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

Garth Puller has a few runners as a trainer at this year’s Vodacom Durban July, which will mark the 30^th anniversary of his brilliant ride on Bush Telegraph in one of history’s most celebrated Julys.

Puller dieted strictly on brown rice and stewed apples to ride Bush Telegraph at 49kg in 1987 and he gave an insight into Anton Marcus’s task this year of slimming down to 54kg to ride the favourite Edict Of Nantes.

Edict Of Nantes (Nkosi Hlophe)

“It won’t be a problem for Anton, he has had enough time and will just have to watch his diet and increase his amount of exercise.”

Puller reckoned Edict Of Nantes would be in the top three, although his tip to win is Black Arthur, who created a little bit of controversy by being included in the final field ahead of first reserve runner Horizon.

Black Arthur’s trainer Justin Snaith said at a panel discussion on Friday evening, “The one good thing is we will now be able to see.” He was referring to Horizon now being in the field and facing Black Arthur after the unfortunate scratching of one of his own runners Elusive Silva.

Puller has a chance in the first race with the progressive Silvano filly Flying Silver, who jumps from a tricky draw of ten in the MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m with Sherman Brown up.

He said, “It is a tough race and the two to beat in my opinion are Silver Class and Lesiure Trip.”

Garth Puller

Puller said his sprinting gelding Asstar had always enjoyed KZN and his late first appearance this year was due to him not being able to find a suitable race for him coupled with him getting him fit at Summerveld, where he has been for a while. Asstar runs in the eighth race, a MR 104 handicap over 1000m on the poly, and Brown rides from a tricky draw of nine. Last year Asstar won both of his Champions Season 1000m starts and one of them was in the Listed Umgeni Handicap over Saturday’s course and distance. In his only other start he finished third in the Grade 2 Post Merchants over 1200m. However, Puller was annoyed Asstar is still two points higher in the merit ratings than he was for the Umgeni, despite having not won a race since. In the handicapper’s defence he did finish second in the Listed Southeaster Sprint over 1100m to Tevez in December.

Puller has Mieque’s Approval colt Ryker in the KZN Yearling Sale Million over 1300m on the turf.

He said, “He is a nice type but is in the deep end from an outside draw, although he won’t disgrace himself. ” He showed a nice turn of foot when winning his debut over 1000m and his full-sister Preamble won over 1400m. However, the big talking horse in this race is the 17/20 favourite Al Mariarchi, who finished third in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Medallion and comes from the unstoppable yard of Brett Crawford.

Puller had always wanted to try Rio De La Plata over 3000m and tries him in the Grade 3 SABC Gold Vase but he couldn’t be confident about his or Ever Dear’s chances as they are considerably out at the weights.

By David Thiselton

The Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe for two-year-olds over 1400m also has the potential, traditionally, to be a stumbling block for exotic players on Vodacom Durban July day.

However, this year it is has some classy horses involved so exotic players will not be viewing it with the same dread they will be viewing the Golden Slipper.

Captain And Master (Nkosi Hlophe)

Captain And Master put up an impressive workout alongside French Navy at the July gallops last Thursday. He cruised to an eye-catching three length victory in his second career start over 1200m at Scottsville on May 20. He will love the step up in trip to 1400m and has a plum draw with S’Manga Khumalo aboard.

Trojan Harbour looked classy when winning his last two starts, including the Listed Gatecrasher over this course and distance. He has early pace, relaxes well in the running and has a fine turn of foot. However, against him is a wide draw.

Ancestry is an impressive specimen and has had a reversal in draw fortunes with Trojan Harbour, so has a chance of reversing the Gatecrasher form, although he is 2kg worse off.

Mike de Kock

Varallo, runner up in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion, is a classy type with plenty of scope for improvement and he should relish this step up in trip, so has a chance from pole position under Anton Marcus.

Hakeem impressed second time out when easily beating a weak field over 1400m. Mike de Kock has been doing exceptionally well with sons of Redoute’s Choice lately, so Hakeem has a chance from a fair draw under Delpech.

Naafer, a Grade 1 SA Nursery runner up, was a touch disappointing when fifth in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion. He is out of a Listed-winning sprinter, but his Grade 1 Australian Cup (2000m) winning-sire Lonhro should see him appreciating this step up in trip. He has some class and Gavin Lerena rides, albeit from a wide draw.

Woljayrine finished 1,75 lengths clear of Naafer in the Medallion and has a chance of staying this trip, so is a dark horse from a good draw.

Varimax improved second time out when dropped from 1400m to 1200m and showed pace and a fine turn of foot, winning by 6,75 lengths.

On debut he was beaten by the progressive Purple Diamond over 1450m. The latter was having his second start in Jo’burg, having run a good fourth in a strong Listed race over 1200m at Kenilworth before that.

Neither of the latter mentioned pair can be ignored. However, the rest of the field look to be up against it against the classy sorts mentioned. Captain And Master is the selection to beat Trojan Harbour, with Ancestry, Hakeem and Varallo next best.

By David Thiselton

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

It was a big day for the Kwazulu-Natal breeders at Greyville today (Sunday) and particularly for the Scott Bros Stud that bred the winner of the KZN Breeders Million Mile, Matador Man, and the winner of the Levelling the Playing Fields series final, Mark My Card.

But it was champion trainer Sean Tarry that stole part of the limelight on the day with six winners including Matador Man that is out of the mare Sahara, a daughter of Scott Bros top stallion Mogok, sire of many top internationally Group race performers and The Apache that won the Group 1 Arlington Million before being placed second on an objection.

Sean Tarry (Nkosi Hlophe)

Scott Bros not only bred the Toreador gelding but Robin Scott who runs the Highdown Stud in the Nottingham Road area of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and founded the stud 50 years ago with brothers Des and Neville, is part owner of the striking three-year-old that has now won three of his nine starts and placed in four others.

It was a special day also for apprentice jockey Eric Ngwane who was given the ride after carded rider S’manga Khumalo had been stood down during the meeting. The young rider produced an outstanding effort to bring Matador Man down the outside of the field from off the pace to collar the filly Dawn Calling in the final strides to the line.

For Tarry it was another display of the power of the yard that has set a new South African winning stakes record of more than R30-million in a season and there are still many big races to come before the end of July. The yard won the first three races on the card before winning the sixth with Heaps Of Fun, the feature with Matador Man and the final race with Hyaku.

For the KZN Breeders Club it was an outstanding success with the other eight races on the card all carrying stakes of R200 000 and all nine races confined to horses bred at studs in the province.

By Richard McMillan

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