The top sire Dynasty will have a fine chance of landing the Vodacom Durban July this year as he could well have four runners in the final field, including the hot favourite African Night Sky.

Dynasty won the July himself in 2003 and his son Legislate won it in 2014. However, he has never had a progeny of his cross the line first in the big race as Legislate won on objection.

Legislate’s trainer Justin Snaith is a twice July winner but has never had a horse of his cross the line in front, because his other July victory was with the 2008 dead-heater Dancer’s Daughter.

Legislate

Snaith trains African Night Sky so will attempt to bury that anomaly.

Dynasty’s other likely runners in this year’s race are the Sansui Summer Cup winner Liege, Track and Ball Derby winner It’s My Turn and the Snaith-trained Made To Conquer. He is also the sire of borderline horse Sabina’s Dynasty

The twice South African champion sire Silvano is a record-breaking July sire and will be well represented this year again. Four of his progeny have won the race, a record. They are Bold Silvano (2010), Heavy Metal (2013), Power King (2015) and Marinaresco (2017). In 2015 Silvano’s progeny filled the trifecta, another record if not a world record for a major race. Silvano will represented this year by Elusive Silva and by any one or more of the borderline horses Star Express, Platinum Prince, Royal Crusade and Strathdon.

The final field is being announced today at Greyville and the competition for places is tighter than ever.

In Betting World’s final ante-post market African Night Sky was the firm 18/10 favourite with Do It Again next best on 13/2 and Majestic Mambo was the only other one on single figures at 9/1.

By David Thiselton