A traditional Gauteng last-chance saloon for the Vodacom Durban July dream, the R125 000 Gr3 Jubilee Handicap at Turffontein today sees four big race entries making a bid for recognition by the selection panel.
Clear skies are forecast over Turffontein today for the nine-race standside programme that gets under way at 12h05, and is headlined by the July ‘preferential ticket’ event, the Gr3 Jubilee Handicap.
July first declarations are due by 11h00 on Monday morning,
Divine Odyssey – strips fitter (Pic – JC Photos)
The 1800m feature includes a quartet of July entries, in Divine Odyssey, D’Arrivee, Leopold and Alibi Guy.
With his position in the secondary five, just outside of the top twenty, Divine Odyssey looks the runner with the most to play for, with the other three looking more hopeful than serious contenders for a place on 25 July.
A fellow not devoid of a few mind issues, Johan Janse van Vuuren’s Oratorio gelding Divine Odyssey was clearly in need of his last start. The 2019 Colorado King winner should enjoy the reversion back to 1800m, with smart showings over the trip, and his improved fitness brings him in as a horse who could win this.
Luke Ferraris partners the handily weighted Marshall Foch, a winner of his last three starts, for recent SA Champions Season Gr1 trainer, Paul Peter.
Luke Ferraris (photo: JC Photos)
The forward galloping son of Antonius Pius – one of only a handful of his sire in circulation – faces his peak career test but could dictate and is a danger.
Alec Laird’s topweighted Green Haze is surely far better than his last start in the Horse Chestnut Stakes and the 1800m appears up his alley. S’manga Khumalo is in good form and the former SA Champion will be keen to get the son of Gimmethegreenlight back into the winner’s enclosure.
Full Mast has his second run after a rest and has maintained consistent form. The Azzie galloper bids for a hat-trick of wins and jumps from the rails draw. He is seldom far off the action and warrants respect.
The false rail is set at 4m on the back straight to 9,5m on the bend, with a 9,5m spur at the 700m mark.
