I tried to find a clever and related quote for the 2015 Vodacom Durban July theme, ‘The Captain’s Table’, but the only vaguely relevant thing to cross my path was a Facebook meme that drinking rum before noon makes you a pirate, not an alcoholic.
In her wonderful book, the Durban July Handicap, Molly Reinhardt wrote “The Durban July is the one race in the South African racing calendar that above all others, every owner, trainer, breeder and jockey wants to win. Months of sweat, frustration, fears and hopes are geared to 3 o’clock on the first Saturday afternoon in July … A few minutes later the dream is shattered, or a rainbow is blazing across a cerulean sky. The greatest ecstasy and the bitterest agony are hidden behind the bright silks and the emerald turf. Trainers, owners, jockeys, big time gamblers and small punters are revealed in their true colours when the chips are down. Many can take the triumphs, but not all can face the defeats. If you can’t take it, you shouldn’t be in it – much better to go into a nice quiet profession like undertaking – the only job in the world where you can rely on dead certs.”
I’m still a little ambivalent about the fact that our biggest race is a handicap, but personal niggles aside, there can be no arguing the fact that the Vodacom Durban July is the biggest event on our racing calendar. It is one of the few racing fixtures that still forms part of the general public consciousness and it is certainly the one that every owner, trainer and jockey wants to win.
As always there are loads of fun angles, fun horses and fun characters to choose from and it is my eternal regret that, for the most part anyway, only one can be declared the winner. Of course, it’s one of those races where, more than any other, just about anything can happen and you’re equally likely to pick the winner by design as by sheer, dumb luck, so if you prefer the latter, allow me to pick out a few of the stories within this year’s July story for you.
All hands on deck
Sean Tarry (credit: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Sean Tarry seems our Champion Trainer apparent and saddles an impressively strong arsenal of five runners. While it’s quite impossible to rule any horse out of the running, both French Navy and Legal Eagle have both impressed and with a galloping 52kgs and champion jockey ‘Bling’ Khumalo on her back, Tamaanee cannot be discounted either. Poster boy Futura is riding the crest of a rather turbulent wave after his stunning Queen’s Plate / Met wins – can he triumph and join Politician and Pocket Power by making it a big race Grand Slam? After last year’s controversial finish, Wylie Hall will have his fair share of supporters. Wylie Hall has another interesting angle in that jockey Bernard Fayd’herbe (who was on board Pocket Power for the historic 2008 deadheat with Dancer’s Daughter) is the grandson of the legendary Tiger Wright who not only posted 4 July wins during his illustrious career, but during the 1949 meeting rode 5 winners, a second and a 3rd out of 9 engagements for the day. No pressure, Bernard!
Donovan Dillon
Syd Laird is our winningmost July trainer with a total tally of 7 wins and his nephew Charles Laird (who won with Hunting Tower in 2007) sends out Ice Machine on Saturday. While Ice Machine has seen the inside of more trainer’s barns than most of us have had hot dinners, one thing in his favour is 21 year old jockey Donovan Dillon, who has his first July ride. Donovan has known and ridden Ice Machine at work for most of his career and is understandably thrilled at the opportunity of lining up on Saturday. Donovan has made an eye-catching start to his career, evidenced by some solid support. He has a good book of rides on Saturday and I wish him all the best on his July debut – they do say beginner’s luck is often the best!
From the rookie to the doyen. Currently aged fifty-eight, Karl Neisius made his July debut aboard Jamaican Music in 1975 when they finished 4th, was on board Flaming Rock for all of his July win, second and third and will have his 25th July ride aboard Hot Ticket for the Dean Kannemeyer yard. Dean of course saddled Dynasty to victory in 2003 and Eyeofthetiger in 2006 and father Peter won with Over The Air in 1979.
Fire in the hole
Mike de Kock (credit: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Mike de Kock won his first July back in 2002 with the incomparable Ipi Tombe and fires both barrels on Saturday with Majmu and Pine Princess. Both have favourable draws and will be looking to make the most of their weight imposts. Better yet, if you fancy a grey, you can’t go wrong with the glorious Majmu.
Stan Elley saddles two runners for his July swansong in the very game Punta Arenas and Dynastic Power. While poor old Punta gets absolutely no luck when it comes to draws, he is looking in the form of his life and would make a very sentimental winner if either he or stablemate Dynastic Power could finish Stan’s career off with a flourish.
Shiver me timbers
Geoff Woodruff with dual July winner, El Picha
There are precious few trainers who have won the July twice with the same horse, but Geoff Woodruff is one of them. Mr E Murray won the race with Campanajo in 1897 and 1898, F Wade saddled Corriecrian to victory in 1907 and 1908, J Morrison took the honours with Milesia Pride in 1949 and 1950 and Geoff won it with the diminutive Argentinian import, El Picha, in 1999 and 2000. He saddles the gutsy Tellina, who finished a flying 4th last year from a 15 draw and has the services of Johnny Geroudis to pilot him home.
Helderberg Blue has a reputation for being a little temperamental, but if there’s anyone who knows how to finesse a tricky horse, it’s Mike Bass. Talented young rider Grant van Niekerk knows him best and do not discount the fact that they finished 3rd in the J&B Met from a wide draw. With a mid-field draw and a galloping weight of 53.5 on Saturday, this combination has every chance of springing a surprise.
Aye aye, Cap’n
The Conglomerate – the Wonder from Downunder
The Conglomerate is something of a wonder from Downunder. The breathtakingly beautiful black Lonhro colt was something of an impulse buy for Derek Brugman and Joey Ramsden who saw the colt at the Inglis sale in Melbourne and just had to have him. Derek explains that they weren’t intending to buy horses for South Africa that year, but knew that this was a July horse. “We rang Markus, who was more than happy to oblige as usual and the horse has made it to the July, so the first part of the puzzle has fallen into place.” They have engaged 21yo Chad Schofield for the ride and it will be a real pleasure to see this up and coming young talent in action. The Conglomerate assignment of 53kgs made it all but impossible for Anton Marcus to accept the ride and with a dearth of available light-weight riders, Derek thought of approaching Chad. “We wanted someone who would do a good job, but also come with an open mind and no pre-conceived ideas. However, primarily we were looking for someone who takes no nonsense from anyone in any race and Chad has a reputation for being like that, so he suited my requirements beautifully. Chad is studying up on the horse as well as the opposition and is taking it seriously – wouldn’t have chosen him if we didn’t think he’d take it seriously. Interestingly, his father Glyn used to ride for the Driers when they were still in South Africa and Chad used to go to the Drier’s box when his dad was riding. Gill told me that from the age of 6, Chad said he wanted to be a jockey and started looking after his weight. His whole life, he’s wanted to be a jockey and he’s done all the right things along the line. The last thing I want to have is regrets and I don’t think we’ve left any stone unturned to get the best possible outcome. We’ve got huge amounts of faith in the horse and as much faith in the jockey as in the horse. You can only do so much planning, when it comes to the race you‘ve got to hope for some luck and hope the racing gods smile. I’m very happy with the choice and said to Markus, win lose or draw, we’ve got the right man for the job.”
Chad Schofield
Chad is currently finishing a 3-month contract for the Ed Dunlop stable in Newmarket and then heads off to ride in Hong Kong. I caught up with him en route to races last week and found him to be every bit as professional and focussed as his press has made him out. He is excited to be riding in his home town and has some of his old school friends coming to watch him ride. He doesn’t seem phased by the draw. “It’s not ideal and it’s going to be hard from there, when I get to Greyville I’ll walk the track and see how it is on the day. I’ve been watching replays, he’s got good gatespeed and he looks like the sort that will put himself in the right spot. When I get stuck into the form this weekend and speak to the connections, we can set up a game plan and go from there. I’m not worried. I just hope we can begin well, get across in the early part and once we get our spot the horse will settle well. I think he’s looking for the July trip and will enjoy it.” Chad will be riding St Tropez in the 3rd, Captain’s Song in the 5th and Run Rhino Run in the 8th race, so keep an eye out.
While the outside draw is not ideal, it’s certainly not impossible to win from there and horses who have done it include Kipling in 1940, St Pauls in 1946, Beau Art in 1980, Flaming Rock in 1991, Classic Flag in 1998 (in a new race and course record time), Dynasty in 2003 and of course Pomodoro in 2012. Joey is characteristically philosophical about it and commented “It is what it is, you know? We’ll try and make the best of it, the only thing is you’re a bit beholden to what others do. But I’m not worried and am not going to make a big thing of it. The horse is doing good and put up a smashing gallop and I’m very pleased with him.”
A shot across the bow
Michael Azzie (JC Photos)
The Azzie name has been synonymous with racing for generations and the Azzie family trophy cabinet already holds 4 July sashes, however Michael is still looking for that elusive first win. Deputy Jud has bumped some good sorts throughout his career and been a model of consistency until he was so horribly kiboshed by ML Jet in the Daily News. Deputy Jud will be cantering down in Adrian and Rika van Vuuren’s wonderful orange and black colours, modelled on the famous Politician silks and has the services of on-form Corne Orffer in the saddle on Saturday.
So there you have it. Pick a story, pick a colour, pick a girl, a boy, a rookie, a senior statesman or simply pick a name out of a hat, but make sure you pick a horse, because one thing is certain, we’re in for a fantastic race.
Splice the mainbrace
We all know racing isn’t for the faint-hearted and the July in particular has a long, rich and colourful history and every year seems to add yet another exciting plot twist to the race’s legacy. If it’s not the selection process, it’s torrential rain, or the track, a strong field, a weak field, a reduced or increased field, a dramatic result, a boardroom controversy or a racing tragedy and no year seems to be free of some sort of high drama. So if it’s a quiet life and a dead cert you’re after, I suggest you give Greyville a wide berth this Saturday. Runners for the first race face the starter at 11:25. If you’re not walking the plank by the last race, I’ll see you at the bar.
