Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Irish Flame to burn bright

The Vodacom Durban July tomorrow sees opinion divided once again between the three-year-olds and older horses. Mike de Kock has seven runners including five three-year-olds, two of whom, Irish Flame and Bold Silvano, are the first and second favourites, while the other three are also prominent in the betting.
Bass has four runners three of whom, River Jetez, Fort Vogue and Pocket Power, are the first, second and third shortest priced older horses. The three-year-old colts have always struck as strong this year and a further advantage for them is that the race is being run a month later than usual. Irish Flame has all the credentials and the only concern is whether he can carry 56kg to victory. He was impressive when winning the Daily News 2000, but some pundits were not enamoured by his next win in the Gold Circle Derby over 2 400m at Clairwood when beating Happy Valley by a length. However, they probably did not notice how Happy Valley had dropped another July runner, Service Ace, at the top of the straight as if the latter was standing still. For Irish Flame to have still beaten him while likely out for a preparation run makes him probably something special. Bold Silvano was running on strongly in the Daily News and is 0,5kg better off with Irish Flame for a 0,25 length beating. He is improving all the time. However, Irish Flame could have had something in reserve in the Daily News, so it can’t be taken for granted that Bold Silvano will reverse the form. Both horses have great draws, Irsh Flame six and Bold Silvano two.
Pocket Power looks to have peaked at the right time as he looked his old self at the July gallops having had a good, but not scintillating Champions Season.
He is one of the most honest horses of all time and will be trying his heart out again, despite not having it easy from a draw of 17. Happy Valley has come back to his best with gelding and clearly enjoys his racing. He was impressive in the Gold Circle Derby and has a 2kg swing with Irish Flame for a one length beating, although the latter was probably not fully extended. Fort Vogue has drifted in the betting after a below par gallop, but he has the blinkers on for the first time since the J&B Met when running a fine one length fourth. He is a typical Mike Bass-trained improver. River Jetez is leniently treated for a J&B Met winner, although she is 1kg worse off with Fort Vogue for a one length beating. Both have nice middle draws and are both in with a big shout, although River Jetez is the more proven and has been very impressive against her own gender in her last two starts. Orbison is the main KZN hope and is the biggest threat to a De Kock or Bass victory. He is a rangy type with a fine turn of foot and is at his best at this track. Herman Brown also usually goes close when he has a runner. On the downside is a difficult 16 draw to overcome.
Ancestral Fore was impressive when winning the Canon Gold Cup and is the most unexposed horse in the field over this distance against this class, considering he only joined the maestro De Kock after his Cape Derby run when a slightly unlucky ninth, beaten 7,2 lengths. Lizarre wasn’t suited by the slow pace last time when running on over 1 800m and is still improving. He has three lengths to find on Irish Flame from the Daily News 2000, but is 2,5kg better off.
He is drawn widest of all but has the masterful Piere Strydom aboard.
Aslan could trouble them if he turns for home handy as he has the ability to fight off challengers and will stay this trip. Flying Tristram is a beautifully long-striding sort and quickened well off a slow pace to win over 1800 last time. He didn’t act in the soft in the SA Derby, but should see out this trip. With his long stride a wide draw might not be that bad and he is the dark horse in the race. Russian Sage is looking in fine fettle, but hasn’t beaten as a good a field as this before. He has a handicap chance of placing though as does Goat who has all the assets for Greyville and a good draw, but is just below the best.
The selection is Irish Flame to win from Bolÿ¿OLlvano, Pocket Power, Happy Valley and Fort Vogue.

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