A much sought after spot in the final line-up for the Vodacom Durban July is at stake at Greyville this evening where the R400 000 Gr2 Betting World 1900 is the stage for yet another big race shootout.
While the race delivered last year’s top two finishers in Africa’s greatest horseracing event, it doesn’t generally boast a great record as a July pointer.
There is never too much time left to make up any leeway on the July log by the time the 1900 comes round and for the connections of eleven of the sixteen runners, Friday could be the day of reckoning.
While one has to go back to 2010 to find Bold Silvano as the last runner to achieve the 1900-July double, last year Dynastic Power beat subsequent July winner Power King and runner-up Punta Arenas, and he is back for another tilt – this time under the Vaughan Marshall banner.
The son of Dynasty has only had two runs since his 12 length defeat in the July and his last run was a step in the right direction. He showed good toe there to run a 0,25 length third in the Listed Sledgehammer. Against him will be his 17 draw and he will need to show up well to improve his July log position.
It Is Written – nicely drawn and bang in form
A horse who has won two of his last four starts and who finished ahead of Dynastic Power is another Dynasty in It Is Written – a subsequent July supplementary.
Stuart Randolph is aboard the Christmas Handicap winner who comes in as the well drawn form horse.
The second of the Dean Kannemeyer runners – yet another Dynasty – is the ever consistent Solid Speed, who has won 7 of his 14 starts and is going about his business the right way.
Solid Speed has decent form
Last term’s Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup winner has shown outstanding versatility and beat Dynamic over a mile at Scottsville last time out.
He is a half kilo worse off for the half length beating. But Dynamic has drawn very wide.
Dynamic’s rider was also fined R5000 for an unprofessional ride, even though it was considered that his mount’s placing had not been prejudiced. It was good ruun from Dynamic, considering he was returning from 18 weeks off the track.
The second of the Snaith duo is the Jet Master gelding Master’s Eye, who finished out of the money but only 1,25 lengths behind his stablemate. He was returning from a break of over 3 months.
Dynamic is badly drawn
Dynamic is 1,50 kgs better off here so should finish in front of Master’s Eye again.
SA champion trainer Sean Tarry has a mixed bag trio of runners and probably don’t represent the powerful yard’s strongest attack.
The evergreen 8yo Gold Onyx is joint topweight and comes off an ordinary effort in the Drill Hall Stakes. He loves Greyville but has drawn very wide.
Halve The Deficit – lost his form
Gr2 Colorado King Stakes winner Halve The Deficit is a year without a win and while he did not run a bad race when 5 length fourth at his penultimate start in the Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes, looks to have plenty to do.
Serissa is the third of the Tarry trio. He won the Listed Easter Handicap at his penultimate start but then faded last time when 2,50 lengths behind No Worries.
The 6yo son of Black Minnaloushe is always capable of a big run if allowed to dictate matters.
Joey Ramsden is in town and his quartet are a mixed bunch – with three definitely prepping.
With Anton Marcus riding The Conglomerate, the son of Lonhro is surely the stable elect – even though his return run after a rest was unspectacular.
The Conglomerate – will enjoy the extra
The Aussie bred showed pace to finish 5,65 lengths behind New Predator in the Drill Hall Stakes but will improve over the extra – despite a wide draw.
St Tropez returns after a 24 week break following an unsuccessful tilt on the Summer Cup. He should need it.
Both Disco Al and King Of Pain look to be looking for more – although the latter is a former Champions Season Gr1 winner.
Beyond reserve runner Deputy Jud, Geoff Woodruff’s Master Switch is the last of the July hopefuls.
Geoff Woodruff – saddles Master Switch
Well drawn and a winner of two of his last three starts in lesser company, the son of Jet Master looks a progressive sort – but possibly not the best of the Jooste trio.
The Gavin Van Zyl runners Silver Spring and Night Shadow are decent sons of Silvano but in under sufferance and are not automatic choices on these terms.
Mike Azzie’s Greek Legend won his last start beating the talented Chepardo and steps into the limelight again. He has a Listed stakes place credit to his name and could yet mature into a decent handicapper.
This is not a cut-and-dried race for exotic punters.
Dynamic’s wide draw deters and swings the odds in favour the consistent and very fit It Is Written.
Master Switch is progressive and is going about things the right way.
Solid Speed and The Conglomerate could be best of the rest, while Greek Legend may be better than his formline suggests – and has put in some good efforts in decent company.
