Eric Sands (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Trainer Eric Sands, who has two fancied runners in Saturday’s Gr1 Vodacom Durban July, will declare a jockey for the Cape Derby winning 3yo Golden Ducat by midday on Wednesday.
In a chat to the Sporting Post earlier today, Sands said that he appreciated the position of the betting public, and that of the organisers and sponsors of the great race.
The NHRA are also keen to finalise the matter of the outstanding jockey engagement.
The veteran Cape trainer, whose recent Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge winner Rainbow Bridge will be ridden by Winning Form’s SA Champion jockey elect Warren Kennedy, has faced a real dilemma to find the right jockey for Golden Ducat.
The son of Ideal World carries 53kgs, and in view of the limited jockey pool as a result of travel restrictions imposed by the NHRA, there are only a handful of riders available – and the trainer would probably not want to run overweight.
In view of his draw, Golden Ducat could prove to be vital to Sands’ tactical bid to win the July.
1st R937500, 2nd R300000, 3rd R150000, 4th R75000, 5th R37500
VODACOM DURBAN JULY (Grade 1)
Open to all Horses
WFA: 3yrs-2kgs
No Apprentice Allowance
| 1 | 1 | Golden Ducat | 53 | 115 | A | …………… | Eric Sands | |
| 2 | 2 | Rainbow Bridge | 60 | 134 | A | W Kennedy | Eric Sands | |
| 3 | 3 | Padre Pio | 53 | 115 | A | A Mgudlwa | Dennis Bosch | |
| 4 | 4 | Miyabi Gold | 52 | 115 | A | K de Melo | Justin Snaith | |
| 5 | 5 | Soqrat (AUS) | 59 | 132 | A | C Murray | Mike de Kock | |
| 6 | 6 | Twist Of Fate | 56.5 | 127 | BA | A Domeyer | Adam Marcus | |
| 7 | 7 | Shango | 53 | 116 | TBA | L Hewitson | Sean Tarry | |
| 8 | 8 | Capoeira | 53 | 115 | BA | T Godden | Andre Nel | |
| 9 | 9 | Vardy | 60 | 134 | A | C Zackey | Adam Marcus | |
| 10 | 10 | Divine Odyssey | 53 | 117 | A | S Randolph | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 11 | 11 | Tierra Del Fuego | 55 | 124 | A | G Lerena | Sean Tarry | |
| 12 | 12 | It’s My Turn | 53 | 118 | A | S Veale | Dean Kannemeyer | |
| 13 | 13 | Got The Greenlight | 53 | 118 | T A | M Yeni | Joe Soma | |
| 14 | 14 | Bunker Hunt | 55 | 124 | A | G van Niekerk | Justin Snaith | |
| 15 | 15 | Silvano’s Pride | 52 | 118 | A | S Moodley | Justin Snaith | |
| 16 | 16 | Camphoratus | 52 | 110 | A | G Wright | R A Hill/S R Hill | |
| 17 | 17 | Belgarion | 53 | 119 | A | R Fourie | Justin Snaith | |
| 18 | 18 | Do It Again | 59.5 | 133 | A | A Marcus | Justin Snaith | |
| 19 | 0 | Tristful | 53 | 109 | A | Reserve 1 | Tony Rivalland | |
| 20 | 0 | Hero’s Honour | 53 | 115 | A | Reserve 2 | Gary Alexander | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (1,2) (4,14,15,17,18) (6,9) (7,11) | ||||||||
