Tarry key to Durban July hopefuls
EAN Tarry and Keagan de Melo could hold the key to tonight’s Gr2 Betting World 1900. While much of the pre-race interest has been centred on the obvious Vodacom Durban July entrants, notably the Justin Snaith pairing of It’s My Turn and Elusive Silva, Geoff Woodruff ’s runners Master Switch and Go Direct while the Glen Kotzentrained Banner Hill has also attracted attention after his recent victory. A little under the radar have been Tarry’s July entries Tilbury Fort and Copper Pot but the key runner here could be Serissa. Tarry’s veteran galloper is the only obvious pacemaker in the line-up and with nothing to lose as far as the July is concerned the obvious instruction to De Melo will be to control the pace to suit the other stable runners. It’s probably best to put a line through Tilbury Fort’s run in the SA Classic and concentrate on his previous efforts, which although seemingly nothing special, had shown glimpses to suggest that one write’s off his chances at your peril. Tilbury Fort has drawn in pole but stable companion Copper Pot’s faces an uphill task from gate 14. For most a solid gallop would suit, especially the likes of Elusive Silva who finished with a rattle to win the Sledgehammer from Helderberg Blue. What was more impressive is that this was his first outing in nearly ten months. It was also his first race since gelding and with a handy weight and a plum
Sdraw his is likely to start close to the top of the boards. Ominously, Jubilee Line has hardly garnered a mention in pre-race speculation but with Mike de Kock at the helm and Callan Murray riding with supreme confidence, he too must come into the reckoning. With many of the runners fighting for a place in the July it is likely to be a rough-andready contest and while one can reasonably expect a July entrant to make it into the winner’s enclosure, the list of possible winners is a long one. The Allowance Plate and the Pinnacle Stakes that follow directly after the Betting World 1900 also have July entries battling for a place. Investec Cape Derby winner Edict Of Nantes is sixth on the July log and since he has not been out since the Derby and carries 61kg, this is possibly a pipe-opener and fellow three-year-olds Bold Viking and Secret Captain could prove better propositions, the latter off 52kg and a plum draw possibly the pick. Last year’s Vodacom Durban July winner The Conglomerate has been winless since, his best effort coming when runner-up in the Sansui Summer Cup. Off his current merit rating he will come into the July nicely handicapped and Joey Ramsden is likely to have left some meat on the bone and would more than likely be happy with a forward showing. Two that will need a bold effort if they are to come into the reckoning for the July are Nebula and Royal Badge. looking for this drop to a sprint distance. She has a tricky draw but has shown class before and her 84 merit rating is quite attractive.
Purple Diamond will likely be all the rage in the first leg of the PA but is not a certainty to enjoy the step up in trip, so the robust Skiminac could be worth including in exotics as he will relish the step up in trip, is drawn in pole and looks to have plenty of scope.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Suprise Move has shown signs of class but was given a break after swishing her tail continuously in her second start over 1400m in January.
Miss Bulsara
She returns with blinkers on over a step up in trip she will relish on pedigree. Miss Bulsara, a full sister to the Graded winner Bulsara, will be improving being by Silvano and after running on well over 1 400m last time will relish this step up in trip. In the first leg of the Jackpot over 2 600m Silken is yet another progressive four-year-old by Silvano. She is a proven stayer and is best in at the weights, so will be hard to beat.
The sixth is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1 600m and the classy miler Romany Prince is presented with a good opportunity. He is the best weighted male runner here and this is an ideal course and distance. The filly Witchcraft is the best weighted contestant but has not raced for nearly a year and prefers further. The Elmo effect could be an interesting runner as he was a revelation when stepped down from staying trips to 1 800m and he is now drawn well over a further step down in trip.