July Day Trainer comments

Brett Crawford was happy with the Greyville workouts of his Vodacom Durban July contenders Captain America and Futura last Thursday and the three-year-old pair certainly impressed the morning crowd with their strong gallops under big race riders Sean Cormack and Glen Hatt respectively.

The visiting Cape yard also have other runners with chances on the day.

Crawford said, “If Captain America settles there is no doubt he will stay the trip. Sean Cormack has a very good pair of hands and we are also putting a new bridle on the horse, a drop nose band bridle. I think Futura is looking for this trip. He has a lot in his favour, such as a good draw and a lovely galloping weight. The biggest thing though is the pace, as there doesn’t appear to be any obvious frontrunners in the race. King Of Pain went to the front last time and won but this time he has 60kg to shoulder and is giving weight to the field, so that will make it tougher.”

Futura will come into barrier two if all of the reserve runners come out, while Captain America will come into draw nine.

Hatt chose the relatively unexposed Futura above Captain America.

That was some statement in itself as Captain America has already proved his class by running second in the both the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas and the Investec Cape Derby over 2000m, third in the Gr 2 KRA Guineas and a 1,4 length fourth in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000. Captain America, a huge colt by Captain Al, will now receive 2kg from the Daily News winner Legislate, which puts him right in the picture. He should have come on from that run too. He is certainly looking lean and mean and has a nice shiny coat.

Futura is also looking very well. He appeared to not quite produce the turn of foot that he is capable of when third in the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m at Clairwood last time out, but a review of the race provides an explanation. It was a slow run race and he was a little strong early. Nevertheless, he appeared to have a ton in hand under hands and heels in the straight, but was simply outpaced as it had turned into a sprint for home. He was doing his best work late, suggesting he will relish the July trip. Hatt did not lose any faith in him after that race. He will be receiving 3kg from Legislate, 2,5kg from both Louis The King and Rake’s Chestnut and 1kg from Captain America.

Crawford runs Maybe Yes over the same course and distance of her Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas win in the Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes. He said, “It’s a tough race, but she’s a good filly. She has a few lengths to find with Hammie’s Hooker and no doubt with Beach beauty too, but rest assured she will be running on. Hopefully Beach Beauty will have an off day, but she doesn’t seem to have many of those days.”

The yard also run Dancing Dynasty in the Garden Province, where she will be ridden by Kevin Shea, and Crawford said, “She’s only had three runs for us (for three wins) and has gone up twenty pounds, so this is a step up in class, but she can’t be faulted and will also be running on.”

Hatt is happy to be aboard Maybe Yes, but also thinks a lot of Dancing Dynasty and said about the latter, “Don’t be surprised if she finishes right on top of them.”

The yard run Sail South in the Listed Thukela Handicap over 1600m, where he is 1kg under sufferance on official merit ratings. Hatt said, “If we could get him to settle, he could be a good horse.” He won last time out over 1400m at Scottsville, despite pulling. He has won over 1600m before and a good draw will give Hatt a chance of finding the cover that he needs.

They run Wavin’ Flag in the Gr 2 Nokia Gold Vase over 3000m and interestingly have removed the blinkers. Crawford said, “We put the blinkers on because he always used to be stone last in the running in Cape Town, but he has shown a lot more speed on the lighter tracks here in Durban. He will stay every yard of the trip and is already graded placed. He has only been beaten about two lengths or less in his two starts in KZN and we want him to run well again so that he is showing good form going into the Gold Cup.”

Hatt added, “I just want him to win now, instead of running all these places.

The Alec Laird-trained Amazing Strike put in a sterling bit of work on the Summerveld grass yesterday and comes into the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m on Vodacom Durban July day with similar form to the yard’s winner of the race last year, Forest Indigo.

The Ideal World colt was ridden by Keagan Latham and quickened superbly to pass his companion effortlessly.

Latham said, “It was a very, very nice gallop. He settled beautifully behind his companion and when I pulled him out he passed him in a matter of strides. He quickened very well, almost too quickly, and I was very, very impressed.”

Laird will be attempting to win the first Gr 1 for Mauritzfontain-based sire Ideal World, having recently achieved the same feat for Greys Inn with Royal Bencher and for Judpot with Forest Indigo.

Laird said, “The Ideal Worlds have very good temperaments. They are not silly and have got an idea of pace.”

Amazing Strike lost a length and was caught wide last time out in the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes over 1450m at Clairwood, before running on well from a long way back for a two length fifth to the unbeaten Forries Waltz, who is now on his way to Dubai. Forest Indigo finished a 3,5 length third in that same race last year.

Laird said, “The Gatecrasher run wasn’t bad and on that effort Amazing Strike has a chance as he tired in the last 100m and will strip fitter now.”

Amazing Strike will be ridden by Weichong Marwing from a plum draw of two.

Gavin van Zyl has five definite runners on Vodacom Durban July day and the best of them could be Shogunnar, who runs in the Gr 3 tabGold 2200.

Both Gavin and his son and assistant trainer Gareth agreed that Shogunnar would be “hard to beat.”

Gareth said about the five-year-old Solskjaer gelding, who will be ridden by in form stable jockey Keagan de Melo from draw nine, “He is primed, it his third run after a rest and there is a lot of speed in the race, so his wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and he should have one or two to follow.”

The yard run their stalwart stayer Seal in the Gr 2 Nokia Gold Vase over 3000m from draw seven with De Melo up. Gavin said, “He is not a great track horse, but is working fine and is in a good space. This is a preparation for the Gold Cup, but we expect a good race and he has a winning chance.” Seal has been doing his preparation at the yard’s satellite operation in Johannesburg under the care of Chesney van Zyl and will travel down late this week, so will have the advantage of altitude training behind him.

Van Zyl has three runners in the first race on the polytrack over 1400m, Lady Tatty, Vino Veritas and Tip Toe. Gareth said, “All three are big runners. If Lady Tatty recovers well from her run on Sunday (2,8 length fourth over 1200m) she will love the course and distance. She was a bit unlucky in her first run on the poly.” Gareth warned that this filly often went down to the start a bit scratchily and that this tendency had no effect on the way she came back.

He continued, “It is shorter than preferable for Vino Veritas, but she could get away with it because she is quite an agile, nippy type who races handy and the blinkers are on.”

He added, “Tip Toe has a breathing problem, so coming down in trip will help and if we are on top of the problem she has the ability to win. The Trippis love the polytrack.”

De Melo is aboard Vino Veritas from a plum pole position draw, Lady Tatty has Stuart Randolph on from draw seven and Tip Toe will be ridden by Piere Strydom from draw eleven.

Buffalo Bill is unlikely to get a run in the second race, where he is third reserve.

Gavin van Zyl has five definite runners on Vodacom Durban July day and the best of them could be Shogunnar, who runs in the Gr 3 tabGold 2200.

The Alec Laird-trained Amazing Strike put in a sterling bit of work on the Summerveld grass yesterday and comes into the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m on Vodacom Durban July day with similar form to the yard’s winner of the race last year, Forest Indigo.

The Ideal World colt was ridden by Keagan Latham and quickened superbly to pass his companion effortlessly.

Latham said, “It was a very, very nice gallop. He settled beautifully behind his companion and when I pulled him out he passed him in a matter of strides. He quickened very well, almost too quickly, and I was very, very impressed.”

Laird will be attempting to win the first Gr 1 for Mauritzfontain-based sire Ideal World, having recently achieved the same feat for Greys Inn with Royal Bencher and for Judpot with Forest Indigo.

Laird said, “The Ideal Worlds have very good temperaments. They are not silly and have got an idea of pace.”

Amazing Strike lost a length and was caught wide last time out in the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes over 1450m at Clairwood, before running on well from a long way back for a two length fifth to the unbeaten Forries Waltz, who is now on his way to Dubai. Forest Indigo finished a 3,5 length third in that same race last year.

Laird said, “The Gatecrasher run wasn’t bad and on that effort Amazing Strike has a chance as he tired in the last 100m and will strip fitter now.”

Amazing Strike will be ridden by Weichong Marwing from a plum draw of two.

pirates Wrote:

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> I see glen kotzen comment regarding garden
> treasure saying she should go well on the
> polytrack...my computaform says she is running on
> grass:S

That was my fault sorry, typo.

Mike Miller was expecting a good race from his only runner on Vodacom Durban July day, Albert, who runs in the second race over 1400m on the polytrack.

“He is our best worker on the sand at Summerveld, so I will be very surprised if he doesn’t take well to the polytrack. He has only cantered on the poly at Summerveld to date. He is fit and the trip is perfect for him.”

The four-year-old Albert Hall gelding jumps from a good draw of three if the reserves come out and Donovan Dillon keeps the ride.

The Ivan Moore-trained Eton Mess strode out well in a gallop on the polytrack at Summerveld yesterday and could be a dark horse in the Gr 2 Nokia Gold Vase over 3000m on Vodacom Durban July day, where he is drawn eleven in a competitive field.

The six-year-old Jallad gelding’s jockey on the day Alec Forbes rode him and said, “I was happy with the workout and he is an out and out stayer, so must have a chance, although he does have a bit of weight to carry.”

Moore added, “He is full of himself and ready.”

There are some who are pointing at Bezanova’s run in the KZN Breeder’s Million Mile as a detractor to the chances of the three-year-olds in the Vodacom Durban July, but trainer Alec Laird did not believe that the Bezrin gelding ran to his best.

Bezanova was the best in at the weights in the race, where he carried only 52,5kg and was beaten 5,5 lengths by the four-year-old No Worries, who carried 54kg, and 2,25 lengths by the five-year-old Distinguished who carried 60kg.

Laird said, “He had a closed eye this morning, so being hit by a clod didn’t help and he was left a bit flat footed, so might have preferred it to be a bit further at this stage of the season, not being fresh. His usual kick wasn’t there, so it is clear that he didn’t run his race. Furthermore, up in Jo’burg he thrashed Silva Hawk (by six lengths in the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m) and that one got within a quarter of a length of him on Sunday.”

The July always stimulates a debate between the strength of the three-year-olds versus the older horses and in recent years, even when coming off second best in the pre-race argument, the three-year-olds have tended to have the upper hand.

The current crop of three-year-olds has been viewed as a strong one from a long way out and it is not surprising to see them dominating the betting. All four of the horses quoted in single figure odds are three-year-olds.

Bezanova finished three lengths behind July favourite Legislate in the Gr 2 KRA Guineas and just 1,65 lengths back in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 behind the same horse. However, other than his race on Sunday, there is not much other collateral form to go on as the only three-year-old male July runner who has run against older horses, Futura, has not yet faced his own age group in a feature race, while nothing went right in the running for dual classic winner In The Fast Lane when she was unplaced against older horses in the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m at Kenilworth on J&B Met day. However, Everest, who finished four lengths back in the Daily News 2000, did win the Noble Tune KZN Breeders 1900 comfortably on Sunday at Clairwood against older horses, despite carrying 58kg.

Michael Roberts’ only entry on Vodacom Durban July day is Mike’s Choice, who runs in the tenth race over 1000m on the polytrack from draw eight with Keagan de Melo up.

He said, “I’m running him because he is lazy at home and loves his outings and will then run in the Mercury Sprint before going on holiday. His action should suit the polytrack as he likes give in the ground.”

Mike de Kock has only one runner in this year’s Vodacom Durban July, the filly Espumanti, but he has a strong hand in the Gr1 two-year-old races and other events.
De Kock is going for his fifth July victory.

He said about the four-year-old Dansili filly Espumanti, who was Northern Hemisphere-bred so is six months behind her contemporaries, “She is blossoming as she is now catching up. I don’t know if she will stay 2200m, the furthest she has been is 2000m, but being by Dansili she should get it in theory. When she won the Betting World 1900m she was still running hard at the line. I am very happy with her preparation. We didn’t want to run her again after the 1900, because with the system as it is you risk losing your place, but she does enough at home, she is not a lazy worker. I’m happy with her draw of two. She has enough early pace and has a good kick if they go too fast.”

Espumanti will jump from pole position if the reserves come out.

She will be ridden by Anthony Delpech, who goes for a record fifth July win.

De Kock spoke about the dangers, “In The Fast Lane has been competitive against older horses like Beach Beauty and carries only 54kg and is well drawn. King Of Pain has beaten Beach Beauty twice at weight for age and beat Yorker, so that is outstanding form. I also like Punta Arenas. I was quite impressed with Louis The King’s finish last time in the Daily News 2000. He went into that race freshened up, so I fancy him most of the three-year-old males as that race wasn’t his mission and he now gets a bit of weight from the winner.”

De Kock has three runners in the Gr1 Zulu Kingdom Golden Slipper over 1400m and fancies his Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Alboran Sea. He said, “I rate Alboran Sea highly. Love To Sail beat winners first time out and I thought it was a good field. She is an unknown and will have to step up, but at home she shows us she is a smart filly. Pine Princess is very, very smart, but is looking for a mile and her wide draw will be a factor.”

Alboran Sea won the Allan Robertson going away so should stay the trip and Muzi Yeni retains the ride from pole position. Love To Sail will be ridden by Piere Strydom from draw five and Anthony Delpech rides Pine Princess from draw 13 if the reserves come out.

The yard run the filly One Fine Day as well as the colts Anjaal and Jayyed in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m.

De Kock said, “I ran One Fine Day here because she drew better than in the fillies race. She’s a very nice filly but there’s a small question mark about the trip. Her last run (third in the Allan Robertson) doesn’t indicate that, but I was worried before that race that she would even stay 1200m as she is very, very fast. Anjaal is a nice sort, although it’s possibly too short. He did achieve his rating in a sprint (fifth in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Medallion), but is scopey and is probably looking for a mile. I was surprised that Jayyed got in ahead of the likes of Light The Lights, who I thought would be one of the main contenders the way he beat Mootahadee. Jayyed is a nice, scopey horse, but will probably want a trip.”

One Fine Day will be ridden by Depech from draw eight, Anjaal will be ridden by Bernard Fayd’Herbe from draw three and Jayyed has Yeni up from draw nine.

De Kock said that both Wild One and Canterbury Tale were very well ahead of the Gr2 Gold Vase over 3000m, where he also runs the talented but hitherto disappointing Raaees. He said, “Wild One has come on and looks better now than he did before that last win (Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup). Going over 3000m for the first time is always a worry, but there is not much between all of these horses and I think they will finish on top of each other. I thought Canterbury Tale ran very well last time and he is also very well. Raaees is capable of better and we are now trying blinkers and a tongue tie.”

Wild One will be ridden by Delpech from draw two, Canterbury Tale has Anton Marcus up from pole position and Raaees has Warren Kennedy up from draw 12.

De Kock runs Mercurial Brave in the Gr3 tabGold 2200. This horse always makes breathing noises, but won well over 1950m at Scottsville last time out. De Kock said, “He won well and was well ridden. This is probably the trip he is looking for.” Kennedy replaces Delpech and they will jump from draw seven.

Sean Tarry believes his former Vodacom Durban July winner Pomodoro was treated with disrespect by the Vodacom Durban July selection panel and warned that the field had “better watch out” in the unlikely event that he got in as second reserve.

Tarry has two other runners, Whiteline Fever and Halve The Deficit, with which he and his chief owner Chris van Niekerk will attempt to make history by winning the big race together for the third year in succession.

He said about Whiteline Fever, who has enjoyed a good preparation out of Clairwood and is in good shape, “He was behind all of them in the slow run Gold Challenge and finished just as well as them.”

Halve The Deficit is being prepared on the Highveld and will travel down on Friday.

Tarry said, “He is doing very well.”

According to the forecast there could be rain on July day and Tarry said that both horses would love it.

Halve The Deficit is ridden by Piere Strydom from draw eight and Whiteline Fever will have S’Manga Khumalo on from draw six. Strydom won the July for Tarry in 2012 and Khumalo won it for him last year.

Tarry said about the 2012 July winner Pomodoro, “He is flying.”

One of Tarry’s chief gripes was that in his opinion the field should be chosen on Gr 1 form, of which Pomodoro has plenty in his career, and yet the horse had been dropped from position nine on the July log to 18 on the basis of a Pinnacle Plate preparation run. He had then been struck in the eye by a clod in the Gold Challenge, but this was not considered by the panel, despite the evidence of a completely closed eye the next day being available to them. Consequently, horses that had finished behind one of Tarry’s handicapping battlers Serissa in the Cup Trial got into the big race ahead of his yard champion. He also pointed out that Tellina had not been dropped out of the July log when running well below par in a preparation outing.

Tarry holds his Gr 1-winning filly Carry On Alice in very high regard and has said often this season that she is by far the best two-year-old in his yard. She will have an outstanding chance of winning the Gr 1 Zulu Kingdom Golden Slipper over 1400m. He added, “She is looking for this trip.” She is drawn ten and S’Manga Khumalo retains the ride.

Tarry runs Captain Clipper in the Gr1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m, the distance of his last win. This horse is also coming down on Friday and is doing “very well”.

Serissa runs in the Gr 3 tabGold 2200 from the widest draw of 15 and Tarry said, “According to the July panellists he should win easily, as he beat horses that qualified ahead of a July winner.”

Tarry also has Gold Onyx in the tabGold 2200. This horse loves Greyville and he said, “He is very well and I was disappointed when his running was taken up by the winner One Cool Dude in the Cup Trial, as I think he could have run third and that would have thrown the cat among the pigeons.”

Tarry runs Lock Him Up in the Non-Black Type KZN Yearling Sale Million over 1300m and said, “The draw hasn’t played into his hands, but he is doing well.”

He felt that Money Doesn’t Count would go well on the polytrack in the first race.

He said about She’s A Stunner, who runs on the poly in the tenth over 1000m, “She ran a very good race over 1200m last time on the poly (set the pace and tired late), and she is well weighted (although she does have a wide draw to overcome.)”

Stan Elley is very pleased with his Vodacom Durban July contender Punta Arenas and the five-year-old Silvano gelding was certainly striding out well in both his gallop at Greyville last Thursday as well as his workout on the sand at Clairwood yesterday under big race rider Stuart Randolph.

Elley had mixed feelings about Punta Arenas’ wide draw and said, “It’s tough, but he will come into 13, so it’s better than last year when he was 17. I’m also not sure what the effect of the draw will be this year with such a narrow spur of two metres.”

Punta Arenas lay handy when putting in a career best performance in the J&B Met, where he finished third.

However, Elley does not think these tactics will be employed in the July.

He said, “We tried to get him handy last year, but he got no cover and he needs cover.”

Punta Arenas was unplaced last year carrying 53,5kg off a merit rating of 100 and this year carries 57kg off a merit rating of 108, so he has a tough ask on paper. However, he appears to love Greyville and if things go his way his uncomplicated action will ensure that he produces a resolute finish.

Elley runs Big Cat from draw 12 with Grant van Niekerk up in the Gr3 tabGold 2200, where he is 1kg under sufferance, and said, “We are trying him over a new trip and he is up in class, but his work has been outstanding and I hope he can earn a cheque.”