David Thiselton

It is 34 years since a KZN-trained horse crossed the line first in the July and Gladatorian would be a fitting  horse to break KZN’s drought because trainer Stuart Ferrie was the long time assistant to Dennis Drier, who trained the clear cut 1992 winner Spanish Galliard.

Stuart was one of a number of Summerveld trainers who spoke about their yards’ chances on Hollywoodbets Durban July day.

The Ricky Maingard-trained Space Walk was the last KZN horse to have won the big race, but he inherited the race 32 years ago in 1994 after Surfing Home was demoted from 1st place to 5th place for the interference he caused to Pas de Quoi.

There are five KZN-trained horses in this year’s renewal.

Gladatorian is the highest rated among them, while Peter Muscutt has two runners, Isivivane and I Salute You, Gareth van Zyl has King Pelles and Frank Robinson has Mocha Blend.

Gladatorian finished a decent seventh last year carrying joint-topweight of 60kg.

This time he has second topweight of 61,5kg under the new conditions of the race, but has a much kinder draw.

Stuart said, “I’m happy with the draw of 8, better than 16 last year. If he can be halfway down the field or a little behind halfway we will be happy.”

Gladatorian is known for his terrific turn of foot and finishing speed and has had a fine preparation into this year’s R10 million renewal.

Muzi Yeni rides.

Yeni has never won the July before, but has had a second, three thirds, two fourths and two fifths.

Stuart runs Town Crier in the first race over 1600m on the poly. He is four points higher for a win over course and distance last time. He was drawn in pole for the win and is drawn two now with Serino Moodley staying aboard.

Stuart said, “He’s got a nice chance.”

He runs yard favourite Capsaicin in the second race over 1600m on the poly. Stuart said this horse only knew too speeds on the training tracks, very slow and very fast. Unfortunately, he can’t be given relaxed workouts at a good pace because he just wants to take off. Whilst this is frustrating from a training perspective he compensates for it by trying his hardest in every race. From draw ten he is likely to take the lead. Stuart said Capsaicin also had “a nice chance.”

The Candice Bass-trained Viva’s Liberte (Vercingetorix) has been the most backed horse in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and not surprisingly considering how well he has been looking at Summerveld. Terry Fripp confirmed his well-being.

Fripp was asked to name the yard’s best runner on the day and he said it was Viva’s Liberte. He was confident the national champion jockey elect Craig Zackey would be able to settle him from draw nine.

Viva’s Liberte is at 6/1 together with Regulation, while Wish List and Note To Self remain the joint favourites at 11/2.

Louis Goosen has three runners on the day and said, “In The Amusnet Golden Slipper (over 1400m) we have Ferrari Flair, who ran third last time out in the Listed Amusnet Devon Air Stakes over this course and distance. She is drawn nicely again and Serino is back up on her and I definitely think she’s got an each-way chance.”

He continued, “In the Gr 2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe we have a very, very good horse, Erik Dubois. He’s a giant and I’m not quite sure I have done enough with him, but I think he has a big career ahead of him and I think he is a definite runner and at nice long odds. He is a nice each-way bet because he’s working exceptionally well, although one of the reasons for his long odds is his wide draw.”

He concluded, “In race 12 we have Captain’s Pride, it’s very difficult because we are drawn at Clairwood but are racing at Greyville, but she’s well and she will be running on strongly.”

Garth Puller runs Imperial Power in the 2nd race over 1600m on the poly, albeit from draw 11 out of 12, and said, “He enjoys the poly and has good form. Hlengwa rides and I am expecting him to kick on strongly in the finish. It’s very competitive, but I think he could get into the quartet.”

Royal Sword is drawn eight in the same race and Garth said, “He’s also not drawn too well and he’s a horse who likes to gallop a bit big, but I am expecting a nice run from him. I always thought the mile might be stretching him, but Richard Fourie got off him last time and said don’t be scared to even go 2000m. He’s a big galloper, so I’m hoping for a nice run.”

Garth runs Mohave Prince (Captain Of All) in the Listed Premier Gateway International Handicap over 1600m and said, “He has won five out of 12 and four out of his last five starts and he is only a three-year-old. I have skipped the big races, because they would have penalised him too much. He’s won his last two over a mile, but I do think a mile is on the sharp side for him. He will prefer 1800m to 2000m. But he is in fine form and  will give a good account of himself.”

He runs Sign Of Fate (Master Of My Fate) in the last over 1200m and said, “It might be a bit on the sharp side, but she did win her last start over this trip. She’s doing very well at home and has a good chance.”

Tony Rivalland runs Magma Magic in the first race on the poly over 1600m, although he has draw eleven out of 12. He goes for a hattrick and Tony said, “His form has been very good. He has actually won three out of his last four and ran a good place in between. He’s doing exceptionally well, but all of his form is on the grass. If it was on the grass I would be confident. On the poly I’m not so sure.”

Craig Eudey spoke on behalf of the Mike Miller yard and said, “Winter Games is very, very well ahead of the Listed Premier Gateway International Handicap and is probably our best runner on the day.”

“In the Gr 2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe we have Riff Raff Boy (Chimichuri Run), who is very well, and Steamy Windows (Master Of My Fate), who is also very well and is a very nice horse but he just has the draw to contend with.”

“We have Warrior Royale in the 11th and she is very well too and we seem to have got her problem of going into the pens right at the moment.”