The final field for next month’s Vodacom Durban July will be announced on Tuesday so there is still time for a few runners to make a claim for a place in the final field of 18.

Three of those borderline cases line up at Scottsville tomorrow and all three will need convincing performances if they are to be considered by the selection panel. It’s My Turn, The Slade and the filly Flichity By Farr are the three runners in question.

It has been many a year that a July field could be missing a runner from the Dean Kannemeyer yard. Last Winter, who incidentally arrived in England last week, will have been the stable’s early hope so either It’s My Turn or The Slade or both will need to put up smashing performances in the Gr3 Track & Ball Derby that heads up tomorrow’s card along with the Gr3 Track & Ball Oaks.

Two season’s back, when under the care of Justin Snaith and one of the fancied runners for that year’s VDJ, It’s My Turn went wrong in the pre-race gallops and was scratched.

He made the field last year and under Piere Strydom finishing a creditable eighth, beaten under two lengths by Marinaresco in a blanket finish.

It’s My Turn has since had three starts for Kannemeyer and has progressed nicely, although Kannemeyer was probably expecting a slightly better effort in the WSB 1900 when beaten into sixth, beaten nearly four lengths by Elusive Silva, after coming off a close-up third in the King’s Cup.

Speaking mid-week, Kannemeyer said, “I think he is looking for this trip. He is well in under the conditions of the race. He is doing very well.”

“If he wins we will speak to Fred Crabbia about running him in the July. But he has got to win well to get in.”

It’s My Turn is probably the highest earning two-time winner in the country, his earning already topping R1.5 million, and he should strip at pretty much his peak tomorrow.

He also has the services of Anton Marcus who makes his return to the saddle after recovering from a broken wrist.

The Slade is also under pressure to make the July field and will need a hugely impressive performance if he is to be considered by the VDJ selection panel. However, Kannemeyer was up-beat. “He was disappointing last time in the 1900 but was a little below his best then and is doing exceptionally well now. He is fit and well and I have always been convinced he would stay this trip.”

Both will be up against the EP Derby winner American Landing. Trained by Brett Crawford, American Landing came from a long way back in the EP Derby to win going away by five lengths but given his lowly merit rating of 87, Crawford did not nominate the three-year-old for the VDJ. He is also way out at tomorrow’s weights given the conditions of the race but he is an improving three-year-old who can run above his rating.

In the Track & Ball Oaks, Flichity By Farr is a VDJ entry and like It’s My Turn and The Slade, will have to win if she is to have any chance of making the field for the big race. She was running on strongly in the SA Oaks at Turffontein behind Secret Potion so she stays the distance well.

But assistant trainer Kevin Wright is under no illusions saying the filly was fit and well but added, “She will need a big run to get in to the July.”

She also faces a difficult task as she takes on a number of older runners with strong form. Royal Utopia was a close-up second in the East Coast Handicap behind VDJ entry Ngaga and Girl On The Run was narrowly beaten over 2600m at Turffontein earlier this month and comes from an in-form stable. Lady Li Lay is still improving and tomorrow’s distance should suit while Bi-Pot and Epona both run well over this distance and have chances.

By Andrew Harrison