Social Order shows good form
THE Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap is traditionally an important Vodacom Durban July qualifying race and this year is no different with a number of horses trying to impress the final field selection panelists.
Social Order, who has come into his own with blinkers, stayed on strongly for a 1,75 length third in the Colorado King Stakes over 2 000m and that form looks excellent now as he was running at level weights with the winner, Coral Fever, who went on to win the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge. S’Manga Khumalo rides from a draw of eight and the Count Dubois gelding should be finishing strongly.
The big Irish-bred filly Cascapedia is unbeaten in four starts over this course and distance and has a plum draw of two.
However, she is well up on the July log and connections will likely be viewing this as a July preparation run.
Deo Juvente ran a good race in the Champions Challenge considering it was his second run after his well below par Cape Town campaign.
From a good draw in his peak run over an ideal trip he could be a big runner, especially as he is unsighted on the July log.
Glider Pilot
Glider Pilot is another one who will need to impress the July panellists. This long-striding sort is ideally course and distance suited and usually relaxes well in the running so has a chance of overcoming a wide draw.
Tilbury Fort is unbeaten in two starts since gelding. He has never won beyond a mile but did finish second last year in the Greyville 1900 so he must have a shout here under Lyle Hewitson despite being raised three points for his last run. Elevated, fourth in the Grade 1 Cape Guinea of 2016, went close in his second and third starts for Mike de Kock but was then rested for six months.
He comes in off one outing over a too sharp 1 200m and with a light weight could make his presence felt if close to his best.
Wind Chill is a small filly who was a two length fourth in the Colorado King Stakes so she should finish close to Social Order on paper.
She has a good draw.
Fort Ember
Fort Ember finished second in the Summer Cup and second in the Colorado King Stakes so loves this galloping track.
In the Champions Challenge she did not have the speed to overcome a wide draw in a fast run race and she was then unlucky in the WSB 1900 at Greyville. The blinkers are on and this is probably in order to help her get to the front from another wide draw. If she is able to get the lead she has a shout.
Yakeen has won three out of five starts and should appreciate the step up in trip so can’t be ignored.
Tandava is a versatile type capable of a strong finish so has to be considered.