The Tony Rivalland-trained four-year-old More Than Ready gelding Diamond King has always been a classy sort but has had “mechanical problems” chiefly related to muscles. However, according to the yard he has come back a different horse since a two-and-a-half month break on the farm.

He proved this when staying on for a decent 3,1 length sixth in the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m last time out, despite being 3,5kg under sufferance with the winner. The yard said he had come out of the race exceptionally well. He is now 1,5kg better off for a 2,25 length beating by Fourth Estate in the Christmas Handicap over course and distance and has the same draw of three from that race.

His best win was over course and distance in the KZN Guineas Trial as a three-year-old and big things were expected of him at that stage. Rivalland’s assistant Terry Fripp said, “He just has to repeat his Christmas Handicap win to be a live runner.” He appeared confident that he would at least reproduce that performance.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Diamond King (Nkosi Hlophe)

VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.

The Mike de Kock-trained Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks winner and Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 runner up Pine Princess appeared to be one of the most backed horses for the July over the weekend.

One on course bookmaker at Greyville commented, “They haven’t stopped coming for her”, although others said they had not been affected by the move.

The filly has shortened with Betting World from 22/1 into 18/1.

The Mike Bass-trained Helderberg Blue and the Sean Tarry-trained Tamaanee also enjoyed support at long odds and both shortened from 50/1 into 40/1.

Joint-second favourites Majmu and Futura both drifted slightly from 4/1 to 9/2.

The Conglomerate, who was a single figure price after his impressive Gr 2 KRA Guineas win, has drifted continuously since then due to support for the like of Legal Eagle and French Navy, and he then landed the widest draw of 20 on Tuesday. He put in one of the most eyecatching gallops at Greyvillle on Thursday, but this didn’t stop him drifting again from 16/1 to 18/1.

Dynastic Power drifted out from 55/1 to 66/1 and Gold Onyx is now the biggest outsider, drifting from 66/1 to 75/1.

The favourite Legal Eagle remains firm at 5/2.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Pine Princess (Nkosi Hlophe)

VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.

Tote Betting for the Vodacom Durban July opens today (June 29) and not only are huge pools predicted for all bet types, but the July place bet which pays out on the first six finishers is also a most popular wager.

The predicted pool for the Pick 6 will be R12 million. This is almost matched by the predicted July Quartet pool of R11,5 million, which includes a R1 million carry over.

The Place Accumulator has a predicted pool of R3,6 million.

The first Jackpot has a predicted pool of R2,1 million and the second Jackpot, which has a carry over of R125,000, is expected to have a pool of R1,5 million.

The expected Bipot pool is R700,000.

There are quartet carry overs in both the first and 12^th races and the predicted pools are R1 million and R1,5 million respectively.

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.

Alec Laird’s Bezrin gelding Bezanova has improved continuously this season and the rangy Clifton Stud-bred chestnut once again proved his liking for the Greyville turf yesterday when winning the Non-Black Type KZN Breeders Million Mile in fine style under Anton Marcus.

The other eight races, all run on the polytrack, offered good opportunites for smaller owners, each carrying a stake of R200,000, and KZN breeders flocked to the course to enjoy the action and support their horses.

The races were dominated by top jockeys and fancied runners, as the weight conditions favoured the better horses.

No Worries led the Million Mile, but Bezanova confirmed form with him from the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge and stormed past halfway down the straight, pursued by the well backed Front Rank. They both hung to their right as they fought it out, but a review ascertained that Wild One, who flew for a 0,25 length second, had not been adversely affected and no further action was taken. No Worries, who won this race last year, was a touch disappointing in fourth and was followed by Solar Star.

Bezanova added this big money race to his win in the Gr 2 R600,000 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile.

It was a fine Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup preparation for Wild One, following his second in the Gr 3 Cup Trial after a long layoff.

In the Summerhill Stud KZN Breeders Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1200m the Sean Tarry- trained St Petersburg filly Faberge Style led and stayed on well to win by 0,75 lengths under S’Manga Khumalo, although she had to survive a race review due to hanging out and taking up the running of eventual third- placed Sabonana. In the Non-Black Type KZN Breeders Juvenile Plate over 1200m Anton Marcus sent the Charles Laird-trained Muhtafal colt Chosen Dash to the front and he streaked clear to win comfortably from market rival, Malak El Moolook. He was bred by Dr G and Mr C Baitz.

In the KZN Breeders 1200 for fillies and mares the talented Mark Dixon-trained Mogok filly African Dream defended her crown after being up with the pace and staying on strongly under Keagan de Melo to beat Virgo’s babe and Taking Chances. She was bred by Scott Brothers.

In the Spring Valley Stud KZN Breeders 1200 Al Ciberano looked to have it won when opening up a big lead in the straight but the classy Doug Campbell-trained five-year-old Mogok gelding Kingston Boy produced his usual strong finish under Anthony Delpech to beat him by 0,5 lengths with Mr Whatever next best. Kingston Boy was bred by Campbell’s Sugar Hill Stud and he also owns a share in him together with the Sukhraj family.

In the Piemont Stud KZN Breeders 1900 for fillies and mares, the Tarry-trained topweight Enchanted Silk looked well in and was allowed to get to the front easily from a wide draw. The four-year-old Kahal filly duly strayed on strongly under Khumalo in the straight to repel market rival Mamasita and beat her by 1,25 lengths with Chili Cholcolate next best. Enchanted Silk was bred by Gold Star Stud.

The Fort Stud KZN Breeders 1900 was also won by a well treated topweight, the Alistair Gordon-trained six-year-old Joshua Dancer gelding Joshua’s Crown, who was given a patient ride by Alec Forbes before running on strongly to win by 3,5 lengths from Baracah and Mai Thaiga. Joshua’s Crown was bred by NM Raw.

In the Scott Brothers KZN Breeders 1600 the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Dynasty gelding It Is Written was another topweight who was best in and he found a late kick under Delpech to win by 1,25 lengths from Translunar and an unlucky Roy’s Winter Patch.

In the Eightfold Path KZN Breeders 1600 for fillies and mares the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained five-year-old Kahal mare Euphoria was another well treated topweight and a patient Anton Marcus timed his run well to win by 1,75 lengths from Red Label and Injaazaat. Euphoria was bred by GAR Sturlese and P de Marigny.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Bezanova (Nkosi Hlophe)

VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.