Despite all the predictions and what the owners and trainers have to say the fact of the matter is that once the gates crash open for the start of the R3,5 million Grade 1 Vodacom July Handicap the fate of the horses lies mainly in the hands of the jockeys. With that in mind we asked the men on top to give us their views on the race.
Greg Cheyne – knows his form
Greg Cheyne had only recently returned from a trip overseas but he is a man who diligently studies form so he had some firm views on the race, “I did not gallop my horse, DYNASTIC POWER, at Greyville but from the reports of trainer Stan Elley and the jockey who rode him, Corne Orffer, his was a really good gallop. From a fitness point he is as well as can be. This is his biggest test to date and it all depends on how he comes through it. The horse I think we all have to beat is LEGAL EAGLE. He has come well at the right time, carries a fair mass and comes from the bang in-form Sean Tarry yard. WYLIE HALL’s Gauteng form is top notch and he could make up for this controversial demotion last year. I make him a massive runner. Mike de Kock is a master with fillies and MAJMU has done everything asked of her. She will be primed to the minute and she could be involved in the finish. Mike’s other runner, PINE PRINCESS, is my outsider for the race. She is on top form, carries a light mass, gets the trip and from her good draw could be prominent from start to finish.”
Warren Kennedy is a quiet thoroughly professional jockey. He will be riding in about his 5th July and feels he is on a really nice filly in PINE PRINCESS. “I thought PINE PRINCESS’ gallop at Greyville was exceptional. Realistically I give her a first 5 chance but much will depend on the pace, and if things go our way, she could even be involved in the finish. FUTURA is an amazingly good looking animal and his form is faultless. I think we all have him to beat. WYLIE HALL is in great form and looked a picture at the gallops. LEGAL EAGLE comes into the race with impeccable form and has Anton Marcus riding. His stable companion FRENCH NAVY is on top form and looks a readymade place horse. MAJMU carries the de Kock factor and looks sure to run a huge race”.
S’manga Khumalo – cool and calm
Despite being involved in a titanic struggle with Gavin Lerena for the SA Jockeys Championship S’manga Khumalo remains amazingly cool and calm about everything. “I have been the champion, so in most respects the pressure is off me as far as that is concerned”, he said.
His thoughts on the July were. “My filly, TAMAANEE, is top class and she has had a top prep. I am not worried about her wide draw as many horses have overcome bad draws in the July. I will obviously need luck in running but that is what the race is about. The race may not be as cut and dried as many think but FUTURA does have all the credentials to win. I like the younger horses like the Tarry coupling of FRENCH NAVY and LEGAL EAGLE and my number 5 spot goes to MAJMU”.
Grant van Niekerk is a top up and coming young jockey who is taking the chances he is getting from the Bass yard with open arms, “HELDERBERG BLUE galloped very well at Greyville and he is fit and ready for the race. His temperament is much improved and he will wear cheek pieces in the race which I think will make him more relaxed. The last time I rode him we jumped a bit slow which did not suit him at all. He is drawn 8 here so I will try to get him out smartly and get a good position from the jump. Anything can happen in the July but I am going into the race with a lot of confidence. My main dangers are obviously FUTURA who has the form of a July winner. I give LEGAL EAGLE, PUNTA ARENAS and MAJMU big chances but I will be all out on my ride.
Piere Strydom – says Legal Eagle has a big chance
Piere Strydom recently passed the 5000 South African winners mark as a jockey but despite the fantastic feat he remains well-grounded and is a pleasure to talk to. One of Piere’s hallmarks is always honesty when summing up his horses’ chance. This is the case when he talks about HALVE THE DEFICIT.
“He looks well held on form. I rode him last year and I don’t think he is better this year. I will be hoping for luck in running and for rain before the race. Realistically I think LEGAL EAGLE has a big win chance especially as he is well in at the weights. WYLIE HALL is holding his form and looks ready to again run a big race. FUTURA has all the credentials to win this race and he should feature prominently. MAJMU always gives off her best while HELDERBERG BLUE could be the surprise package.”
Popular veteran jockey Johnny Geroudis is very happy to be back riding in South Africa and says, “This is the place to be.” He is riding the Geoff Woodruff trained TELLINA in the race and these were his comments. “He is doing good work and his public July gallop was satisfactory. He is very well in himself and I think he is carrying a good mass for a 5 year old. In my opinion I think MAJMU and LEGAL EAGLE will give him the most to do but I do think that there are many horses with a chance. I think the pace will pay a big role in the outcome of this race.” It is obvious that Johnny G does not think the race is cut and dried.
Corne Orffer is having a good season and he gets the ride on Mike Azzie’s DEPUTY JUD. “He feels very good to me but he may have to be bustled along from his wide draw of 15. He has only been unplaced once in his career thus far and I feel he has a lot of improvement in him. I think he has it all to do against the top horses with better draws like FUTURA, WYLIE HALL and MAJMU.”
Sean Cormack – rides Couture
Sean Cormack has now firmly established himself as one of South Africa’s top jockeys. He is looking forward to the race with keen anticipation but knows that he must be realistic. “FUTURA has had an awesome prep. In fact I would say that he might have had the best prep ever. I am not nervous but am looking forward to the race feeling very confident. The horses I think will be concerned with the finish are WYLIE HALL who is on top form and, as far as I’m concerned, is an obvious danger. I have great respect for the Mike de Kock trained MAJMU who looked great in the gallops. The Sean Tarry trained coupling of FRENCH NAVY and LEGAL EAGLE are two big improvers and they could be involved in the finish.
Donovan Dillon – has his first ride
Up and coming young jockey, Donovan Dillon, is having his first July ride. “I am very excited to be riding in the race as it has long been one of my ambitions. I think ICE MACHINE is very capable of causing an upset but I realise there are question marks about him getting the trip. His work in his prep has been very good and he comes into the race spot on from a fitness point of view.” When asked what his plans for the race were he said, “I will give him a chance early on and keep him as relaxed as possible. If it all goes to plan then he could use his great finish to good effort.” Donovan feels the race is an open one but makes MAJMU a big danger. She will be at her peak and trainer de Kock is a master at getting the horses ready for the big races. FUTURA cannot be faulted and along with LEGAL EAGLE and WYLIE HALL are two others he has great respect for.
Jockey Anthony Delpech is looking for July winner number 5 when he gets on MAJMU on Saturday afternoon. Right now Anthony is riding as well or better than at any time in his career. His opinion of her was carefully considered. “She is as well as can be and is a serious runner.” When asked if she could be considered better than she ever has been he replied, “All I would like to say is that she is as well as can be and she will need luck in running.” Asked which horses he thought could be his main rivals. “WYLIE HALL and FUTURA both look primed to the minute and another horse could be involved is LEGAL EAGLE.” Without Anthony getting over excited he gives the impression that he gives MAJMU a big chance.
Jockey Bernard Fayd’herbe was, unfortunately, unavailable for comment on his horse WYLIE HALL.
