The Vodacom Durban July Final Field and Draw ceremony will be held in the Classic Room at Greyville tomorrow (Tuesday) and the panelists tasked with choosing the final 18 runners with two reserves only look to have one tough decision to make this year. However, it will likely have the usual repercussions and being on this panel must be one of the most unenviable positions in racing.  

Their job this year has been made easier by the important scratchings of Legislate, Ertijaal and No Worries, who were all in the top 18 on the last July log.

However, realistically there are only five horses with claims to fill those three places.

The Equus Champion Stayer Hot Ticket is one of them, but he likely needed to win the Gr 2 Track And Ball Derby on Sunday to ensure his place. Instead he finished a narrow second. However, running in a 2400m event just less than two weeks before the July is not an ideal preparation anyway and this horse’s chief target is undoubtedly the Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup on Super Saturday. However, Hot Ticket could well be announced as one of the two reserve runners.

That leaves Ice Machine, Dynamic, Helderberg Blue and Mac De Lago and it is likely that the final berth will be fought out by the last three mentioned.

Ice Machine, who won the Gr 2 Drill Hall Stakes, was fancied for the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge before unfortunately going lame somewhere between Summerveld and Greyville.  However, he was 19^th on the last July log and has done nothing wrong since, so should be an automatic to fill one of the three places. Some will claim he won’t stay the 2200m July trip, but he has won over 1800m and in his second attempt at the J&B Met over 2000m last year he ran on well for a 3,4 length sixth, beating the like of a No Worries, Wylie Hall and Hot Ticket, who all appeared on the last July log.

Dynamic, Helderberg Blue, Mac De Lago and Hot Ticket were all among the five horses listed in alphabetical order just outside the top 20 in that last log. They will all leapfrog the log’s 20^th placed horse Athina, who finished a tailed off last in the Gr 3 Cup Trial last time out and has duly been scratched. The fifth horse in the list just outside the top 20 was Unparalleled, who has also been scratched.

Dynamic was close up placed in all of the Listed Sledgehammer, the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 and the Gr 3 Cup Trial and beat Helderberg Blue in the latter two races. However, Helderberg Blue will be 3,5kg better off with Dynamic in the July for a mere 0,75 length beating in the Cup Trial (Dynamic carried 0,5kg overweight in that race). Helderberg Blue also comfortably beat Dynamic when finishing third in the Gr 1 J&B Met, although the latter was below par that day. Therefore, Helderberg Blue has just as strong a claim as Dynamic to make the final field.

The three-year-old Mac De Lago ran on very well for second in the Gr 2 KRA Guineas before staying on well for 5^th in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000. He is merit rated 104, three points higher than Dynamic and three points lower than Helderberg Blue. However, he is set to carry the same weight as Dynamic in the July of 53kg. Three-year-olds should receive 2kg in a true handicap over 2200m in July from older horses according to the weight for age scale. This means that while Mac De Lago will officially be 3kg under sufferance in the July, Dynamic will only be 2,5kg under sufferance, so it would be difficult to favour one over the other based on merit ratings.

Finding two places for those three horses is likely to cause much debate among the panelists and, despite there looking likely to be only one unlucky horse, the decision making process will probably bring on as many headaches as usual.

By David Thiselton

Yesterday’s Gr 2 Track And Ball Derby over 2400m at Scottsville saw the most thrilling finish of the Champions Season as five horses drove down to the line as one and it was the deserving Joey Ramsden-trained Disco Al who prevailed under Anton Marcus.

Earlier, Justin Snaith and his stable jockey Richard had capped a fine weekend by winning the Gr 2 Gold Circle Oaks over 2400m at Scottsville with the three-year-old Black Minnaloushe filly Ash Cloud, having won the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m at Greyville on Friday night with the Dynasty gelding Daring Dave.

The five-year-old Captain Al gelding Disco Al had proven class, having won the Gr 3 Algoa Cup over 2000m at Fairview two years in succession and had also shown his ability to stay yesterday’s trip when finishing second to the well handicapped Solid Speed in the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup at Greyville three weeks ago. Off a merit rating of 101, he was the second best weighted horse in yesterday’s race behind the odds-on favourite Hot Ticket, who ran off a 112, and he started joint-second favourite at 9/2 with the dual Graded-winning stayer Kingston Mines.

Kingston Mines and Hot Ticket both carried 1kg penalties as winners of Gr 2 races.

Kingston Mines took up his favourite front-running role in the small eight horse field and was followed by Master James and Savage Wind, while Hot Ticket sat about six lengths off the pace in sixth place, just ahead of Disco Al.

There was a cavalry charge in the straight and Hot Ticket, running down the centre, was battling to catch Kingston Mines and Master James, while Savage Wind, who was 14,5kg under sufferance on official merit ratings, was running a blinder down the inside. However, just as Hot Ticket got his nose in front, Marcus swooped on Disco Al on his outside to snatch the verdict by a short-head. Kingston Mines and Savage Wind dead-heated for third, a neck behind the winner, and Master James was a head behind them fifth. Double Clutch and Krambambuli were next best ahead of the detached French Revolution.

Hot Ticket, Kingston Mines and Double Clutch are still in the running for a Vodacom Durban July berth, but might have had to win yesterday’s race to make sure of their places.

Disco Al was bred by Drakenstein Stud and is owned by Vanashree and Anant Singh in partnership with Markus and Ingrid Jooste.

Ash Cloud was the only horse in the Gold Circle Oaks carrying a penalty, a 2kg one for her win in last season’s Gr 1 SA Oaks when trained by Wieho Marwing, so this was a commendable victory and she will be an interesting contender in the Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup over 3200m at Greyville on Super Saturday. The Carl and Amanda de Vos-bred filly was bought by Drakenstein Stud earlier this season. Snaith had named her his best runner of the weekend and she duly bounced back to her best.

She broke well and going through the 1000m mark was relaxed three lengths back in third behind Saint Sophia and Gathering Fame. The Ramsden-trained favourite Gallica Rose was poised behind her on the rail, while the fancied Vino Veritas was also in a perfect position to strike. Ash Cloud burst through to the hit front half-way down the straight with Vino Veritas also challenging strongly, but  Gallica Rose then went past them, having produced a resolute finish down the inside. However, just as the latter looked to have it won, Ash Cloud fought back and got up in the last stride to win by a long-head. Vino Veritas was half-a-length further back in third and Patchit Up Baby and Gathering Fame were next best.

Lezeanne Forbes had a double on the card, both of them winning at double figure odds.

Mike de Kock and Anthony Delpech combined for a double.

Gavin Lerena rode one winner to stretch his lead over S’Manga Khumalo in the race for the National Jockey’s Championships to 12.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Disco AL (Nkosi Hlophe)

Ryan Moore is regarded by many as the best jockey in the world and broke a modern day record last week at the world’s most prestigious meeting, Royal Ascot, when riding nine winners over the five days.

The legendary Fred Archer holds the all time Ascot record, riding 12 winners 137 years ago in 1878. However, Moore’s victory on the Aiden O’Brien-trained 5-2 favourite Aloft in Friday’s Listed Queen’s Vase over two miles, saw him surpass the modern-day record of eight winners in a single Royal Ascot meeting, achieved by Pat Eddery in 1989 and by Lester Piggott in both 1965 and 1975.

There were 30 races over the five days of the Royal meeting last week, which ran from Tuesday through to Saturday, and Moore rode in 29 of them. He recorded nine wins, four seconds, one third, four fourths, two fifths and two sixth places, meaning he failed to earn connections a cheque on only seven occasions.

He had one Gr 1 win, on the brilliant Aden O’Brien-trained Galileo colt Gleneagles in the St James Palace Stakes, which was the fourth race on day one and his first winner of the meeting.

He also had three Gr 2 wins and two Listed wins.

Moore rode 12 favourites and won on four of them. However, his return on the Tote for a R1 stake on every ride would have been seen a profit of R30.70.

It looked unlikely Moore was going to break the record on Friday as he came into the home turn well back on Aloft in the Queen’s Vase. However, the Galileo colt finished strongly to win by half-a-length.

Moore said: “It was a very messy race. I got into a bad position and I had to pick my way through.

“He’s a fair horse this fellow. He’s open to all sorts of improvement, it’s his first run of the year and you wouldn’t know where he could end up.

“I’m very lucky, I get to ride the best horses and that makes a big difference.”

The question was now whether he could challenge Archer’s record on the final day as he had some good rides, including three favourites.

However, the three-times champion jockey had added after the Queen’s Vase victory, “The record is not something you think about, we’ll think about rides tomorrow then worry about this.”

As it happened he scored a blank on the final day.

Aiden O’Brien said after Moore had equalled the record on Thursday when winning the Britannia Stakes on 10/1 shot War Envoy, “Ryan was superb he’s a marvellous jockey, the greatest I’ve ever seen.” That is quite a compliment from one of the most successful trainers in the history of the Sport Of Kings.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Ryan Moore at Royal Ascot last week (Press Association)

Paul Reeves is targeting the CTS Million Dollar after the way Forward Drive blitzed the opposition in the Racing. It’s A Rush Maiden Juvenile at Kenilworth on Sunday.

The grey colt, backed from 5-1 to 33-10, made every metre and stretched away from two furlongs out to beat Cavallino by more than three lengths.

Paul Reeves said: “I told Brandon May to get out there and make the others race. This horse is still very immature – his nickname at home is Floppy – and he hasn’t filled out yet. He is to go over 1 400m but I will give him another run up the straight first.

“He is eligible for the Million Dollar but of course we have to qualify, and I reckon you are going to have to win two or three races to get a run.”

The weakening Rand has increased the value of the Kenilworth January 23 spectacular to R12.16 million and the winner will get half. Forward Drive was bought by his trainer for just R100 000. Little wonder that the colt’s owners are dreaming!

The Snaith stable is talking in terms of the Investec Cape Derby for More Than Grand who came good at the fourth attempt in the Winter Solstice Maiden Juvenile but only after Richard Fourie had scrubbed away for five of the seven furlongs.

“He is a lazy sod but when he finds his feet he will turn into a serious horse,” said Jonathan Snaith. “I didn’t think he would win 400m out but Richard Fourie is on fire at the moment and this horse is the kind we will see in next year’s Derby.”

Cape Town two-year-olds are faring well against the older horses in maidens – even though they meet them on terms 4-6kg worse than weight-for-age – and the Vaughan Marshall-trained Victorius Jay became the fifth to beat them in four weeks in the 1 400m maiden.

MJ Byleveld said: “I thought I was in a bit of trouble 600m out because the cruising speed of the older horses is higher than that of the juveniles at the moment, but once into the straight I always thought I was going to win. Furthermore I am sure this horse is going to improve.”

Glen Kotzen reached the 80-winner mark for the season with a two-year-old when newcomer Night In Tahiti justified support from 33-1 to 14-1 with a fine burst of acceleration close home in the opener. It was only Stuart Randolph’s second Kenilworth visit this term.

Jam Tart, only third when 9-20 for the Kenilworth Maiden, was found to be coughing afterwards. Aldo Domeyer won this on Ronnie Sheehan’s 25-1 shot Patrina and he reached his half century when completing a long-priced double on 14-1 shot Boston Celtic for Adam Marcus in the Susan Hudson Handicap.

By Michael Clower

Picture: MJ Byleveld

Kevin Shea has officially hung up his riding boots after both his neurosurgeon and doctor declared him unfit to race ride again due to the effects of wear and tear on his back.

Shea had a glittering 37 year career and will be remembered not only for his brilliance in the saddle but also his colourful personality. Fortunately the latter will not be lost to the industry as he is clearly enjoying his new role as an on course presenter.

He joined the South African Jockeys Academy in 1977 and rode his first winner in 1979 on the Des Rich-trained Druids Robe over 1200m at Greyville.

He was still an apprentice when landing his first Gr 1 winner on the Buller Benton-trained Have A Fling in the Holiday Inns at Turffontein. The horse landed a  betting coup for one of the country’s biggest owners and punters, Cyril Hurvitz.

Shea, due to a pair of the finest hands in the game and peerless big match temperament, was at his best on top horses.

In the 2008 Vodacom Durban July he rode the Justin Snaith-trained Dancer’s Daughter for the first time and this powerful grey filly had over raced in her previous start when winning the Gr 1 Gold Challenge, so many pundits wrote her off, saying that from the wide draw over 2200m she would never settle. However, if anybody was going to be able to settle her it would be Shea and he duly relaxed her beautifully towards the back of the field, which as a handy sort she had never experienced before. She stormed up the straight to dead-heat with the great Pocket Power in one of the big race’s most thrilling finishes.

Shea’s other July win was also aboard a filly, the great Mike de Kock-trained Ipi Tombe, whom he regards as one of the best he has ever ridden.

He holds another De Kock-trained filly, Sun Classique, in equal regard.

Shea always enjoyed plenty of support and was associated with top trainers like Tony Furness, David Payne, Doug Campbell, David Goss, Mike De Kock and Duncan Howells.

However, his best years were undoubtedly with De Kock, and he played a particularly vital role for the master trainer in his overseas campaigns.

His first international Gr 1 win for De Kock was aboard Ipi Tombe in the Dubai Duty Free in 2003. Then in a memorable 2008 the pair combined to win the Gr 1 Dubai Sheema Classic with Sun Classique, the Gr 1 QE II Cup in Hong Kong with Archipenko and the Gr 1 Hong Kong Cup with Eagle Mountain. However, they also suffered one of the most disappointing moments of their respective careers that year when Archipenko was kept in a pocket in the  Gr 1 Arlington Million and denied almost certain victory. Later in 2010, the pair combined to finish second in the world’s richest race, the $US million Dubai World Cup, with the South African-bred Lizard’s Desire, losing in a photo finish that took an age to decide.

Shea had a number of other stakes victories for De Kock overseas, including winning the Gr 2 Al Fahidi Fort five times.

He also rode for De Kock in the UK, which is not always a welcome environment for a foreign jockey. However, his gregarious and likeable personality enabled him to fit in easily and he reveled in the opportunity to experience the many different racecourses and the centuries of tradition behind their races. His most memorable moment over there was aboard Eagle Mountain when breaking the course record on the famous Rowley Mile course at Newmarket in the Gr 2 Joel Stakes over a mile. He also won the Gr 2 Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot on Archipenko. He rode in one of the world’s most famous races, the Ascot Gold Cup, and recalls the immortal four-time winner of this race Yeats running with his head in his chest while he was pushing his mount Thundering Star along to stay in touch coming up the hill from Swinley Bottom.

Shea’s skills were not blunted by age and, already in his fifties, he rode four Gr 1 winners last year, two aboard the Duncan Howells-trained Via Africa, one on the Joey Soma-trained Athina and one on the Howells-trained Same Jurisdiction.

By David Thiselton