EVEN though this year’s Vodacom Durban July will once again be held ‘behind closed doors’ with no public sale of tickets, the organisers are confident of delivering all the features which make this Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event. “Horseracing, Fashion and Entertainment are the core elements which make up this spectacular event, and even though we won’t have the public at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse again this year, we will deliver an event befitting the 125^th running of this famous race.” said Steve Marshall, Events and Marketing Executive of Gold Circle. “We are fortunate to be able to call on our experience of staging one of the first major ‘behind closed doors’ events last year and to have a title sponsor in Vodacom, with whom we are celebrating our 20^th year, to partner with us through these challenging times.”

The fashionistas would already have taken notice of the “Birds of a Feather” theme released earlier this week, as College and Technicon design students begin their journey to lift the coveted Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award. The DFF Rising Stars Collection will once again compliment the Invited Designer Showcase to complete the 2021 VDJ Fashion Experience leading up to race day.

The Vodacom Durban July returns to its traditional first Saturday in July and the stage is already being set for one of the best fields of thoroughbreds to compete for the pinnacle prize in South African horseracing on 3 July. All of Belgarion (2020 VDJ), Got The Greenlight (2020 Daily News 2000, 2^nd 2020 VDJ), Do It Again (2018 & 2019 VDJ), Rainbow Bridge (2019 & 2021 CT Met), Golden Ducat (2020 WSB Champions Cup), Linebacker (2021 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby), Malmoos (2021 WSB SA Classic), War Of Athena (2021 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic) and the horse everyone is talking about, Kommetdieding, are expected to be among the list of first nominations on 14 April for the historic 125^th running of Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event, the Vodacom Durban July.

David Thiselton

THE five feature races at Turffontein Standside tomorrow are headed by the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m in which the unexposed three-year-old Vars Vicky could continue on his winning ways. 

This Stuart Pettigrew-trained gelding has a lovely action and quickened effortlessly last time when winning over 1200m on the Inside course. He still has a potentially suppressed merit rating as he has not been tried in feature class before so now carries the minimum weight of 52kg under the merit rated band conditions. He is in fact 4,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse but looks capable of rising above his current mark. He has a nice high draw of eleven which is the favourable side by trends. Muzi Yeni aboard is a further bonus.

Topweight Chimichuri Run has landed the worst draw by trends of number one. This did not stop him winning last time but he does have a much tougher task at the weights this time and is in fact 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted. His regular pilot Gavin Lerena has deserted him to ride the best weighted True To Life. However, Chimichuri Run’s class can overcome these obstacles and he should be right there.

Mount Pleasant looked to be something special in his early career but two unplaced runs over 1600m have dimmed his star. He has chance to revive the brightness dropping back to 1200m. A high draw will favour this big-striding individual but against him is his high merit rating of 120 meaning he has to give 6kg to his contemporary Vars Vicky. 

Gallic Princess has proven herself a useful sprinter and if her pace enables her to overcome a low draw she has a shout.

True To Life has a fine record over this course and distance and is not only the best weighted but has a fair draw so should be finishing as strongly as usual.

Others capable of winning if they bring their A game are Bohica, Eden Roc, Singforafa, Golden Belle and Winter Stories.

The Listed Derby Trial could be fought out by three progressive horses Pamushana’s Pride, Invincible Warrior and Earl. Pamushana’s pride and Earl look certain to enjoy the trip and the scopey Invincible Warrior strikes as one who will stay despite there being a slight question mark on pedigree. 

The Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial has attracted an uninspiring field that is not worthy of Listed status although the topweight Ideal Jet does strike as one who possesses some potential. She is the choice to beat the improving Mauby who should enjoy the step up in trip. Keeping The Peace, Traveling Wilbury and Siren Of Greece can also be considered over a suitable trip.

In the Listed Drum Star Handicap Running Brave has them all beaten on form or paper except for Green Haze although Green Haze might need it as it his first run for the Paul Peter yard and Pack Leader is preferred for the exacta. Youcanthurry Love and Divine Odyssey make most appeal of the rest.

The Gold Rush Sprint could see the light-weighted filly Celestial Love upsetting two classy speedsters Forever Mine and Valyrian King.     

HIGHVELD RACING is pleased to announce the running of the Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes over 1600 metres at Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday 17 April 2021.

The Racing Association takes this opportunity to thank HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, HSH Princess Charlene and the South African Sport of Kings Monaco Group.

They have continued with their support and interest in our industry by way of contributing towards the stake of this prestigious event. Their generous contribution takes the total stake for the race to R750 000.

Mike Wittstock, father of HSH Princess Charlene, has been instrumental in assisting with this promotion and we acknowledge his important role in this day which has, in the past been a tremendous success.

‘Our aim is to build the HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes into one of the premier fillies’ races in South Africa.

 The racing industry will abide by the restrictions in place as a result of Covid-19 and details of planned promotions on the day will be published in due course.’

Racing Association Press Release

The Gareth van Zyl-trained EMERALD PALACE, with Warren Kennedy up, wins the Gold Circle Racing YouTube Channel Maiden Plate by 14.8 lengths at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.
Picture: Candiese Lenferna

David Thiselton

THE Turffontein Inside track stages an eight race meeting today and it looks to be a favourable one both for exotic and on the nose players.  

The first race is a workrider’s maiden over 1200m and Lucy In The Sky is taken to win despite a tough draw. She showed a fluent cruising stride last time over this trip down the straight and ran on well for second, beating Ruby Woo by 0,90 lengths. She can be dropped out before running on. Ruby Woo will be a threat as she has a draw advantage over Lucy In The Sky and has some early pace. 

The second race is a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1450m and Savage Love could defy the form. She was beaten 1,55 lengths by the ruling favourite Freedom Of Choice last time over 1200m on the Vaal Classic track but was drawn wider and had to be dropped back to find cover. She was closing on Freedom Choice in the closing stages and now has a plum draw over a step up in trip she will relish being by Coup De Grace, who won from 1200m to 1400m out of a Lambent Light are who won four times from 1000m to 2000m. Freedom Of Choice is by Master Of My Fate and is a half-sister to a horse who has won four times from 1800m to 2400m so she will also relish the step up in trip and she also has a far draw. Those two should be enough for the Bipot.

The third race also looks to be a two-horse race. Fisher King ran a good race last time over 1200m and this Willow Magic half-brother to SA Derby winner Hero’s Honour will relish the step up in trip to 1450m. He has a plum draw of two. Noble Strike is an eyecatching looker and can do a lot better than his debut when caught wide and green throughout, so he is taken to reverse form with Coming In Hot and Tinder Dry. The latter pair could earn again.

In the fourth race there also look to be just two who are necessary for the exotics. Extravert is made the best of the day, although not with a great deal of confidence. He was dropped down to a sprint trip last time for the first time since his debut and showed good cruising speed in front. He finished four lengths back in third but was 4,25 lengths clear of the rest of the field and he now races over the same trip from a good draw with Khumalo retaining the ride. Katzenthal made a good impression on debut behind the highly promising Al Sakeet after being slow way and jumps from pole position so is also going to be a big runner. 

In the fifth race over 1600m Fast Draw enjoyed the step back down to this trip last time not surprisingly as he tended to race too strongly over further and he now has a good draw so should go close. Blue Spark is often thereabouts and also has a fair draw over a suitable trip. Amberglo Star has done well in her last two starts from favourable draws so she can be considered, although she now has a tough draw to overcome. Light Warrior can be considered too as some of his form is good in the context of this race although he does have a tricky draw. Enigma Code can also be considered on his last run as he has a plum draw.

The sixth race over 1600m is an intriguing Graduation Handicap that pits the front-running La Luvia, who jumps from a good draw, against the long-striding closer Puerto Manzano. The latter will be no doubt be dropped out again and would prefer the log straight of the Standside track, but there are only eight horses in the field and he should be close enough to have a chance of making up the deficit. Under the conditions the well drawn Rock You also has a shout as he runs on well.

The seventh race over 1450m, a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares, is the highlight of the meeting as it sees the reappearance of the much touted Florentine. Her defeat on debut was a shock at the time but the one who beat her, Sweet Future, has turned out to be well above average. Florentine won well second time out and has a fair draw over a step up in trip she will relish. Zimbaba is the danger as she will also relish the step up and has some class. She is by Legislate out of a mare who is by Pivotal out of Ipi Tombe so it is not surprising that Zimbaba possesses a fine turn of foot.

The last race is the toughest on the card and as man as possible must be included. Entente is probably the one with the most ability but she tends to throw her head up in the running so makes it difficult for herself. She is capable of mowing this field down if she settles well enough at the back after likely being dropped out from a wide draw.  Bitter Wind has her first start around the turn since her maiden win so can bounce back as she produced a good kick from the front that day. Speechmaker runs on well over shorter so is interesting stepped up to this trip again. Milan’s Princess should also handle the step up in trip and is the joint best-weighted under the Classified Stakes conditions together with Bitter Wind and Speechmaker.