The Vodacom Durban July class of 2016 strutted their stuff in front of an excited crowd at Greyville on Thursday in the annual sticky buns and hot coffee public gallops show of strength. While the likes of Black Arthur and recent Gold Challenge winner Mac De Lago caught the eye with their enthusiasm, there are unlikely to be any major betting moves.
Black Arthur (Anthony Delpech) – most committed gallop of the morning
“I thought Black Arthur was the standout horse of the gallops. He ran from the mile and put his head down with a committed display. He stretched nicely all the way to the line,” said multiple July winning former champion jockey Garth Puller.
Black Arthur, who also pleased his trainer Justin Snaith, who said that it ‘will be tough to top that gallop’, moved well under Anthony Delpech and clocked 23,11 secs for the final 400m.
The son of Silvano, who has drifted marginally in the betting since Delpech baled to Bela-Bela and he drew 17, has not run since a scintillating victory in the SA Guineas on 6 May.
Mac De Lago (Bernard Fayd’herbe) – set fastest 400m to post
It thus made sense for him to be given a good blow out on Thursday.
This did not apply to all the runners and a no show was Mike Azzie’s Rabada, who is down to run in Sunday’s KZN Breeders Million Mile – just six days prior to his big date.
We were shown a brief clip of Rabada stretching at Summerveld.
Those Were The Days! A younger Garth Puller with one his favourites, his Durban July winner Bush Telegraph
Garth Puller had his reservations about the talented Rabada being at his best on July day.
“He could win Sunday’s race but no race is easy and to come out and be expected to pace it with the best in the July just days later is quite a big ask,” he added.
Puller, who won the July in 1979 on Over The Air for Peter Kannemeyer and in 1987 on Bush Telegraph for the late Bert Abercrombie, knows what it takes to lift the trophy and didn’t hesitate when nominating Dean Kannemeyer’s Solid Speed as the best place bet this year.
“He stretched nicely today, is proven and he has had a great prep. He’s the right age and is carrying the right weight to give the 3yo’s plenty to think about. Dean knows how to have them ready on the day. I really fancy him,” he said confidently.
After Khaya Stables’ Power King’s win last year, the statistical gods may be against a Solid Speed win. No horse has ever won the July in the same silks, for the same owner, trainer and jockey in consecutive years – but there is a first time for everything!
Trainer Mike de Kock and jockey Anthony Delpech won the July in 2010 and 2011 with Bold Silvano and Igugu respectively for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, in partnership with different owners.
Kannemeyer pair of Solid Speed (Stuart Randolph and Mambo Mime (Keagan De Melo) impressed
Puller, who is one of the few apprentices to have ridden in the July, said that 18yo Lyle Hewitson, who rides Dynamic from the 1 draw, was a promising rider, who would have plenty of pressure on his shoulders.
“No quarter is given in this race and Lyle will have to get Dynamic out quickly or face losing his position as they will come across quickly. The thing is not being too hard at the same time at the jump as Dynamic may then take him on as he is a strong galloper. It is a big moment in any young rider’s career – in fact any jockey will find a July win a major career booster in terms of confidence. That can have the knock on effect of taking him into the top echelon in the profession,” said Puller.
Gold Challenge winner Mac De Lago clocked the fastest 400m to finish of 21,81 sec.
Muzi Yeni on hometown hope Ten Gun Salute
That has to be taken in the context of the son of Encosta De Lago only galloping from the 800m on the poly in the hands of big race rider Bernard Fayd’herbe. He has drawn wide at 16.
The 400m to finish times – for what they are worth
French Navy and Samurai Blade galloped on the turf from the 1200m.
400m to finish: Samurai Blade – 22,84 secs
400m to finish:French Navy – 23 secs
Black Arthur galloped alone on the turf from the mile
400m to finish: Black Arthur – 23,11 secs
Abashiri galloped with a companion on the turf from the 1200m
400m to finish: Abashiri – 22,46 secs
Mac De Lago galloped with a companion from 800m on the poly
400m to finish:Mac De Lago – 21,81 secs
Solid Speed and Mambo Mime galloped together from 1000m on the poly
400m to finish:Solid Speed -22,31 secs
400m to finish:Mambo Mime – 22,77 secs
It’s My Turn galloped from 1400m on the turf
400m to finish:24,82 secs
Rocketball galloped with Silver Spring from 1200m on turf
400m to finish:Rocketball 22,94 secs
Ten Gun Salute galloped from 1200m on turf
400m to finish:22,54 secs
The Conglomerate galloped from 1000m on poly
400m to finish:The Conglomerate – 22,08 secs
Dynamic galloped from 1000m on turf
400m to finish:Dynamic – 28,83 secs
Marinaresco galloped with Night Trip from 1200m on turf
400m to finish:Marinaresco – 22,41 secs
Bela-Bela galloped from 1200m on turf
400m to finish:Bela-Bela – 24,42 secs
Saratoga Dancer galloped from 800m on turf
400m to finish:Saratoga Dancer – no time provided
St Tropez galloped from 1200m on turf
400m to finish:St Tropez – 21,92 secs
Deputy Jud hack cantered from 1000m on turf with a companion
400m to finish:Deputy Jud – no time provided (it would have been measured in hours!)
