Andrew Harrison

We are now at the sharp end of Champions Season and for all trainers that have hopes of landing the R10 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, it is a case of plotting each of their runner’s into the race with a competitive weight.

So it is tricky trying to second guess trainer’s plans but is makes for some head-scratching puzzles especially as the July is now a true handicap. The Gr2 WSB 1900 has waxed and waned as a lead-up race into the July but in recent years it has proved to be good pointer and it could again prove to be come today at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Peter Muscutt saddles July entry Isivivane who is still under the radar as far as a place in the July field is concerned but a win here will most likely earn him a gate.  Of concern is that his last two wins have come on the poly track but he has a handy galloping weight from a good draw. Justin Snaith is well on his way to another national Champions Trainer title and sends out three lively runners. Native Ruler has nothing to lose off his rating as he has top weight although contracted rider JP van der Merwe rides stable companion Regulation for Greg and Gina Bortz who gets 8kg from Native Ruler. The betting could tell a tail but Regulation will need a forward showing.

Candice and Tammy Dawson send out top class Trust, a winner of the Gr2 Dingaans. He has not been out of the money in six outings and his showing here will shed some light on what the current crop of three-year-olds are capable off. Given the conditions of the race, a victory will not come at any major cost to his handicap rating but would indeed almost cement his place in the July field.

Paul Peter gives The Ultimate King a look at Greyville and the gelding has solid Highveld form over the trip. He was narrowly beaten by Fire Attack last time out when racing in first time blinkers and has nothing to lose.

First leg of the Pick 6 is a Conditions Plate that has cut up from an original entry of 27 to just seven runners, dominated by Snaith who sends out four of the seven.

It is a high class field but Snaith’s intentions are not easy to decipher as most of the field is warming up for future features. All four of Snaith’s runners have the July penciled in behind their names and again the market could prove to be your best guide.

Likely pacemaker is Okavango who has run two cracking front-running races at his last two including a game second to stable companion See It Again in the Gr1 Premier’s Champions Cup at Turffontein. He gets the services of last Saturday’s Gr2 WSB Guineas winning rider Mickaella Michel – who incidentally came from last on Star Major – but gets the benefit of her 1.5kg allowance. The gelding is already among the top weights for the July so a win should not come at much cost in the handicap. Stable companion Legal Counsel will also not do his July weight much damage given his rating and was doing his best work late behind Questioning last time out and will strip a fit horse. Of bigger interest are Snaith’s other pair of Note To Self and Eight On Eighteen. Note To Self was runner-up to crack filly Wish List in the Gr1 Cape Derby and a forward showing will enhance his chances of making the July field but a jump in the handicap is a possibility. Eight On Eighteen, a game runner-up in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July behind The Real Prince, makes his local debut after a disappointing Cape season. He may just need this to bring him on but he has more than enough class to pull this off. Craig Zackey is an interesting booking as the current log leading rider will surely be aboard The Real Prince in the July, all things going to plan.

Frank Robertson also has the July on the radar for his Gr1 Summer Cup winning filly Mocha Blend and she comes in with a realistic chance as she gets weight from all except the lightly raced and recent maiden winner Ascalon Dancer whose performance will be watched with more than just passing interest.