In the past 12 months owner Jack Mitchell has won the July, the Queen’s Plate and the Met. Next Saturday Futura lines up in his familiar black and white silks as topweight in the Vodacom Durban July
“In a small field, a genuine pace is always a concern. But all things being equal, if Hot Ticket runs to his ability today, he is the horse to beat,” said trainer Dean Kannemeyer when taxed on the prospects of his Silvano gelding
The new Vodacom Durban July favourite Legal Eagle will almost certainly be the best weighted horse on paper that the big race has seen since merit ratings were introduced to South Africa
The annual Vodacom Durban July three-year-old versus older horse debate will begin in earnest this week as the countdown to the final field announcement next Tuesday begins
The two most important elements that influence the outcome of a race are weight and pace. Of course, other things matter – like going, tactics, draw, jockeyship – but the first two usually outweigh the rest. I could be wrong about Futura – it wouldn’t be the first time I brassed a July winner assuming he wouldn’t stay…
The Vodacom Durban July Final Field and Draw ceremony will be held in the Classic Room at Greyville today and the panelists tasked with choosing the final 18 runners with two reserves only look to have one tough decision to make this year
“I do however feel the handicapper has done everything he can to stop Futura from winning this race – as the saying goes – weight stops trains.” – Justin Snaith
“Painting a picture is the most important duty of a commentator. Raising your voice doesn’t mean you have backed the winner, it means you are enthusiastic and love the game.”
The Sean Tarry trained Legal Eagle took another giant step towards emulating his sire Greys Inn’s historic 2004 Vodacom Durban July victory when he swept aside his older rivals under topweight for a dazzling victory
A victory in today’s R250 000 Gr3 Jubilee Handicap run on the Turffontein standside 1800m won’t guarantee a magical golden backdoor ticket into the Vodacom Durban July. But a forward showing must surely force the big race selection committee to stand up and take notice
Stan Elley’s recent Cup Trial winner Punta Arenas is at 25-1 with Futura maintaining his position as favourite – despite being beaten into fourth on the same day behind stablemate Legislate in the Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge
The tongue-twistingly named sprinter was bred and is owned in South Africa, trained by a US-based Brit and will be ridden by a French-based Belgian
