Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Irish Flame eyes glory and fame

David Thiselton
The 2010 Vodacom Durban July to be run on Saturday at Greyville sees one of the best line ups in the big race for a long time and is increasingly being touted as “the battle of the Mikes”, Mike de Kock and Mike Bass, who have seven runners and four runners respectively. The field is one of the best for years and about half of them have realistic winning chances. When a top class field assembles at Greyville, it is usually essential to be within striking distance turning into the short 450m straight. Even with a strong pace, making up a lot of ground on top horses at this course is very difficult as was shown in 1987 when Model Man never looked like catching Bush Telegraph despite an incredible effort to do so. Even a champion like Dynasty needed to be not more than three lengths back at the top of the straight to catch another champion Yard-arm.
The next essential is that the horse must have a turn of foot (acceleration), followed by the ability and courage to stay all the way to the line. Various factors help in securing a horse a good position from which to strike while still retaining the reserves to go on to win. They include a good draw, early speed, the strength to hold your position at the first turn, the ability to relax in the running which is aided by a good draw as finding cover helps, a high enough cruising speed, a nice comfortable action and the mobility to switch easily at the top of the straight for a final run. Horses that have to improve their positions coming up the hill towards the straight will require stamina and class aplenty to still win. It could be a wide draw or a lack of early speed that puts them into this position. A good pace leads to a true result and with the de Kock yard having so many horses with chances, there is likely to be a good pace this year. However, recent Julys have shown that the pace is virtually impossible to predict. Finally a July winner usually has class and it also helps to be well handicapped, have a top jockey and luck in running. Bold Silvano has developed into a robust horse, has a good draw, early speed, a fine turn of foot and no stamina doubts. He is also improving all the time and has plenty of class. Irish Flame has all the credentials, too, with the possible exception of early speed. He has won his last three races and the winner is always hardest to assess, for he could always have had something in reserve. We dont yet know just how brilliant this horse is. Pocket Power is a champion like Dynasty was, so could do it from a wide draw, but will need a good pace. He also has to carry topweight and is almost eight-years-old.
Lizarre is drawn widest, but will still be improving having only recently joined de Kock, so will have a form chance at the weights with Irish Flame and Bold Silvano. Orbison, also widely drawn, is a similar type to Dynasty, being rangy and with a tremendous turn of foot, plus probable stamina capacity. He is not yet as classy, but could still improve and the Herman Brown yard usually go close when they have a runner. Happy Valley put in a top class effort in his last start. He has improved with gelding, although on the downside he might lack early speed and also prefer a more galloping track as he hasn’t shown he possesses an immediate turn of foot. River Jetez is well drawn, well handicapped and has all the correct assets. She is a feisty and very tough filly so should withstand any bumping and boring before the Drll Hall despite her gender and tall and slender build. Fort Vogue is also well handicapped, well drawn and has all the credentials. He just has to prove he has the class to win it, which he could do being a typical Mike Bass-trained improver.
Ancestral Fore proved his Greyville credentials when winning the Canon Gold Cup. Service Ace has a bit to do to match Irish Flame and Happy Valley, but the race might prove that the latter pair are something special. The provisional selection is Irish Flame, from Bold Silvano, Pocket Power, Happy Valley and Fort Vogue but this might change.

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