Vodacom Durban July wrap

It’s a race that every year throws up its fair share of drama and yesterday’s R3.5 million Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July was not different. A capacity crowd of 50 000 had to hold their breath once again as the objection hooter sounded across Greyville Racecourse for the second consecutive year shortly after the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Power King (22-1) had roared to victory ahead of Punta Arenas (28-1), Tellina (25-1) with the closest of the fancied runners Futura (9-2) in fourth place. The Quartet, with a pool of over R14 million, paid R85 000.

This was Kannemeyer’s third July victory after Dynasty and Eyeofthetiger and Stuart Randolph’s first. Power King is owned by Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables.

Kannemeyer said he had been concerned but the right decision had been made. “When you win this race it’s always the perfect ride,” he quipped. “We are very happy and the gods were very kind.”

“This was Lady Laidlaw’s first ever visit to Durban and Greyville and it was a great way to introduce her.”

Post-race and a now composed Lady Laidlaw said, “I calmed myself down first and looked at the film and my friend said the other rider had made the mistake. But my boy outdid them all.”

“My heart did sink when I heard the hooter,” said Randolph. “But after I looked at the head-on I knew I was safe. The other horse bumped me twice.”

An emotional Stan Elley, who retires from training after 40 years at the end of the month, was bitterly disappointed but said it had been a fair decision. “I have no complaints. If you had offered me second place at 6 o’clock this morning I would have taken it with both hands.”

Geoff Woodruff expressed similar sentiments about third-placed Tellina. “If you had offered me third yesterday I would have taken it. It also showed that he deserved his place in the field. This was his ninth placing in group races.”

In other Gr1 action on the day Dennis Drier had another remarkable afternoon winning both the two-year-old Gr1’s with Chestnut ‘N Pearls in the Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper and Seventh Plain just got the upper hand in a blanket finish to the Gr1 Durban Golden Horseshoe.

Anton Marcus has been adding steadily to his Gr1 record and also scored a double with Seventh Plain and then riding a superb race from a wide draw on the Duncan Howells-trained Same Jurisdiction.

www.goldcircle.co.za

A great day

It's still the 4th of July in Durban so the writer probably referred to the event as " yesterday " maybe in the height of the after parties?

Was the 13 th race run, there is no " small " feel to this event and the ladies really love the ups and downs that come into play.

Mike I probably wasn't meant to release until tomorrow:)

On the line view

Well done to the Natal trainers a good day. :woohoo: (well two of them at least, for me that is). Good day.

neigh wrote: Well done to the Natal trainers a good day. :woohoo: (well two of them at least)

Yes well done to them
Drier wins 3, Howells 2, Van Zyl 2, C Laird 1, Bosch 1,

The biggest cheer to Dean for winning the big one

For my July wrap-up - the fields are now too large for this narrow track. What a pity.

What a run from FUTURA,Legal Eagle and French Navy need to go overseas to run over 2400m plus ( no races for them in SA)

Ice Machine ran a cracker, found the extra too taxing( queens plat and met big runner )

Majmu ran an honest race but didnt stay

Conglomerate couldnt get a run, stayed well..next year?

Bob Brogan wrote: What a run from FUTURA,Legal Eagle and French Navy need to go overseas to run over 2400m plus ( no races for them in SA)

Ice Machine ran a cracker, found the extra too taxing( queens plat and met big runner )

Majmu ran an honest race but didnt stay

Conglomerate couldnt get a run, stayed well..next year?

Agreed about Futura...gave 5,5 to 7 kgs to those in front of it and probably ran closest to it's rating...

At the weights FUTURA probably "won" by 3.6kg.

Assumptions:

• 1 pound margin of error
• 1.33 pounds per length or 0.75 lengths per pound
• Three line-horses :
• 1. Power King
• 2. Puntas Arenas
• 3. Tellina
4 pound WFA for 3yo

@Mac...thanks...remember seeing a similar analysis of National Emblem's July run as an indicator of relative merit...

Better reflection of relative ability...