The Citizen (KZN)

And the winner is ...

-

Number/draw, name, (jockey), trainer: 1 GOLDEN DUCAT (Donovan Dillon) Eric Sands

A ducat might be the wrong currency in this rich company. A talented youngster, but his elders might have a better exchange rate.

2 RAINBOW BRIDGE (Warren Kennedy) Eric Sands

This could be the route to a pot of gold. Favourite. Finished second last year and could easily go one better with champion jockey-elect in the saddle.

3 PADRE PIO (Ant Mgudlwa) Dennis Bosch

On a wing and a prayer, this kid might run into the money. Speedy three-year-old and a canny trainer aiming to spring a “hallelujah”. Place chance.

4 MIYABI GOLD (Keagan de Melo) Justin Snaith

Can the five-year-old mare improve on her commendabl­e fifth place of last year? Maybe not in this strong field.

5 SOQRAT (Callan Murray) Mike de Kock

Master trainer, top young rider, very classy colt, peak run, nice draw – what’s not to like? Okay, there is the name, but he’s got a massive chance.

6 TWIST OF FATE (Aldo Domeyer) Adam Marcus

No twists and turns with this one; he’s as game and consistent as they come and grabbed third place last year. Up-and-coming young trainer and powerful jockey put him well in the reckoning.

7 SHANGO (Lyle Hewitson) Sean Tarry

Named after the West African god of thunder. The horse is untested at this level and would be a thunderous upset winner – even with a reigning champion jockey holding the reins.

8 CAPOEIRA (Tristan Godden) Andre Nel

The name refers to an Afro-Brazilian martial art, which involves handstands and inverted kicks. It would be a right kick in the punters’ whatsits if he pulled this off.

9 VARDY (Craig Zackey) Adam Marcus

Rising stars – horse, jockey and trainer. They’ve already scored in the Cape Met and could sprint through to bang it in the back of the July net – like the Brit footballer namesake. Lurking stamina doubt.

10 DIVINE ODYSSEY (Stuart Randolph) Johan Janse van Vuuren

Down-to-earth, bread-and-butter dependable, despite the name. Outside place chance.

11 TIERRA DEL FUEGO (Gavin Lerena) Sean Tarry

A continenta­l drift away from Africa’s greatest race. Steady performer, champion trainer, strong jockey: credential­s that might get him into the money.

12 IT’S MY TURN (Sean Veale) Dean Kannemeyer

Magnificen­t marathoner plagued by injury. At seven years old, he might have had his turn, though we shouldn’t be ageist. Place chance.

13 GOT THE GREENLIGHT (Muzi Yeni) Joe Soma

Would be a very popular winner. Charismati­c jockey, affable trainer and hot three-year-old form. Green for go.

14 BUNKER HUNT (Grant van Niekerk) Justin Snaith

Many pundits’ “dark horse”. Say no more.

15 SILVANO’S PRIDE (Sereno Moodley) Justin Snaith

Loves being out front, so she’ll probably be the pacemaker for the trainer’s strong team of five runners. Can she hang on and hold off 17 voracious rivals? Unlikely.

16 CAMPHORATU­S (Gareth Wright) Robbie & Shannon Hill

Is that the scent of the almighty upset of all time in the air?

17 BELGARION (Richard Fourie) Justin Snaith

Joint favourite, despite a wide barrier draw. That’s thanks to clever preparatio­n that brings the talented four-year-old in with a very handy weight and impeccable form. Looks like the stable’s pick.

18 DO IT AGAIN (Anton Marcus) Justin Snaith

Two-time Durban July hero going for the hat-trick and umpteen more headline puns on his name. He starts among deckchairs on the beachfront thanks to the widest draw of all, but he has a fivetime July champ to steer him around. Already a legend; aiming for immortalit­y. – Mike Moon

Mike Moon’s selections for July day

Race 1: 9 Chimichuri Run, 6 Chantyman, 3 Captain Tatters, 2 Singforafa

Race 2: 4 Dandolo, 10 Native Tongue, 8 Winter Stories, 14 Verichey

Race 3: 2 Sovereign Spirit, 3 Cat Daddy, 12 Pack Leader, 13 Tristful Race 4: 13 Imperial Ruby, 5 Factor Fifty, 14 Shenanigan­s, 8

Wealthy

Race 5: 1 Caralluma, 5 Afternoon Tea, 4 Love Bomb, 7 Delta

Queen

Race 6: 4 Erik The Red, 8 Gold Season, 5 Ashford Castle, 1 Fast

Love Race 7 (Durban July): 18 Do It Again, 5 Soqrat, 2 Rainbow Bridge, 3 Padre Pio, 13 Got The Greenlight, 12 It’s My Turn (TAB pays out six places on this race)

Race 8: 7 Celtic Sea, 13 Clouds Unfold, 2 Vistula, 8 Ronnie’s Candy Race 9: 4 Rio Querari, 3 Battleoftr­afalgar, 1 Cartel Captain, 3 12 Hooves Of Troy

Race 10: 4 Crown Towers, 10 Born To Perform, 7 Hudoo Magic, 9 Priceless Ruler

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa