The final field for the R4,25 million Vodacom Durban July was unveiled at Greyville on Tuesday with Justin Snaith enjoying mixed fortunes – his four runners pulling draws across the spectrum.
A maximum field of eighteen was announced with two reserve runners on stand-by until 08h30 on Friday 1 July.
Joint favourite Bela-Bela drew well at 3
Jockey Anthony Delpech will be thrilled that he made the call to switch ‘in-house’ to the 3yo grey bomber Bela-Bela, who drew a beautiful 3 gate, after KRA Guineas winning stablemate and joint favourite Black Arthur hands Hong Kong-based Dougie Whyte a less than friendly welcome home present of a 17 draw.
Apprentice Lyle Hewitson enjoys an historic first July ride just months after commencing his professional career and the 18 year old, who has ridden over 50 winners already, has been blessed with a pole position draw for his mount, Dynamic.
Former Snaith jockey Richard Fourie, who was aboard Legislate in a dramatic 2014 July success, rides Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn from a 14 draw, to round off the Snaith quartet.
Solid Speed – Kannemeyer and Khaya Stables look for a double
The current champion Dean Kannemeyer, who saddled Power King to win last year, was thrilled with his draws for Solid Speed (5) and Mambo Mime (13).
These draws can change with the reserve runners allocated barrier gates.
There will be the inevitable hard-luck stories and Gauteng trainers Sean Tarry (Trophy Wife – a first reserve) and Geoff Woodruff (Deo Juvente – no run) may have reason to feel slightly hard done by. Tarry has three runners, while Woodruff saddles Summer Cup star Master Sabina, who will be partnered by Gavin Lerena who jets in from Hong Kong.
R4 250 000 VODACOM DURBAN JULY (Grade 1) – Final Field
| 1 | 4 | French Navy | 60 | 115 | A | W Marwing | Sean Tarry | |
| 2 | 16 | Mac De Lago (AUS) | 59.5 | 114 | T A | B Fayd’Herbe | Weiho Marwing | |
| 3 | 2 | Abashiri | 59 | 117 | A | K Zechner | Mike Azzie | |
| 4 | 8 | Master Sabina | 56.5 | 108 | T A | G Lerena | Geoff Woodruff | |
| 5 | 17 | Black Arthur | 55.5 | 106 | A | D Whyte | Justin Snaith | |
| 6 | 12 | Rabada | 55.5 | 106 | A | …………… | Mike Azzie | |
| 7 | 6 | Samurai Blade (AUS) | 55.5 | 106 | T A | …………… | Sean Tarry | |
| 8 | 5 | Solid Speed | 55.5 | 106 | BA | S Randolph | Dean Kannemeyer | |
| 9 | 14 | It’s My Turn | 55.5 | 105 | A | R Fourie | Justin Snaith | |
| 10 | 7 | Rocketball | 55.5 | 105 | T A | W Kennedy | Gavin van Zyl | |
| 11 | 13 | Mambo Mime | 55.5 | 103 | A | K de Melo | Dean Kannemeyer | |
| 12 | 10 | Ten Gun Salute (AUS) | 55.5 | 102 | T A | M Yeni | Duncan Howells | |
| 13 | 19 | Marinaresco | 55.5 | 101 | BA | G van Niekerk | Mike Bass | |
| 14 | 20 | The Conglomerate (AUS) | 55.5 | 101 | A | …………… | Joey Ramsden | |
| 15 | 1 | Dynamic | 55.5 | 100 | A | *L Hewitson | Justin Snaith | |
| 16 | 11 | St Tropez | 55.5 | 99 | A | …………… | Joey Ramsden | |
| 17 | 18 | Saratoga Dancer | 55.5 | 95 | A | …………… | Duncan Howells | |
| 18 | 3 | Bela-Bela | 54.5 | 107 | A | A Delpech | Justin Snaith | |
| 19 | 15 | Trophy Wife | 54.5 | 101 | A | Reserve 1 | Sean Tarry | |
| 20 | 9 | Deputy Jud | 55.5 | 97 | A | Reserve 2 | Mike Azzie | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (1,7,19) (3,6,20) (5,9,15,18) (8,11) (12,17) (14,16) | ||||||||
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Vivian
Mickiel
Punter
hilton witz
Cecil Pienaar
Don’t understand how Deo Juvente, a grade 2 winner and a short head 2nd place in a grade 1 gets discarded because of one poor run. Let’s not forget he is an improving horse who beat French Navy, St Tropez Mac de lago in last year’s Summer Cup.
Surely Deo Juvente is better than Saratoga Dancer, Samarui Blade and Ten Gun Salute who all have gotten the nod ahead of him.
Shocked.
Question is if deo juvente did not have a run it would have a gauranteed spot in the field..master sabina did nothing less and made the field easily.woodruff should improve his relationship with mr hawkins perhaps.this is were the problem comes in were subjective decisions are made.deo juvente certainly leaves a void of class in this years july.
Was Negroamaro scratched? Surely she should have been included in the field.
Trophy wife stands a better chance of winning the july than most in this field, I guess this field is declared by very old people a cheaty bookmakers. I feel sorry for the owners of Abashir as he was over rated for winning the triple crown for beating samurai blade on all his runs, and samurai blade is no where near the likes of black arthurs and the bela belas. Punter if trophy wife dont make the cut, put ur money on rocketball,he is the only horse with lots of improvement on the race. He is going to win,bela bela will follow him. Scrach abashir 59 is too much for him to carry considering he only beat rocketball by shorthead on his beloved turffontein track, french navy will come late for place as usual.
I do agree Rocketball is the Horse to beat by a long shot
Watch the daily news and see how rocketball was flying in the finish,on slow run race.
Yes..Rocketball was flying but so was Nambo Mime.
Rightly weighed in horses are -french navy, abishiri, cape speed, mac de lago, & dynamic.
But I think mambo mimes is the greyville specialist half lenght behind rabada & its my turn.
So what do we have.
A mix with howells & yeni.
Ten gun salute
Former and current Champion in waiting has no mount. Sorry Smanga. Maybe your boss is hoping for a scratching. Gobsmacked
I think the 2016 vodacom July has a nice open look about it which is what makes it exciting & challenging.The field might not be the best to some especially None of the first three jubilee runners entered which is sad but it would be wise if next year two judges from each province be chosen to finalize the field rather than KZN only.It must also be stated that horses who don’t perform with no excuses would not qualify irrespective.This year having Durban trainer with two horses qualified is a total surprise & history in the making yet these so called horses have won nothing & more surprising world reknown trainer ,Mike De KOCK has no horses qualify which is sad,hence the race this year having a complete open look & surprise result is expected.Well Mr Adams I think this is your time to strike it lucky having two runners.
Rocketball is gonna like that long straight he has a good turn of foot and van zyl has got a very goid chance this year to win it in style
3YEAR OLD CARRYING SAME AS A 4 GOOD YEAR OLD IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER……4 YEAR OLD SHOULD WIN SOLID SPEED,DYNAMIC,ST TROPEZ,CONCLOMERATE…SHOULD A 3 YEAR OLD WIN IT…..NOTHING WILL BEAT MARINARESCO