GLEN KOTZEN RUNNERS

The Glen Kotzen yard have seven runners on Vodacom Durban July day and will contest three Grade 1 races including the big one with Fabiani.

Jockey Derryl Daniels spoke on behalf of the yard and said, "Fabiani has a big heart and is in the race for a reason. He has been striding nicely in his work and will see out the trip. He has a nice inside draw. But that could be a good or a bad thing. Ideally you want to be drawn in the middle in the July."

The yard has Imperious Star and Lady Windermere in the Garden Province over 1600m. Daniels will be attempting to win his second Grade 1 race on Imperious Star this season having won the Woolavington over 2000m on her.

He said, "This is down in trip for Imperious Star and that might find her out. But she is fit and well and will run a good race. Lady Windermere won this race last year. She has tons of ability and showed a bit of a form return last time. She likes Durban and came right at the end of the season last year. If she runs a place we will be happy."

They have Six Blue Notes and Big On Broadway in the Grade 1 Durban Thekwini and he said, "Six Blue Notes will enjoy this trip but is very widely drawn. Big On Broadway has so much ability but is not putting it in. We must figure out why."

In the Grade 3 Schweppes 2000 they run Robinson Crusoe and Daniels said, "His work on sand has been excellent but he's not a reliable horse. If he puts his best foot forward he will run a big race. Stuart (Randolph) knows him well and was happy with his gallop at the July gallops."

In the Grade 2 Gold Vase over 3000m they have Gilmore Girl and he said, "She is fit and well and will like this trip. We're looking for a nice big run."

SEAN TARRY RUNNERS

Sean Tarry said that his team of Vodacom Durban July day runners were fit and well and all of them were entered on the day not for the sake of it but because he felt they all had realistic chances, even the ones at long odds.

He added, "I would not be surprised if we had a winner or two on the day."

Besides Aslan and Vertical Takeoff in the big one Tarry contests three of the other Grade 1 events as well as five other races.

In the Grade 1 Durban Thekwini Stakes over 1600m, he has the Australian-bred filly Happy Archer , and said, "Considering her good draw and that there is likely to be a good pace in the race I make her my best runner on the day. She is quite speedy, but with a strong pace she can relax. The only concern is that I'm not 100% sure she will stay the 1600m, although she looks to stay and will definitely do so in time."

In the Grade 1 Premier's Champion Stakes he has the New Zealand-bred Gold Onyx and he said, "You can ignore his last run with confidence. But with draw 16 it's going to be very hard. He is fit and well and I'm hoping for luck in running."

In the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes over 1600m, Tarry has Captain's Gal, Autumn Gold and Kiribati.

He said, "If Captain's Gal had Prestic's pole position draw, I would say "race over". But I'm very worried about her wide draw of 15. She is not usually the type we drop out, we usually have her handy. So now we have to decide whether to jump and go or drop her out and come with a run.

I've always rated Autumn Gold. She wasn't good enough in Jo'burg for this sort of race and she disappointed us, but has raised her game in Durban and has come on into what we thought she would be. She is held by some of these on Jo'burg form, but has improved a few lengths in Durban. They will need to go hard. Last time she was nearly beaten because the pace was too slow. Kiribati likes the course and is an honest sort, but the yard preference is for Captain's Gal and Autumn Gold."

In the Grade 3 Schweppes 2000 Tarry runs Airwolf and said, "We used to run him handy. But then we tried coming from the back and his last win was a good run. Before that his run behind Happy Valley is now also looking like a good run."

In the Grade 2 Gold Vase over 3000m, Tarry runs Royal Captive, and he said, "I'm very sad he got a bad draw because this horse is very, very well."

In the second race over 2400m, Tarry runs Logically, and he said, "He is a half-brother to Thanks John and I think he is crying out for this distance."

In the eighth, a handicap over 1400m, he said, "Mr Top was just touched off over a mile here once, so I'm confident he will see out this trip. He likes Greyville and is well drawn. Fork Lightening is a nice backup to have. He is well drawn which will help over this distance."

In the ninth, a handicap over 1600, Tarry has Taiki Dancer and he said, "It's a very open race, but she will be running at them and has a chance."