Re:Vodacom Durban July Log - 13 May

South Africa’s highest rated race horse, Rainbow Bridge, heads the 2021 Vodacom Durban July log which was issued by racing operator Gold Circle today.

The next three positions are occupied by automatic qualifiers Linebacker, War of Athena and Got The Greenlight by virtue of their respective victories in the Cape Derby (Gr1), SA Fillies Classic (Gr1) and Premier’s Champions Challenge (Gr1). Defending champion Belgarion and stable companion Do It Again, winner of the VDJ in 2018 & 2019, occupy the next two spots on the log.

The top 20 are listed in order of preference while the following five horses are tabled in alphabetical order. The final field of 18 horses plus two reserves will be declared on Tuesday, 22 June. Before then, there are a number of key races in which horses can still improve their chances of securing a place in the Vodacom Durban July to be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 3 July.

My value horse Golden D looks like he will not run.

what`s the betting Tristfull gets a run ahead of Attie... Big Ziets still has them rattled in KZN

Bob Brogan wrote: what`s the betting Tristfull gets a run ahead of Attie... Big Ziets still has them rattled in KZN

Can run in the Lonsdale but that's a handicap race. Better option is the KZN Derby, a WFA race with penalties. It then might make the July field.

Looks like Golden Ducat has been scratched, not reflected in the betting

bayern wrote: Looks like Golden Ducat has been scratched, not reflected in the betting

Eric Sands Racing

Today was one of those days that test us in racing. Golden Ducat injured his suspensory ligament in training today. No fault of anybody's, racehorses are athletes and like their human counterparts, injuries can happen. He is a very competitive horse and even though he mostly works alone, he puts every effort into his training. The track had just been harrowed so it was even and clean. He probably just put his foot down wrong. Pete Muscutt, I know the same could have happened if I was there. Take it easy my friend, you look after my horses like they are your own. Donovan Dillon, few realise how much this amazing horse is in your heart, thank you. My thoughts and feelings go out to Mr. and Mrs. Rattray, Mary Slack, Dumasani Bonani, Lucky Jevu, Helen Richardson and the rest of my team at home. Ducat, we will give you every bit of time and leave no stone unturned to have you back racing next season.

Just noticed that Nexus is relatively short (25/1) in the betting - yet he is not in the top 24 (as Golden Ducat is out) on the log - currently at a rating of 117, which means that he will be 1.5 kgs under sufferance carrying 53kg - could it be that the Snaiths are trying to sneak him in at a low weight aka Belgarion last year - will have to win a race in his prep though

Frodo wrote: Just noticed that Nexus is relatively short (25/1) in the betting - yet he is not in the top 24 (as Golden Ducat is out) on the log - currently at a rating of 117, which means that he will be 1.5 kgs under sufferance carrying 53kg - could it be that the Snaiths are trying to sneak him in at a low weight aka Belgarion last year - will have to win a race in his prep though

Maybe the various bookies sites are not all updated, but Nexus does not appear in the betting on H/wood or B/world

Question, if the July is not run because of COVID 19, what would happen to the ante post bets taken/laid, i.e. refunds, or would the bookies get to keep the money?

Bayern now that's a interesting question but I think they will keep the money because they are all crooks

No they wouldn’t, they would 100% refund if Covid cancelled the race

Hi All, what year was merit ratings introduced into South African racing, trying to establish how many three year olds have won the July since it's introduction?

Thanks.