Pomodoro beats Smanjemanje to win for Sean Tarry and Striker in 2012
Over R1 million will be paid in entry costs by owners in their quest to have the rare pleasure of a runner in one of Africa’s truly great races. While the qualification criteria for the R3,5 milion Vodacom Durban July are clearly defined in 2014, the debate around the likelihood of Futura lining up on 5 July seems overrated if one looks at the other end of the scale and some relative no hopers.
The Brett Crawford trained Futura has won four of his five starts and chalked up an impressive win in the Betting World 1900 Consolation at Greyville last Friday evening. He is apparently being aimed at the Cup Trial at Clairwood rather than an automatic ticket courtesy of a Daily News win.
It is all relative, but it costs roughly R40 000 to get a horse into the July.
That is to find a place in the final 16, from a starting entry of 73, plus 3 supplementary entrants and possibly more to come.
If you are confident of your prospects, a second declaration entry fee of R5070 is payable by Monday 2 June. That should weed out many of the hangers on.
And there is still time to find that dream and get into the running with a final supplementary entry before 11 am on Monday 9 June. That will cost R25080.
Vercingetorix won the 2013 Daily News but never ran in the July
There are only three golden tickets left for direct access into the big race.
The Daily News 2000, the Woolavington 2000 and the Rising Sun Gold Challenge are the three big ones left. The first two are a 3yo male and female restricted race respectively, while the last is a WFA mile.
That probably cuts out 4yo’s like Great Rumpus and Wild One, who both look unlikely wfa mile winners. As does the enigmatic 3yo Helderberg Blue.
Preferential consideration for July inclusion will be accorded the winners of the Gr3 Cup Trial and the Gr3 Betting World Jubilee Handicap, which is run at Turffontein. Both races are over 1800m.
Trainer Mike De Kock and his colleague Sean Tarry have dominated the July for the past four years, so it would probably be foolhardy to suggest that any entry from these top yards is a dream dip in the dark or a patent waste of good money.
Sean Tarry has two down at the bottom of the pile. Both are in the Daily News nominations.
The two time winner Mercado (91) ran a shocker in the SA Derby and has only won up to 1400m.
Golden High (87) is a one time winner. He ran stone last behind Abercrombie in a Graduation Plate at Clairwood on Sunday. He would have to win the Daily News.
The former Jeff Freedman trained Wild One (89) has been entered for Mike De Kock’s account. The stakes placed two time winner ran 5,50 lengths behind Futura in a Graduation Plate last time out.
Great Rumpus won the Easter Handicap but this is the big league
Geoff Woodruff’s Rake’s Chestnut (90) won on debut, followed up with a shocker and then ran a great race in a handicap when beaten narrowly by his stablemate Lockheed Jetstar on Champions Day..
He is yet another who would have to win the Daily News.
Frank Robinson’s Listed Easter Handicap winner Great Rumpus (92) has won 3 races in total and was under two lengths off the year younger Futura in the Betting World 1900 Consolation
Mike Bass’ disappointing two time winner Helderberg Blue (93) ran a fair fourth in the Cape Derby behind Legislate, but his comeback effort was a disappointment. Gelding was supposed to help his cause but the expensive buy is not running in the Daily News.
Key dates for the July diary
Second declarations are due at 11h00 on Monday 2 June.
Final Supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Monday 9 June.
The July weights will be published on Tuesday 10 June
Final declarations are due on Monday 23 June.
The final field and draw announcement will take place on Tuesday 24 June.
The compulsory public gallops are being held at 07h00 on Thursday 26 June at Greyville.
A final field of twenty horses will be carded. (16 plus 4 reserves).
The reserves will be scratched by 08h15 on Friday 4 July.
The next July log will be issued on 3 June.
