With just over six weeks to go to the Vodacom Durban July the big race hype is building and a few more questions will be answered at Greyville on this afternoon with the running of the R500 000 Gr2 WSB 1900.
The feature hosts thirteen runners, which includes eleven Vodacom Durban July hopefuls, and is weighted on merit rating bands.
It’s My Turn – coming back to best
Topping our ratings is the Dynasty gelding It’s My Turn, winner of the 2016 Gr1 Investec Cape Derby and once upon a time, many people’s idea as a winner of the 2017 July.
Now with Dean Kannemeyer, Fred Crabbia’s R400 000 National Yearling Sale graduate has lost his way and not won a race in two years. He finished third in this event last year when beaten 2 lengths by Ten Gun Salute. Rested seven months after last year’s Champions Cup, he has had two eyecatching return runs – his last a good third under a length behind Social Order in the Kings Cup. He is effective over Saturday’s course and distance and rates a big runner.
Fort Ember – pacy mare
Fort Ember is the only mare in the race and from a good draw with the services of Piere Strydom, must rank as a contender at a course she loves. The daughter of Elusive Fort stayed on well at her penultimate start when chasing Coral Fever home in the Colorado King Stakes. She faded when 13 lengths back to the same horse in the Premier’s Champions Challenge at her last start and is better than that.
Sean Tarry’s perennial slow starter Matador Man looks to have cured his tendencies to dwell at the jump and duly won his last start. He now steps up in class again but has a chance if he stays the 1900m.
Justin Snaith’s Platinum Prince leapt into the July picture when going down narrowly to Social Order in the Listed Sledgehammer at his opening start. While drawn wide, the son of Silvano is a threat at best.
Kampala Campari beat subsequent Drill Hall Stakes winner Perovskia at his penultimate start before staying on well at his last to beat the veteran Friendly Tibbs by 4 lengths in an MR 95 Handicap. Well drawn, this son of Querari could be a dangerous pacemaker at this track.
Elusive Silva – should start improving
Elusive Silva started favourite for this race in 2017 but could do no better than a 3,25 length fifth behind surprise winner Ten Gun Salute. He was reported to be changing legs in his return when not punished and running fifth in the Listed Sledgehammer. He is drawn widest of all but has a touch of class and cannot be written off.
Dean Kannemeyer’s Peninsula Handicap runner-up The Slade ran on steadily when beaten under two lengths into fourth in the Sledgehammer. The son of Philanthropist will strip fitter and should give a much better account of himself here.
The only 3yo in the field is Glen Kotzen’s Cape Derby placer Pack Leader. He may have just needed the run after a three month when just run out of it late in the Sledgehammer. He was bumped at the top of the straight there and could confirm his July claims here.
Pack Leader – went close last time
A possible July dark horse is Justin Snaith’s staying sort Strathdon, who has won his last four starts on the roll – and if not needing this too much after a 22 week break, should be running on at the business end.
Paul Lafferty’s Dark Moon Rising takes a step up in class after staying on for a good third behind Head Honcho in the Listed Sledgehammer last time out. He would need to go very close to confirm his July prospects.
Last year’s Vodacom Durban July Consolation winner Crowd Pleaser has his second run after a rest following an unsuccessful tilt at the Sansui Summer Cup. The son of Captain Al showed his best form in KZN last term and could be worth including if finding his better ability here again.
Ollivander was well beaten in the Sledgehammer and as a one-time winner after 18 starts cannot be tipped to beat a field of this quality.
Captain Splendid will be prepping for the staying features.
In a race loaded with natural pace, Pack Leader is a promising youngster who takes on his elders. It’s My Turn is headed for another tilt at the July. He is all class and must go close. The Slade and Platinum Prince may be next best.
