Candice Bass-Robinson achieved the notable feat of winning the country’s biggest race, the Vodacom Durban July, in her first season as a licensed trainer on Saturday with Marinaresco under a fine ride by Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who landed his second July. Bass-Robinson became the first woman to train a July winner.

The little horse proved there is only one way for him to run and that is to be held up off the pace.

The win scored a remarkable fourth July victory for his top drawer sire Silvano. The Maine Chance Farms-based stallion landed a July trifecta two years ago and this year did the exacta. He also had the tie-fourth horse home and the all important sixth place finisher, Horizon, is out of his full sister. This unbelievable achievement saw Silvano securing a second National Sires Championship as he is well clear in the standings.

Marinaresco (Nkosi Hlophe)

Last year, Marinaresco just failed to get there after coming from last and the difference this year was he came from a touch closer and the pace was a touch quicker.

The race was the fourth fastest July since the distance was upped to 2200m in 1970.

The faster the race the truer the result and there can be little coincidence that Bass-Robinson’s father Mike Bass trained the winners of the fastest and third fastest 2200m Julys, they being Trademark in 2001 and Pocket Power, who dead-heated with Dancer’s Daughter in 2008.

Marinaresco carried the same colours as Pocket Power, those of prolific Cape Town owner Marsh Shirtliff. Back in 2008 Candice was assistant trainer to father Mike and another assistant back then was Robert Fayd’Herbe, who is still with the yard and has done a sterling job over the last two seasons looking after their Champions Season string at Summerveld. Robert is brother of jockey Bernard. Mike Bass, who retired at the end of last season, was present on course with his ever enthusiastic wife Carol as well as his son Mark, who plays an administrative role in the yard. Bernard dedicated the win to Mike. The Bass’s have now won a total of four Julys between them as they also did it with Dunford in 2005. Shirtliff’s long term partner in Marinaresco has been fellow big Cape Town owner Bryn Ressell. However, Freddie Green and Mike Bass himself had joined the partnership before last year’s July.

Fayd’Herbe dropped back and found the rail from the number eight draw and Marinaresco was able to stride out freely for most the journey due to the good fractions set up front by last year’s winning jockey Piere Strydom on It’s My Turn. Strydom had little option but to move to the front as he found himself three wide near the front at the first turn. Earlier, Krambambuli had crossed over to take it up from last year’s winner, The Conglomerate.

The Conglomerate had towed the pole position drawn favourite Al Sahem threw into a handy position. The second favourite Edict Of Nantes ran three horse widths away from the rail the whole way, but did at least have cover behind Brazuca.

Strydom won from the front in 1996 in tailwind conditions on London News and he cleverly slowed it up a fraction coming up the hill. Greg Cheyne switched outward on Krambambuli in response. S’Manga Khumalo on Al Sahem understandably switched outward at the same time and begun rousting his mount. However, with the advantage of hindsight, this move was probably unnecessary as The Conglomerate, whom he had sat behind the whole way, had been able to creep closer on the rail.

Marinaresco (Liesl King)

Krambambuli matched a hard ridden It’s My Turn under the hands and when he was driven into the lead at the 200m mark an upset looked on the cards. The Sabine Plattner-owned Justin Snaith-trained horse had initially been the longest priced horse in the final field, but a flood of money saw him shortening into 16-1 at the off. Meanwhile, Fayd’Herbe had remained patient on the rail coming up the hill and he said later he had so much horse underneath him when swinging off the false rail he just needed to find a split. He found himself with plenty of space in the centre and then eyed a gap towards the inside, but not before Anthony Delpech had flashed across him on Nightingale eyeing a gap towards the outside. The gap towards the inside opened for Marinaresco when The Conglomerate began fading. Fayd’Herbe committed and the little bay pushed his head outward in that familiar head carriage style of his. He then swooped in devastating fashion to overtake Krambambuli, who had been unable to find extra. Towards the outside Al Sahem’s resolute finish and Edict Of Nantes late surge also carried them past Krambambuli, while Nightingale got up to share fourth with him. Horizon was right there too.

But, Marinaresco had done it by a head. Runner up Al Sahem had a gap close on him at the 300m mark which meant Khumalo had to wait for a moment before he could give his all. However, the only possible hard luck story was Edict Of Nantes. He initially had a dream run on the outside, but Marcus did not give his all, no doubt needing to reserve a little due to the taxing wide path the horse had travelled in the running. However, just when it was time to produce the final burst Nightingale hung across away from the whip and Edict Of Nantes was cramped for room. He did still manage to produce a magnificent late surge to be beaten only 0,35 lengths into third, but the race was already lost.

Bass-Robinson also trains Nightingale and Horizon, beaten 0,4 and 0,65 lengths into tie-fourth and sixth. In a July sideshow, Horizon’s beating of seventh-placed Black Arthur by half-a-length would have proved a point. Marinaresco was bred by Mary and Jessica Slack’s Mauritzfontein Stud. It was a great day’s racing, one which left punters and partygoers wishing it could be repeated next weekend. However, they will all have to wait for another year for the country’s biggest horseracing event.

By David Thiselton

The Justin Snaith-trained four-year-old Dynasty filly Bela-Bela stamped herself as the best classic female racehorse in the land when annihilating a classy field in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m on Vodacom Durban July day.

This victory has made the Equus older Female award interesting as she joined the brilliant sprinter Carry On Alice on two Grade 1 wins for the season. However, the latter looks to have the Equus Champion Sprinter award wrapped up and it would be no surprise to see the panellists opting for the more versatile Bela-Bela, especially when considering the dominance of Saturday’s victory.

Anthony Delpech used the brilliant grey’s early pace on Saturday to quickly secure a perfect position on the rail from a good draw of five. The writing was on the wall for the opposition when she settled into her usual head-nodding rhythm behind a reasonable pace set by Kilauea.

She’s A Giver struck the front from third position in the running, but when Bela-Bela was asked the question it was race over and she won by 3,75 lengths at odds of 21/20.

She is fast proving to be the Beach Beauty of current times as she never lets down her supporters whenever viewed as the “meeting banker”, as she was on Saturday.

Three-year-old She’s A Giver, who had gained a reputation as a 1400m horse, stayed on well to claim second place.

The classy Bella Sonata ran on well for a 4,25 length third, just pipping Bela-Bela’s stablemate Gimme Six.

Pundits would be forgiven, after Saturday’s results, if they award a final adjudgement of this season’s three-year-old female crop to be no more than average. Gimme Six was a leading representative and had no excuses from pole position. The crops other Garden Province representatives finished a well beaten 2^nd, 6^th, 10^th and 14^th respectively. Tenth-placed Just Sensual remains top class but the race probably proved she is more suited to 1400m. Another leading member of the crop, Safe Harbour, finished second last in the July, although she was ridden a bit too handy considering her usual hold up style.

Bela-Bela’s win might also earn a deserved Equus Award for the outstanding Cheveley Stud broodmare Mystic Spring, whose progeny also include Rabiya, Rafiya, Touch The Sky and Secret Captain.

However, Secret Captain did let the side down again by finishing unplaced in the Listed Daisy Business Solutions Handicap over 1600m and trainer Duncan Howells might now plan a sprint campaign for him next season, because that is where his best form lies, despite his rangy action.

Cheveley Stud have had a magnificent recent record on July day as they also bred the July winner three years ago, Legislate, as well as last year’s Garden Province runner up Olma.

By David Thiselton

Candice Bass-Robinson is the first to admit that she took her eye off the ball when she staked her place in racing history as the first woman to train the winner of the Vodacom Durban July.

“I was watching Nightingale (equal fourth) and Horizon (sixth) as Marinaresco looked to be out of it,” she admitted on the winners’ podium at Greyville on Saturday, “and I didn’t even know I had won the race.”

She might be Mike Bass’s daughter but she has still had a phenomenal first season – more than 80 winners including the Majorca and a CTS $500 000 – and now the greatest prize of all.

Marinaresco & Mrs Robinson (Nkosi Hlophe)

“She has been producing the goods time and time again. It just shows when it’s in your blood,” declared a full-of-admiration Bernard Fayd-Herbe while Mrs Robinson was quick to pay tribute to his younger brother – “Robert has been looking after the horses in Durban and he had all these three spot on.”

A repeat of the Champions Cup that Marinaresco won last year would seem the obvious target but apparently it is unlikely. “I don’t know that he needs to run in that again,” said his trainer. “We will see how he comes out of this.”

One of the principal reasons for her reservation is that Marsh Shirtliff and his fellow owners still have rich overseas prizes on their agenda. The gallant little Mauritzfontein-bred Silvano would now be in the States had Derek Brugman’s initiative met with more support earlier in the year and, if more recent arrangements had gone to plan, he would be arriving at the Kenilworth quarantine station by the time you read this.

Shirtliff explained: “They couldn’t get the vector process set up in time and now it’s too late. I would still like to send him overseas but it will be next year now.”

Marinaresco, a 17-1 chance, was only the second horse to win with top weight since El Picha in 2000. The other was Pocket Power in 2008, sporting the Shirtliff colours and also ridden by Tiger Wright’s grandson.

The early pace looked horribly slow but they then turned up the wick to such an extent that the time of 2 min 12.51 sec was the fastest since that famous Pocket Power- Dancer’s Daughter dead-heat. But the race was a rough as heavyweight title fight.

Saratoga Dancer, Ten Gun Salute, Safe Harbour all suffered interference – the latter pair three times – while Safe Harbour’s rider Nooresh Juglall and Aldo Domeyer (Krambambuli) were both given suspensions for not keeping straight. S’Manga Khumalo, who went so close on 4-1 favourite Al Sahem, was fined for using his whip with excessive frequency in the last, desperate 150m.

He was only beaten a head and Edict Of Nantes pretty much confirmed the Daily News form by taking third, a quarter of a length back. But a bitterly disappointed Brett Crawford reported: “They didn’t go that hard and he was a bit flat-footed, only getting into the race in the last 75m. I had expected a bit more than that. There is now the possibility of the Champions Cup. I will discuss it with Derek.”

By Michael Clower

Bela-Bela, only sixth when favourite for last year’s July, might yet be back next year after really turning on the style in the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes – much to the relief of Justin Snaith.

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Anthony Delpech pressed the button just under two furlongs out and the 21-20 favourite put the race to bed in a matter of strides, storming home nearly four lengths clear of 36-1 outsider She’s A Giver.

“I didn’t enjoy that at all,” Snaith declared. “All I was hearing all day was that Bela-Bela is the banker and I thought ‘Oh no.’ Thank God everybody won their bets. I prepped her all the Durban season to show just how good she is today.”

But brother Jonathan explained that the stable believes she can be even better – “Whether she stays in training next season will be up to Varsfontein but we hope she will because she is only just coming into her own and we haven’t yet seen the best of her, and she is a typical Dynasty in that respect.”

Delpech might struggle to believe she could be even better than Saturday’s performance because he said: “She is a phenomenal filly and this was the best I have ever felt her.”

Snaith rounded off a treble in the last two races while Johan Janse van Vuuren, trainer of She’s A Giver, took two of the first three, notably the Betting World 2200 with the aptly-named Crowd Pleaser on whom Keagan de Melo made all.

Van Vuuren said: “Crowd Pleaser is not suited to the Turffontein long straights – they come and catch him there – so we will most likely leave him here and then send him to Cape Town.”

Brett Crawford had some compensation for the Edict Of Nantes disappointment when Corne Orffer on Al Mariachi narrowly but convincingly justified 17-10 favouritism in the KZN Yearling Sale Million.

“He is a bit of a speed horse and I’m not sure whether he will get a mile,” said the trainer. “But he has got a future in front of him, that’s for sure.”

By Michael Clower

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, won on Marinaresco: “I was a bit out of my ground early on but I managed to sneak up on the rail and I was in a winning position turning into the straight. I had to switch because I had horses in front of me but I had gears underneath me. It was close at the line, and I wasn’t sure I’d got up, but I still had quite a bit of horse.”

Aldo Domeyer, 4^th= on Krambambuli: “I knew he wasn’t going to outsprint them so I tried to get away a little bit and he was staying on. He did everything right for me but then they came and got me.”

Anthony Delpech, 4^th= on Nightingale: “Halfway up the straight I thought I was going to win and then the boys got to me but she ran a great race and she couldn’t have done any better.”

Richard Fourie, 6^th on Horizon: “I thought I had a chance when we opened up coming into the straight but it was still a great run.”

Grant van Niekerk, 7^th on Black Arthur: “I thought I had a perfect run but he just didn’t give it to me.”

Lyle Hewitson, 9^th on French Navy: “He lacks a bit of early speed so I ended up further back than I wanted and I had to go round them. But it was a courageous run.”

Weichong Marwing, 10th on Ten Gun Salute: “I got a little bit nudged and I couldn’t get out when I wanted to but I don’t think I would have won.”

Gavin Lerena, 12^th on Brazuca: “It was a very rough race, particularly in the first 400m.”

By Michael Clower

Candice Bass-Robinson became the first woman to win the Vodacom Durban July in its 120-year history when top weight Marinaresco (17-1) powered home under Bernhard Fayd-Herbe at Greyville yesterday. Few gave the diminutive gelding much of a chance under 60kg but he laid the ghost of last year’s race to rest where he finished second to The Conglomerate who was unplaced yesterday.

A blanket covered the first nine horses home, all finishing within four lengths of the winner with favourite Al Sahem beaten a head and Edict Of Nantes a further neck back in third. Rank outsider Krambambuli finished fourth.

Bass-Robinson is in her first season as a fully-fledged trainer after taking over the reins from her father, maestro Mike Bass, at the beginning of the season, August 1 last year.

Bass signed off his career with Marinaresco’s victory in the Grade 1 Champions Cup, that year the race named in his honour, and this was a fitting victory for both Bass-Robinson and Marinaresco.

Marinaresco is not the biggest individual but possesses an electric turn of foot and that is what carried him to victory. “I had a lovely race,” said Fayd’Herbe. “I followed Warren Kennedy (Mr Winsome) but he got into trouble and was pushed into the rail a few times. When we turned for home I had so much horse under me. I just waited for a gap to open. This win was for Mr Bass.”

Bass-Robinson explained that Marinaresco’s modest effort in the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge was a tactical mistake. “We tried a change of tactics and had him up handy to chase Captain America but his usual finish was just not there. It was a tactical error. You need to allow him to run his race and he will produce his finish like he did today.”

Bass-Robinson was quick to heap praise on her KZN assistant Robert Fayd-Herbe, brother to the winning jockey. “He did a fantastic job. He really had this horse looking well.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe is one of the top heavy weight jockeys around but there was still debate in the stable as to whether current stable rider Aldo Domeyer should get the ride. “I put up a case for Bernard,” said his brother. “I thought with top weight he (Marinaresco) would not be carrying any dead-weight if Bernard rode him.”

Marinaresco raced in the colours of part owner Marsh Shirtliff, whose silks were also carried to a shared victory by Pocket Power who dead-heated with the filly Dancer’s Daughter back in 2008. Pocket Power was also ridden by Fayd-Herbe. An emotional Shirtliff said, “I’ve won in Dubai, but this is something else. This is the race we all want to win.”

Anton Marcus, who finished third on Edict Of Nantes said it was a form result. “I had a great run. I was perfectly happy with where I was placed and was happy with my horse. The form worked out. Half a kilo over 2200m,” referring to the Daily News 2000 where Edict Of Nantes finished ahead of Al Sahem.

Confirmed stayer Krambambuli was the surprise package in the race and at one stage looked set to cause a major upset. “I knew they would out-sprint me so I tried to get away at the top of the straight. He did everything right. The horse ran out of his skin but just got caught that last bit.”

Callan Murray, riding in his first July and due back in Hong Kong on Tuesday, said The Conglomerate had the run of the race. “I was just not his day.”

Piere Strydom aboard the fancied It’s My Turn also had no complaints. “They went slow so at the 1700m mark I decided to go around them. I did it easily so didn’t take anything out of my horse and I was happy to lead. But the going was a bit firm. Some of the horses felt it – mine was one of them.”

Bass-Robinson will also be encouraged by the report from Richard Fourie. Horizon, in the race as first reserve after the scratching of Elusive Silva , can a cracker in sixth. “It was a great run from a bad draw,” said Fourie. He’s on the road to becoming a champion. He will be a big horse next year.”

Bass-Robinson was unsure of future plans for Marinaresco. “He was going to go overseas, but because of an out-break of African Horse Sickness, he won’t be going now. I’m not sure about the Champions Cup. We’ll see how he comes out for this race and take it from there.”

For most of the riders it was plain sailing but both of Duncan Howell’s runners found trouble. The stipendiary stewards reported that Saratoga Dancer became camped for galloping room at the 1800 m mark while Ten Gun Salute was never out of trouble as he was hampered at the 1600m mark and again in the straight by fourth-placed Krambambuli, Aldo Domeyer copping a week’s suspension for his troubles.

Bela-Bela wins the 2017 Gr1 Garden Province

The decision by Justin Snaith to skip the Vodacom Durban July with his top filly Bela-Bela paid dividends as the grey spread-eagled her field in the Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes.

Racing comfortably in mid-field under Anthony Delpech, Bela-Bela quickened away from her rivals at the top of the straight and put plenty of daylight between herself and her rivals. Her official winning margin being nearly four lengths from She’s A Giver and Bella Sonata.

The expected challenge from the year younger Just Sensual failed to materialise. However, she had a nightmare passage through the early fractions as Marcus battled to get her settled into a position on the heels of her chief rival. Just Sensual was on the heels of Bela-Bela turning for home but her race was run a long way out and she faded tamely in the straight.

“She is a phenomenal filly,” said Delpech “and this was the best I’ve ever felt her.”

Earlier, Sean Tarry added further to his spectacular season, landing both the Grade 2 Golden Slipper and Golden Horseshoe with Desert Rhythm and Purple Diamond respectively.

Andrew Harrison

Jockey great Basil Marcus would likely be the favourite for the accolade “Best jockey to have never won The July” and the horse he finished second on thirty years ago, the Paddy Lunn-trained Model Man, would be a strong contender for the title “The greatest July run to have not earned the winner’s sash.”

Marcus said, “To think the top three-year-old of that 1987 year, Bush Telegraph, who was unbeaten in eight previous starts, including the South African 2000 (Daily News 2000), only had to carry 49kg, compared to Model Man’s 57kg, shows just how great a run it was. Then in the race he was hampered at the start and ended up a long way off the pace. I had to build him up gently to make up the ground.”

In the straight, the great horse was soon eating up the ground with that enormous stride of his. However, Bush Telegraph had stolen too much ground when displaying a blistering turn of foot at the top of the straight and Model Man failed by 1,25 lengths to catch him.

“Two strides past the line he was in front,” recalled Marcus, and even after all of these years his voice tails off in disappointment.

Marcus revealed his fancies for this year’s race, first Edict Of Nantes, second Al Sahem and third Black Arthur.

He said, “Those two three-year-olds are progressive and Black Arthur has come back to his best.”

By David Thiselton

Vodacom Durban July tips from Independent Newspaper’s racing tipsters: Andrew Harrison, David Thiselton, Warren Lenferna and Brendan Pather.

These tips are courtesy of The Racegoer, which is published in 18 newspaper titles in South Africa, including the following publications: The Mercury; Daily News; Sunday Tribune; Independent On Saturday; Isolezwe; Post; The Star; Pretoria News; The Cape Times; Cape Argus; Weekend Argus; Diamond Field Advertiser; The Daily Voice and Eastern Cape Isolezwe.

Click to Download Tips

Vodacom Durban July day tomorrow has a guaranteed Pick 6 pool of R10 million and it is expected to reach over R11 million, so this is a bet many punters will not want to miss.

The first leg is the SABC Gold Vase over 3000m and is a potential stumbling block. However, the three most fancied are Hermoso Mundo, who won the Gold Bowl over 3200m full of running, Banner Hill, a long-striding sort who is also proven over this trip, and the gallant Serissa, who is as good as he’s ever been at age seven and has a perfect draw for his front-running style. Others to consider are Sun On Africa, who has always struck as a good stayer in the making and looks to have come into his own, Helderberg Blue, who is off the same merit rating as when second in the Gold Cup last year, and Captain Splendid, who seems to enjoy Greyville where he won the Lonsdale Stirrup in eye-catching style.

The second leg, the Gold Circle Golden Slipper, is the toughest of the Pick 6 legs and including the whole field has to be a consideration. However, the smaller budget selections in order of preference are Desert Rhythm, London Secret, Let It Flow, Neptune’s Rain, Gee Whizz, Bridal Veil and Lady In Black (if she gets in),.

Helderberg Blue (Nkosi Hlophe)

The third leg is the Durban Golden Horseshoe and Captain And Master looks top class and makes plenty of appeal from a plum draw. However, Trojan Harbour and Ancestry caught the eye in the Gatecrasher Stakes at Greyville. Highveld raider Hakeem and Varallo also have class and will enjoy the trip, so have winning chances too.

Leg four is the big one. Edict Of Nantes has the all right credentials to win July. He has good gatespeed and his good temperament means he can be switched on and off at will. He has an exceptional turn of foot and will stay the trip comfortably. His jockey Anton Marcus will be going for a record breaking fifth July, while his trainer Brett Crawford has already landed five Grade 1 victories this season. His draw of 12 means he will be away from the early scrum and Crawford is happy with it. He can be compared to the older horses on a line through Gold Standard, who made the frame in what looked to be an exceptionally strong Met field. Edict Of Nantes is right up with Gold Standard on his best form, yet is merit rated eight points lower so looks well weighted. He is a banker consideration. However, he beat his three-year-old contemporary Al Sahem by 0,5 lengths in the Daily News 2000 and the latter is now 0,5kg better off. Furthermore, Al Sahem is by the great sire Silvano, whoe progeny improve continuously and whom have won three Julys between them. Edict Of Nantes sire Count Dubois is yet to have a July winner. So, Al Sahem must be included in the Pick 6, despite his pole position draw meaning he is going to have his work cut out to avoid being shuffled back in the pack. It looks like a three-year-old race and the bold opinion is that this pair will be enough to get through this leg.

The fifth leg, a MR 104 Handicap,  is a tricky affair. Hashtag Strat has exceptional cruising speed and can stay all the way to the line over this minimum trip, so will have a big shout from a plum draw of two. Angel’s Power has a fine turn of foot and will be suited to the fast pace in this race over an ideal trip. Asstar runs well fresh and is two points higher than winning a Listed race over course and distance. Our Destiny is another who will be suited to the fast pace, while the classy Attenborough is interesting with first-time blinkers on. Doing It For Dan should be able to use his big action in a race with as much pace in it as this one, while pole position-drawn Horse Guards has a fine form chance and has come to hand since gelding.

The KZN Yearling Sale Million is the last leg and Al Mariachi will be all the rage having finished third in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion over 1200m last time and looking likely to `stay the 1300m trip. However, he has a wide draw and is not the certainty he is being made out to be. The Dazzler won his debut with long strides and did it easily and with Delpech up will be a big runner. Prince Of Kahal beat older horses well last time, Well Connected could still be anything. Cat’s Legacy and Crymeariver can also be considered.

By David Thiselton