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Posted 2015-07-01 14:04:57  
GREYVILLE: 4 JULY 2015 - VODACOM DURBAN JULY

  GREYVILLE: 4 JULY 2015 - VODACOM DURBAN JULY

This year's Vodacom Durban July looks to be another to live up to its history, drama and jolly good racing.

Trainer Sean Tarry sends out five of the eighteen runners. Of the five, LEGAL EAGLE looks to be the one the other seventeen horses have to beat. The three year old son of GREYS INN, himself a July winner, has had two fantastic Grade 1 wins coming into this race. She won the SA Derby over 2450m at Turffontein at the end of April when racing away from the field by three lengths. He followed that up by winning the Jubilee Handicap, also at Turffontein, by four and a half lengths. He produced a strong finish from about 300m out to win that one comfortable. He was not received any penalty for that latest win and should be carrying 57kg and not the 54kg he will have on his back this afternoon. He is the best weighted horse in the field. He has had only a short career thus far but has shown enough class to suggest that he should be the one to beat. From his six runs he has won four of them. His only blemish was on debut in October last year when he failed to show. He was not backed on debut and would have clearly needed the run. Jockey Anton Marcus, who won on him in his last two starts, has the ride once again. The only question mark against his name could be the fact that he has yet to see the Greyville circuit.

For those who will be looking for a horse to make the quartets pay, then ICE MACHINE could be the one. He did win the Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m by three lengths last time when sent out as favourite. He was slow off that day but did run on well. In the 2014 running of the J & B Met he did finish three lengths behind HILL FIFTY FOUR. Whilst there are far better horses in this field with more of a winning chance, he could be the one to sneak a place. He has won up to 1800m before so the distance could be a worry.

Trainer Stan Elley sends out a horse for the last time in this race. What better way to end an illustrious career than a win with PUNTA ARENAS who will be running in this race for the third occasions. He did finish less than four lengths back in sixth last year. He has been running on well in recent starts and he won the Cup Trial at this track a few weeks ago. He comes into this race with a chance of earning something. This will be his third run after a creditable fifth behind FUTURA in the J & B Met earlier in the year.

There will be an abundance of support for WYLIE HALL, who crossed the line first last year and lost it, some thought, in controversial manner in the board room. He won his last two with Bernard Fayd'Herbe in the saddle. Once again he will partner WYLIE HALL. He beat MAJMU by over a lengths in the Grade 1 President's Champions Challenge at Turffontein at the end of April. He has had the ideal preparation and this five year old Australian bred should go close again this year. If the going happens to be soft, then this would enhance his chances even more.

TELLINA finished a good fourth behind FUTURA in the J & B at the beginning of the year. He will be running on and he finished third in a pinnacle stakes behind HALVE THE DEFICIT last time at Turffontein. He should be added to the quartets and trifectas.

Trainer Mike Bass knows how to win this race. He saddles HELDERBERG BLUE who looks to be improving at the write time. Do not write his chances off. He is often sent to the front to set the pace. He employed these tactics in the J & B Met and stayed on for third.

Another trainer familiar with the number one box in the July, as well as in the other centres world wide, is Mike De Kock. MAJMU is a superb three year old filly with an impressive record of six wins from eight starts. She finished just over a lengths behind WYLIE HALL last time but is ½kg worse off at the weights for that loss. One does feel though that she is still improving and one has to respect her, even in this tough environment.

One cannot discount the brilliant FUTURA, who has amassed almost R3½ million. Last year he finished less than a length behind LEGISLATE in this race and he was running on extremely well. Last time he flew late for fourth in the Gold Challenge at this track over 1600m. We must also not forget his brilliant win in the J & B Met earlier in the year. Carrying 60kg will not be unfamiliar to him. He will have his supporters, and rightly so, a win will not be out of  possibility.

FRENCH NAVY won the Daily News at this track over 2000m last time. Last year LEGISLATE won the Daily News and then the July in consecutive races. There will be a nice price about him.

PINE PRINCESS has done very little wrong and could place at best.

1st - LEGAL EAGLE (10); 2nd - ICE MACHINE (3); 3rd - PUNTA ARENAS; 4th - WYLIE HALL (2); - 5th - TELLINA (11)

QUARTET:

10 x 1; 2; 3; 5; 7; 9; 11; 12; 17 x
1; 2; 3; 5; 7; 9; 11; 12; 17 x field [R12.30 for 1%]


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