The Gr3 Jubilee Handicap run at Turffontein today is the traditional absolutely last chance gatecrash opportunity for a Vodacom Durban July berth.
Trainer Sean Tarry – saddles Liege
Only two July hopefuls line up in the R250 000 1800m handicap, 24 hours prior to the final supplementary entries closing for the big one at 11h00 on Monday, 12 June.
We are well acquainted with Sean Tarry’s wizardry and he is one man that could climb in through the July bathroom window with the Dynasty gelding Liege.
The horse who won the Jubilee as a 3yo last season has always been held in high regard.
The Maine Chance bred five –time winner finds himself in the ‘not-so-famous five’ outside of the latest log top twenty, which was published on Tuesday.
Fitness is a major question mark against Liege, who has not seen action since going down fourth and 4,90 lengths behind Master Sabina in the Sansui Summer Cup last year.
But with Piere Strydom in the saddle from a 1 draw, there is not much to get too excited about frankly.
Bare With Teddy
Bankable Teddy – needs to find best form
The SP top-rated Bankable Teddy is one of the most honest horses around and has the swing on Liege on his earlier form.
The 4yo son of Bankable enjoys a handy galloping weight of 52kgs and has dropped to an 85 rating from his career peak of 101 – meaning that he could turn up anytime soon!
Mike de Kock’s Kinaan has not done too much since his gutsy third behind stablemate Enaad in the Gold Cup last terms. His recent form is sketchy and his wide draw won’t be in his favour.
The A P Arrow entire Kings Archer is very consistent is looks a trifteca rover banker on most days. He has not won in a year though and he cannot be fancied too strongly.
No Agenda
Scott Kenny’s Hidden Agenda is the only one of the 13 runners to have won his last start.
The son of Brave Tin Soldier has won 6 of his 17 starts and is one of a quintet of runners with handy galloping weights.
Classy Flying Ice ran on well last time
The classy Flying Ice is one of only two fillies in the race. She ran on strongly for fourth and under two lengths behind Polyphonic in the Gr2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes.
The well bred Fareeq is the second of the De Kock trio of runners .
This son of Nadeem has ordinary form but for his trainer to have tried him at Gr1 level must mean that he shows better than his track form. He could be the shrewdie!
Gavin Lerena, who had a blank day at Greyville yesterday, rides the disappointing Master ‘N Commander who has his second run since a Shocker in the Summer Cup.
The Elmo Effect – needs to win to get into July
Listed Drum Star Handicap winner The Elmo Effect is the second of the July hopefuls. He has maintained a good run of form and cannot be discounted if putting his best foot forward.
The lightly tried 4yo Coral Fever steps into stronger company and impressed when disposing of Tarry’s Tilbury Fort at his penultimate start.
Lack Of Form
A tough handicap with a serious disparity of form across the board. Liege could need it – but he has plenty in his favour to register the Jubilee Handicap double.
If her were to make the July line-up, it would be a feat of programming skill on the part of his trainer.
We will side with him.
