Leading apprentice Lyle Hewitson has made an amazingly quick recovery from a broken collar bone thanks chiefly to hyperbacic treatment and is now looking forward to riding the Sean Tarry-trained French Navy in the Vodacom Durban July on Saturday.

The treatment was sponsored by Charl du Plooy of Hyperbaric Systems South Africa (Biobarica) at the Rivonia Medical and Sports Centre Hewitson broke the bone in a fall at Fairview on May 13 and said the following week, “I will use all means possible to heal it better and faster, but I will only come back when strong enough and the July is only just over six weeks away.”

He said yesterday about the decision to start race-riding just six weeks after the fall, “I was feeling so good and that was the main factor.”

Hewitson rode a treble in that comeback at Fairview on Friday and rode another winner at Greyville on Sunday. Hewitson rode French Navy in the July gallops last Thursday. The big bay put in pleasing work and is in fine condition, so is just being kept ticking over at Summerveld until the race.

Hewitson believes his mount is a “huge runner” at the weights. Furthermore, Tarry believes the five-year-old Count Dubois gelding has improved since a tongue tie was applied three runs ago. His last run can be ignored as he hated the blinkers and was hit in the eye by a clod.

Hewitson said winning the July would be “a dream come true, especially doing it for the Sean Tarry stable.”

The professional youngster is well aware of the boost winning a July can have on a young jockey’s career and there is no better example than S’manga Kumalo’s win on the Tarry-trained Heavy Metal in 2014.

By David Thiselton

Duncan Howells is KZN’s leading trainer and the only local trainer with runners in Saturday’s R4.25 million Vodacom Durban July.

Howells was left beaming after Ten Gun Salute blew away the field in the Betting World 1900 after being in two minds whether to run the gelding right up to the day of the race. “He pulled a back muscle in the Drill Hall so was out of work for a few days. After that Beth Shaw (equine physiotherapist) worked on him every day. After his work on the Friday he pulled up sound and as this was probably his only chance of making the July field I decided to have a go, but it was huge pressure.”

The gamble paid off and Ten Gun Salute scythed through the field from near last to win going away in possibly the most impressive build-up race to the July. “Muzi (Yeni) said he thought he was out of his ground just before turning for home so went wide to get closer. Ten Gun then just took off with him.”

Ten Gun Salute was strongly fancied in last year’s July but Howells says he is in a far better space now. “He’s had his issues, but since his gelding and being taken down with a lead pony, he is a different horse. I cannot get him any better.”

But as leading trainer Justin Snaith says, “There are lots of big races in the winter season but really this is the race we all want to win and you have to sneak in off the best weight that you can.”

Brett Crawford, having the season of his life, is a man of few words in public but is confident of a big run from the favourite Edict Of Nantes. Winner of the Gr1 Investec Derby and the Gr1 Daily News 2000, he points out that last year leading three-year-old Abashiri went into the July with 59kg and Edit Of Nantes, with relatively similar form, only has 54kg to shoulder. On that reasoning, either Abashiri was way over-rated or Edict Of Nates is way under-rated. Most would go for the latter scenario and with Anton Marcus prepared to strip 2kg off his regular riding weight, Edict Of Nantes is a worthy favourite. “My stable is in top form at the moment,” reasoned Crawford. “I’m very happy with my horses. Edict has come through his last run like he never had a run – he is very well.”

But wherever Edict Of Nates finishes, Al Sahem should be upsides as the two fought out a tight battle in the Daily News 2000 and champion trainer Sean Tarry’s runner is 0.5kg better off. In theory that should be enough to see the pair finish within a nostril of each other but while Edict Of Nates has drawn mid-field, Al Sahem as drawn 1 which over the years has proved to be a coffin draw. “I would have preferred to be out of the scrum, but I expect him to have enough early pace to find second or third place in the running,” said Tarry. In over a century only six horses have been successful from that gate, the possible reason being that one is seldom allowed to run your own race. You either have to go and hold position or drop out and be prepared to take you lumps at the back of the field. Former champion jockey and July winning rider Garth Puller put it in a nutshell. “It’s mayhem from the start to the first turn at the Drill Hall with everyone looking for position.”

That said, Al Sahem has never finished further back than second in his career. He is also a big, strong and feisty colt and with a little luck in the running S’Manga Khumalo could bring home the bacon for the second time after winning for Tarry on Heavy Metal.

The four-year-old’s look well weighted this year and most have got in pretty much on their handicap mark so Snaith is confident of a big run from all of his charges. Although cautious when pressed on which is his best he eventually went for Black Arthur. “I have aimed him specifically at the July. He’s the horse to beat. He’s a huge runner off 54.5kg and horses run for Grant van Niekerk who can ride him confidently. Of the older horse’s he’s the right horse.”

Snaith has a strong second string to his bow in former Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn. “He’s nicely in (at the weights). I purposely missed the Gold Challenge because we didn’t want any more penalties and he needed the Betting Word 1900 badly but is doing good work at home. His biggest asset is Piere Strydom. He’s the right guy for a big race.”

Reserve runners making the field often run way above what is expected of them so South Africa’s most expensive yearling Horizon may be a factor but Ten Gun Salute is taken to rise to the occasion ahead of Black Arthur, Safe Harbour and Edict Of Nantes.

By Andrew Harrison

The Vodacom Durban July Pick 6 could have made an instant millionaire of anybody who caught it last year, as it paid a dividend of over R4 million, and one of the races which the shrewd will be looking at to give them an edge this year is the highly competitive fifth leg, the Compendium MR 104 Handicap over 1000m.

Attenborough is an enigmatic sort who reportedly does not always bring his best homework to the track, but after he had stormed home from the back to win the In Full Flight Stakes over 1100m Anton Marcus said, “I think it’s the secret to him, to ride him slightly cold, and he will produce his best.” The same tactic was employed after a slow start in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint over 1200m but this time he found no extra. The blinkers have now been applied, which will no doubt sharpen him up, and he might appreciate the step down in trip too from a good draw of six in a race with plenty of pace in it.

Asstar won the Listed Umgeni Handicap over course and distance last season and loves being in KZN. He runs well fresh and won his first start in KZN last year after a similar length layoff to this one. He is two merit rated points higher than his Umgeni win and has a draw of nine as opposed to five, but the pace in this race will suit him and he will likely make a bold bid.

Elusivenchantment faced impossible tasks in her last two sprint starts in the Computaform Sprint and SA Fillies Sprint, but before that over this suitable 1000m trip she went close to the speedy and classy Jo’s Bond in the Listed Kwa-Zulu Natal Stakes where they both carried 61,5kg. From a good draw of five this speedy filly should be right up with the pace from the off and as one who has won four times over 1200m she should run all the way to the line.  Alec Forbes did very well aboard Elusivenchantment’s half-sister Via Africa for owners Andre Hauptfleisch and Albert Boshoff and the latter pair have requested a renewal of this partnership. She is only two points higher than her last handicap win, although that was against her own gender.

The last time Vision To Kill faced Elusivenchantment over this trip was in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Stakes and she was beaten 1,3 lengths. However, she was cramped for room for most of the race. If weight for age is taken into account they face each other on the same terms and she would be a leading fancy if it was not for her tough draw.

Angel’s Power showed a fine turn of foot the last time he went this trip at Turffontein to win going away under Piere Strydom. Strydom is back aboard from draw seven and the race should set up well for this gelding by Miesque’s Approval, whose progeny love the poly. On the downside he is seven points higher in the merit ratings than that last win.

The pace in the race will suit the big and rangy Doing It For Dan, who has enjoyed his two runs on the poly. He can be dropped out from a wide draw of ten and gather momentum for an effort in the straight, although the form of his third over course and distance two runs ago is questionable in the context of this race.

Our Destiny faces Elusivenchantment on 0,5kg better terms for a 0,5 length beating in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Stakes, but she was affected by scrimmaging in that race which cost her a length or two. She was well beaten by Vision To Kill in the Poinsettia, which confuses the form, as she was then very impressive over that same Scottsville 1200m trip next time out when showing an exceptional turn of foot. She has a plum draw and if producing her best will be a big runner in a race which should pan out well for her.

Isca comes off an outstanding sixth place in the Computaform Sprint and attempts to retain his crown here. He will be staying on but is seven points higher in the merit ratings than last year and is draw eleven compared to two.

Hashtag Strat has exceptional cruising speed and from a draw of two is likely to make a bold bid from the front.

Highway Explorer has speed and some class but has a tough draw of eight and is three points higher than when winning the off season African Holly Handicap over course and distance.

Horse Guards has a chance on weight turnarounds with Attenborough. He won his debut over course and distance by five lengths and is drawn in pole, so must have a shout.

The once highly promising Varbration is well drawn and has been in good form off a lowered  merit rating, but is officially 2kg under sufferance.

There is not much between Hashtag Strat and Angel’s Power at the weights considering their last meeting, but the former is improving and has a plum draw, especially for her pacey style.

Hashtag Strat is tipped to beat Angel’s Power with Asstar in third and Our Destiny, Attenborough and Doing It For Dan are selected to follow them home, although it’s hard to ignore just about every horse in the race.

By David Thiselton

Only one horse has won the Vodacom Durban July under top weight since El Picha scored for the second time in 2000 and that was Pocket Power in 2008. Marinaresco carries the same Marsh Shirtliff colours and Candice Bass-Robinson has not forgotten how unlucky he was in last year’s race.

“Besides being good enough, your horse needs to have a bit of luck in running and have things go his way,” she says. “It’s a tough ask for Marinaresco with 60kg on his back (he had only 55.5kg 12 months ago) but he is fit and well, he is fresh and has a draw I am happy with. He always tries his best and I am sure he will run a good race.”

The bookies have lost faith in the one-time favourite and have pushed him right out to 16-1, two points longer than Majorca winner Nightingale who has the advantage of four-time July winning jockey Anthony Delpech in the irons.

“Nightingale has come on a lot as a four-year-old and she will get the trip comfortably,” says Mrs Robinson. “If she had a kilo and a half less, or even a kilo, she would be very competitive. In saying that she always runs an honest race, she has a good draw and she will maybe run into the money.”

Horizon, originally first reserve, completes the Milnerton trainer’s first July hand at 20-1. “That was a good run in the Daily News and he is a kilo better with Edict Of Nantes plus half a kilo better with Al Sahem, so he is certainly not without a chance. Unfortunately he is not drawn well so he will need that bit of luck.”

By Michael Clower

Race 1
Preview: CASUAL DIAMOND won very well last time and judging by the riding engagements seems to be the right one here of the Snaith duo. LACERTA was superbly ridden by Brandon May last time and she won nicely beating Queen Of Alamo – her chances again look bright. The Snaith stable could run one – two here. NAMIBIA won well on debut but followed that up with a below par effort next time – she can be forgiven that and can get into the action. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-3)

Race 2
Preview: COT CAMPBELL is beautifully bred and ran a fair race on debut. He was less than three lengths off the winner and has more than likely come on a ton from that run – if any of the first timers are not too strong then this Justin Snaith trained son of Trippi could be a hard horse to beat. FOOL PROOF ran second at long odds on debut and can only improve from that. He is a serious runner here. SIBERIAN HUSKY ran well first time at school and with natural improvement should be able to earn money today. Keep an eye on the betting and comments with regards to the first timers. (Warren Lenferna 3-7-13)

Race 3
Preview: LADY LI LAY ran on over the mile last time and should do even better today. BRIDAL PARTY ran second – ahead of Lady Li Lay in the race won by Riverboat Queen and has a very big winning chance here. LE CLAIRE returns from a rest and if not in too much need of this run could certainly run a place and must be included in the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 8-2-1)

Race 4
Preview: TRIPPLE EXPLOSION has a deep draw to overcome but is coming to hand now. He has run second in his last two starts and now looks ready and overdue his maiden victory. REDEEMER returns from a rest and gelding and he should be able to run very close – his stable is in red hot form and this son of Captain Al should run very well as a gelding. His form before the gelding was good. LEADMAN from the stable mate to Redeemer, has shown in his last two that his winning turn is not far away and it would be silly to ignore his chances for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-3)

Race 5
Preview: COCK-A-HOOP returns from a fairly lengthy rest and gelding. He has shown ability and ran a very close up second last time when leading and getting caught in the shadow of the post. Provided he is fit and not in too much need of this comeback run he could be very hard to beat. NASTY HARRY has won two out of his last three and is clearly useful – he has a chance. GADGET MAN came from far off the pace last time to run fourth first time out the maidens which is very encouraging – respect. (Warren Lenferna 1-4-9)

Race 6
Preview: SEATTLE OAK showed good pace last time and was only caught very close to home. She has confidently been selected to go one better today. TRIP THE WILLOW is much better than her last run shows when never in the race – she can do much better and feature in the shake up. She more than likely was in need of her comeback run. STATE BALLET is in fine form and searching for the hat trick – if she won again, it would be no shock at all. (Warren Lenferna 2-3-4)

Race 7
Preview: MOUNT KEITH is knocking loudly at the door having run second in his last two and now looks ready to score his second career win. SUNSET EYES is coming back to form since his bad run a few starts ago and must be given the utmost respect here. CABALLO BLANCO returns from a short rest but has the form to be very competitive. (Warren Lenferna 4-3-5)

Race 8
Preview: OFF BROADWAY ran on late last time to record his third second in a row – he looks to be hard to beat today – whatever beats him will win! SIR CLIFF caught the eye on debut and can improve to go very close. SILVER DE LANGE is nicely bred and could do well first time at the races – watch the betting and the trainers comments. (Warren Lenferna 1-14-11)