Durban July Final Field

agreed...Mr H .. the gift of the gab

Journalist: Richard McMillan – Gold Circle Publishing Department

MEDIA RELEASE

20 JUNE 2017

The die is cast and the 18 top thoroughbreds to contest Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event, the R4.25-million, Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July over 2 200m at Greyville on July 1, have been announced.

With two reserve runners, the final field together with jockeys and barrier draws was revealed at a special function at Greyville today and considering the recent July Log standings, there were no real surprises although the odd eyebrow might have been raised.

But it was the draw that threw the cat among the pigeons with second favourite Al Sahem drawing the plum gate at one while favourite Edict Of Nantes will have to jump from draw 13. There is little between the two on form them having fought out the finish of the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and apart from the draw, the Sean Tarry-trained Al Sahem has a 0.5kg weight advantage over his rival.

After his wide draw last year from which he won the race, Joey Ramsden drew three for The Conglomerate and Callan Murray will be flying back from Hong Kong to ride him while third favourite before the final field was announced, Elusive Silva, did not fare as well and will have to break from gate 15.

Black Arthur and Marinaresco will jump from gates eight and nine respectively with Ten Gun Salute at five and the filly Nightingale on his outside.

No jockey has been announced for Summer Cup winner Master Sabina, now with the Justin Snaith stable, but Gavin Larena will fly back from the United Kingdom to ride Brazuca, Callan Murray will return from Hong Kong for the race and Muzi Yeni will make his way back from Mauritius to throw a leg over Ten Gun Salute.

Graeme Hawkins, Gold Circle’s Marketing Executive, announced during the luncheon the exciting tote expectations for the big day including a guaranteed Pick 6 pool of R10-million which is expected to reach R11-million plus and a massive guaranteed Quartet pool on the Vodacom Durban July of R13-million which is expected to reach R15-million.

There will be place payouts on the first six placed horses and the pool for this bet is expected to reach R8-million.

its seems you guys dont like the snaiths so lets rather leave it at that or lets have a nice bet between ourselves if it isnt the case..

If Usain Bolt doesnt win/place or qualify with the quickest time in the heats, Does he get a spot in the Final of the Olympics as he is all the rage leading up to the race? .

the biggest tragedy is the july is not attracting the best horses in the country and when you consider that the first 4 in the met whisky baron legal eagle capt usa gold standard plus mother russia deo juvente and also the cape guineas winner of marshalls are missing and you look back at the season and see what these horses i have mentioned have achieved then questions need to be asked, as if you put all of these in the july which used to be the case for many years it was a proper race unlike this race which without al sahem and edict of nantes is about the same strength of july consolation races of years gone by..

Karma wrote: If Usain Bolt doesnt win/place or qualify with the quickest time in the heats, Does he get a spot in the Final of the Olympics as he is all the rage leading up to the race? .

Cannot use this analogy Karma...the rules are well set in athletics.

But in tennis, you have criteria based on rankings etc, and then you have the wild card invitations...which is more applicable here.

pirates wrote: mr h what price will you lay me that black arthur will beat home more than beats him?as per your reasoning he should be at the bottomof your betting boards?other s can also offer please join in if you anti ba

Are you on the Snaith payroll like the guys writing the sporting post articles? You've got him into the final your job is done :lol: He hasn't done enough this season to make the the final field, who cares what he finishes that's not the point people are making. By your criteria the bookies should pick the final field, top 18 ante post should run no matter what, is that right?

Karma wrote: If Usain Bolt doesnt win/place or qualify with the quickest time in the heats, Does he get a spot in the Final of the Olympics as he is all the rage leading up to the race? .

his run in the cup trial showed his well being ,the horse was heamoconcentrating he was then gelded the july will be his peak run unlike others who have had 450 runs and never come close to placing in a group one he has won a group2 and placed in group 1..there are tired horses in the race a few of them are gold cup horses there trainers know this but owners have egos so they waste a run in the july..anyway enough of this pm me make me a nice betting offer if you so strong that he shouldnt be in ..put the money down believe in your judgement

tml the same to you put your money down pm me talk is cheap

its a pity bob cant bring up the threads about run for it who had done less than black arthur and had to win a progress plate or a something similiar to get into the july and the same critics were made to eat there words when he ran 2nd to heavy metal :lol: :lol:

Why you want everyone to pm you ???? If you that confident then put your odds you give out in the open and see if someone wants to bite... surely you would give much bigger odds than bookmakers otherwise no use trying to lure people for sidebets but not beating the bookmaker odds :sick:

This is doing the rounds , sure it's someone at the wind up :whistle: