Sun Rises On July Dreams

Half of the remaining 36 entries for the R4.25-million Vodacom Durban July have been nominated to run in the two top races on Rising Sun Gold Challenge day on Saturday, June 10, in a final bid to be included in the 18-horse field for the country’s premier Grade 1 event at Greyville on the first Saturday in July.

Bela-Bela – top rated- which route to go?

The R1-million, Grade 1 Rising Gold Challenge over 1 600m and the R300 000, Grade 3 Cup Trial over 1 800m have drawn 20 and 19 entries respectively with four of the 18 July hopefuls being entered for both races.

Half the entries for the Rising Sun Gold Challenge are July nominees including last year’s July winner The Conglomerate, Captain America, Marinaresco, the filly Bela-Bela and Master Sabina. The Conglomerate and Master Sabina are entered for both races along with Macduff and Black Arthur.

Joey Ramsden’s Macduff – low profile

The third feature on the day is the R400 000, Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1 400m, a weight-for-age contest for fillies and mares. The race has drawn 30 entries made up mostly of four-year-olds with eight three-year-olds and a five-year-old mare.

The entry list is headed by the star filly Bela-Bela that is also entered for the Rising Run Gold Challenge giving trainer Justin Snaith the opportunity to decide where he feels best to run her.

The entries include the Grade 1 South African Fillies Sprint runner-up last Saturday, Just Sensual, along with well-formed fillies like Dawn Calling, Captain’s Flame, Fort Ember, Frost Friday and Star Express.

Supplementary entries for all three races close on Friday, June 2, with declarations to be made on Monday, June 5.

R1 000 000 1600m (Turf)
RISING SUN GOLD CHALLENGE (Grade 1)