The first of four Grade 1 races on Vodacom Durban July Day sees the two year old fillies go to the post for the 1400m event. The entire field takes the step up in class. The draw could play a vital role in the outcome of the race. The Glen Kotzen trained PRINCESS ROYAL is well drawn with good form as well. This daughter of CAPTAIN AL has won two of her five starts, but all of her runs have been over shorter. She is bred to get this distance and further. Watch for a good late run and the way in which she finishes suggests that she will not be deterred by the extra 200m. She is a classy filly and she has a very bright future ahead of her, jockey Greg Cheyne has ridden her on all five occasions.

Mike Azzie has had a fantastic Durban Winter Season with the horses he has sent down from Gauteng. FROSTED HONEY won on debut three runs back. She was not disgraced in the Nursery at Turffontein in late April. That was her last run before her short two month break. Expect a good effort from this daughter of WESTERN WINTER, who looks to be one that will improve with time. One thing is for certain, she will be impeccably turned out for the occasion.

Expect a day in which trainer Mike De Kock stakes a claim on the day's proceedings. The Australian bred ALMASHOOQA has had two good post maiden runs, but it must be said, against considerably weaker. One does not expect to see a Mike De Kock horse entered into a Grade 1 feature without a realistic chance of winning. Watch for improvement from this Sheik Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum owned filly. She should go into the larger Pick Six perms.

Only two Durban trainers look likely to pick up any Grade 1 trophies today. One will be Dennis Drier who has CHESTNUTS N PEARLS in this race and SEVENTH PLAIN in the next race and Duncan Howells with SAME JURISDICTION in the ninth race. CHESTNUTS N PEARLS ran in the Alan Robertson in her post maiden last time. She showed good early pace in that race but faded badly. That was only her second start and she is still learning what racing is all about. The extra 200m will suit this smart looking daughter of HORSE CHESTNUT.

MELLA MARIA is another Mike Azzie runner. She has two wins under her belt. She was given a run at Greyville last time, a race she duly won over 1300m. The extra 100m should suit. She can earn a small prize in this race.