Leading apprentice Lyle Hewitson has made an amazingly quick recovery from a broken collar bone thanks chiefly to hyperbacic treatment and is now looking forward to riding the Sean Tarry-trained French Navy in the Vodacom Durban July on Saturday.

The treatment was sponsored by Charl du Plooy of Hyperbaric Systems South Africa (Biobarica) at the Rivonia Medical and Sports Centre Hewitson broke the bone in a fall at Fairview on May 13 and said the following week, “I will use all means possible to heal it better and faster, but I will only come back when strong enough and the July is only just over six weeks away.”

He said yesterday about the decision to start race-riding just six weeks after the fall, “I was feeling so good and that was the main factor.”

Hewitson rode a treble in that comeback at Fairview on Friday and rode another winner at Greyville on Sunday. Hewitson rode French Navy in the July gallops last Thursday. The big bay put in pleasing work and is in fine condition, so is just being kept ticking over at Summerveld until the race.

Hewitson believes his mount is a “huge runner” at the weights. Furthermore, Tarry believes the five-year-old Count Dubois gelding has improved since a tongue tie was applied three runs ago. His last run can be ignored as he hated the blinkers and was hit in the eye by a clod.

Hewitson said winning the July would be “a dream come true, especially doing it for the Sean Tarry stable.”

The professional youngster is well aware of the boost winning a July can have on a young jockey’s career and there is no better example than S’manga Kumalo’s win on the Tarry-trained Heavy Metal in 2014.

By David Thiselton

National champion trainer Sean Tarry will attempt to land his third Vodacom Durban July on Saturday where he has four runners.

He also spoke about his other runners on the day.

He said both Al Sahem and Safe Harbour had travelled back to Randjesfontein to be prepared for the July after their good Daily News and Woolavington runs as “the facilities there suit them better.”

Tarry said about Al Sahem’s pole position draw, “I would have preferred to be out of the scrum, but I expect him to have enough early pace to find second or third place in the running.” He is 0,5kg better off with Edict Of Nantes for a 0,5 length beating in the Daily News 2000, and it would also be worth bearing in mind Tarry’s first July winner Pomodoro won the SA Derby, then ran below par in the Daily News before winning the July carrying 55kg. Al Sahem only has to carry 53,5kg. His sire Silvano has already produced three July winners. S’manga Khumalo replaces Anthony Delpech, who is retained by the owners of Nightingale.

Sean Tarry (Nkosi Hlophe)

Woolavington 2000 third-placed Safe Harbour impressed in her televised July gallop alongside Al Sahem but Tarry reminded, “It was a good gallop, but Al Sahem is a lazy horse.” He added, “She has run her last couple of starts as if she is looking for this trip.” The long-striding three-year-old daughter of Elusive Fort is drawn eleven and has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight of 52kg. Nooresh Juglall rides.

Tarry is “very happy” with former Daily News 2000 winner French Navy, whom he says has improved since a tongue ties was applied three runs ago. He said his last start can safely be ignored as he hated the blinkers and was also hit in the eye by a clod. Leading apprentice Lyle Hewitson gets his second July ride on a horse who looks well weighted in his third attempt at the big race.

Tarry said about Betting World 1900 runner up Tilbury Fort, “He’s definitely on the up, but strictly on form will battle to turn around the form with Al Sahem. He has had a nice prep and seems to enjoy Greyville. He was a little bit handier than he usually is in the 1900 and I think he will stay the trip.” This Horse Chestnut three-year-old colt is officially 2,5kg under sufferance and jumps from draw eleven. His jockey Greg Cheyne has won the July before.

Tarry was happy his Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe contender Captain And Master had been able to see Greyville on Thursday where he put up an eyecatching gallop alongside French Navy.

He said, “It is a strong race but I am confident he is a good horse and he has a big chance.” Khumalo rides from a plum draw.

His other contender in this race is Purple Diamond and he said, “He is also nice horse although he might be better over a mile.”

Tarry said his Gr 2 Gold Circle Golden Slipper contender Desert Rhythm was never at her best at home, but he added, “Her form suggests she is a big runner.” Khumalo rides.

Tarry said about London Secret, “The jockey moved a bit early on her last time, so she will want a more patient ride. I think Gavin (Lerena) will suit her.” She has a good turn of foot and should enjoy the course and distance.

He said about Rockin Russian, “She was very green around the turn last time, but ran on well. I expect her to improve and can’t see the draw being a big problem as she will come from off them.”

He runs Trophy Wife in the Grade 3 Betting World 2200 and said, “She was in season last time in the Cup Trial, but ran on quite well. She will like the extra distance and I expect a good run.”

The consistent seven-year-old soldier Serissa runs in the Gold Vase over 3000m and Tarry pointed out the race had not panned out well for him in his only attempt at this sort of distance in the Gold Cup of 2014. He reckoned he had improved this season and didn’t envision anybody taking him on in front as they then would risk not seeing it out, so it should pan out well this time from a good draw of two.

By David Thiselton

Derek Brugman shares Joey Ramsden’s view that the advantage lies with the three-year-olds in Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July and the Mayfair Speculators racing manager is understandably keen on dual Grade 1 winner Edict Of Nantes.

He said: “Pace and luck in running are going to play a very large role in the outcome but I think the three-year-olds are well weighted and definitely have an advantage over the older horses because of their ratings – and if I had to pick one three-year-old to represent me it would be Edict Of Nantes.”

Brugman, a former bookmaker and a shrewd judge of form, believes the other Mayfair runner The Conglomerate has been well treated, saying: “For a previous winner of the July he is well weighted and he will be carrying only half a kilo more than he did last year. This time he has a draw, his prep has been great and I think he is a big runner.”

Edict Of Nantes (Nkosi Hlophe)

Brugman expects Sean Tarry to ensure the race is run at a decent gallop – “You would have to think that he will want a reasonable pace for Al Sahem because a crawl is not going to suit the horse and Sean is the type of guy who will take things by the scruff of the neck.”

Justin Snaith, bidding for a third July win, reckons that 33-1 shot Master Sabina is the dark horse in the field and explained: “He is a two-time Summer Cup winner and he has a lot of positives. He has a good weight and a good draw. Also he has run well in the July before, he gets every bit of the trip and he is doing very well at home.”

Black Arthur is the shortest priced of the Snaith quartet at 13-2 third favourite – “This time he has a good draw and he will be carrying a kilo less than last year (when he finished seventh from stall 17). He is doing exceptionally well.

“It’s My Turn (fourth last year and 8-1 this time) likes Greyville and is peaking at the right time while Piere Strydom in the July is worth two lengths.”

The stable’s fourth string is 50-1 rank outsider Krambambuli who is drawn one from the outside – “I’m not worried about that – most of the big races I’ve lost in Natal have been from inside draws and the July is often a rough race. I know this is a hard ask for Krambambuli but if it turns into a hard-run affair, with everyone bumping everyone, he could run into the money.”

BLOB Sun Met winner Whisky Baron arrived at Mary Slack’s Abington Place stables in Newmarket at the end of last week after completing his quarantine obligations in Mauritius and Britain.

Ross Kieswetter, who owns the gelding in partnership with elder brother Craig, said: “Brett Crawford and Mike de Kock are going to look after him from now on.”

The gelding may well run in Britain this year although the Dubai Carnival and, more particularly a crack at one of the big international races in Hong Kong, have been mentioned as the objectives.

By Michael Clower

Traditionally one of the trickiest legs of the Vodacom Durban July day Pick 6 is the Gr 2 Golden Slipper for two-year-old fillies and this year is no different.

The Pick 6 has a R10 million guaranteed pool this year, and is expected to reach R11 million plus, and exotic players will no doubt be viewing this race as one of the biggest obstacles to traverse.

S’manga Khumalo

Mambo In Seattle filly Desert Rhythm is proven over the trip and the form of her 1450m win has been franked. Her staying on fourth in the Grade 2 SA Fillies Nursery over 1160m was a decent effort and Sean Tarry’s most regular jockey, S’Manga Khumalo, is aboard.

Her stablemate London Secret showed good pace before finding extra to win comfortably on debut over 1160m. Takingthepeace then reversed the form over the same trip when receiving 3kg, but the latter would just about be tipped to win this race if taking part as she has a lot of class and scope. London Secret, by Gimmethegreenlight, should enjoy the course and distance and Gavin Lerena is up from a good draw.

The reserve runner Lady In Black impressed in the preliminaries and in the race on debut over 1200m at Scottsville and on pedigree this Dynasty filly will relish this course and distance. She has a fair draw of seven if getting in.

The speedy Sail From Seattle filly Gee Whizz over raced on debut when held up over 1200m. In her second start over 1000m at Scottsville, Richard Fourie allowed her to stride out from the off and she won easing up by three lengths. Fourie might adopt front running tactics again from a good draw, but there is a stamina question mark.

Neptune’s Rain was forced to be more handy than usual in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson, but stayed on well for third. On pedigree the Antonius Pius filly should also enjoy the step up in trip, but she is drawn widest of all.

Bridal Veil is a scopey daughter of Visionaire, who was beaten into fourth by Light On Her Toes when she made her debut over 1200m on the Greyville turf in April. However, she was running on well and the form of that race has proven to be strong. Second time out she comfortably won a Maiden Juvenile Plate on the Greyville poly over 1200m, beating Sequined by 1,75 lengths. The latter franked the form by finishing a close second in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m. Bridal Veil looks likely to enjoy this trip, but has a tricky draw.

Tsessebe has a nice long stride and this daughter of Philanthropist caught the eye when winning easily over 1200m second time out on the Greyville poly. She should relish the step up in trip, but is drawn second from the outside.

Let It Flow by Judpot was unlucky in her first two starts, both over 1200m. In her third start she was up with the pace throughout and responded well to late urgings from Anthony Delpech to find the necessary extra. The connections confirmed after the race she was looking for further. The form of that race has been franked and she has landed a plum draw. Furthermore, Delpech has kept the ride.

Rockin Russian was held up in the Devon Air Stakes from a good draw in order to find the rail and she ran on well for a three length fourth. This Seventh Rock filly is a half-sister to the Gr 3-wining miler Rikitikitana and will have benefitted from her first experience of Greyville. However, she has a tricky draw of ten and Khumalo is now aboard Desert Rhythm. Rockin Russian beat Let It Flow by a length on debut, although the latter was finishing strongly after being baulked for run.

Neptune’s Rain (Nkosi Hlophe)

Green Top by Gimmethegreenlight is well related and will relish this step up in trip having been outpaced on debut over 1200m before staying on strongly to win going away. She has a reasonable draw and Muzi Yeni stays aboard.

Mara is a scopey sort who ran on well to win on her KZN debut over 1400m on the poly. This Var filly is well drawn and will improve further coming from the Dean Kannemeyer stable and being a half-sister to the useful Impala Lily, but Delpech appears to have abandoned her.

Light On Her Toes started her career in promising fashion, but appeared to not stay this trip from a wide draw in the Devon Air Stakes. The run did come only two weeks after her fifth in the Allan Robertson, but she is hard to fancy from another wide draw, despite both her father Gimmethegreenlight and mother On Her Toes being Guineas winners.

Star Profile beat Spring Breeze over 1450m by 1,75 lengths and was then only 0,75 lengths behind Desert Rhythm in the SA Fillies Nursery. She is a nice looking type but she has already raced eight times for just win and she takes a while to get going so Greyville might not suit her.

Spring Breeze is well drawn, but will need to improve.

Outlander’s two wins have been over 1000m and she looks held over this trip.

Second reserve Awesomeness ran on strongly to win on debut over 1000m, but was unplaced in the false start marred Strelitzia, beaten 8,75 lengths by Neptune’s Rain.

Third reserve Green Ice could earn based on her fifth in the Devon Air.

Desert Rhythm is selected to beat London Secret with Lady In Black next best ahead of Neptune’s Rain, Gee Whizz and Bridal Veil, but punters might have to go wider than these six in the exotics.

By David Thiselton

Joey Ramsden reports The Conglomerate on song in his bid to become the first dual winner of the Vodacom Durban July since El Picha at the turn of the century – although he believes the advantage lies with Edict Of Nantes in the same Mayfair Speculators colours.

He said: “The Conglomerate is just as well as he was when he won last year but the three-year-olds have to have a massive chance. For the first time in years they have handicapped a three-year-old to win and Edict Of Nantes will have to really fluff his lines not to.”

The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)

Anton Marcus, bidding for his fifth July win, was quizzed by Neil Andrews on Tellytrack’s Kenilworth coverage on Saturday about his decision to prefer the Brett Crawford runner.

He said: “It was a very hard decision. As much confidence as I have in Edict Of Nantes I have ridden The Conglomerate in his last two starts and I think he could have the run of the race. He is definitely one of the older horses to beat.

“Edict Of Nantes is a better horse on a galloping course but I think he is untapped. I am holding thumbs that he gets a trouble-free race. That is the most important thing.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe had words of encouragement for supporters of top weight Marinaresco, saying: “We are hoping for a big run. He has a nice draw, we just need luck in running and things to happen for us in the race.”

Cup Trial winner Elusive Silva, scratched after injuring his off-fore during last Thursday’s July gallops, will miss the rest of the season and most of next season too.

Justin Snaith said: “He stumbled badly on a cut-up bit of track, injured himself and will be out for a year.”

The public gallops before the Sun Met and the July play an important role in the build-up and promotion of these two races and are popular with the public but the former champion trainer has long been opposed to them.

He said: “I didn’t want to gallop Elusive Silva and he didn’t need a gallop, and what happened to him is the reason I don’t like them.”

Richard Fourie, successful on Legislate three years ago, got the call for first reserve Horizon almost immediately and said: “Obviously I am very disappointed at what happened to Elusive Silva but I’m pleased to get a ride in the race, particularly on a horse with a decent chance like Horizon.”

By Michael Clower

July Fever is well and truly kicking in and the public will start finalising their selections after the Vodacom Durban July gallops on Thursday. However, exactly fifty years ago one horse was dominating the headlines as well as the family thoughts in the household of record breaking trainer Syd Laird.

Syd’s son Alec does not have many recollections of Sea Cottage’s famous dead-heat with Jollify in 1967, but does recall his father became increasingly difficult to live with in the two or three weeks approaching any July day.

Only the race could relieve the tension, but in 1967 the agony was prolonged as the judges attempted to separate Sea Cottage and Jollify. In the race Jollify, carrying 100lbs (45.3kg), had sat behind the leader Balaclava and coming off the narrow false rail jockey John Gorton shot him into the lead. Sea Cottage, carrying 127 lbs (57.6kg), had been hooked towards the outside for his run by Robbie Sivewright and still had a mountain to climb. However, the idol of the public had his eyes on the leader, who was towards the inside, and the crowd roared as he wound up into his famous finishing run. It is the natural tendency of a racehorse to hang towards the horse he is chasing, but Sea Cottage first had to get around King Willow and Red Sands who were making their runs down the centre. After he had completed that task there was less than 200 metres left and Sea Cottage began eating up the ground with his enormous stride. However, the disappointment could be heard in commentator Ernie Duffield’s voice when he said, “I think Jollify has held on.” However, the muted crowd were soon rapturous when a dead-heat was announced. The great horse had done it. Sea Cottage still had a bullet lodged in his hindquarters. He had been shot three weeks before the previous year’s July, but still ran in that race and finished a gallant fourth.

Six-year-old Alec was actually on course for the 1967 July and as there was no room in the owners and trainers enclosure during the race, he had to stand on an adjoining wall.

Sea Cottage was the first Summerveld-trained horse to win the July.

The training centre had been opened at the beginning of that same season. Alec remembers Summerveld being barren back in those days. His mother Marlene planted the trees which now tower over Syd Laird’s former yard, which is now used by Alistair Gordon.

Alec also remembers visitors always wanting to see one particular horse, Sea Cottage.

Sea Cottage (Supplied)

Alec has better memories of Syd’s 1971 July winner Mazarin. His father often said, “Sea Cottage was the best I trained but Mazarin was the best three-year-old.” Mazarin’s owners Eric and Fane Tenderini were so confident of victory in 1971 they had booked out a venue in the Edward Hotel for a celebratory party and a massive cake made in Mazarin’s red and white colours awaited the guests. He duly won by a comfortable 3,25 lengths in record time. Mazarin had a downturn in form as a four-year-old, but the Tenderini’s refused Syd permission to apply blinkers. Their reasoning was that in the UK at the time horses who wore blinkers were considered “rogues”, so any potential stallion would never be seen in them.

Syd’s record-breaking seventh July victory was with the great Politician in 1978. Alec’s outstanding memory of that year was when an announcement was made shortly before the start that Welcome Boy had replaced Politician as favourite. Syd nudged Alec and said, “I will have to do something about that” and walked over to put more money on Politician.

The July was a huge part of the Laird household’s lives. Alec viewed winning it as his most important goal after he had taken over the yard when Syd passed away suddenly in 1988.

He only had to wait until 1996, when London News won for owners Laurie and Jean Jaffee. History repeated itself as the Jaffees has also booked out The Edward for a celebratory party.

The Jaffees also booked a venue in one of Hong Kong’s leading hotels, The Peninsula, before London News won the Gr 1 QE II Cup the following year, although Alec believes they likely had a cancellation clause.

Alec’s best chance of winning the July recently has been with last year’s runaway J&B Met winner Smart Call, but she headed overseas instead. However, he still has his eyes very much set on a second July win in the future.

By David Thiselton

Candice Bass-Robinson, who will have her first Durban July runners, was disappointed when she heard that Horizon hadn’t made the cut but she was wearing a broad smile after watching the draw on television at Kenilworth.

“I am very happy with Nightingale (six) and nine is a perfect draw for Marinaresco,”she said. “He has to be given a chance and half to three-quarters the way back is where he needs to be ridden.”

Nine is one of the few draws not to have been successful in the past 16 years but Bernard Fayd’Herbe, drawn three when he dead-heated on Pocket Power in 2008, said: “I have still to study what is around me but I am happy enough with nine – it’s certainly better than ten and upwards.”

Greg Cheyne was also satisfied with Tilbury Fort’s 11 slot, saying: “He will come in one when the reserves come out and I started from ten when I won on Big City Life in 2009.”

Grant van Niekerk, drawn 11 and 17 on close-seconds Smanjemanje and Marinaresco, said of Black Arthur’s eight: “I am very happy. Thank you Justin Snaith!”

Aldo Domeyer, though,was less taken with Krambambuli’s 19, saying: “I was hoping for a good draw. Krambambuli’s going to need everything going his way – but you never know.”

By Michael Clower