There’s a racing axiom that says ‘pace makes the race’.
But given the absence of an obvious hare, is the 2018 Vodacom Durban July really under threat of turning into a ‘dawdle and dash for the cash’ circus on Saturday?
Dream on, say two of the greatest riders that we have ever had the pleasure of watching in this country.
Jeff Lloyd takes Made To Conquer through his paces at the gallops (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
In an exclusive chat with the Sporting Post, Jeff Lloyd and Garth Puller, legends of the turf with close on a century of experience between them, have emphatically rejected any suggestion that there will be no pace on, and have collectively agreed that the Vodacom Durban July simply doesn’t work like that – even though historic stats will show that the times do fluctuate from year to year. But that’s due to all factors prevailing on the day.
It has been well documented that multiple international champion Jeff Lloyd is back in South Africa for his 26th and final attempt to win the big race. He partners the smartly progressive Made To Conquer for Justin Snaith.
Staimna limitations for Star Express (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
We put it to the ‘Guv’ that our SP top-rated Matador Man and the Snaith mare Star Express can overcome any stamina limitation doubts in a race that appears devoid of pace, with a cruise and sprint for home.
“I don’t know the horses well. But if that is the outcome, then I, for one, would have ridden a bad race. My mount is a staying type. He only has 53kgs on his back. If they go slow, he is going to be flat-footed when we ‘sprint for home’, as you allude as a possibility. So, I will definitely not be hanging around in the shadows if there is no action up front,” said the veteran, who is now based in Australia and hangs up his boots after a long distinguished career later this month.
Garth Puller, the man labelled the ‘Head Waiter’for his preferred style of waiting and pouncing late in his races, rode two July winners. He was aboard Over The Air for Peter Kannemeyer in 1979 and rode Bush Telegraph – under just 49kgs – for the late Bert Abercrombie in 1987.
Bush Telegraph
“Jeff, or any other jockey who has ever ridden in the July or other major race, will tell you that the hype and the nerves and the tension and will to win, make it a different race. It’s not a maiden at Scottsville. Liken it to lacing up in the World Cup in Russia later this month, versus playing club soccer on Hartleyvale B ground on a Saturday afternoon. This is the big time in the theatre of champions in one of our great races. The adrenaline takes over in horse and rider. When those gates spring open, it’s every man for himself. It’s a race that changes lives and for trainers and jockeys, often defines careers – from a greenhorn like Lyle Hewitson to an old salt like Mark Khan – in other words, wherever you may be in the pecking order. So forget basing your calculations and bets on a Cape Crawl type scenario, or a jockey sitting cantering in front. That is just not going to happen!”said Puller, who added that Made To Conquer was also not the only staying type horse in the field.
Head Waiter – Garth Puller in his heyday
“I only had 49kgs to carry on Bush Telegraph and he had won the Daily News. So I knew he stayed. I thus could place him well and rode him accordingly. Jeff’s mount Made To Conquer is fit and in form. He has 53kgs on his back. That gives a jockey more confidence as you have more options whatever the lay of the land. And you know you can move into better positions without using up too much energy.”
Puller added that SA Triple Crown winner Abashiri was another example of a good fit staying sort with a great jockey in the irons.
London News wins the 1996 Rothmans July
“Piere Strydom is never going to hang around if there is no pace on. He knows his horse gets the 2200m and is fit. Piere has won the race four times – go and have a look at the replays. He is a master and he knows that Abashiri won’t sprint off a sedentary pace. So that’s just two good reasons to counter your Sunday stroll theory.”
He also added that Sean Tarry and Justin Snaith had multiple runners in the race and this gave the two log leading yards the tactical upper-hand.
“I would worry more about getting some luck in running than the pace. It’s a mad scramble and the guys are on a knife edge. That’s where the hard luck stories are more likely to originate. It’s very competitive and there will be a massive crowd again. It’s a great race no matter what anybody says. And nobody remembers who runs second,”said Puller in closing.
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