Three classic winners and the defending Champion Stayer feature in the main event of the 3^rd meeting. It is an open race, with numerous runners capable of taking the honours.

Baritone switched yards during the off-season. He has been well-prepared for his seasonal debut and can make it. Table Bay represents the winning trainer of last Saturday’s Duchess Of York Cup and is expected to be right up there, while others to follow in this 1500 metre contest include Alshibaa, Opera Royal and King’s County

In what is a very welcome move, this Saturday sees the return of all the owners, whose names are in the race card.

Race 1

#6 CHESTER’S WISH made up some ground to finish 3^rd last time out. With a run under his belt, he can do even better this time round. #5 Seven Carat made it all the way last Saturday. He can justify his trainer’s decision to enter him once again. #9 Valerin was an impressive winner in his last start. He runs well fresh and having drawn perfectly, he can go close. #2 Hit The Green has benefited greatly from his seasonal debut. He can make his presence felt.

1. #6 Chester’s Wish

2. #5 Seven Carat

3. #9 Valerin

4. #2 Hit The Green

Race 2

#1 BLACK INDY caught the eye in his seasonal debut. He is down in class and will appreciate running over longer. He jumps from draw 1 and is tipped to mount a bold bid. #2 Mr Green Street scored a last gasp win in his previous showing. He is capable of confirming. #9 Man From Seattle makes his return to competition in good form, and can be thereabouts, while #4 Carlton Heights and #3 All Aboard are worthy of consideration for the lower placings.

1. #1 Black Indy

2. #2 Mr Green Street

3. #9 Man From Seattle

4. #4 Carlton Heights

Race 3

#3 MARAUDING won both of his two races last season. His last win was simply mind blowing. Well-trained, he is primed to seal his hat-trick. His nearest danger is #1 Apollo Star, who will relish running in this class. #2 It Doesn’t Matter is an inconsistent performer, but with his yard bang on form, he is worth a thought. #5 The Right Stuff looks the likeliest to crack the quartet.

1. #3 Marauding

2. #1 Apollo Star

3. #2 It Doesn’t Matter

4. #5 The Right Stuff

Race 4

#8 VISION OF TRUST has come out very well from his seasonal debut. He can earn Praveen Nagadoo’s yard a precious win here. #3 Candy Apple made a direct visit to the winner’s enclosure on his debut. He has a good chance of doubling the score. #2 Varside has been well-prepared for his return to competition. He always gives his best and is worthy of consideration. Debutant #10 Trojan Winter is a promising sort and as he represents the in-form Simon Jones stable, he must be watched very closely.

1. #8 Vision Of Trust

2. #3 Candy Apple

3. #2 Varside

4. #10 Trojan Winter

Race 5

#4 PATROL OFFICER ended his debut season with three consecutive wins. Well-trained and breaking from the ace, he can continue his winning streak. #1 Viking Trail is always thereabouts and can go very close. #3 From The Ashes has shown up well in his workouts and if he can replicate this in the real thing, he won’t be very far away. #6 Lemon Drop Shot is a promising newcomer and it is worth keeping an eye on him.

1. #4 Patrol Officer

2. #1 Viking Trail

3. #3 From The Ashes

4. #6 Lemon Drop Shot

Race 6

Since setting foot in Mauritius, #1 VIRTUE has performed genuinely. In excellent shape and form, he sets the standard. #7 Trippi’s Express, newcomer at Rameshwar Gujadhur stable, has shown a lot of promise. He can rattle the favourite. #5 Afdeek never runs a bad race and on his best form, he is very hard to beat. His stable mate #2 Ideal Secret will relish running in this class and can make his presence felt.

1. #1 Virtue

2. #7 Trippi’s Express

3. #5 Afdeek

4. #2 Ideal Secret

Race 7

#2 BARITONE has settled very well since being taken on by Patrick Merven. In good nick, he can mount a bold bid. #4 Table Bay represents the winning trainer of last Saturday’s Duchess Of York Cup. Heruns very well fresh and merits the greatest of respect. #1 Opera Royal returns after his fantastic 2019 campaign. A genuine sort, he is entitled to go close. #5 Alshibaa has drawn excellently and on his current form, he is worthy of consideration, while #7 King’s County looks to be the sole frontrunner, and merits a mention.

1. #2 Baritone

2. #4 Table Bay

3. #1 Opera Royal

4. #5 Alshibaa

Race 8

#3 MR HARDY refused to take part when last seen. He has come out very well from the long break and with his stable bang on form, he can rebound in style. #9 Volatile Energy went from gun to tape last Saturday. He has been entered again, a decision which must be respected. #2 Well Connected has come out well from his recent start. A class dropper, he can be bang in the shake-up. #6 Sand Path got the better of a certain Northern Spy in his last start. He is not prevented from doubling the score.

1. #3 Mr Hardy

2. #9 Volatile Energy

3. #2 Well Connected

4. #6 Sand Path

Race 9

Winner from start to finish last Saturday, #4 VERY VARY has been entered again. He has once again drawn excellently and will be a very tough nut to crack. #2 Poinciana is a promising newcomer. He once competed against the likes of Eden Roc and African Warrior. He can start his Mauritian career on a winning note. #8 Pick Eight Captain, another debutant, has worked well, and with his fellow newcomers at the same stable having made an impression, he must not be overlooked. #1 Minnesota Dream represents the in-form Gilbert Rousset yard and can show up at the first time of asking.

1. #4 Very Vary

2. #2 Poinciana

3. #8 Pick Eight Captain

4. #1 Minnesota Dream

BEST BET OF THE DAY:

MARAUDING (Race 3)

This Gujadhur stable-trained gelding starts his second season in Mauritius, after making quite an impression in 2019. His first win was straight forward, while his second win was simply impressive, coming from the back to steal it at the very death. Back from the very long break, he has steadily progressed in training and showed complete satisfaction in his barrier trial in midweek. High expectations have been placed on him for this season and he can start his campaign in the same manner as he ended the last.

VALUE BET OF THE DAY

VISION OF TRUST (Race 4)

This Praveen Nagadoo-trained runner makes his second start of the season. He was not disgraced in the inaugural meeting, completing the quartet after following very close to the pace. He has benefited from that run and looks to be in better shape and form. He breaks from a good-looking draw and as he is a horse that has won when leading, he has the ability to make it all the way.

The latest Vodacom Durban July log was out today and the inevitable contentious decision or two in the borderline area will have tongues wagging.

For example, Lady Of Steel, whose only defeat in six starts was when running third to the Triple Tiara heroine Summer Pudding in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000, finds herself outside of the top 18, while Eyes Wide Open, who is yet to make the frame in six starts this season is relatively safe in position 16. However, Eyes Wide Open has proved his July credentials, running a 1,95 length fourth in the big race last year. He has recently been gelded, so is expected to run well in his next start, and can then put any debate to rest.

There are not many other points to debate but there could be in the days to come as the like of Divine Odyssey, Nexus, Roy’s Riviera and others try to force their way in with good runs in the remaining “qualifying” events.

Meanwhile, the only supplementary entry on Monday, the Mike de Kock Queen Supreme, was a surprise scratching today.

The July log is listed below.

VODACOM DURBAN JULY (Grade 1)
R 1,500,000  2200m
WFA: 3yrs-2.0kgs
1	RAINBOW BRIDGE	(5G)	134	Eric Sands
2	VARDY	(4G)	134	Adam Marcus
3	DO IT AGAIN	(5G)	133	Justin Snaith
4	HAWWAAM	(4C)	134	Mike de Kock
5	SOQRAT (AUS)	(4C)	132	Mike de Kock
6	GOT THE GREENLIGHT	(3C)	118	Joe Soma
7	GOLDEN DUCAT	(3G)	115	Eric Sands
8	TWIST OF FATE	(4C)	127	Adam Marcus
9	BUNKER HUNT	(4G)	124	Justin Snaith
10	BELGARION	(4G)	119	Justin Snaith
11	SHANGO	(3C)	116	Sean Tarry
12	PADRE PIO	(3G)	115	Dennis Bosch
13	SNAPSCAN	(4F)	118	Glen Kotzen
14	SILVANO’S PRIDE	(4F)	118	Justin Snaith
15	TIERRA DEL FUEGO	(4C)	124	Sean Tarry
16	EYES WIDE OPEN	(5G)	115	Glen Kotzen
17	CAMPHORATUS	(5M)	110	R A Hill/S R Hill
18	MIYABI GOLD	(5M)	115	Justin Snaith
19	LADY OF STEEL	(3F)	113	J A Janse van Vuuren
20	TRISTFUL	(4G)	109	Tony Rivalland
NEXT 5 IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
DIVINE ODYSSEY	(5G)	114	J A Janse van Vuuren
HERO’S HONOUR	(5G)	115	Gary Alexander
MAGNIFICENT SEVEN	(5G)	114	Justin Snaith
ROY HAD ENOUGH (AUS)	(5H)	115	Frank Robinson
ROY’S RIVIERA (AUS)	(5M)	111	Frank Robinson

By David Thiselton

Sean Tarry has a powerful string for the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Festival Of Speed meeting on Saturday including five runners in the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint over 1200m.

Gavin Lerena was retained for the ride on Chimichuri Run but Lyle Hewitson had the choice of the other four and interestingly opted for Ikigai.

Chimichuri Run, the defending champion, ran a 1,25 length third last Saturday in the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m at Turffontein.

Tarry said “backing up” horses in this manner was not unusual around the world with the most classic example being horses running in both of the traditional Group 1 sprints at Royal Ascot, The King Stand Stakes over 1000m on the opening day and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes over 1200m on the last day.

Tarry said, “Chimichuri Run has come out of the run well enough. It is not ideal being backed up but it’s a long time until the Mercury Sprint so why not. The 1000m in the fast winter going at Turffontein was definitely too sharp for him last weekend.”

The four-year-old Trippi colt in fact has a half-a-length second to One World at level weights over 1600m at Kenilworth to his name in the Grade 2 Concorde Cup, so it not surprising that with the speed he also possesses that his best career run has been over the tough Scottsville 1200m. Last year as a three-year-old off a merit rating of 112 he carried 54,5kg to victory and this year he has to lug 59kg off a merit rating of 126. However, five of the eleven horse field are under sufferance, which makes his task easier, although in Invidia’s case he is only under sufferance because the connections opted to not take a penalty for his runner up finish in the Post Merchants (he would otherwise be carrying 52,5kg instead of 52kg).

Ikigai’s program has been affected by COVID-19 otherwise he might have taken part in either the WSB Guineas and Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, or both. Tarry thus thought it would be a good idea to take advantage of this race where he gets weight, instead of running on weight for age terms, and the fact he had not raced for a while would make the 1200m distance suitable for a fresh start. 

He added, “He is well and has a lot of speed.” He carries 54,5kg.

Tarry said last year’s Gold Medallion winner Eden Roc was a different horse this season as he had strengthened a lot and he was now a 1200m to 1400m type.

He added, “He is in top shape.”

Eden Roc comes off an impressive win in the Post Merchants which makes him two from two over the Golden Horse Sprint course and distance. He was given a five point raise but still carries a light weight of 53kg and is a leading contender. His Post Merchants jockey Stuart Randolph retains the ride.    

Warrior’s Rest is known for his courage and resolute galloping style and Tarry said, “His run was pretty good last time (1,90 length fourth in the Post Merchants over course and distance). He comes in with a low weight and is also in top shape.” He carried 52,5kg and will be ridden by Callan Murray.

Tarry said about Wonderwall, “He is a kilogram-and-a-half under sufferance and would probably prefer the bend, but he has earned his place and has won four out of his last six starts (the last one over this trip and the other three from 1400-1450m).”

Ant Mgudlwa rides.

Tarry runs another defending champion, Celtic Sea, in the SA Fillies Sprint brought to you by The Witness.

He said, “She has had a good prep and is doing well.”

The yard are expecting her to be right there in her bid to retain her title despite being second favourite behind Run Fox Run.

Gavin Lerena has ridden her all season and stays aboard.

In the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Tarry runs Ecstatic Green and Dubawi Princess.

He said, “Ecstatic Green comes from the strong Springs Of Carmel formline. She won very well last time and is a filly who seems to be improving.”

He continued, “Dubawi Princess will step up big time over this tough 1200m and will go even further, although this is a tougher race than she has experienced to date.”

He concluded by saying the pair were “very close” and he did not want to attempt to separate them.

Hewitson is aboard Ecstatic Green and Grant van Niekerk rides Dubawi Princess.

Tarry runs the filly Slalom Queen in the Grade 1 Golden Horse Medallion and said, “The outside draws could turn out to be disadvantageous so it made no sense to run three horses in the fillies race all from outside draws so I’ve put her in here (where she has a low draw of four).”

Slalom Queen ran a head second to Mount Pleasant at Turffontein over 1100m when giving him 0,5kg and the latter then came out and won the Grade 2 SA Nursery. 

Slalom Queen subsequently ran a 1,10 length second in the Grade 3 Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m, which gave her valuable experience of Hollywoodbets Scottsville. 

However, Tarry cautioned, “She is a speedy filly and the Scottsville 1200m might be a bit tough for her.” Hewitson is aboard. 

Tarry runs Tilbury Fort in the Grade 3 Cup Trial over 1750m.

He comes off a 13,25 length sixth in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein.

Tarry said, “He is fine, he has a tough task at the weights but I expect him to improve from that last run and he has quite a good record with Lyle. We can’t be bullish but I think he will run well.” 

Tarry has in recent SA Champions Seasons travelled his horses back and forth between Randjesfontein and KZN and that option became open to him again with the latest COVID-19 regulations, but he has decided rather to keep his string at Summerveld as he was mindful that the regulations could change and he also did not want to be caught on the wrong side of a rules misinterpretation again.

Sachdev Scratched from VDJ

Sachdev has been scratched from the Vodacom Durban July after not pulling up well after his disappointing run in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 on Sunday. 

He will be rested for the remainder of the season.

Another scratching is the Gary Alexander trained son of Ato, Chijmes.

By David Thiselton

Over the years, the World Sports Betting Cup Trial (Gr 3) has shifted from Clairwood to Hollywoodbets Greyville and on Saturday to Hollywoodbets Scottsville for the first time given the programme revamp due to the dreaded Covid-19.

All 12 runners in Saturday’s World Sports Betting Cup Trial are entries in the big race and the sponsors have Justin Snaith pencilled in to add another runner to his current six-horse compliment come Saturday, July 25.

The World Sports Betting Cup Trial is the dreaded last-chance saloon for most and given the competitive nature of the contest, the market spread is not wide.

The Snaith-trained Nexus is a lukewarm favourite at 28-10 with the sponsors with Herodotus (11-2), Magnificent Seven (6-1) and Cat Daddy (7-1) the only other runners in single figures. But the longest priced runner is Tilbury Fort at 16-1. Snaith saddles both Nexus and Magnificent Seven.

Betting for the Golden Horse Sprint is equally tight with Kasimir, 33-10, at the top of the boards but a host of runners are in single figures in a typically open sprint handicap.

Run Fox Run and Celtic Sea dominated in the market for the SA Fillies Sprint brought to you by The Witness with the former a narrow favourite at 12-10 with 13-10 on offer about the defending champion.

After four straight wins over the Cape summer, Erik The Red will be tested to the full in the Golden Horse Medallion and is relatively easy to back at 29-10. Tempting Fate, who will give Dennis Drier and unprecedented ninth win in the race, and the Mike de Kock inmate Al Muthana are joint second favourites at 7-2 with debutant Validus in the mix at 7-1.

The Ashley Fortune-trained Validus is obviously an unknown quantity in the Medallion but she saddles hot favourite Winter Smoke in the Allan Robertson Championship. You can get 12-10 about Winter Smoke with Vernichey (7-2) and Delta Queen (4-1) the only other runners quoted in single figures.

By Andrew Harrison

Snaith Racing this morning announced their chief jockey bookings for the Vodacom Durban July.

Stable jockey Richard Fourie will be aboard Belgarion, meaning he will have to slim 1kg from his official minimum riding weight down to 53kg. 

Anton Marcus remains aboard Do It Again, whom he rode last time out to third place in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. Marcus thus has the chance to win a second July on this son of Twice Over, having won on him in 2018, a victory which gave the top jockey a record-breaking fifth July triumph.

Grant van Niekerk will be riding Bunker Hunt.

Keagan de Melo rode Silvano’s Pride to victory in the Grade 2 Tibouchina on Sunday and he retains the ride. 

In other VDJ news the Mike De Kock-trained Queen Supreme was supplemented into the big race yesterday. 

By David Thiselton