Champion trainer elect Sean Tarry has a Vodacom Durban July favourite for the first time this year in the exciting three-year-old colt Legal Eagle. However, the pressure is eased by the fact that he has not only won the July twice but has no fewer than five runners in the big race this year.

He said, “Legal Eagle’s prep has gone very well. I would have been happy if he had run a place in the Jubilee. Without being very hard on him he surprised me, not that he won but by the way that he won. I haven’t had to be overly hard on him. He had a lovely gallop last week Wednesday, he’s come through it well and won’t do much before he leaves on Thursday. Let’s just hope that he travels well.”

“French Navy’s preparation has gone smoothly, he’s handled the travel no problem, and everything at this stage is good. He’s a tough horse, he’s a big, burly horse, he copes with everything, takes it in his stride, he has a great temperament.” Tarry was not concerned about his weight and said, “54,5kg for a horse that’s won two classics is fair.”

“Halve The Deficit’s form is quite solid. If the two opposition horses to beat are Wylie Hall and Majmu (and obviously also respect for Futura) then, based on his meeting with them in the President’s Champions Challenge, at the weight turnabouts he should finish on top of them. He’s probably had a better prep for the July this year than he did last year and I think he’s in a better place. I think my two three-year-old males are better horses, but that’s not to say that he is without a chance. Piere (Strydom) will know what to do from that draw and he knows the horse well, he’s versatile, he can come from off them or he can go handy.”

“Gold Onyx’s last run was disappointing, obviously he over raced and was too handy carrying 60kg. He emptied out quicker than I would have hoped, but he rode him completely differently to how he is normally ridden. Obviously from the draw (18) he will just be dropped to the back and hope that he runs on. He quickens up well and comes from off them in most of these big races where they never go hard. They crawled in Cape Town and he still finished off well.”

Tamaanee was found to have a lifted shoe after her disappointing run in the Woolavington and it was bent into her foot so there were genuine excuses. Tarry also felt that being strange to the course had affected her.

He said, “Her last run has taken the shine off her completely. I thought her previous win In the Gerald Rosenberg was exceptional, she won in a very good time on the same day as Wylie Hall and Majmu over the same distance. The form is very good, there have been four winners from that race, and I wouldn’t discount her. She would have learnt a lot from her two visits to Greyville. She has a nice light weight and if she can race up handy I think there are a few positives that people seem to be overlooking.”

Tarry added that how the race unravelled was out of his hands. However, his prediction was that the pace would not be a slow one.

Carry On Alice will also be travelling down from Johannesburg for the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes and Tarry said, “I’m not that confident of her over a mile, but if she got the mile as a two-year-old here, then if she’s going to get a mile anywhere it’s going to be at Greyville.

She had a wide draw in last year’s Thekwini and now she’s well drawn. Also her other two attempts at a mile weren’t bad. In the Majorca she ran a week after the Cape Flying, so that wasn’t ideal, and in Jo’burg it was her second run after a rest in the soft so that wasn’t ideal either. I can’t be as bullish over a mile, but I think she has plenty in her favour and is a massive runner.”

He continued, “Master Archer (race 1) has a bad draw, but good form. His last run can be ignored as he found trouble and was drawn 16. I think it’s an open race but he has a chance.”

“Kolkata (race 4) will bounce back. The change of season affects him, he’s had a few respiratory issues but I think we’re on top of them. He’s dropped nicely in the ratings, I think he will be there.”

“Escape Route (race 6), first time out he ran a place behind Redcarpet Captain coming from last. I think he is a horse who gets lost in his races and this Greyville 1400m may be a bit sharp for him, but we’re hoping that it’s a pointer for us for the Gr 1 mile on Gold Cup day. So, although we’re hoping he goes close here, we’re thinking more of it as a prep.”

“The Hangman (race 8) is in a good space, moving well, loves the course and distance. He’s in Jo’burg, he seems to enjoy the travelling, he could have an each way chance.”

“Rikitikitana (race 12), it’s a R1 million race and we managed to get him in at the last minute. It’s a tough race, he will be running on and we will be hoping for the best.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.

Stan Elley has two chances of achieving an elusive win in the Vodacom Durban July before retiring at the end of this season and he is happy with both of his charges, Punta Arenas and Dynastic Power.

Interestingly, both of these horses are former winners of the Winter Derby over 2400m at Kenilworth. They have performed well over shorter too so the July trip of 2200m should be just about their optimum.

Punta Arenas has had a fine Champions Season. He finished third in the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 before winning the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m, both at Greyville under his July jockey Ian Sturgeon. Elley said about the evergreen six-year-old Silvano gelding, “He got his normal draw (19), I don’t expect anything else! But he thrives out here in KZN, he just loves it. Greyville is his best track, it’s not an ideal draw, but we’ve been there before and he knows how to do it from there. I think wherever you’re drawn in the July you need a bit of luck in running, we’re just going to have to get a little bit more lucky! When he’s well he really enjoys his work and he is enjoying it at the moment, he’s loving life, he’s just thriving.”

The four-year-old Dynasty gelding Dynastic Power won the Betting World 1900 under his July jockey Greg Cheyne and had genuine excuses for his poor run in the Cup Trial. Elley said, “He came out of that last race with a very sore stifle, which I reported to the stipes. I don’t know how it happened, but those injuries often happen when they jump out of the starting stalls. When we tried to flex that back leg he almost hit the roof, so it was significant.

“He was out of work for four or five days, but as such he had a harder gallop than most of them at the July gallops. I thought he worked very well, he went a good pace and he still finished it off. I think among the long shots he has as good a chance as any. He’s doing well, he’s spot on.

“There’s very little to choose between him and Power King, he’s beaten us at level weights, we’ve beaten him at level weights. Wherever the one is the other should be, and he’s 14/1 and we’re 75/1!”

Dynastic Power, as things stand, will jump from the same barrier position of 12 he had in the Betting World 1900.

Elley also runs the five-year-old Black Minnaloushe gelding Big Cat from draw nine under Grant van Niekerk in the Gr 3 tabGold 2200. He said, “It’s a race we targeted last year and we got him in with bottom weight, but then he went wrong on the morning of the race. So we came with the same target this year and he’s in with bottom weight, although he’s 1kg under sufferance.

“I think it’s the trip he’s been looking for and I think he will run a big race. He’s a fit horse, he’s thriving. He’s spot on for the race, he did his final pace work this morning (Tuesday) and worked very nicely.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.

Four-times Vodacom Durban July-winning trainer Mike de Kock runs the two-time Gr 1-winning three-year-old filly Majmu and the Gr 1 SA Oaks winner Pine Princess in the big one on Saturday and has a few other chances on the day.

Majmu missed her preparation run in Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 but she enjoys running fresh and was clearly well in herself and moving well at the July gallops last Thursday.

Jockey Anthony Delpech dismissed the suggestion that the number one draw was unfavourable in the July and said, “If you were drawn in pole position in a grand prix you would take it, it is the shortest way around. All I have to do is hold my position and I’m not sure why everybody says you have to rush a horse to do so from the number one draw, you don’t have to.” Delpech added that no race can be planned beforehand and it would be foolish to do so.

Accordingly, the legendary Michael “Muis” Roberts once said, “The first 50m of a race are in fact the most important”, as that is when a few split second decisions, including an early prediction of the pace, can potentially seal your fate. However, Majmu supporters will be confident. Delpech, who will be going for a record-breaking fifth July win, can find a good position from that draw. Majmu was staying on late in the President’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein after appearing to hit a bit of a flat spot in the straight, so should stay the Greyville 2200.

Pine Princess will obviously have no problem with the trip and has been one of the most backed runners since the final field announcement.

De Kock said both of his charges has been doing “very well.”

He spoke about the rest of his runners, “Dashing Scarlet (race 2) is not an easy filly to train, she is capable of better than what she’s shown and is a filly that shouldn’t be left out. Ataab (race 3), I’m hoping she will enjoy the step up in trip, she’s capable but she’s quite high in the ratings and if she runs a place it will be a good run.”

He agreed that Smart Mart (race 4) was a big runner and said he was well. He will raid from Jo’burg, which in theory could be an advantage for a staying race due to the altitude training he has enjoyed.

De Kock fits blinkers to Almashooqa (race 5) as she had run around in the finish last time and he believes it cost her the race. He called her a “nice filly” and gave her a “big chance, “especially from the draw.” In the same race he has Captain’s Song, whom he described as a “very smart filly, but drawn very badly”, and Sharp Princess, “a nice filly, but probably wants a bit further.”

Muwaary’s (race 6) last run spoke volumes and De Kock also described him as a “smart horse, but badly drawn.”

He continued, “Trip To Rio (race 8) is drawn in the bush, first run after gelding, do well to run a place. Tiger Territory (race 10) has been freshened up a little bit and works well on the poly. Love To Sail (race 11), it’s probably a bit short for her, but she’s quite a nice filly.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.

 

Dennis Drier was bullish about his team for Vodacom Durban July day, which includes three Gr 1 contenders.

He said, “I’m very happy with Seventh Plain (6^th race), I’m not worried about the 1400m trip and I think he’s a big runner. I was a little bit disappointed with Chestnuts N Pearls (5^th race) in the Allan Robertson, but I think she’s looking for further and she’s doing well and working well and I’m expecting a much better run.

“Jet Aglow (9^th race) is no champion, but she’s a very good filly and I think she’s done what she has to do to go to stud, the blinkers are coming off and if she’s more relaxed she could run into the money. Barbosa (10^th race) is a soldier and hope he can earn a cheque and at his best he could win it. Balkan (10^th race) is a half decent little filly, she won well on Met day, but up against the boys it’s not easy. She needed her last run and is now spot on and at the weights she could run into the money.

“Generalissimo, Triptique and Beckefdorf (11th) are all well although Cape Town didn’t agree with Beckedorf and he may be a little ring rusty. If I really had to put my head on the block I would maybe go Generalissimo, but Triptique is also very good, he’s a lovely horse I rate him and I think he’s going places. He could be the surprise of the day but Generalissimo is a really good horse, he loves the poly and he’s still maturing. You will see the best of him as a four and five-year-old, His forte is his gate speed and he missed the break last time in the Tsogo Sun Sprint.

“Ricochet Flier (reserve 12^th) is bred to go a trip but we hope he gets in. Firewood (1^st) I rate and think he is one of my better runners on the day. J’s Outsider (4^th) ran a good race last time and he has come on since he’s been here in KZN and I think he could run into the money, it’s a tough race but he’s a runner.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.

Reigning National Champion Trainer Justin Snaith (Pictured) will be attempting to land a third Vodacom Durban July on Saturday, although his L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and J&B Met winning Dynasty colt Futura has drifted out in recent days to 6/1 joint third-favourite with Betting World.

Snaith said, “Futura is all good, it’s like pressing buttons, it’s easy. Going into the race everything is going to plan, we’ve got a few days still to go, so everyday becomes more important the closer we get to the race, but extremely happy with him. I’m not worried about anybody else in the race. I think he’s going to run a big race.”

Asked on Futura’s merit rating of 120, Snaith said, “I think there’s no such thing in South Africa as a 120, but if you ever had to give a horse a 120 you’ve got to give it to Futura. I do think they were hard on Legal Eagle; 120 for winning a Gr 3 in Jo’burg in the off season, although I’m not saying he won’t come on in time. But Futura is spot on. He’s got a lot asked of him with 60kg, it has never been done, but that’s what I like to hear.”

Snaith runs Lineker and Star Chestnut in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m, and said, “My intention was not to bring two-year-olds to run in Gr 1s but these two have found themselves in the field. I haven’t pushed them, their races are bringing them on in a very nice way and I think they have nice futures. The jockeys are talking highly of Lineker, which is always a good sign. I’m not sure whether Star Chestnut is up to this level at this stage of his career. But, with their good draws, expect them in the money.”

Acrostar runs in one of the strongest Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Provinces in years. “Snaith said, “There’s depth in this race, it’s very strong, but with her pedigree we would be very happy with a Gr 1 top 3 here. Her previous three races were prep runs and she’s ready now.”

Snaith was “a bit disappointed” Dynamic was not in the July and said, “I think being a Gr 2 winner and some of those horses haven’t even won a feature race he should have got in. I think if he does run in the July he will be in the first three. He’s doing well at home and we expect a good run. It’s obviously a lot weaker than the July, so he will have a good chance, but I think there are some very smart three-year-olds in this race, like St. Tropez and Ultimate Dollar, and they certainly will be hard horses to beat. Ultimate Dollar is doing very well and at the weights there is not going to be a lot in it. Ultimate Dollar was very lame after he kicked the faulty gates (before being scratched from the Daily News 2000), but he’s come on since then, there’s been enough time. His gallop was very good going into this race, although obviously the starting gates are a concern. Krambambuli might be outgunned at this stage of his career, he is still very young and immature. He definitely didn’t stay in his last race over 2400m.”

He continued, “Arniston (R8) won a very good race last time, I thought he might be a little outgunned over 1400m at Scottsville, but he was quite impressive. He will love Greyville, this track is perfectly tailored for him, and I give him a place chance. But it’s a very competitive race, there are some smart individuals, so just hoping for a good race.

Muscatt (race 10) was given a bit too much of a penalty last time so I’m just taking some weight off him with a 4kg claimer. 1000m is a basic race to ride. Divan (Neethling) has been riding the horse everyday and has a lot of confidence in the horse and himself, so I hope for a good run here.

“Heartland is doing very well, I don’t train on poly, so this is their first time on the poly. Pedigree-wise Kingvoldt should suit the poly and action-wise Heartland should suit it. Obviously there are some very fast individuals but these are two quality horses and we’re just hoping for good races. We’re hoping Heartland is a miler, but on the poly they at least go fast. I just hope he comes out of the race well and we will then save him for the summer.”

By David Thiselton

Please note that Heartland and Krambambuli have subsequently been scratched

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.