Dillon could get Tirzan to score
VISITING: JOCKEYS FLOCK TO JULY IN JOZI MEETING
Western Cape rider Donovan Dillon has some good rides.
With most of the top jockeys riding at Greyville on Saturday when the Vodacom Durban July meeting will be staged, those not in action in Durban have chosen to enjoy the July In Jozi.
One of those making a rare visit to Turffontein is Donovan Dillon who these days has been riding primarily in the Western Cape.
He has managed to pick up some decent rides at Turffontein where they are riding on the Standside track, the best of which could be Tirzan in Race 6, a MR 82 Handicap over 2000m. This Joe Soma-trained runner is performing at the top of his game right now having won four of his last five starts, all of them with Muzi Yeni in the irons. Right now one could call Tirzan a 2000m specialist as he has won five times, all over that distance.
In his last start this four-yearold gelding beat Shenanigans by a length but it was more convincing a win than the distance suggests. This son of Seventh Rock received a 2.5kg penalty for that win but based on the average merit ratings, his last win was against much stronger company than he is due to meet in this event.
He has had four runs at Turffontein and his only placed run was over 1800m but this will be his first race on the Standside track over his favourite distance.
Post Grad stands out as the likely danger. Stuart Pettigrew’s charge was a 55-1 outsider in his last run but did well to finish a 2.40-length fourth behind Gambado over this distance, although it was on the Inside track.
Mike de Kock saddles Wheel Of Time who finished a 3.25-length third behind Tirzan at the Vaal and is now 2kg better off. That is unlikely to be enough to reverse the placings but he did give away two lengths at the start.
Dillon has picked up two very nice rides for Chesney van Zyl in Races 1 and 2. Bold Eagle went into the Grade 2 SA Nursery at Turffontein as an unbeaten three-time winner but was outpaced and could only manage a 1.70-length third behind William The Silent.
He tries 1400m for the first time which should suit him but on that Nursery run he is held Sean Tarry-trained Cirillo. However, if you go back to an earlier meeting Van Zyl’s charge has the edge. Bold Eagle would have benefitted from a short break and could give Dillon an early winner.
In Race 2 he rides Railtrip who has some decent form but is likely to find Tarry-trained Return Flight too good. After finishing second in his first start behind Running Brave, Return Flight has won two races by a total of 19.45 lengths and looks the best bet on the card. Chase Maujean will have the ride.