‘The Guv’s’ last spin of July dice

There is no race any South African jockey wants to win more than the Durban July. And there is even more incentive than usual for several in this year’s epic.

If Jeff Lloyd wins on Made To Conquer, it will be one of the most emotional moments in the 121year history of the race. For the six-time South African champion jockey – nicknamed “The Guv” – it would be a first victory in 26 attempts, stretching back to 1978 when he rode So Humble into third place behind Politician.

That was the first of an amazing nine thirds in the July for Lloyd. He has never finished second, let alone first.

That Lloyd began his career in Durban, that he is returning after many successful years riding in Australia and that he is about to retire from the saddle, will all add poignancy to a victory. And, at 56, he would become the oldest jockey to win the July.

Throw in his miraculous recov- ery from a stroke in 2013 followed by two Queensland jockey championships and you have a script fit for Hollywood.

At the other end of the age scale, 20-year-old Lyle Hewitson is trying to become the first apprentice jockey to register a July victory since Alan Reid on Naval Escort in 1969.

The country’s phenomenal champion jockey in-waiting partners Tilbury Fort, one of the outsiders in the line-up.

Hewitson’s good friend Callan Murray, 21, climbs aboard well-fancied Majestic Mambo and will also be determined to become the youngest victor in many years.

There’s one record they won’t be breaking, though. The youngest winning July jockey was Fred McGrath on Collet in 1922 – at the age of 12!

Two other jockeys are bidding to set a momentous record of five July winners – Anton Marcus, who rides Do It Again, and Piere Strydom on Abashiri, both horses in with big chances.