Canon Gold Cup moved to June..

With South Africa hosting the World Cup, the year 2010 has necessitated breaks in tradition and innovative thinking by administrators of many South African sporting codes; horseracing being no different. This year’s Champions Season sees the R1.2million Canon Gold Cup brought forward a month, and for this year only, will be run on Saturday, June 26.

With the Vodacom Durban July already having moved to Saturday, July 31, from its traditional spot on the first Saturday in July, Gold Circle had to rethink some aspects of the Champions Season programme. The Canon Gold Cup, the most prestigious staying race on the national calendar, traditionally falls on the first Saturday in August, making it the first major racemeeting of the new racing season. But it made no sense to have two 12-race programmes staged within a week of each other.

As a result, it was decided to move the Canon Gold Cup forward in order to maximise the entertainment factor of horseracing with so many international guests visiting Durban and providing top class racing as a viable entertainment option.

The Canon Gold Cup will retain its charity angle and will remain a welcome opportunity for charities to raise much needed funds. Through the provision of a marquee infrastructure, some 18 fundraising organisations will again benefit this year.

so 2009/2010 season will have 2 Gold Cups, and 2010/2011 will have none! This will make a difference to the horse's earning log, as the stayers get two attempts this season and none next. And even for the owners log, should the same horse win twice.
Arg - sounds like a major confusion

Might stop the stayers entering the July?

It will be interesting to see if Pocket Power takes his place.

I would imagine while a July runner may go for the Gold Cup after, I don't think it would appeal to many trainers as the ideal prep to run the marathon before the main event.

the big 18oo metre cairwood feature is now on the first saturday of july so that will be a nice pointer to july