JULY NEWS

Thought this topic would be full of stable talk! Come on those in the know. You're money is on so lets hear it! Re gallops all talk about Buy & Sell but Hunting Tower fastest time overall even though his 800m and 400mm times amongst the slowest which indicates if he had persevered with his initial efort would have lined the whole lot of them timewise!

The Vodacom Durban July looms and a competetive field lines up.

My thoughts (amateurish maybe) on some of the runners :

Pocket Power (33/10), cannot be ignored. Despite the talk that he's never won outside the Cape, he remains a big runner and a worthy favourite. Will go close.

Buy and Sell (10/1), runner up last year, 2kg worse off and drawn 16. Cant see him winning.

Floatyourboat (33/1), i believe will find the 2200m just beyond him.

Hunting Tower (20/1), a big runner imo, even though he hasnt won since winning the July last year, he is well drawn and peaking for the race. Can win it again.

Successful Bidder (40/1), sad not to see his usual pilot, B.Smith aboard. Finished right on top of them last July from the 15 draw. Back end of the quartet.

Catmandu (14/1), this 4yr old Makaarem gelding has been a revelation and ran a cracker behind River Jetez over 1900m at Greyville last time, clocking 22.2 secs over the last 400m. 15 draw wont help but would be a fairy-tale outcome.

Eddington (25/1), won the big one at Turfontein over 2000m in soft going and despiote Strydom staying aboard will have his work out to finish in the first 4 imo.

Pick Six (14/1), fancied by some knowledgable pundits but this amateur believes the 2200m at Greyville is just beyond him. But Marcus has chosen to ride him over Hunting Tower so he is clearly the stable elect.

She's on Fire (14/1), not for me even with W.Mawing aboard for the 'old master'.

Dancer's Daughter (7/1), joint 2nd favourite, has exploded on the scene and has tongues wagging. K.Shea aboard, 1st time at Greyville, 1st time beyond 1800m and could run a place but not win imo.

Silver Mist (66/1), could cause a massive upset. Has run Pocket Power close on a few occasions from bad draws and i believe 2200m is perfect. Ran a cracker behind River Jetez when drawn 16-16. My dark horse (grey) this year.

Desert Links (14/1) would be a popular winner here on ABC. Is unbeaten here over 3 starts and id well drawn and distance suited. Didnt think he had a prayer till i saw him win over 1800m last time out at Clairwood, clocking a blistering 107.27.
Go Puffin 1

Russian Sage (8/1), a popular choice for many but from a 19 draw, will need luck in running to win here for B.Irwin and team. Cant see him winning.

Lion's Blood (33/1), a lurker for quartets.

River Jetez (7/1), Pocket Power's sister, with J.Lloyd seeking his first July. Big Nice draw, great trainer, big runner

My Big 5 (havent worked out in what order yet) :

Pocket Power, Silver Mist, Hunting Tower, Catmandu, River Jetez.

Ouzo !

Cukoo - Definitely one of the most open July races in recent history with every horse having a fair chance.There are a lot of horses that I would not mind seeing run first for various reasons.

Links - for the connections to carry on with the fairytale year they've had (also got a be on him)
Hunting Tower - Most righting him off too pull the double. He won me cash last year and is a champ in my mind
Pocket Power - To break the Cape win jinx and prove to SA that he is one of the greatest champs weve seen in SA (win loose or draw he is regardless of where he finishes)
Buy and Sell - Sorry Cukoo have to disagre with you on this. I believe he is the one for this year (money on him too)

I cant wait - I dream about the race every night and its my first thought when I wake up. For me this is like going to the Monaco Grand Prix.

I wish someone would get some footage together and create a promo video of the event. They need to capture the glamour excitement and racing all rolled into 1.

July Gallops - sectional timing - to finish

Horse Name 1400m 800m 400m

Pocket Power 1:31.59 47.20 23.00
Buy and Sell 1:24.97 45.70 21.97
Floatyourboat 1:31.57 47.20 22.90
Hunting Tower 1:24.80 51.00 25.37
Successful Bidder n/a 47.77 22.69
Pick Six 1:31.97 50.28 22.34
Dancer’s Daughter 1:25.30 50.40 22.50
Bound by Honour 1:33.40 49.85 23.87
Silver Mist n/a 48.18 23.97
Desert Links 1:31.56 49.10 23.38
Russian Sage 1:33.50 48.56 24.65
Galant Gagnant 1:25.20 46.47 23.31
Lion’s Blood 1:26.47 47.57 23.35
Tan Can 1:32.30 49.30 24.34
River Jetez 1:30.90 48.00 22.22
Wendywood 1:30.50 48.60 23.22

The pace to be the decider methinks.
Fast pace and Desert Links to get close to the Power. True pace and the Power smacks 'em. Slowish pace and the Power wins narrowly.

By volume of trade on Interbet with a week to go:

River Jetez (7/1-10/1) (R1.2m) is almost double the next horse (Eddington 25/1-33/1) (R720K)

The fav PP (R563K), has got 5 runners more heavily traded than him.

That would've been hard to predict.

Jack...do you expect Pocket to drift?

Pocket will drift. Expect a bold effort from Wendywood . I just fancy her.

Hunting Tower the big bet for me.

cuckoo i remember last year we both picked Hunting Tower on this forum and have now both posted Silver Mist as our upset horse this year. A good omen!!

You have a scary memory,southpaw.
An omen indeed !
I have been told by a few experts (trainers) that Silver Mist cant win.
We still having a strike, squire, at 66/1.
Cant get burnt, but the rewards ... !

5 Sleeps left. Hope all the horses are well and Jockeys are ready to give it there all.

3 year olds much better at the weights. Watch