LEISURE TRIP (12) has yet to run a bad race in either Cape Town or Durban and should be right there again. IMPALA LILY (5) has strong and consistent form. She will be doing her best work late. VICTORY TAKEOVER  (11) is never too far away. Can go close. SECRET RUN (3) can benefit from a drop in distance. SCHOOL RUN (4) should make a race of it.

RACE 2:

DESERT FIGHTER (2) should have a good chance of winning this race given his current form. May be best suited to this distance. CAPE LADDIE (4) was drawn wide and that minimized his chances last time. WHAT A POET has good form and stayed on last time. SUBLIME CODE (5) has good post maiden form. Money chance. ASPARA (1) should also run in to the money. Not out of it for the win.

RACE 3: DELTA AIR LINES 2200 (Grade 3) - DEPUTY JUD to keep law and order

The Mike Azzie trained DEPUTY JUD (8), a four year old son of JUDPOT, will be looking to atone for his disappointment in not making the final cut for the Vodacom Durban July, with a victory in the 2200m race this afternoon. He ran in the July as a three year old last year and failed to show, finishing one from last, just over twenty four lengths behind POWER KING. That was las year. He has shown far better form in his second Winter Season in Durban and was an unlucky second in the 2400m Derby at Scottsville last time. That run could get him finishing close, if not winning it. Karl Zechner rides.

HELDERBERG BLUE (2) from the Mike Bass yard has found his best form back in KZN. He hasn't won for twenty months but is most certainly capable of doing something about that today. He finished well in his last two, despite being interfered with on both occasions and one would like to think that he can go all the way this afternoon. Stable jockey, Grant Van Niekerk rides.

Durban born but Hong Kong based jockey, Douglas Whyte has the ride on the Justin Snaith four year old son of JET MASTER, MASTER'S EYE (5). He ran on well in his latest effort and could be coming to hand. One to consider.

PUNTA ARENAS (1) is a seasoned campaigner and has contested the July on no fewer than three occasions with last year's result involving PUNTA ARENAS having to be decided in the boardroom. On that run he can make a race of it. This race is the same C & D. Since his run in last year's July he has chanced from the Stan Elley yard to the locally based Dennis Drier set up, but has yet to perform to that run a year ago today.

Another son of JET MASTER with a winning chance, takes his place in this race.MASTER SWITCH (9) for the Geoff Woodruff yard, has in-and-out form, but on his day has the capability of winning this race. he will have the services of Anton Marcus. He stayed on in the Greyville 1900 last time.

RACE 4: SABC GOLD VASE (Grade 3) - THREE BALLOONS could rise to the occasion

THREE BALLOONS (14), the four year old son of JUDPOT, had lost his way quite badly in racing, especially in KZN during this Winter Season. He started his last race, the 2400m Derby at Scottsville at 66/1. The way he finished that race, in second, was definitely not like that of a horse starting at that price. He can win this race if he runs as he did over the shorter distance last time. Mike Bass trains and Grant Van Niekerk rides. The extra distance of 3000m should be right up his street.

We all know just how well Dean Kannemeyer has been doing along the East Coast since he set up his satellite yard at the beginning of the season. He has two horses in this race that have winning chances. BALANCE SHEET (4) and SOLAR STAR (7) both have winning chances. Which one is the right one? One has to fancy BALANCE SHEET with Anthony Delpech aboard as he would have had first call. However, there is very little wrong with the form of SOLAR STAR. Remember jockey Stuart Randolph won the July last year aboard the Dean Kannemeyer trained POWER KING. The form of SOLAR STAR is more consistent than that of BALANCE SHEET. I am going to side and lean more in favour of SOLAR STAR.

KING OF PAIN (1) has been lightly raced since the Cape Town Summer Season. Perhaps he has the Gold Cup more in his sights. The Joey Ramsden trained son of GREYS INN may not have the best of Greyville form but his jockey most has! He is well weighted to win this race.

On feature race days it will be foolish to leave out any Mike De Kock runners. ENAAD (12) had been running in lower division races up until last time when he bumped a far stronger field and made a good race of it when going down to ARCH RIVAL in a pinnacle stakes over 2450m at Turffontein. S'Manga Khumalo has the ride.
 
RACE 5: DURBAN GOLDEN HORSESHOE (Grade 2) - SAIL to have the draw advantage over THE MERRY WIDOW

This is not the easiest race to call. I fancy SAIL (12) and THE MERRY WIDOW (13). Their saddle cloth numbers may be together but their draws are almost at the opposite poles and in a race over 1400m it could be quite telling. I have shifted slightly in favour of the Dennis Drier trained two year old daughter, SAIL, who is drawn at four and has raced at this track before, in face he won this C & D last time. The two year old daughter of PHILANTHROPIST has looked impressive in her three races to date, even though she was a narrow loser on debut. THE MERRY WIDOW, a CAPTAIN AL daughter from the Justin Snaith yard, won her first three races before losing out by half a length last time. She has yet to run at Greyville.

 MALEFICENT (9) looked really impressive last time when she won a listed feature. The Alec Laird trained runner looks to be a super filly in the making and a win by her here would not be unexpected. Another JUDPOT progeny on the day. Weichong Marwing to ride.

Once again Mike De Kock must have a shout in this race with AL HAWRAA (1) who was unbeaten until his third start last time when not having had the best of run ins late on in a feature at Scottsville, the only track at which he has run . This two year old NEW APPROACH filly does have class about her and could earn something in this Grade 2. Young Callan Murray has the ride.

MYFUNNYVALENTINE; (10) is a daughter of CAPTAIN AL and is trained by the Champion Trainer elect, Sean Tarry and is to be ridden by Champion jockey elect, S'Manga Khumalo.She won on debut three runs back and has in her two post maiden runs, run behind some useful sorts. She will be well prepped for this race and must be included in all exotics.

DAWN CALLING (3) has shown little but may place.

RACE 6: DURBAN GOLDEN HORSESHOE (Grade 2) - Read the stars and fancy ZODIAC RULER

It may be odd to pick a horse that has run only once to select to win a Grade 2 event. ZODIAC RULER (14) only made his debut two weeks ago, but he ran an impressive debut winning a good contest over this distance ion the polytrack last time. He may have lost four lengths at the start that day, but he came back full of running to win using an impressive burst of speed late on to win going away. The two year old Australian bred son of  ZOFFANY, a new sire in terms of South African racing, is trained by Justin Snaith and will be ridden by Richard Fourie.

MISTY BIRNAM (6), Mike De Kock's two year old son of  TOREADOR, won this C & D last time. he has now won his last two., winning his latest quite comfortably by just over three lengths. He could go very close in this race. Apprentice Callan Murray rides.

OOMPH (8) moved from the Alan Greeff yard in PE before his latest run in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion at Scottsville last time. He was far from disgraced in that race, but weakened in the latter stages that day. He won his first three starts in PE before moving to the Mike Azzie yard. He should have a say today. Apprentice Lyle Hewitson rides.

PALLADIUM (10) is unbeaten after two.  He is a son of SILVANO. Charles Laird trains and young and up-and-coming jockey Keagan de Melo has the ride. He could go on to be something special, although he has to overcome a wide draw this afternoon.

UNAGI (13) is better drawn and he has won his last two after an indifferent first two. It looks as though he still has to reach his peak and does look someone with some promise. The Gary Alexander yard is in very good form and their runners are all worth following. Watch this son of ADMIRE MAIN for even further improvement. Andrew Fortune has the ride.

RACE 7: VODACOM DURBAN JULY (Grade 1) - MAC DE LAGO could cause the major upset

Another mouth-watering, if not controversial, Durban July looms. MAC DE LAGO (2) at 25/1 could cause the upset from the highly rated FRENCH NAVY (1) at 6/1 and BELA-BELA (18), the favourite at 9/2. Others to give chances to are SOLID SPEED (8) at 15/2 and MARINARESCO (13) at 14/1.

1	4	French Navy	One of the leading contenders for top honours. Won last year's Daily News but ran sixth in this race last year. Will be running on. Expect a top three finish. Well prepped for this race. Trainer, Sean Tarry, leading the trainer's log and he knows how to win this race. Weichong Marwing has the ride. ran well in the Grade 1 Gold Challenge last time finishing just under two lengths behind MAC DE LAGO who he meets at 1½ kg better terms.
2	16	Mac De Lago (AUS)	Has been well prepped for this race. Won latest race in the board room. Don't write his chances. He has big race Bernard Fayd'Herbe in the saddle.  Has never been far off the winners in his previous Grade 1 races. Much to do at the weights but could cause the upset. Expect to see this four year old son of ENCOSTA DE LAGO to be running on. He won well last time despite having been interfered with.
3	2	Abashiri	Triple Crown winner. Going for sixth straight win. Will have his work cut out for the win but class has to be respected. Will be immaculately turned out for the event.
4	8	Master Sabina	After winning the Grade 1 Summer Cup last year he has run three poor races. Gavin Lerena makes the trip back from Hong Kong to South African to partner him once again.
5	17	Black Arthur	Dougie Whyte also returns from Hong Kong to ride this up-and-coming three year old. Has won four from six. Beat RABADA in the Guineas at this track a few weeks ago. Will be finishing well.
6	12	Rabada	Ran a disappointing second on Sunday at this track. Must still be considered. Won the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 in May. The fact that Anton Marcus does not ride for the first time in ten runs could be significant.
7	6	Samurai Blade (AUS)	Is a one-time winner and was well beaten by RABADA last time. Top trainer in the country but even the controversial omission, stable companion, TROPHY WIFE would have been a better bet.
8	5	Solid Speed	The Dean Kannemeyer yard is in top form in KZN. The sire, DYNASTY is no stranger to the July, having won this race when drawn widest at twenty. He is a versatile sort having won over distances ranging from 1600m to 3000m. He was gutsy in his win in the Greyville 1900 last time and must have a very good chance on that effort. Trainer, jockey and owners won this race last year with POWER KING.
9	14	It's My Turn	He has responded well to races in the top division. Expect a good effort from this three year old son of DYNASTY. Justin Snaith and Richard Fourie tasted success in this race with LEGISLATE two years ago.
10	7	Rocketball	Would be a shock winner. He finished well in the Daily News last time to finish 1½ lengths behind RABADA. may have more to find this time around.
11	13	Mambo Mime	He ran well in both his last two starts, in the Guineas and Daily News. Stable companion to SOLID SPEED may be caught wide if he loses ground at the start again.
12	10	Ten Gun Salute (AUS)	Finished strongly in the Daily News last time. Could be the best of the KZN runners. Runs well for Muzi Yeni. May lack the experience to win a race of this magnitude.
13	19	Marinaresco	Makes his KZN debut. Trainer Mike Bass knows how to win the July, having won the race on three previous occasions and should not be left out of any permutations. Stable jockey Grant Van Niekerk has the ride. he has been well prepped for the race but has a daunting draw of 19 which will come in by two when the reserve runners are scratched.
14	20	The Conglomerate (AUS)	He ran in to traffic problems in this race last year and under the circumstances did well to finish eighth, five lengths behind the winner, POWER KING. He has the widest of draws. He would need something of a dramatic return to form to do better than last year. His jockey for the race is Piere Strydom, again no stranger to the number one box in this race. He has been riding superbly well since his lengthy injury.
15	1	Dynamic	Apprentice Lyle Hewitson gets his first crack at this race. In fact this time last year he was doing his final year at school and was a workrider. His progress as an apprentice has been quite phenomenal. Justin Snaith has the confidence to entrust him with one of his runners. DYNAMIC is a hardened soldier and seasoned campaigner and can be expected to give a good account of himself. Drawn at 1.
16	11	St Tropez	One has to respect Anton Marcus's mount. He would have had a choice of rides. Stable companion of THE CONGLOMERATE, one would like to think that he has the beating of him anyway. he was pipped late in the Greyville 1900 last time. I don't expect him to win, but may place at best.
17	18	Saratoga Dancer	Badly out at the weights. Both DEO JUVENTE and TROPHY WIFE are better horses. I may have egg on my face come 5 o'clock, but this will be his toughest assignment to date. Trainer Duncan Howells has been in terrific form and it would be very good for the yard were they to run into the money. His ability as a conditioner has never been, and never should be, in question.
18	3	Bela-Bela	This three year old daughter of DYNASTY has done all that has been expected of her thus far. She won both the SA Fillies Guineas and the Grade 1 Woolavington when asked the question late on. Anthony Delpech has the ride, which is a clear indication that she is well fancied by the Justin Snaith yard and connections. In her favour is that she does have an exceptional turn of foot.
19	15	Trophy Wife	Gets to run. Is well fancied by the connections. Her  two runs behind SMART CALL give her a very good chance. this afternoon. Trainer Sean Tarry and jockey S'Manga Khumalo know how to win the big one.
20	9	Deputy Jud	Unlikely to run.
Same Trainer - Not Coupled on Tote
(1,7,19) (3,6,20) (5,9,15,18) (8,11) (12,17) (14,16)
Duplicate Horse: Deputy Jud In Race-3

RACE 8:

ISCA (11) has been showing some decent form. Stayed on well last time. Can go close. VINCENTE (6) raids from Johannesburg. Very good for this distance. Should go close. ARABIAN NATIONAL (8) has only been beaten once this C & D in four races. CAPTAIN SAM (7) won this C & D two runs ago. Respect. SPLENDID GARDEN (1) needs to find earlier form. Not without a shout though.

RACE 9:

POSTER GIRL (12) won impressively on debut two runs back. She then ran in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson and gave a very good account of herself. She should be the one to beat. CADDY MASTER (1) also won on debut but had his excuses the following time. LUNAR RUSH (10) made such good improvement last time that she cannot be ignored. LIL GAMBLER (11) has good maiden form. Must have a shout. THE KING OF RANDOM (7) can earn.

RACE 10: JONSSON WORKWEAR GARDEN PROVINCE STAKES (Grade 1) - The late scratching of NEGROAMARO could open the door fro SILVER MOUNTAIN

The three year old daughter of FORT WOOD, is deserving of a Grade 1 success one of these days. She could do that today, but that is not going to be an easy task, especially with  the likes of SILVER MOUNTAIN in the race. She has run ten times, fort two wins, four seconds and two thirds. The best Anton Marcus has done with her is three seconds from three rides. She loves this distance and has shown a liking for this track. Her two runs in the SA Fillies Guineas and Woolavington were especially good and to run second to current favourite for the Vodacom Durban July, BELA-BELA, is no mean feat. She seems top be getting better and better and has contested some very important three year races this season, with, it might be said, decent results. She may be able to crack her first Grade 1 this afternoon, but there are some more than useful fillies carded to run..

SILVER MOUNTAIN (11), the daughter of SILVANO, should enjoy the extra. The Mike Bass trained filly has yet to repeat her feat in the Cape Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth in December.Jockey Bernard Fayd'Herbe, who has ridden her in her last two runs, once more has the ride. This four time winner from nine starts has won an incredible R4,4 million. At best, and I think she is coming back to that best, will be running on. She left that late finish too late last time.

ALEXIS (5) has won her last two and is perfectly capable of making it the hat trick. This smart daughter of DYNASTY has won three from five this track. The experience garnered from being a four year old will count for something this race. She will be running on and looks to have very good each way claims.

INARA (1) is another top class entry and a smart looking and imposing daughter of TRIPPI. Her latest run is best ignored as it was a distance too far for her. Three of her seven wins have been over this distance and expect a good run form her this evening under lights. She will be looking for her first Grade 1 win in this province. She has won in the other two major racing centres in the country, namely her hometown, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

One who could find her best form is LAZER STAR (4). She has been a bit below par in recent runs. Against her though is the fact that she may not see out the extra. I have a feel about this four year old daughter of TOREADOR. In the past she has been expensive to follow.

For the scratching of NEGROAMARO, another four year old daughter of DYNASTY could feature. OLMA (3) could give the local yards something to cheer about this evening. The Frank Robinson trained OLMA has been sent to Johannesburg to run in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and Oaks as a three year old. The seriousness with which his trainer has aimed him at this race was confirmed when he used the services of Piere Strydom as the jockey. She has won three from six over the distance. Could cause an upset.

RACE 11:

NATAL (3) looks to be one to be with. he has won three from five and should go close to winning again. Drops in class. ERNIE (2) also drops in class sand has faced far stronger over a period of time.  CAPTAIN SWAROVSKI (1) has been running well. Loves the distance. VICTORIA LAVELLE (10) has the form to make a race of it. CAPTAIN CHAOS (5) won a good race last time. Will have to be at his best again. CUTTING EDGE could edge out PSYCHO SYD (7) who is drawn wide.

RACE 12:

BARITONE (2) was well supported for the Guineas last time. He did not run to his form last time. Could be worth following again as he is a decent sort. Stable companion, BROOKLYN BRAWLER (9) was not too far behind RABADA in the Grade 1 Daily News. On that run, he must have a very good chance. NEBULA (13) won very well last time and can make a race of it. PRINCE OF ORANGE (8) had his excuses last time. BEAT THE RETREAT (5) got going way too late last time.

BEST BET: RACE 10 NUMBER 11 SILVER MOUNTAIN