Jackson gets better start ahead of July Gallops
THERE was some relief for ruling Vodacom Durban July favourite Jackson yesterday when the two emergency acceptors for the race were scratched and the field of 20 finalised.
Co-owner Ian Longmore drew gate 18 for Jackson at the initial draw made last Thursday, but emergency acceptors Bulsara and Seal drew at 11 and 4 respectively. With their defection yesterday, Jackson now comes in two gates closer to the inside fence to 16.
Second favourite Ilha Bela also found some relief and comes in to 19 from her initial draw of 21.
Other notable beneficiaries were top weight and last year’s runner-up Pierre Jourdan (13) and the filly Beach Beauty (12).
Rank outsider Samanjemanje and recent Jubilee Stakes winner Eton Square were put through their paces at Turffontein yesterday.
“It was a very nice gallop. We didn’t push him too hard as he is super-fit,” said Tyron Zackey of Samanjemanje.
Regarding his draw of 11, Zackey said: “He will be out of the trouble. The jockeys are all trying to find the fence, but you need a lot of gatespeed to do that from his draw and he hasn’t got that.”
Big race jockey Glen Hatt made his way to the highveld from Cape Town to partner Eton Square for the first time.
“He is a lovely horse,” said Hatt. “He’s a natural. A horse with only four races behind him can often be lost, but he knows exactly what to do. He’s a very intelligent animal.”
Eton Square worked with the four-year-old Seal over 1 400m on the Turffontein inside turf track.
The balance of the July runners will be put through their paces at Greyville racecourse tomorrow, starting at 7am in the traditional July Gallops. The occasion attracts a large crowd who are treated to free coffee and sticky buns to ward off the morning chill as they watch their fancies in action.
The R3 million Vodacom Durban July will be run over 2 200m at Greyville on July 7.