Faith in Edict Of Nantes
DEREK Brugman shares Joey Ramsden’s view that the advantage lies with the three-yearolds in Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July and the Mayfair Speculators racing manager is understandably keen on dual Grade 1 winner Edict Of Nantes.
He said: “Pace and luck in running are going to play a very large role in the outcome but I think the threeyear-olds are well weighted and definitely have an advantage over the older horses because of their ratings – and if I had to pick one three-yearold to represent me it would be Edict Of Nantes.”
Brugman, a former bookmaker and a shrewd judge of form, believes the other Mayfair runner The Conglomerate has been well treated, saying: “For a previous winner of the July he is well weighted and he will be carrying only half a kilo more than he did last year.
“This time he has a draw, his prep has been great and I think he is a big runner.”
Brugman expects Sean Tarry to ensure the race is run at a decent gallop – “You would have to think that he will want a reasonable pace for Al Sahem because a crawl is not going to suit the horse and Sean is the type of guy who will take things by the scruff of the neck.”
Justin Snaith, bidding for a third July win, reckons that 33-1 shot Master Sabina is the dark horse in the field and explained: “He is a two-time Summer Cup winner and he has a lot of positives. He has a good weight and a good draw. Also he has run well in the July before, he gets every bit of the trip and he is doing very well at home.”
Black Arthur is the shortest priced of the Snaith quartet at 13-2 third favourite – “This time he has a good draw and he will be carrying a kilo less than last year (when he finished seventh from stall 17). He is doing exceptionally well.
“It’s My Turn (fourth last year and 8-1 this time) likes Greyville and is peaking at the right time while Piere Strydom in the July is worth two lengths.”
Krambambuli
The stable’s fourth string is 50-1 rank outsider Krambambuli who is drawn one from the outside – “I’m not worried about that – most of the big races I’ve lost in Natal have been from inside draws and the July is often a rough race. I know this is a hard ask for Krambambuli but if it turns into a hard-run affair, with everyone bumping everyone, he could run into the money.”
Sun Met winner Whisky Baron arrived at Mary Slack’s Abington Place stables in Newmarket at the end of last week after completing his quarantine obligations in Mauritius and Britain.
Ross Kieswetter, who owns the gelding in partnership with elder brother Craig, said: “Brett Crawford and Mike de Kock are going to look after him from now on.”
The gelding may well run in Britain this year although the Dubai Carnival and, more particularly a crack at one of the big international races in Hong Kong, have been mentioned as the objectives. GARTH Puller has a few runners as a trainer at this year’s Vodacom Durban July, which will mark the 30th anniversary of his brilliant ride on Bush Telegraph in one of history’s most celebrated Julys.
Puller dieted strictly on brown rice and stewed apples to ride Bush Telegraph at 49kg in 1987 and he gave an insight into Anton Marcus’s task this year of slimming down to 54kg to ride the favourite Edict Of Nantes.
“It won’t be a problem for Anton, he has had enough time and will just have to watch his diet and increase his amount of exercise.”
Puller reckoned Edict Of Nantes would be in the top three, although his tip to win is Black Arthur, who created a little bit of controversy by being included in the final field ahead of first reserve runner Horizon.
Black Arthur’s trainer Justin Snaith said at a panel discussion on Friday evening, “The one good thing is we will now be able to see.”
He was referring to Horizon now being in the field and facing Black Arthur after the unfortunate scratching of one of his own runners Elusive Silva.
Flying Silver
Puller has a chance in the first race with the progressive Silvano filly Flying Silver, who jumps from a tricky draw of ten in the MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1 400m with Sherman Brown up. He said, “It is a tough race and the two to beat in my opinion are Silver Class and Lesiure Trip.”
Puller said his sprinting gelding Asstar had always enjoyed KZN and his late first appearance this year was due to him not being able to find a suitable race for him coupled with him getting him fit at Summerveld, where he has been for a while. Asstar runs in the eighth race, a MR 104 handicap over 1 000m on the poly, and Brown rides from a tricky draw of nine.
Last year Asstar won both of his Champions Season 1 000m starts and one of them was in the Listed Umgeni Handicap over Saturday’s course and distance. In his only other start he finished third in the Grade 2 Post Merchants over 1 200m.
However, Puller was annoyed Asstar is still two points higher in the merit ratings than he was for the Umgeni, despite having not won a race since.
In the handicapper’s defence he did finish second in the Listed Southeaster Sprint over 1 100m to Tevez in December.
Ryker
Puller has Mieque’s Approval colt Ryker in the KZN Yearling Sale Million over 1 300m on the turf.
He said, “He is a nice type but is in the deep end from an outside draw, although he won’t disgrace himself. ” He showed a nice turn of foot when winning his debut over 1 000m and his full-sister Preamble won over 1 400m.
However, the big talking horse in this race is the 17-20 favourite Al Mariarchi, who finished third in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Medallion and comes from the unstoppable yard of Brett Crawford.
Puller had always wanted to try Rio De La Plata over 3 000m and tries him in the Grade 3 SABC Gold Vase but he couldn’t be confident about his or Ever Dear’s chances as they are considerably out at the weights.