Click on the banner
The time for talking is almost over for the Vodacom Durban July class of 2016. The R1 million Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge is one of a serious of high quality contests this weekend providing a final push – or desperate shove, depending on the status – for aspirant contenders.
Graeme Hawkins – watching the July hopefuls
Whether it be a preparatory outing to hone the fitness levels or a final plunge for a dramatic backdoor burgle, all eyes will be on the big race hopefuls and Gold Circle Marketing Executive Graeme Hawkins would not be drawn on speculation as regards the final field composition.
“I guess there are few that are still hoping to qualify for the July – mainly out of the Jubilee and the Cup Trial. I guess only the winners of these races may potentially stake a claim if they are not already in the reckoning as per the most recent log,” said Hawkins.
He added that no further July logs would be published.
“This serves to keep something up our sleeve for the final field announcement – and while there are rumours aplenty, we cannot be sure which of those already amongst the top 18 will not accept to run in the Vodacom Durban July. It is all very interesting as it always is,” he said.
With SA champion trainer Sean Tarry having pulled Legal Eagle out of the field, the powerful yard still saddle the two highest-rated runners in the field, with an interesting back up in a promising 3yo.
French Navy is top class and will be running on strongly
The weight-for-age conditions of the race dictate that the 115 rated French Navy is the best handicapped runner, and he is being spoken about by those in the know as the best July ante –post bet as things currently stand.
Not too favourably drawn at 10, he is the mount of Weichong Marwing, who will partner him in the July.
Marwing took the ride for the first time aboard the son of Count Dubois in the R4-million Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein in April and finished a 2,10-length second behind Legal Eagle at level weights.
Sean Tarry – July decisions to be made
The draw should not prove a major hindrance as the top-class Marwing will probably drop him out and come from off them.
A Gr1 winner at this track, French Navy will possibly find the mile on the sharp side, but win, lose or draw, his July price is likely to shorten with a decent showing here.
Sean Tarry confirmed this week that: “It is a preparation run for French Navy, we freshened him up after the Champions Challenge and the mile at Greyville is a touch sharp for him, but he will be running on strongly.”
Regular Tarry first call rider S’manga Khumalo will take the ride on Trip To Heaven who will be having his first shot at a mile and comes in second highest rated off his 113.
Trip To Heaven – tries a mile
The son of Trippi, a likely pacemaker, won the Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track so he could well prove to be effective over the distance – particularly as he is a more mature horse.
He has developed an ugly habit of losing many lengths at the start but was gelded recently and hopefully that will have sorted out any behavioural issues.
Of him, Tarry said: “Trip To Heaven , who will have his first run as a gelding, has put up a good gallop and had his final gallop on Tuesday. It all depends on the break as he is a funny horse at the start, but if he breaks well he will lead.”
Anthony Delpech – key engagement for Prospect Strike
Although all of 6,5kg under sufferance with French Navy, Tarry’s 3yo Prospect Strike – could be something of a surprise package.
He ran well from poor draws in both the Guineas and the Daily News and this time he has a plum No 5 draw.
“I thought Prospect Strike’s runs in the Canon Guineas and Daily News 2000 were both good ones from poor draws, now he gets a reasonable draw and is fit and well, so we will take our chances.”
Tarry has engaged Anthony Delpech who is the feature race form jockey in KZN and worth a length or two on any horse!
Charles Laird’s 7yo Silvano gelding Ice Machine is not getting any younger but seldom runs a bad race – if jumping on terms.
The 7yo Ice Machine always produces an honest effort
He comes in fresh off his third in the Drill Hall Stakes and while New Predator subsequently failed to confirm that, he is always a dangerous galloper under his favourite jockey Anton Marcus.
The Aussie bred Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes winner New Predator is the second of the 3yo’s and may have found 2000m too far in the Daily News.
New Predator comes back to a mile
He was never in the hunt there and finds himself with a new jockey in Randall Simons. He has won over the mile and must have a decent place chance if allowed to get into the race early.
Gr2 Hawaii Stakes winner Captain Aldo ran a below par race a fortnight ago after running downfield in the Premiers Champions Challenge.
Captain Aldo looks to be better than his recent form
Piere Strydom rides the mostly disappointing Mac De Lago, who ran his best race in a while when staying on for fourth behind Legal Eagle in the Premiers Champions Challenge. He still has to do more.
Triptique tries a mile for the first time and draws against the paint in his first start at a mile. He ran on powerfully late when chasing New Predator home in the Drill Hall Stakes.
Alec Laird saddles Bezanova, who finished third in this race last year.
Bezanova wins the Charity Mile in 2014
According to reports, Bezanova has been at Summerveld since May 27 and has been “doing well” and his trainer has pointed out that the 5yo Bezrin gelding always did well at this time of the year and appeared to love Greyville.
French Navy is the selection to hold New Predator, with Paterfamilias and Ice Machine likely to bank the minor money.
Click on the banner
