While it will be difficult to ignite shades of 2005 when a plan come together saw Anton Marcus steer Dunford to victory in the familiar orange and blue Robert Bloomberg silks in the 2005 Vodacom Durban July, the long-time owner had his prospects brightened considerably for Saturday’s big day when his Gr2 Post Merchants first reserve King Of The Gauls cracked a run after a scratching.
Dunford (Anton Marcus) beats Silverpoint (Anthony Delpech) to win the 2005 Vodacom Durban July (Pic – Supplied)
Bloomberg, who has just returned home from a European holiday, was obviously bitterly disappointed to have his promising Tony Rivalland-trained 3yo excluded from the original fourteen strong field.
But the withdrawal at 14h23 on Monday 1 July of Time Fo Orchids has thrown the legal eagle and co-owner Mary Liley a big day feature runner lifeline.
A Maine Chance-bred winner of 4 of his 10 starts, King Of The Gauls, a handsome son of Vercingetorix, will jump from gate 10 and is currently quoted at 14-1 by Hollywoodbets.
Now a runner! King Of The Gauls (Sean Veale) seen winning the Listed In Full Flight Stakes (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“King Of The Gauls is a horse we have high hopes for. I must admit to being astounded that he never made the final field bearing in mind that he won the Listed In Full Flights Stakes and that there are horses here who have won no black-type contests, and also don’t have his current form. He is working like a bomb as always, and seems sure to run well. A better draw would have assisted his cause, but he has gate-speed, and with the anticipated pace coming from Cruise Control, he should be able to slot in just off them. I once again make Teflon Man our chief threat,” Bloomberg told the Sporting Post on Tuesday.
The Gr2 Post Merchants is the final leg of the projected R20 million Hollywoodbets Durban July day Pick 6 and looks like something of a minefield.
There is quite some talk about the Roy Magner trained Melech, who was carried out at the start of the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint last time, before running on very well for 2 lengths off Lucky Lad. Melech should have no excuses from his 3 gate.
The Pick 6 starts in the fourth race, the Dstv Gr3 Gold Vase, at 13h40.
