Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Plenty of spice to July supporting features

Supporting features on this year’s Vodacom Durban July card have drawn some very interesting fields, none more so than the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes where Copper Parade and Kavanagh renew rivalry, both with a score to settle.
The pair last met in the Golden Horseshoe run over 1 400m at Clairwood on Champions Cup day with Kavanagh snatching the decision on the line, only for it to be reversed in the steward’s room.
The draw has not been kind to Copper Parade with the Joey Ramsden-trained runner jumping from 14 while Kavanagh enjoys the luxury of draw 2.
These two stand head and shoulders above the rest as far as merit ratings go go but the likes of Zanzamar, The Assayer and Perana are sure to keep them honest while English Garden has a reputation as a possible star.
The Grade 3 Schweppes 2200 is in fact the July consolation race and has attracted a most intriguing field.
Forest Path, third in the July last year, is at the top of the weights but trainer Neil Bruss, recently return from a
spell overseas, will be looking to rub in the fact that he thought Winter’s Night was hard done by, not getting a run in the big race.
The Zimbabwean champion, a son of Western Winter, comes off victories in the Tankard and Grand Challenge, Zimbabwe’s two biggest races.
Grafton Street was also a possibility for the Vodacom Durban July, but the re-treaded riding school hack did not crack the nod in spite of some inspiring recent form.
The Grade 2 Mercedes-Benz Gold Vase effectively replaces the Canon Gold Cup that was run earlier this year due to the constraints of the soccer World Cup and has attracted a top class field headed by last year’s Gold Cup winner Mokaro and runner-up, Noblewood, both trained by Stephen Page.
Accomplished stayers Omaha Beach and Hospitality are also in the line-up while Jeff Lloyd, out from Hong Kong
and Australia in an attempt to break
his Vodacom Durban July hoodoo on River Jetez, partners Golden Parachute, a horse he booted to victory on July day last year.
The Grade 1 Durban Thekwini Stakes field is headed by the Justin Snaith-trained Fragrant Al, second to Mahbooba in the Grade 1 Golden Slipper on Champions Cup day, and Happy Archer, a most impressive winner first run out of the maidens.
Vodacom Durban July day rounds off a vintage season of horse racing and the supporting features have fittingly lived up to their billing.

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