With the delayed running of the traditional SA Champions Season launchpad, the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, and first entries for the Vodacom Durban July due by 11h00 on Monday, the big race picture should start taking shape after weeks of uncertainty.
This was confirmed by Hollywoodbets’ Kyle Johnston who said ‘there has not been much Vodacom Durban July pre-nomination betting activity’.
Vardy – big chance for a winning opener on Sunday (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
“With the feature races now coming thick and fast, we can expect changes to start happening in the market as the big horses begin their preps. The initial July money was for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Vardy, as well as the two stalwarts in Rainbow Bridge and dual winner Do It Again,” he told the Sporting Post.
On the Locked & Loaded Show last evening, Jonathan Snaith suggested that, while Do It Again was decent value at his price, punters should probably watch his Gold Challenge run before backing the son of Twice Over, who bids for his third straight victory in the feature on 25 July.
Kyle Johnston indicated that Vardy has been easier to back in recent weeks as the money has started coming in for the Snaith ‘lurker’ Belgarion,who should come into the July with ‘a very handy mass’.
The Sporting Post racecards are available free for Sunday’s meeting
Vardy is one of nine runners carded for Sunday’s Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes.
Regular man Craig Zackey is in the irons for young Cape trainer Adam Marcus who will be looking to make a major impression after two sensational Cape Summer Gr1 successes this season. Vardy has not seen action since unplaced in the Sun Met behind One World on 1 February.
The Drill Hall Stakes has been dominated by the Cape visitors in recent times, with Marinaresco(2017), Perosvkia (2018) and Undercover Agent winning last year.
1st R109375, 2nd R35000, 3rd R17500, 4th R8750, 5th R4375
INDEPENDENT ON SATURDAY DRILL HALL STAKES (Grade 2)
Horses at Weight-For-Age + Penalties
WFA: 2yrs-10kgs 3yrs-1.5kgs
No Apprentice Allowance
| 1 | 1 | Matador Man | 57 | 117 | BA | W Kennedy | Sean Tarry | |
| 2 | 2 | Vardy | 60 | 134 | A | C Zackey | Adam Marcus | |
| 3 | 3 | Snapscan | 56 | 118 | A | G Wright | Glen Kotzen | |
| 4 | 4 | Sniper Shot | 57 | 107 | T A | T Godden | Paul Lafferty | |
| 5 | 5 | Priceless Ruler | 57 | 108 | T A | S Veale | Dennis Drier | |
| 6 | 6 | Bunker Hunt | 57 | 124 | A | K de Melo | Justin Snaith | |
| 7 | 7 | Tap O’ Noth | 57 | 113 | A | D Dillon | Vaughan Marshall | |
| 8 | 8 | Eyes Wide Open | 58.5 | 116 | A | S Randolph | Glen Kotzen | |
| 9 | 9 | Kasimir | 60 | 128 | A | A Marcus | Justin Snaith | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (3,8) (6,9) | ||||||||
“With two big feature meetings this weekend and the July entries due on Monday there will mostly certainly be a number of changes in the betting and possibly a clearer picture of who is and who isn’t targeting the big race at the end of July,” said Johnston.
Find the Hollywoodbets Vodacom Durban July ante-post betting here
