Muzi Yeni showed on Sunday that any cobwebs brought on by his two enforced layoffs this season had been cleaned out as he rode a pearler on Running Brave in the KZN Breeders Mile and he goes into the Vodacom Durban July full of confidence having landed the ride on the highest rated three-year-old in the country, Got The Greenlight.

Two of Joey Soma’s handful of career Grade 1 winners have been ridden by Yeni, Happy Landing in the Champions Challenge in 2011 and Lobo’s Legend in the SA Classic in 2018.

Yeni added, “And that is with not too many rides for him.”

In normal circumstances there are enough points of comparison between the three-year-olds and older horses by this time of the year. However, there is little to go on this year as a result of lockdown, so it is difficult to know exactly how good Got The Greenlight is.

Some pundits are disparaging about the current three-year-old crop and according to the official merit ratings, Got The Greenlight is 3kg under sufferance. However, one point that perhaps sets him apart is that old adage “you can only win”. Furthermore, he showed in both the SA Classic and Daily News 2000 that he is one of those sorts who takes his foot off the pedal after hitting the front, so he could well be better than the official results are showing.

Yeni said, “I think he’s got a great turn of foot but he obviously has a short run in, so you have to time it right, you can’t go too soon on him. But the July is packed with horses and I’m sure he will have a lot of horses to run down or to chase. I’m just hoping from my draw (13) I can find a decent position from which I won’t be giving him too much to do. There is always going to be a debate about the three-year-olds versus the older horses but he has won three Group 1s, let’s take nothing away from him. He is definitely a massive runner. He’s got a nice weight receiving 7kg from Rainbow Bridge and Vardy and 6,5kg from Do It Again, so that should give us a bit of an edge being a three-year-old. It’s still a tough contest, but if I am able to get a good position I am sure we should fight out the finish.”

The question of pace can never be answered until the race itself, although with the like of Silvano’s Pride and Padre Pio in the field most pundits are expecting it to be good this year.

A good pace will aid Got The Greenlight in two ways: Firstly, it will give him a better chance of slotting in from his tricky draw as the field should then become strung out; Secondly, his run in the SA Derby over the tough Turffontein 2400m, when running out of steam in the final few metres, suggested that the Hollywoodbets Greyville 2200m should be well within his stamina capacity and a fast pace will maximise that asset.

Yeni concluded, “I’m going in with confidence and hopefully I will get a bit of luck in running as well.” 

Yeni’s best finishes in the July have been third, fourth, fifth and sixth respectively and he revealed he had been unlucky on one or two occasions too. 

By David Thiselton

It is the silly season in which Vodacom Durban July rumours abound and one of them this year had it that It’s My Turn was on the cusp of being scratched.

Trainer Dean Kannemeyer scotched the rumour on Sunday, saying it was nonsense, and reminiscing said, “I remember in 2003 a well known media man phoning me and saying ‘What happened?!’ I replied ‘What do you mean?’ and he said ‘Dynasty is scratched!’ I replied, ‘Well he seemed to be fine when I saw him five minutes ago.”’

It’s My Turn finished second in the Grade 3 Track And Ball Derby on July 11 and Kannemeyer said, “He took the run exceptionally well and pulled up sound. I was very pleased with the run, his second run back after almost two years off. I have just been cantering him this week and on Monday I will probably work him with something on the beach sand so he can just enjoy himself because he’s a fit horse. I’ve allowed the racing to get him to where I want him to be. All is good for the July. It’s a tough race but it’s like any other race, it’s tough, but he’s doing well.”

The now seven-year-old Dynasty gelding finished fourth in the July as a three-year-old and eighth the following year. 

Kannemeyer said, “It is remarkable he has come back after what he has been through. Originally he had issues and came to me and was rested and I then brought him back and he became the champion stayer of the country. But then I took him back to Cape Town and he strained a tendon so I rested him again and he’s come back and is in the July.”  

The yard have three other runners on the day including Delta Queen in the Grade 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m.  

Kannemeyer said, “Her performances have been good since she’s been in KZN but I think she is still running just below her very best. I think she is better than her last two runs in which she jumped a little awkwardly both times. Var puts a lot of speed into her but she is bred to go ground on her female side, her mother went over 2000m, but the race will tell whether she stays. She’s doing well and if she runs to her true ability, i.e. that which she shows at home, and she stays 1400m then she should be competitive.”

African Warrior runs in the Non-Black Type Compendium Insurance Brokers eThekwini Sprint over 1200m and Kannemeyer said, “As a three-year-old he ran one fair race in his comeback in the Matchem Stakes. He’s doing well and he looks well but the kick he had as a two-year-old hasn’t really been there, so I’m hoping he bounces back to himself.” 

The yard run Liberty Hall in the Listed Hollywoodbets Thukela Handicap over 1600m and he said, “He is a one-time winner, he is probably the worst handicapped horse in the country. As a two-year-old he ran second to horses who are running in the July so I’m hoping he puts his best foot forward but if you look at that rating (101) as a one-time winner its tough, sometimes if you expose a horse too early they punish you.” 

By David Thiselton

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.