pio for Dennis Bosch in the big one, had Ad Altisima out quickly looking for a lead which he never surrendered and Ad Altisima was pulling away from his rivals when they hit the line. From that opening leg, it all went pear-shaped for the Pick 6.

By Andrew Harrison

Tote betting on the Vodacom Durban July meeting opens in KwaZulu-Natal today, Monday, July 20. This gives punters ample time to work out and place their bets before the big raceday on Saturday, July 25.

There are also some massive tote carryovers on the day with R2 million already in the Pick 6 pool with the final pool expected to top R15 million.

There is also a quartet carryover of R1 million on the Vodacom Durban July its self with that pool expected to top R15 million.

There are a host of other carryovers on the day giving punters a chance to win big.

Race 2: BiPot Leg 1 – R100,000 carryover; likely pool R750,000.

Race 3: PA Leg 1 – likely pool R2 million.

Race 4: Pick 6 MEGAPOOL Leg 1 – R2 million carryover; likely pool R15 million.

Race 5: Jackpot ONE Leg 1 – R200,000 carryover; likely pool R2 million.

Race 7: Quartet MAXIPOOL – R1,000,000 carryover; likely pool R15 million.

Race 7: Jackpot TWO Leg 1 – likely pool R1 million.

Race 9: Trifecta – R100,000 carryover; likely pool R1 million.

Race 10: Jackpot Quickmix 2 – R25,000 carryover; likely pool R100,000.

Punters get a further opportunity on the Vodacom Durban July with the tote paying six places.

Punters are reminded that all tote and bookmaker outlets are now open to the pubic so that even those without on-line betting accounts will be able to place their bets.

With social distancing now the norm, punters are advised to get their bets on early to avoid long queues or to open a TABgold account that will afford the luxury of betting from home or on your mobile phone. Hollywoodbets Greyville is off limits for the general public on raceday with only essential staff allowed on course but all the action can be viewed live on DStv channels 204 and 210 starting at 1pm and Tellytrack on channel 239. The Vodacom Durban July is off at 3.10pm.

Justin Snaith has a strong quintet of runners in this year’s Vodacom Durban July and is bullish about his chances of winning the big race for the fifth time.  

He said, “My horses are all very well and it is going to take some very good horses to beat them. They are primed and ready and whoever beats us can be proud they have a superstar.”

Do It Again last year became the sixth horse in history to win the July twice and will be the fifth horse to attempt the treble. He has had a below par season but Snaith said the ulcer problem which led to his poor eating habits during the Cape Summer season had been treated and cured. He added that his whole string had not enjoyed a good Cape season, which was another point which gave hope that the big Twice Over gelding would be back to his best on July day. A bonus to his chances is that his underperformances have led to a two point drop in his merit rating, meaning he receives half-a-kilogram from Rainbow Bridge, whom he beat last year by 0,40 lengths when giving away half-a-kilogram. He also receives half-a-kilogram from the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Vardy. Do It Again was asked to do the most of Snaith’s runners at the July Gallops at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday and he showed off his both his huge stride and speed, recording the fastest 400m to finish time.

He was able to out-sprint Rainbow Bridge to the line last year in a slow run race and also pulverised the field the previous year, also in a slow run race. However, Snaith said actually wanting a slow pace would go against everything they had ever thought of the horse and believed he would prefer a fast pace. This year he would almost certainly want a fast pace with the presence of Vardy as the latter also has plenty of speed and a possible stamina doubt too. Snaith said Do It Again had needed his run in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, his first race after a holiday at Drakenstein Stud. He was only beaten a length and Snaith elaborated, “You could see he just got tired in the last bit and he won’t be getting tired next Saturday.” Anton Marcus aboard is another tick in Do It Again’s box and a draw of 18 should not be too much of a problem as he is versatile in running style. 

The filly Silvano’s Pride will ensure a fast pace according to Snaith. He said, “She only knows one way to race and that is to go flat out, she has no brakes and good luck to anybody who catches her. That is the way she races and we’re not going to change anything. She is very well at home.” Her draw of 15 augurs well as she will have a free passage to get to the front. Silvano’s Pride put in a solid gallop on Wednesday under Sereno Moodley, who becomes the second member of the passionate Indian racing community to ride in the July after Ronald Singh, who rode the Herman Brown-trained Heads to 12th place in 1992.

Belgarion is the joint July favourite with Rainbow Bridge and could well be the best handicapped horse in the race. He is officially half-a-kilogram under sufferance carrying 53kg off a 119 merit rating but his merit rating is capped. The conditions of the WSB 1900, which he won by a comfortable three lengths, state that the winner can be given a maximum of six points. He would have been given more had the handicappers been allowed to. Belgarion glided effortlessly across the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf on Wednesday and Snaith said, “He is so ready, he couldn’t even blow out a candle after today’s workout. I would be interested to see his 800m to finish time because he did it in literally a canter if you see his recovery. Everything has gone to plan and Richard (Fourie) is super excited, maybe too confident but that’s Richard. Horses don’t win Julys, jockeys win July so I’m very happy I’ve got the right guys on. We’ve meticulously programmed him to carry 53kg. He’s way under-handicapped. He won’t be carrying 53kg in next year’s July and he’s certainly not a horse who should be carrying 53.” Belgarion likes to stride out so draw 17 behind a strong pace should be alright, although he could be at risk of being caught wide.

Bunker Hunt also produced an effortless workout on Wednesday and Snaith said, “I thought it was phenomenal. Swift Surprise (his companion) is a proper galloper and at home is a very good line horse and quite frankly Bunker Hunt looked quite impressive. In my honest opinion Bunker Hunt would have won the Gold Challenge in that slow run race like he did in the Drill Hall but he would have been given full penalties and kicked himself out of a chance here. He carries 55kg and if Belgarion is theoretically the best weighted horse I think Bunker Hunt is second best. He is a huge runner. I think the race being run behind closed doors brings a horse like him into contention because normally on a race day he gets a little bit heated up.” Grant van Niekerk rides from draw 14.    

Miyabi Gold does not have the smoothest of actions in front but Snaith was pleased with her gallop on Wednesday and pointed out that she was a horse who never ran a bad race. He added he had not given her much hard work before her last impressive win in the Listed East Coast Handicap, so she should have come on plenty from it. She finished fifth last year and being by Silvano should have improved. She is officially 1,5kg under sufferance so is likely not quite good enough to win but can place again. Keagan de Melo rides and she jumps from the same number four barrier position as last year.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith watched all five of his Vodacom Durban July horses galloping from the trackside on Wednesday morning and was visibly impressed by the quality of the turf surface, which has a luscious covering of green grass.

He walked over to Hollywoodbets Greyville’s assistant track manager Kevin Searle who was standing nearby and offered his congratulations adding that this was the best he had ever seen the track for the July gallops.

Track manager Kurt Grunewald explained that during lockdown he and Kevin and their team had continued to maintain the track and were particularly meticulous about going into winter on the back of a strong conditioning and fertilizing program.

He explained that in summer regrowth is rapid so the track can recover quickly from a pounding.

However, he added due to one of the first proper winters KZN had experienced in a while regrowth at present was virtually down to zero.

Going in with a strong foundation has thus proved vital and the results were there to be seen yesterday. 

The recent gaps in the racing program have also helped.

Durban is also known for its relatively warm winter climate so the grass stays green unlike other parts of the province where it has quickly turned brown. 

There are only three more turf races before July day, the KZN Breeders Million Mile, the postponed Track & Ball Oaks and a Maiden event, all to be run this Sunday, so fans can look forward to good and fair racing on the big day.

By David Thiselton