Halve The Deficit looks like value at 25 to 1 for the July
Champion jockey Piere Strydom goes for his fourth Vodacom Durban July victory when he partners Sean Tarry’s Right Approach gelding Halve The Deficit in next Saturday’s Gr1 R3,5 million thriller at Greyville.
Halve The Deficit is currently quoted at an attractive 25 to 1 with Hollywoodbets.net.
Strydom first won the great race 18 years ago in a dramatic and spectacular display of brilliant judgement on Alec Laird’s flying chestnut London News.
He followed up in 2001 on Trademark for Mike Bass and then again in 2012 on Pomodoro for the Tarry-Van Niekerk partnership.
This year a major responsibility and the hopes of a once -in-a-lifetime dream goal rest on Striker’s shoulders as Sean Tarry and his major patron Chris Van Niekerk aim for a historic hat-trick of Durban July victories.
The Silvano gelding Heavy Metal was ridden by S’manga Khumalo last year and followed up on Pomodoro’s sensational win in the famous blue and red to pip Smanjemanje the previous year.
SA champion jockey elect Khumalo rides Whiteline Fever for Tarry this time round.
We asked Piere if he actually chose to ride Halve The Deficit and how he rates his prospects?
“I did have a few other options and expected to ride Pomodoro. In the end I sided with Sean Tarry as we have been successful together and there is a lot of loyalty in our relationship. I watched Halve The Deficit’s first run at Greyville with interest when he was beaten 2,30 lengths by Espumanti. in the Betting World 1900. He is now 2,5 kgs better off with her and I always felt he was a horse who would enjoy Greyville. But naturally Espumanti will also be fitter,” he said.
Legislate is a worthy favourite says Striker
Striker’s previous winners were drawn 20 (Pomodoro), 14 (London News) and 2 (Trademark). Halve The Deficit has drawn at 9. Is that a negative?
“They always go like hell in the July, and with the reduced field capacity I am not convinced that the draw will be of the major consequence that it has proven to be in days gone by. My 9 draw gives me some nice options, and I’m looking forward to the tactical battle,” he said, keeping plans close to his chest.
What does he feel about the composition of the field?
“Everybody has an opinion on this issue. I feel the filly Jet Belle is lucky to get in ahead of Pomodoro as is Readytogorightnow ranking as a first reserve. My original ride choice was Pomodoro and he has a great track record carrying big weights. He appears to have been judged for his last bad run in the Gold Challenge, which admittedly was below his best. There is obviously no sentimentality when it comes to former winners,” he laughed.
Who is the horse to beat?
“Without a question, I believe it is the Justin Snaith-trained 3yo Legislate. There is a lot of talk about the Daily News and what happened in the running. The bottom line is that everything went wrong for Legislate and he still won. That is a major positive. He is a worthy favourite. But, I have been there before and am not going down without a fight.”
Watch the July Gallops live on Tellytrack (Dstv 239) at 07h00 today.
