JULY NEWS

Please be advised that Bold Ellinore has been scratched from the Garden Province Stakes by trainer Mr M de Kock (reason – Lame Near Fore – 2 July 2008 at 11:40).

Darren Scott - goes for Catmandu

Hi all for latest pools news on the tote have a look at this www.tabgold.co.za/odds/

Puffin check ou the Win/Places on Links (nice and will get better i'm sure) Had 2 dreams that Links won the July last night. A mate of mine dreamt that he read the sunday paper and links had won (omen hmmmmmm?)

Seeing that this thread has gone a bit quiet, I'll try and stir things up a bit by givng some comments on what I think will be the likely outcome:

Pocket Power: Most logical floater for trifectas and quartets; that being said he should have won the Gold Challenge, but didn't so I think he won't win this(but will be 2nd, 3rd or 4th)

Buy and Sell: Seems held by Dancer's Daughter on the Gold Challenge run.

Catmandu: Best of those that ran in the 1900, but is not really weighted to turn the form around with Eddington on the Gomma Gomma run

Pick Six: Couln't beat St Raphael last time - I think Hunting Tower will finish in front of him

She's on Fire: Hard to see her finish in front of Eddington on the Gomma Gomma run

Dancer's Daughter: Beat Imbongi by 3/4 lengths (receiving a kilo) seems well in here if she stays

Russian Sage: Got beat by Imbongi by 3/4 lenghts at level weights when needing the run, obvious contender at the weights despite the draw

Gallant Gagnant; Weighted to finish just in front of Russian Sage on their last run

Lion's Blood: Definite chance at best; if one ignores his last run he has Eddington and Buy and Sell held comfortably at the weights; poor public gallop (in my view) is a worry though

Tan Can: Seems held by Russian Sage and Gallant Gagnant, but may prefer the extra 200m; chance

So based on all that, I still think one of the 3 yr old's will win - yes if one goes on MR's they are slightly out at the weights and the draw is against them, but comparative form suggests to me that they are better in here than their elders; my 5 runners are in order of preference:

1st Gallant Gagnant
2nd Russian Sage
3rd Tan Can
4th Pocket Power
5th Dancer's Daughter

Best outsider: Lion's Blood

Oops; just remembered I didn't fancy Hunting Tower last year!

Dancers Daughter - I cant see her winning this and these are the reasons why:

1. Unproven on a right hand turn. I am a believer in horses having preference for a left or right track.
2. Weichong stole the race from Pocket Power in the Gold Challenge. Bernard probably didnt react quick enough on the day.
3. 56 000 screaming people wil rile her up. It is rumoured as per another post that she is highly strung and the noise will not do her any good.She will freak out in the straight.
4. When Weichong arrived in the winers circle at the Gold Challenge he was shaking his head negatively. Watch the replay.
5. In the interview Justin was doubtful whether she would run in the July then decided to keep her in. (doubts already)
6. I have already stated that I trust Weichongs instincts and why shouldn't I, he has proven himself against the worlds best.

Chris maybe you should unsticky this post. There will probably be more reaction.

I hope some of you reading this stuff are wearing goggles, because there is a lot of pissing in the wind going on in here!

We just laymen having July banter.
Might not be pissing straight but its grrreattt ... !

...so perhaps Mr Irwin can set us straight?

Thanks Cukoo

Comments could mean one of 2 things - Shes on fire to nail the race or Justin has told Mr Irwin that DD cant loose

Rather shocking that Brett Smith and Johnny G will not be riding in the July.