“You could say that his last run in the Rising Sun Gold Challenge was a bit disappointing but I don’t know that it was.” Eric Sands is assessing Rainbow Bridge’s chances of becoming the first since Pocket Power 11 years ago to win the Met and the Vodacom Durban July in the same season.

“He ran into a pocket that day and he came off second best. But, if it had opened up for him, would he have passed Do It Again?” Sands pauses, but no direct answer to his own question is forthcoming. “That said, Do It Again is a top miler and – after what happened to my horse – I was happy with where he finished (third, beaten a fast-diminishing length and three-quarters).”

Rainbow Bridge is the first horse the 63-year-old Milnerton trainer has run in the July since Money Bags in 2006. Ridden by Jeff Lloyd, he started one of the most fancied at 8-1 but hung badly throughout and finished with only one behind him. Four years earlier Grand Jete, carrying golfer Lee Westwood’s colours, was almost as strongly fancied but he was cramped for galloping room and Karl Neisius was forced to ease losing lengths.

Sands, understandably, prefers to concentrate on the present and goes back no more than a few weeks. “Everything has gone well since the Gold Challenge and I couldn’t have asked for a better prep. Indeed all the boxes are now ticked.

“His gallop last Thursday was good and, although the time didn’t matter to me, it was quite fast for a horse that was not being chased along. I don’t know much about the companion – he was loaned to me – but Rainbow Bridge did exactly what we wanted which was to have it easy from the mile and then to quicken at the top of the straight. Gavin said he gave him a kick and the horse was gone – just galloped through his hands.”

It is in the 6-1 third favourite’s favour that much of his excessive nervousness has gone. “From that point of view he has matured a lot and he travelled well going to Greyville last Thursday. He came down off the float with a bit of sweat on him but it was nothing like it used to be.”

Fourth on Tellina five years ago is the closest Gavin Lerena has come in eight previous July rides but the former champion is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to land the great prize on Saturday. “Gavin was riding him the whole of the previous week and he is back this week to do pacework. He gets on well with the horse and he will ride him when we do the final workout tomorrow (Thursday).”

And the owner? Mike Rattray bought Rainbow Bridge specifically to try to achieve his lifetime ambition of winning the July. The octogenarian former Greyville chairman has had two seconds – most recently with Yard-Arm, beaten three-quarters of a length by Dynasty in 2003, while Jagged Ice went under by little more than half a length when third four years later, and in 2012 Solo Traveller (fifth) was unlucky.

“Mike is very positive,” says the trainer admiringly. “We speak every day and I can see where his heart lies. It will be wonderful if we can bring all this to fruition on Saturday.”

By Michael Clower

Wadi Rum looks good value at 7-1 when he returns to Kenilworth today for the Tabonline.co.za Maiden.

The Mike Robinson-trained gelding put up two good performances over 1 250m at the country course, going under by only three-quarters of a length each time, but he flopped when upped to 1 400m at Kenilworth a week ago.

The going had turned yielding – and he is likely to encounter ground every bit as soft this afternoon – and the start was delayed by his tongue tie having to be refitted, but Robinson (on the mark with Fateful in the last on Saturday) is convinced that the gelding simply didn’t get the trip.

“It was too far. He was given every chance but he didn’t see out that the last 200m,” says the Philippi trainer. “He shows a lot of pace at home, he is fit and well so I thought I would bring him back to 1 000m here.”

Joint favourite at 16-10 is the Justin Snaith Trippi newcomer Tambora but he is drawn on the outside and, as Snaith has often said himself, this course is not easy for first-timers. Winter Oasis (also 16-10) has had a run and it was here so he, together with the Brett Crawford 9-2 shot Golden Tippy, could prove the main threats to the selection.

Lyle Hewitson, now odds-on to retain his championship, flies down for six rides. Four are for Joey Ramsden and two for Brett Crawford, and the most obvious prospect is Capkuta in the Play Soccer 6 Juvenile (race two). The consistent Ramsden gelding has been either third or fourth in the last five of his six starts and ran well in good to soft to take third to Optimum at Kenilworth a week ago.

He is favourite at 11-10 and could have most to fear from Grey Ferrari who is running for the eighth time. This one has shown some useful form but has also run some disappointing races. What is significant on this occasion, though, is that he is blinkered for the first time. Craig Zackey’s mount is quoted at 9-2 and I prefer his chance to Richard Fourie’s mount Vivant (4-1) who ran a moderate race here last time. But Capkuta is the selection Fourie and Snaith have much better prospects with Honey Pie in the Betting World Maiden Juvenile Fillies (race four). She has eased from 18-10 to 22-10 as there has been a bit of money for Lady Of The Lake (Yeni’s only mount of the day) but a line through Linda Loves Lace suggests Honey Pie will beat her.

By Michael Clower

There are plenty of opportunities for exotic bet punters come Saturday with the running of the Vodacom Durban July and 11 other races on the card at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Apart from the usual Place Accumulator (PA) and Pick 6 there are two Bi-Pots and two Jackpots.

The PA start as usual on race 3 through to 9. The Pick 6 races 4 to 9. The first Bi-Pot covers races 2 to 7 and the second, races 7 to 12.   The first Jackpot covers races 5 to 8 and the second Jackpot races 9 to 12.

The Place Accumulator pool is expected to top R3 million, the Pick 6 pool 15 million and the quartet pool on the Vodacom Durban July a whopping R16 million.

Often the key to winning the Pick 6, where punters have to find the winner of the six designated races, 4 through to 9, is finding a ‘banker’. Not only does it cut down on spend but it also narrows the bet down to five legs or less if you fancy more bankers.

In Saturday’s opening leg, top weight Strathdon could get punters off on a winning note. Not only does he stay every metre of the 3000m race but his form has been consistent and he looks cherry-ripe. But races over a marathon trip often throw up surprise results so If Strathdon is not for you, Walter Smoothie, and the fillies Sunshine Silk, Dynasty’s Blossom and Flichity By Farr make most appeal.

The Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper looks a tricky affair. Miss Florida is unbeaten but there were a few hard-luck stories behind her in the Alan Robertson and it may pay to fill up this leg with the likes of Cavivar, Cockney Pride, Gabor, Mawsool, Royal Lily and Victoria Paige.

Tsogo Sun Medallion winner Eden Roc will be a popular choice in the Durban Golden Horseshoe and this leg could possibly be narrowed down to Eden Roc and the highly rated Invidia.

The Vodacom Durban July will be up to each person’s fancy but I fancy that the winner will come from one of the first seven in the betting.

The Engen Performance Stakes is a nightmare and it may pay to include as many as finances allow. Thanksgiving, Infamous Fox, Tristful and Crown Towers are at the top of my list.

In the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes, Oh Susanna will be at the top of many lists as their banker after her recent end-to-end victory. Under the condition of the race she is well weighted and has a plum draw. Stable companion Snow Dance, last year’s runner-up, has it all to do from14 draw while Front And Centre and Celtic Sea look pick of the younger brigade.

Remember that you can always take a percentage should your combinations exceed your budget.

To take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

By Andrew Harrison

Kenilworth Wednesday Tips and Race Previews by Warren Lenferna

Race 1
Preview: ELUSIVE JAID (2) is well bred and could do well on debut. 3 FLEECED (3) is a daughter of Querari that could make her presence felt on debut and LADY WYLIE (5) gets the services of a top rider. (Warren Lenferna 2-3-5)

Race 2
Preview: CAPKUTA (2) is knocking at the door and should win. GREY FERRARI (4) is better this trip and should go close and YANKEE FORCE (7) could run into the money on debut. He is by Byword. (Warren Lenferna 2-4-7)

Race 3
Preview: GOLDEN TIPPY (1) came from far back last time to finish fourth and can get a lot closer today. WADI RUM (2) is taking his time but has a place chance here and should win soon. WINTER OASIS (7) made a good debut and more than likely has a lot more to come. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-7)

Race 4
Preview: HONEY PIE (6) is bred to enjoy the extra and should go close to winning. LADY OF THE LAKE (7) is improving with racing and should not be a maiden for too much longer – big runner. BAD HABIT (2) is better than her last run and has a bright place chance here. (Warren Lenferna 6-7-2)

Race 5
Preview: BERNIE (1) came from off the pace last time and should once again be involved here – he is the winning choice. RED RASCAL (4) is way better than his last effort and comes into the race with solid each way claims and GIMMETHERAIN (2) is a must for the trifecta. (Warren Lenferna 1-4-2)

Race 6
Preview: DREAM BABY DREAM (1) is down in class now and should go very close to winning. STAR OF SILVER (3) is much better than her last run and looks to be the stable elect – big runner and ALMOST CAPTURED (4) can get into the first four here – she went close last time. (Warren Lenferna 1-3-4)

Race 7
Preview: FEE FI FOE FUM (1) finished second last time and can go one better. MANINGI INDABA (5) can improve with the blinkers – he will have to, to feature and CRIMEA (2) should be right there at the finish. (Warren Lenferna 1-5-2)

Race 8
Preview: EARL OF WARWICK (2) might have needed his last run and can now do a lot better – he has ability and is one for the shortlist. SILVER LEAGUE (3) and HIGH KEY (4) have the form to be concerned in the finish and must be included in most bets. (Warren Lenferna 2-3-4)

One of the country’s former leading lightweight jockeys Duncan Alexander passed away on Sunday morning and ironically it happened almost 50 years to the day of his ride on the 1969 Durban July joint-second favourite Coast Guard.

South Africa’s Hall Of Famer jockey Michael Roberts summed up Alexander, “He was a great jockey. Of course my memories of him are from when I was still a kid at the Academy. I used to ride a good horse he was the regular jockey for, Chichester. He was an absolute gentleman and was always immaculately dressed. My condolences to the Alexanders, a special family, special people.”

Chichester went one better than Coast Guard by finishing second in the 1970 July.

Duncan was one of the top lightweight jockeys of his era.

He had his first July ride in 1954 and then, as a mark of the esteem in which he was held, he rode in 13 consecutive Julys from 1959 to 1971. His 15^th and final July ride was in 1973. The weights of his other July mounts ranged from 44,5kg to 49,5kg with the exception of Chichester who carried 52kg in 1970.

Duncan was father of trainers Gary and Dean and of Tellytrack presenter and racing personality Julie.

Gary repeated the feat of his father by saddling the Vodacom Durban July runner up Pierre Jourdan in 2011.

Duncan had been battling ill health for a number of years.

Jack Milner wrote the following tribute on Tabnews.

Duncan was born in London on 5 April 1932 and once in South Africa, was one of the country’s leading lightweight jockeys. He was associated with many top horses, one of the best of these being sprinter Montesano.   

Alexander won many of the country’s top races, including the Summer Cup at Turffontein and the Met at Kenilworth.   

When he reached the end of his illustrious riding career in the late 1970s, Alexander took out his trainer’s licence. His stable yard was just 800m from Turffontein Racecourse, next to the Turffontein Post Office in Stanton Road.

In 1980, the Alexander yard moved to the newly built stables at the racecourse. Gary was the assistant trainer to his dad but in 1982, took out his own licence.

However, Duncan still played in integral part in the stable as an advisor to both Gary and Dean, and to the some jockeys who rode their horses. 

Duncan is survived by his wife, Marge, as well as his three children, Gary, Dean and Julie.  

His funeral will take place on Thursday at 11am at Our Lady of Cedars Maronite Catholic Church. 118 Western Service Road Woodmead.

By David Thiselton

Image: Gary Alexander son of the late Duncan Alexander