GREYVILLE (VODACOM DURBAN JULY) 31 JULY 2010
RACE 1:Juvenile Plate 1000m Bend
MAGICO is unbeaten over today's distance (2 from 2). This is his first run in KZN. Piere Strydom rides and he could be right there. He has been running on well. SPORTS COACH (Charles Laird/Anton Marcus) ran an excellent post maiden when just failing to catch Link Man on the line in the Gold Medallion at Scottsville in May. First run since gelding. SNAPPY has placed this C & D and showed very good improvement last time when wearing the blinkers for the first time. Watch! GO GO LOOCHEE can place on some moderate post maiden runs but will have to find far more to win. Watch the betting on the first timer FOURTH ESTATE, son of Dynasty.
SELECTION: 1st:- MAGICO * (1); 2nd:- SPORTS COACH (2); 3rd:- SNAPPY (8)
RACE 2:MR 78 Hcp 2400m Straight
RULEROFTHEDESERT (Charles Laird/Anton Marcus) is unbeaten this track (2 from 2). He will be running on and may find the extra distance even more to his liking. LUCKY STAR is one that could cAUSe an upset. His form is consistent even though this is his thirty second start and has only one win to show for his efforts. ATYEB (Mike De Kock/Anthony Delpech) disappointed in his post maiden last time, but the blinkers go on today. One to keep a close eye on. WHITE HOUSE has improved with the blinkers and can place. LOGICALLY has fair form. Sean Tarry and Piere Strydom team up on this one for the first time.
SELECTION: 1st:- RULEROFTHEDESERT ** (8); 2nd:- LUCKY STAR (16); 3rd:- ATYEB (9)
RACE 3:Grade 3 Schweppes 2200 (MR) (R200 000) 2200m Bend
BOUQUET-GARNI is currently at 18/1 in the betting. He has proven form and has been racing against far stronger. One that could cAUSe something of an upset even though his form against stronger horses has been good. SALUKI will be finding a good finish. He finished only a length behind Flying Tristram who runs in the Vodacom Durban July later in the day. Rates a very good chance. PREDESTINATION was far from disgraced when finishing fourth behind Ancestral Fore in the Canon Gold Cup at the end of last month. GRAFTON STREET has good form but may struggle at the weights. RUDI ROCKS (Charles Laird/Anton Marcus) has a very good finish and should be included in trifectas and quartets.
SELECTION: 1st:- BOUQUET-GARNI * (8); 2nd:- SALUKI (13); 3rd:- PREDESTINATION (16)
RACE 4:Grade 2 Gold Vase (MR) (R400 000) 3000m Bend
Not an easy race. ROYAL CAPTIVE (Sean Tarry) showed good improvement last time. That was over shorter and he failed to hold on. He has placed this C & D and can still pose a threat. There will be no stamina doubts with NOBLEWOOD. He won the Canon Gold Cup in 2009 over slightly further. HOSPITALITY did not have the best of luck in the Can Gold Cup last month. His form has been very good and it would not be a surprise were he to win. REFINED IN FIRE was not disgraced in the Canon Gold Cup and is not out of it. GOLDEN PARACHUTE (Mike Bass/Jeff Lloyd) does not have the best of current form but respect the Mike Bass yard.
SELECTION: 1st:- ROYAL CAPTIVE * (12); 2nd:- NOBLEWOOD (3); 3rd:- HOSPITALITY (7)
RACE 5:Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes (R500 000) 1600m Bend
HAPPY ARCHER (Sean Tarry/Anton Marcus) has won both of his starts at this track. She could be even more effective over the extra distance. She has shown that she could have a bright future and has been running on over shorter. The blinkers have helped FOLLOW THE PIPER. He tried them for the first time two runs back and duly won both starts. Watch for further improvement. FRAGRANT AL has a good chance on her good second behind Mahbooba in the Grade 1 Golden Slipper last time. SIX BLUE NOTES finished three lengths behind the very good Mahbooba in the Grade 1 Golden Slipper at Clairwood last time. That gives her a good chance here. LEGAL ACCOUNT was running on in that Grade 1 Golden Slipper last time. Piere Strydom rides. Consider even though she finished a length behind SIX BLUE NOTES that day, but meet again at level weights.
SELECTION: 1st:- HAPPY ARCHER ** (2); 2nd:- FOLLOW THE PIPER (5); 3rd:- FRAGRANT AL (1)
RACE 6:Grade 1 Premier's Champion Stakes (R500 000) 1600m Bend
KAVANAGH (Mike De Kock/Kevin Shea) won the Nursery At Turffontein three months back and has followed that up with two very good post maiden efforts. He had his last run taken away from him on an objection that day and should be able to make amends today. COPPER PARADE (Joey Ramsden/Piere Strydom) won that race on the objection. They meet at level weights and KAVANAGH should just about keep his nose in front. THE ASSAYER (Charles Laird/Anton Marcus) should prefer the extra distance. Has yet to run at this track. PERANA (Mike De Kock/Anthony Delpech) won his maiden by an impressive seven lengths last time. Hard to assess as that field was not as strong and he may also need to confirm. DOMINO PLAYER has more to find but has had one second and two wins thus far, but against decidedly weaker opposition.
SELECTION: 1st:- KAVANAGH ** (2); 2nd:- COPPER PARADE (1); 3rd:- THE ASSAYER (4)
RACE 7:Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July (MR) (R3 000 000) 2200m Bend
Here is a summary of each horse running in the big race:
1 POCKET POWER May find a race such as this, at his age, too much for him. This must not detract from the fact that he has been one of the best horses to have raced in this country and can still earn a cheque.
2 RUDRA Has not lived up to his earlier promise. Prefer the other Mike De Kock runners.
3 FABIANI Will need to find far more to win. Would cAUSe a major upset were he to win.
4 IRISH FLAME In top form. He has won his last three. He beat Pierre Jourdan in the Derby at Turffontein in heavy going in May, followed up by winning the Daily News at this track and finally the Derby at Clairwood last time. Will be doing his best work late. If the going is soft, then his chances would be enhanced.
5 FORT VOGUE Anton Marcus rides for Mike Bass who knows how to win this race. Must be included.
6 BOLD SILVANO Has impressed since joining the Mike De Kock yard. Will be fighting out at the line. Big chance if repeating his win in the Greyville 1900.
7 ORBISON Not to be ignored. Once again Herman Brown has a chance of running into the money with an unfancied horse. Won the Champions Cup last time by over two lengths.
8 RED RAKE Will have more to find. Could be the Mike De Kock pace - setter. Will be a surprise winner.
9 ANCESTRAL FORE Won the Gold Cup last time. May run into the money, that is if the race did not take too much out of him. One cannot afford to ignore any Mike De Kock runner.
10 RIVER JETEZ Jeff Lloyd returns from Hong Kong to ride for Mike Bass. Has to be respected for her win in the J & B Met even though it was not run at a true pace.
11 ASLAN Will be running on. Can place but may find the win a but too much.
12 LOVE IS IN THE AIR Will be a shock winner in this league.
13 HAPPY VALLEY Yet another Mike De Kock runner. He has improved since he was gelded. Jockey Muzi Yeni has a good chance of being the first black jockey to win this race. Chance at the weights.
14 CAPTAIN SCOTT Trainer Alec Laird is feeling confident of winning this race for the first time since he won with London News in 1996. The Laird family are synonymous with this race.
15 LIZARRE The last of the Mike De Kock septet. Top jockey Piere Strydom has the ride. Has a chance at the weights and with Strydom up.
16 RUSSIAN SAGE He may not win but I do fancy this one to run into the top four. He has been holding form well.
17 FLYING TRISTRAM Has improved in his last two and looks to be well handicapped. Can place.
18 SERVICE ACE Owner Bridgette Oppenheimer, no stranger to the number one box in this race, may have to wait another year for another win in this race. This one-time winner last won on July Day as a two-year last year.
19 VERTICAL TAKEOFF Finished second to ANCESTRAL FORE in the Gold Cup a few weeks back. Will have more to do this time around.
20 GOAT Has shortened in the betting in the last few days. Has class but this filly ha few lengths to find to win a race such as this.
HORSES TO CONSIDER ARE: POCKET POWER; RUDRA; IRISH FLAME; FORT VOGUE; BOLD SILVANO; ORBISON; ANCESTRAL FORE; RIVER JETEZ; HAPPY VALLEY; CAPTAIN SCOTT; LIZARRE; RUSSIAN SAGE and FLYING TRISTRAM.
SELECTION: 1st:- BOLD SILVANO * (6); 2nd:- IRISH FLAME (4); 3rd:- FORT VOGUE (5); 4th:- RUSSIAN SAGE (16); 5th:- FLYING TRISTRAM (17)
RACE 8:MR 102 Hcp 1400m Bend
BUSH PIRATE has the form to make a solid claim here. He is well suited to the C & D and will be finding a good late finish again. MASTER BLASTER was unlucky last time when stumbling midway through the race down the Turffontein straight. Can make amends today. CASK won very handsomely last time. May repeat. CAPE TOWN flatters on occasion but is always worth including. DANCE AT DAYLIGHT should be running on well. MIGHTY ATOM can place if finding best form.
SELECTION: 1st:- BUSH PIRATE * (3); 2nd:- MASTER BLASTER (7); 3rd:- CASK (11)
RACE 9:MR 82 Hcp (F & M) 1600m Bend
XILOMANTE won by a "country mile" last time when racing on the sand. If she can repeat that run, then she will be hard to beat this time as well. One of her two wins has been at this track. BET ON BLUE is never far back and will be doing her best work late. FIRST 'N FAST has won her last two with the blinkers. Can make a solid effort to make it the hat trick. Will be running on late. COLOURED GEM makes his track debut. More to find for the win but may sneak a place. YOUNG CAESOUR won her maiden last time and may need to confirm. That win was over today's distance at Clairwood.
SELECTION: 1st:- XILOMANTE ** (9); 2nd:- BET ON BLUE (6); 3rd:- FIRST 'N FAST (13)
RACE 10:Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes (R500 000) 1600m Bend
PRECEDENT is in very good form and she will be hard to beat if running on as she usually does. Stable and jockey also in good form. PRESTIC is another who will be running on. She runs well this C & D and should be a threat. CAPTAIN'S GAL has been racing in top company. Piere Strydom rides for Sean Tarry. Stable companion AUTUMN GOLD ran on strongly two runs back when just going down to Gibraltar Blue in a feature. Strong claim on that run. SPARKLING GEM will be setting a good pace but will need to hold on.
SELECTION: 1st:- PRECEDENT * (9); 2nd:- PRESTIC (3); 3rd:- CAPTAIN'S GAL (1)
RACE 11:Pinnacle Stakes (3-Year-Olds) 1200m Bend
NEVER FOREVER has been a trifle unlucky just recently when having had his penultimate start and win taken away from him. He ran on strongly when just failing to win again last time over this C & D. ROYAL BOUNTY has won his last two and will be looking for the hat trick. LION IN WINTER tries the blinkers today. Watch! Runs well this distance. IMALI will also be looking for the hat trick. He is fast and has won two from three over the distance. TWO TONE is never too far back and has been running on.
SELECTION: 1st:- NEVER FOREVER * (6); 2nd:- ROYAL BOUNTY (2); 3rd:- LION IN WINTER (5)
RACE 12:MR 80 Hcp (F & M) 1200m Bend
KWITIZINA has Bernard Fayd'Herbe back in the saddle today. She is never too far back and can go close if finding a better finish. ALLAGAIN (Charles Laird/Anton Marcus) ran a good post maiden last time and should be ready to make the necessary improvement soon. EL MOMENTO also ran a decent post maiden last time but may find this one a little harder. ENRICHMENT will be running on. STREET CRED has some decent form, loves this distance and was running on in her latest effort.
SELECTION: 1st:- KWITIZINA * (3); 2nd:- ALLAGAIN (10); 3rd:- EL MOMENTO (12)
TOP FOUR BETS:
| RACE |
HORSE |
CURRENT ODDS
(Betting provided by Marshalls World of Sports) |
| 2 |
8 RULEROFTHEDESERT |
182/100 |
| 5 |
2 HAPPY ARCHER |
2/1 |
| 6 |
2 KAVANAGH |
93/100 |
| 9 |
9 XILOMANTE |
84/10 |
| |
|
MULTIPLE ODDS: 152/1 |
BEST BET: RACE 6 NUMBER 2 - KAVANAGH
VALUE BET: RACE 3 NUMBER 8 - BOUQUET-GARNI (14/1)
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
| BET |
LEG 1 |
LEG 2 |
LEG 3 |
LEG 4 |
LEG 5 |
LEG 6 |
LEG 7 |
| R1 |
8 |
12 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
9 |
| R128 |
13 |
3 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
6 |
| R972 |
16 |
7 |
1 |
|
5 |
11 |
|
PICK SIX (Couplings have been taken into account)
| BET |
LEG 1 |
LEG 2 |
LEG 3 |
LEG 4 |
LEG 5 |
LEG 6 |
| R1 |
12 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
9 |
| R64 |
3 |
5 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
| R729 |
7 |
1 |
4 |
16 |
11 |
13 |
| R1728 |
|
6 |
|
17 |
12 |
|
| R2700 |
|
3 |
|
|
18 |
|
JACKPOT 1 [Races 5 - 8] (Couplings have been taken into account)
| BET |
LEG 1 |
LEG 2 |
LEG 3 |
LEG 4 |
| R1 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
| R16 |
5 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
| R81 |
1 |
4 |
16 |
11 |
| R192 |
6 |
|
17 |
12 |
| R300 |
3 |
|
|
18 |
JACKPOT 2 [Races 9 - 12] (Couplings have been taken into account)
| BET |
LEG 1 |
LEG 2 |
LEG 3 |
LEG 4 |
| R1 |
9 |
9 |
6 |
3 |
| R16 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
10 |
| R81 |
13 |
1 |
5 |
12 |
| R192 |
|
2 |
11 |
7 |
| R300 |
|
|
7 |
4 |
SUGGESTED BETS:
| RACE |
SWINGER |
EXACTA |
TRIFECTA |
QUARTET |
| 6 |
Box 1x2x4 |
Box 1x2x4 |
2
X
1x4
X
Field |
2
X
1x4
X
Field
X
Field |
|
All exotics are out Aslan. OMG.