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

The Vodacom Durban July day Pick pool is estimated to reach R15 million and the first leg, the Grade 3 DSTv Gold Vase over 3000m is the first hurdle punters face.

The race is run under merit rated band conditions, which favours females as they also receive a 2,5kg allowance.

The order from best to worst weighted horses according to official merit ratings is as follows and the number of kgs they are under sufferance is in brackets: Sunshine Silk, Dynasty’s Blossom (1kg), Flichity By Farr (1kg), Strathdon (2kg), Walter Smoothie (2,5kg), Mangrove (3,5kg), Wealthy (3,5kg), Pacific Chestnut (4,5kg), Run Rhino Run (4,5kg), Wonderous Climber (5kg), Warfarer (5,5kg), Paths Of Victory (5,5kg), Ballad Of The Sea (6kg), Multi Gold (6kg), Evolver (6,5kg), Major Return (7,5kg).

However, staying races have often made fools of handicappers as some horses are still establishing themselves over marathon trips. Horses at the bottom of the weights can never be ignored in these events.  

The best weighted horse Sunshine Silk has developed into an exciting stayer and comes off a prep run over 1400m that followed a hattrick of staying wins from 2400m to 3200m including the Gold Bowl. Being by Silvano she should enjoy Greyville and although she has a wide draw she is capable of running on from behind. 

Topweight Strathdon looks to have enjoyed a fine preparation and will be a big runner if running to his best. From his wide draw the jockey will have to play it by ear. He is capable of running on from behind if dropped out and that is the likely tactic as he did not appear to enjoy leading last time. He hasn’t won for 567 days but is classy and always has a shout.

Flichity By Farr comes off a good second in the Track And Ball Oaks and finished second in this race last year when running on strongly from off the pace. She is a tough filly and the two week gap from her last run will suit her. She will need a fast pace to be at her best although in the Oaks last time she was closer to the pace than usual turning for home from a good draw, so they might try and slot her in here from her wide draw. 

Dynasty’s Blossom raced a bit strongly in the Track And Ball Oaks and can do better if settling well from a good draw of seven. She has gone close over 2800m before and has done well over 3200m. She should be cherry ripe and is one of the dark horses.    

The lightweight Major Return is an interesting runner and his form has been working out well. He is by Vodacom Durban July winner Bold Silvano out of a Sadler’s Wells mare so should stay the trip with that combination. On the other hand his half-brother is the useful sprinter Pacific Spirit, but he does run like stayer and when sent over 2400m in his penultimate start he burst clear and was then only caught by the exciting staying prospect Horace. He is drawn well in two.

Walter Smoothie has a good draw and the last time he had such a draw he finished 2,10 lengths behind Sunshine Silk. He has some class and is 3kg better off with her from that run so must have a chance.

Paths Of Victory should relish this trip judging on his running on third over 2400m at Scottsville three runs ago in April. He was beaten just 0,25 lengths by Strathdon in that race and faces him on the same terms, which will be in his favour as he should have made 1kg of improvement since then according to the weight for age scale if the distances are taken into account. 

Warfarer was running on over 2400m three runs ago at Scottsville and he was beaten just 2,45 lengths by Strathdon in that race and is now half-a-kilogram better off. He is a dark horse as a big staying type who should enjoy this trip, although he does have a wide draw.

Wonderous Climber took to staying races well but after five wins from 2200m to 2400m the handicapper might have caught up with him, although he does have a good draw and should be staying on in the straight.

Pacific Chestnut has his third run since winning the Kenilworth Cup over 3200m but didn’t inspire confidence last time when never dangerous in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup where he was beaten eight lengths.

Wealthy has won over 2400m before and is capable of running on from behind so is interesting stepped up to this trip.

Mangrove looks like an out and out stayer but he has been one paced in the finish in his two 2400m efforts and will need dramatic improvement.

Run Rhino Run won a race over course and distance by 21 lengths in October 2017 so has ability but is quirky and in his first run after layoff last time he was beaten 31 lengths and was not striding out. 

Evolver has hard knocking staying form in Port Elizabeth and Yvette Bremner has had a fantastic season raiding other centres. He can’t be written off.

Ballad Of The Sea is 3kg better off with Evolver for a four length beating over 3200m at Fairview so there is not much in it.

Multi Gold is half-a-kilogram better off with Evolver for a 0,8 length beating over 3600m at Fairview, so there is also not much between those two.

However, there is not much between Ballad Of The Sea and Pacific Chestnut which casts doubt on the strength of that PE formline.

By David Thiselton

This looks like being Joey Ramsden’s final Vodacom Durban July with next year’s race seeing him watching it on TV from Singapore.

“We are definitely going and we are looking to open up there in October or November,” he says. “It depends when all the paperwork goes through.”

“Also I am waiting to see what happens with the export protocol. I am hearing lots of good things about this so I could wait for a few months, certainly until Christmas. But I am not going to wait for ever. If there is no action, and it proves to be a lot of bollocks, then we close up here before Christmas.”

There has been talk on the local grapevine that Ramsden will keep a satellite yard here, with the anticipated opening up of the protocol playing a big part in the way he runs (and fills) the Singapore operation. “I can’t answer for what the future might be,” he says when this is put to him.

Ramsden is speaking in his second floor box at Kenilworth last Saturday. His July prospects are the intended subject of the interview. “Twist of Fate?” he repeats the question. “He is doing good, doing brilliant in fact. He has worked very well.”

So what chance does he give the 12-1 shot on Saturday? “Not as good a chance as I gave him before last Tuesday,” is the immediate and unsmiling reply. His disgust at being landed with a 17 draw was pretty evident at the Gateway function and seemingly nothing has changed since.

“The trouble is that you are not in charge of your own destiny with a draw like that,” he explains. “If those drawn low decide not to make use of their draws then you have got a chance. But, if they do take advantage, your outside draw automatically becomes a huge handicap.”

The Conglomerate was drawn 20 and started at 20-1 when he won for Ramsden three years ago – an occasion that the trainer described at the time as “the best day of my life”. Had Ramsden given him much chance considering the draw? ”Yea, I did,” he recalls. “You always go there with a bit of hope.”

So what chance does he give Fresnaye? Better than the current 80-1?  “She is probably back to her right trip. The July is a rough race and I have the human bowling ball Greg Cheyne on top so I have got the right man.”

I’m not sure that Cheyne (in the art of jockeyship something of a craftsman) will appreciate the bowling ball analogy but what Ramsden probably means is that, if there is any argy-bargy, Cheyne is more than  capable of holding his own.

Is it always a rough race? “Always,” is the unhesitating reply. “People are invariably trying to get in from the outside and the fellow in front is usually easing back so there is a terrible concertina effect – and, if you get involved in the middle of the bait ball and you are going no pace, then you are in trouble.”

Bait ball? “Have you never watched National Geographic?” Ramsden makes the omission sound as if you have never heard of sliced bread. “Let me educate you.” He takes out his phone, goes into Google and comes up with a picture of a huge ball of sardines trying to protect themselves against hungry dolphins. Not quite like the July but you get the message.

The Mauritian-owned Twist Of Fate will be the third July ride for Nooresh Juglall but Cheyne, successful on Big City Life in 2009, is an old hand. He rode in the great race for the first time back in 1996 (London News’ year) on the Mike de Kock-trained Stride Head on whom he had already won the Greyville 1900.

By Michael Clower