I am very sad to be missing the July. It is one of my favourite days, having first attended as a groom in the parade ring at around 13 years of age, writes Gareth Pepper.
My heart is with the Triple Crown winner Abashiri.
Abashiri – got to be with this team
For him to win would be just awesome for South African racing. For the Van Vuurens and all they have done in their short ownership stint (that will hopefully long continue ), for the Azzman who deserves the elusive race to add to his amazing CV but mostly for Abishiri himself.
He may be a Triple Crown winner but he has to now take on the older brigade and show his worth, it will not be easy at all.
From an outsider’s viewpoint, I would have loved to have seen him given winter off and aimed at the Queens Plate and Met.
Would I be running him if i owned him? Absolutely, yes. The July is the dream but my head is telling me he has a mammoth task ahead of him- but I hope he pulls it off.
Purely on draws and what I have seen, Bela- Bela is my logical first choice.
Team Bela-Bela
The Snaith team have done an outstanding job with her, she has a pilot who is having a phenomenal season and one who has won the race before and everything is pointing towards her.
Other runners I fancy, Black Arthur with Dougie Whyte and Marinaresco – I can see the headlines Already “The Cape dominate in Durban again” but as we know with the july , anything and everything is possible.
Lyle Hewitson -on the up
I have been watching Lyle Hewitson’s rise to glory with great interest and I feel with his confidence so high and the way he is going that he too may have a fairytale start to his July career.
Isn’t that what it is all about? He will be riding Oomph on the day in the Juvenile males Group 2 and I will be watching that with interest.
I could write all day about the race that we all want to win and be a part of but my last point is the one of Legal Eagle.
Do I blame connections for delaying his withdrawal? No.
Is it fair? Well that is wide open to debate but the stable unfortunately were dealt a cruel blow with Trophy Wife not gaining a start as has been well documented and I for one feel she would be a huge contender if allowed a run on the day, but such is racing!
To lift my spirits, I will be watching the day in its entirety from a beach lounger in Bali hopefully not scaring too many families while donning my budgie smuggler and cheering as the racing continues well into the evening.
To those attending I wish you a fantastic day and I really do hope it is a fairytale July for you all!
Till next time.
