David Thiselton
Today’s Turffontein meeting features the traditional Hollywooodbets Durban July pointer race the Gr 3 Jubilee Stakes over 1800m.
The race has six horses who are still standing among the Hollywoodbets Durban July entries, Atticus Finch (merit rated 127), Wild Intent (109), Olivia’s Way (114), Copper Eagle (110), Aristotle (106) and Buster Barnes (101), while another entry, Grand Empire, runs in a Pinnacle event over 1400m.
Atticus Finch is capable of top class performances. but he has become unreliable. For example he had epistaxis in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July and was tailed off in the Betway Summer Cup when not striding out. However, his performances at the beginning of the season in the Gr 2 Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m and when easily winning the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile were out of the top drawer. He was 18th on the first July log, so needs a good run to prevent the panelists from dropping him. He has a fair draw of six out of eleven and he should be a fit horse, so a good run can be hoped for.
Wild Intent will probably need to win it to force his way iunto the July field. His career best performance was when runner up in the Gr 1 SA Derby, but the form of that race is suspect with only the 4.05 length fourth-placed Olivia’s Way shining since. He ran a fair 5,40 length sixth in the Summer Cup but was last in a Pinnacle event over 1800m last time so is up against it.
Olivia’s Way is talented and consistent and was hence 19th on the log, despite not having won a race this season. She was a narrow second in the Summer Cup and was third in the Gr 1 wfa Premier’s Champions Challenge. She has a fine, resolute finish and should go close from a good draw of five and she will need to go close, or even to win, to force her was into the final field.
Copper Eagle was only beaten 1.05 lengths when fourth in the Gr 2 TAB Colorado King Stakes over 2000m last time and that earned him a 13 point raise to 110. He will need a big run here to get into the July field and from draw three with Richard Fourie up he is a big runner over a suitable trip.
Aristotle won the Richard Maponya Handcap over 1800m in January and he had some good horses like The Ultimate King, Choisaanada and Copper Eagle well beaten. He ran below that form last time over 1600m when widely draw on the Inside track. He unfortunately has a wide draw here but if it pans out well he will go close. He needs to win or go close to get ito the July.
Buster Barnes is a triple crown winner from Zimbabwe. He hasa some class and is capable but needs to bounce back from a disappointing ride last time.
Pressonregardless has developed into a fine horse and he is capable of going close over an ideal course and distance, especially as he has a fair draw.
The Equator could earn but seems lke a one-paced horse and is not fancied to win.
Aladdin’s Lamp has fine form but is up against it at the weights.
Hotarubi isn a capable hiorse but is quirky and usually does not feature.
World Of Alice is a dark horse as she was the winner of the SA Oaks two years ago and has enjoyed a good preparation.
The selection is Pressonregardless to beat Olivia’s Way with Atticus Finch next best and they can be followed home by Copper Eagle and World Of Alice.
In the Pinnacle over 1400m (8th race) Grand Empire is the class horse in the field and can run a big race from draw six out of eleven. He could fight it out with the 1400m specialist I’m A Fireball, who has an ideal pole position draw for his front-running style.
In the Non-Black Type Egoli Mile, in-form Errol Flynn can win this from a nice draw over a suitable trip. King Harald and Firestorm could follow him home.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Secret Fate cantered home on debut and can follow up in the Winter Juvenile Fillies Stakes over 1400m.
Life In Colour is a well-bred sort and caught the eye with a cosy win on debut, so she can follow up in the fifh race over 1400m, althougfh she does have a tricky draw.
The 9th can be won by the progressive Tintin although he will have to overcome a wide draw in this 1600m event.
The first leg of the PA could be won by the in form Chapbook, although Karate Kid will likely go close in this 1000m Pinnacle event.
The first leg of the Bipot could go to Saisfied, who made a fine debut over this same 1160m course and distance, although Lady Harlequin will be right there too.
