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)

A new entrance, Gate 5, has been created at Greyville racecourse for all July Day picnic site holders and their guests, who are bringing in hebcoolers, cooler bags or containers of any kind. Gate 5 is on Avondale Road close to the Avondale/DLI Avenue circle.

Please note that you are required to use this gate if you are bringing in these containers and that this is the only gate that will be open for the entire day to allow entry with these containers.

Gate 15 in Mitchell Crescent will also be open for picnic site holders but only until 09h00 [July 1]

VDJ Parking Map

National champion trainer Sean Tarry will attempt to land his third Vodacom Durban July on Saturday where he has four runners.

He also spoke about his other runners on the day.

He said both Al Sahem and Safe Harbour had travelled back to Randjesfontein to be prepared for the July after their good Daily News and Woolavington runs as “the facilities there suit them better.”

Tarry said about Al Sahem’s pole position 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.” He is 0,5kg better off with Edict Of Nantes for a 0,5 length beating in the Daily News 2000, and it would also be worth bearing in mind Tarry’s first July winner Pomodoro won the SA Derby, then ran below par in the Daily News before winning the July carrying 55kg. Al Sahem only has to carry 53,5kg. His sire Silvano has already produced three July winners. S’manga Khumalo replaces Anthony Delpech, who is retained by the owners of Nightingale.

Sean Tarry (Nkosi Hlophe)

Woolavington 2000 third-placed Safe Harbour impressed in her televised July gallop alongside Al Sahem but Tarry reminded, “It was a good gallop, but Al Sahem is a lazy horse.” He added, “She has run her last couple of starts as if she is looking for this trip.” The long-striding three-year-old daughter of Elusive Fort is drawn eleven and has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight of 52kg. Nooresh Juglall rides.

Tarry is “very happy” with former Daily News 2000 winner French Navy, whom he says has improved since a tongue ties was applied three runs ago. He said his last start can safely be ignored as he hated the blinkers and was also hit in the eye by a clod. Leading apprentice Lyle Hewitson gets his second July ride on a horse who looks well weighted in his third attempt at the big race.

Tarry said about Betting World 1900 runner up Tilbury Fort, “He’s definitely on the up, but strictly on form will battle to turn around the form with Al Sahem. He has had a nice prep and seems to enjoy Greyville. He was a little bit handier than he usually is in the 1900 and I think he will stay the trip.” This Horse Chestnut three-year-old colt is officially 2,5kg under sufferance and jumps from draw eleven. His jockey Greg Cheyne has won the July before.

Tarry was happy his Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe contender Captain And Master had been able to see Greyville on Thursday where he put up an eyecatching gallop alongside French Navy.

He said, “It is a strong race but I am confident he is a good horse and he has a big chance.” Khumalo rides from a plum draw.

His other contender in this race is Purple Diamond and he said, “He is also nice horse although he might be better over a mile.”

Tarry said his Gr 2 Gold Circle Golden Slipper contender Desert Rhythm was never at her best at home, but he added, “Her form suggests she is a big runner.” Khumalo rides.

Tarry said about London Secret, “The jockey moved a bit early on her last time, so she will want a more patient ride. I think Gavin (Lerena) will suit her.” She has a good turn of foot and should enjoy the course and distance.

He said about Rockin Russian, “She was very green around the turn last time, but ran on well. I expect her to improve and can’t see the draw being a big problem as she will come from off them.”

He runs Trophy Wife in the Grade 3 Betting World 2200 and said, “She was in season last time in the Cup Trial, but ran on quite well. She will like the extra distance and I expect a good run.”

The consistent seven-year-old soldier Serissa runs in the Gold Vase over 3000m and Tarry pointed out the race had not panned out well for him in his only attempt at this sort of distance in the Gold Cup of 2014. He reckoned he had improved this season and didn’t envision anybody taking him on in front as they then would risk not seeing it out, so it should pan out well this time from a good draw of two.

By David Thiselton

Casual Diamond and Bernard Fayd’Herbe can start the ball rolling at Kenilworth tomorrow when the pair have an outstanding chance in the opening Juvenile Fillies Plate.

This Var filly looked as if she wanted further when winning over this 1 000m two and a half weeks ago – she was ridden from two furlongs out and only got up with 50m to run – but Justin Snaith is adamant that the trip will present no problems – “Her brother was fast and she will be fine for this,” he says. “She is doing well and she will be ready.”

Glen Kotzen

Stable companion Lacerta, who also won over the trip last time, is an obvious danger but watch out for Namibia. The Glen Kotzen runner has been off since the Listed race on Met day but she won first time and strictly on the book has superior form to the Snaith pair.

There is also Regal Ruby (opened 2-1 favourite with World Sports Betting) who was considered good enough to run in the Perfect Promise and, although she only beat one home, there were excuses – she returned with a mouth injury and her rider reported that she was making a noise.

“She has had a break since then and has been doing well at home,” reports Greg Ennion. “But we haven’t been able to work her and she is nowhere near her peak.”

This is a common theme in the trainer comments for this meeting and is the reason why Snaith is uncharacteristically cautious about the chance of 14-10 favourite Cot Campbell in race two, the Tabonline Maiden Juvenile.

Candice Robinson (hamish NIVEN Photography)

This R3.3 million Trippi colt out of the mighty Ebony Flyer was all the rage for his debut in April but lost six lengths ambling out of the pens and finished out of the frame. He looked one to be on next time but Snaith says: “We expect him to run into the money but we are not overly bullish. Although he has come on he has had no grass gallop.”

Fool Proof (7-2) also caught the eye first time and Winning Ways recommended backing him when he stepped up to this six furlongs. “From a greenness perspective he should be better,” says Candice Bass-Robinson, “But it’s difficult to say (whether he has come on) because we haven’t had the best tracks to work on.”

Cot Campbell gets a tentative vote but there is also another factor to bear in mind. He and Foolproof – along with the potentially useful True Words (already backed from 13-2 to 5-1), have all been drawn on the stands side, which is now running slower than the inside. The penetrometer at last Saturday’s meeting indicated that those coming down the inside have a six per cent advantage and tacking across in a field of 19 would be suicidal.

Andre Nel has called up his old compatriot Aldo Domeyer for the so far rather disappointing Lady Li Lay (opened favourite at 19-10) in the Racing Association Maiden and stable jockey Grant van Niekerk partners 2-1 shot Le Claire for Ennion. Le Claire is easily the highest-rated but has tended to throw away her chance by getting worked up in the pens. She just might be good enough to beat 28-10 chance Bridal Party.

Off Broadway (14-10) has the best form in the last even though he is on the wrong side of the course. Keep an eye on the Nel newcomer Silver De Lange who has been nibbled at from 9-2 to 33-10.

By Michael Clower

Derek Brugman shares Joey Ramsden’s view that the advantage lies with the three-year-olds in Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July and the Mayfair Speculators racing manager is understandably keen on dual Grade 1 winner Edict Of Nantes.

He said: “Pace and luck in running are going to play a very large role in the outcome but I think the three-year-olds are well weighted and definitely have an advantage over the older horses because of their ratings – and if I had to pick one three-year-old to represent me it would be Edict Of Nantes.”

Brugman, a former bookmaker and a shrewd judge of form, believes the other Mayfair runner The Conglomerate has been well treated, saying: “For a previous winner of the July he is well weighted and he will be carrying only half a kilo more than he did last year. This time he has a draw, his prep has been great and I think he is a big runner.”

Edict Of Nantes (Nkosi Hlophe)

Brugman expects Sean Tarry to ensure the race is run at a decent gallop – “You would have to think that he will want a reasonable pace for Al Sahem because a crawl is not going to suit the horse and Sean is the type of guy who will take things by the scruff of the neck.”

Justin Snaith, bidding for a third July win, reckons that 33-1 shot Master Sabina is the dark horse in the field and explained: “He is a two-time Summer Cup winner and he has a lot of positives. He has a good weight and a good draw. Also he has run well in the July before, he gets every bit of the trip and he is doing very well at home.”

Black Arthur is the shortest priced of the Snaith quartet at 13-2 third favourite – “This time he has a good draw and he will be carrying a kilo less than last year (when he finished seventh from stall 17). He is doing exceptionally well.

“It’s My Turn (fourth last year and 8-1 this time) likes Greyville and is peaking at the right time while Piere Strydom in the July is worth two lengths.”

The stable’s fourth string is 50-1 rank outsider Krambambuli who is drawn one from the outside – “I’m not worried about that – most of the big races I’ve lost in Natal have been from inside draws and the July is often a rough race. I know this is a hard ask for Krambambuli but if it turns into a hard-run affair, with everyone bumping everyone, he could run into the money.”

BLOB Sun Met winner Whisky Baron arrived at Mary Slack’s Abington Place stables in Newmarket at the end of last week after completing his quarantine obligations in Mauritius and Britain.

Ross Kieswetter, who owns the gelding in partnership with elder brother Craig, said: “Brett Crawford and Mike de Kock are going to look after him from now on.”

The gelding may well run in Britain this year although the Dubai Carnival and, more particularly a crack at one of the big international races in Hong Kong, have been mentioned as the objectives.

By Michael Clower