Stan Elley has two chances of achieving an elusive win in the Vodacom Durban July before retiring at the end of this season and he is happy with both of his charges, Punta Arenas and Dynastic Power.

Punta Arenas (Nkosi Hlophe)

Interestingly, both of these horses are former winners of the Winter Derby over 2400m at Kenilworth. They have performed well over shorter too so the July trip of 2200m should be just about their optimum.

Punta Arenas has had a fine Champions Season. He finished third in the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 before winning the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m, both at Greyville under his July jockey Ian Sturgeon. Elley said about the evergreen six-year-old Silvano gelding, “He got his normal draw (19), I don’t expect anything else! But he thrives out here in KZN, he just loves it. Greyville is his best track, it’s not an ideal draw, but we’ve been there before and he knows how to do it from there. I think wherever you’re drawn in the July you need a bit of luck in running, we’re just going to have to get a little bit more lucky! When he’s well he really enjoys his work and he is enjoying it at the moment, he’s loving life, he’s just thriving.”

The four-year-old Dynasty gelding Dynastic Power won the Betting World 1900 under his July jockey Greg Cheyne and had genuine excuses for his poor run in the Cup Trial. Elley said, “He came out of that last race with a very sore stifle, which I reported to the stipes. I don’t know how it happened, but those injuries often happen when they jump out of the starting stalls. When we tried to flex that back leg he almost hit the roof, so it was significant.

“He was out of work for four or five days, but as such he had a harder gallop than most of them at the July gallops. I thought he worked very well, he went a good pace and he still finished it off. I think among the long shots he has as good a chance as any. He’s doing well, he’s spot on.

Dynastic Power (Nkosi Hlophe)

“There’s very little to choose between him and Power King, he’s beaten us at level weights, we’ve beaten him at level weights. Wherever the one is the other should be, and he’s 14/1 and we’re 75/1!”

Dynastic Power, as things stand, will jump from the same barrier position of 12 he had in the Betting World 1900.

Elley also runs the five-year-old Black Minnaloushe gelding Big Cat from draw nine under Grant van Niekerk in the Gr 3 tabGold 2200. He said, “It’s a race we targeted last year and we got him in with bottom weight, but then he went wrong on the morning of the race. So we came with the same target this year and he’s in with bottom weight, although he’s 1kg under sufferance.

“I think it’s the trip he’s been looking for and I think he will run a big race. He’s a fit horse, he’s thriving. He’s spot on for the race, he did his final pace work this morning (Tuesday) and worked very nicely.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.

Four-times Vodacom Durban July-winning trainer Mike de Kock runs the two-time Gr 1-winning three-year-old filly Majmu and the Gr 1 SA Oaks winner Pine Princess in the big one on Saturday and has a few other chances on the day.

Majmu (Liesl King)

Majmu missed her preparation run in Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 but she enjoys running fresh and was clearly well in herself and moving well at the July gallops last Thursday.

Jockey Anthony Delpech dismissed the suggestion that the number one draw was unfavourable in the July and said, “If you were drawn in pole position in a grand prix you would take it, it is the shortest way around. All I have to do is hold my position and I’m not sure why everybody says you have to rush a horse to do so from the number one draw, you don’t have to.” Delpech added that no race can be planned beforehand and it would be foolish to do so.

Accordingly, the legendary Michael “Muis” Roberts once said, “The first 50m of a race are in fact the most important”, as that is when a few split second decisions, including an early prediction of the pace, can potentially seal your fate. However, Majmu supporters will be confident. Delpech, who will be going for a record-breaking fifth July win, can find a good position from that draw. Majmu was staying on late in the President’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein after appearing to hit a bit of a flat spot in the straight, so should stay the Greyville 2200.

Pine Princess will obviously have no problem with the trip and has been one of the most backed runners since the final field announcement.

De Kock said both of his charges has been doing “very well.”

Pine Princess (Nkosi Hlophe)

He spoke about the rest of his runners, “Dashing Scarlet (race 2) is not an easy filly to train, she is capable of better than what she’s shown and is a filly that shouldn’t be left out. Ataab (race 3), I’m hoping she will enjoy the step up in trip, she’s capable but she’s quite high in the ratings and if she runs a place it will be a good run.”

He agreed that Smart Mart (race 4) was a big runner and said he was well. He will raid from Jo’burg, which in theory could be an advantage for a staying race due to the altitude training he has enjoyed.

De Kock fits blinkers to Almashooqa (race 5) as she had run around in the finish last time and he believes it cost her the race. He called her a “nice filly” and gave her a “big chance, “especially from the draw.” In the same race he has Captain’s Song, whom he described as a “very smart filly, but drawn very badly”, and Sharp Princess, “a nice filly, but probably wants a bit further.”

Muwaary’s (race 6) last run spoke volumes and De Kock also described him as a “smart horse, but badly drawn.”

He continued, “Trip To Rio (race 8) is drawn in the bush, first run after gelding, do well to run a place. Tiger Territory (race 10) has been freshened up a little bit and works well on the poly. Love To Sail (race 11), it’s probably a bit short for her, but she’s quite a nice filly.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.

Dennis Drier was bullish about his team for Vodacom Durban July day, which includes three Gr 1 contenders.

Seventh Plain (Nkosi Hlophe)

He said, “I’m very happy with Seventh Plain (6^th race), I’m not worried about the 1400m trip and I think he’s a big runner. I was a little bit disappointed with Chestnuts N Pearls (5^th race) in the Allan Robertson, but I think she’s looking for further and she’s doing well and working well and I’m expecting a much better run.

“Jet Aglow (9^th race) is no champion, but she’s a very good filly and I think she’s done what she has to do to go to stud, the blinkers are coming off and if she’s more relaxed she could run into the money. Barbosa (10^th race) is a soldier and hope he can earn a cheque and at his best he could win it. Balkan (10^th race) is a half decent little filly, she won well on Met day, but up against the boys it’s not easy. She needed her last run and is now spot on and at the weights she could run into the money.

Jet Aglow (Liesl King)

“Generalissimo, Triptique and Beckefdorf (11th) are all well although Cape Town didn’t agree with Beckedorf and he may be a little ring rusty. If I really had to put my head on the block I would maybe go Generalissimo, but Triptique is also very good, he’s a lovely horse I rate him and I think he’s going places. He could be the surprise of the day but Generalissimo is a really good horse, he loves the poly and he’s still maturing. You will see the best of him as a four and five-year-old, His forte is his gate speed and he missed the break last time in the Tsogo Sun Sprint.

“Ricochet Flier (reserve 12^th) is bred to go a trip but we hope he gets in. Firewood (1^st) I rate and think he is one of my better runners on the day. J’s Outsider (4^th) ran a good race last time and he has come on since he’s been here in KZN and I think he could run into the money, it’s a tough race but he’s a runner.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.

Reigning National Champion Trainer Justin Snaith (Pictured) will be attempting to land a third Vodacom Durban July on Saturday, although his L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and J&B Met winning Dynasty colt Futura has drifted out in recent days to 6/1 joint third-favourite with Betting World.

Futura & Sean Cormack (Nkosi Hlophe)

Snaith said, “Futura is all good, it’s like pressing buttons, it’s easy. Going into the race everything is going to plan, we’ve got a few days still to go, so everyday becomes more important the closer we get to the race, but extremely happy with him. I’m not worried about anybody else in the race. I think he’s going to run a big race.”

Asked on Futura’s merit rating of 120, Snaith said, “I think there’s no such thing in South Africa as a 120, but if you ever had to give a horse a 120 you’ve got to give it to Futura. I do think they were hard on Legal Eagle; 120 for winning a Gr 3 in Jo’burg in the off season, although I’m not saying he won’t come on in time. But Futura is spot on. He’s got a lot asked of him with 60kg, it has never been done, but that’s what I like to hear.”

Lineker (Nkosi Hlophe)

Snaith runs Lineker and Star Chestnut in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m, and said, “My intention was not to bring two-year-olds to run in Gr 1s but these two have found themselves in the field. I haven’t pushed them, their races are bringing them on in a very nice way and I think they have nice futures. The jockeys are talking highly of Lineker, which is always a good sign. I’m not sure whether Star Chestnut is up to this level at this stage of his career. But, with their good draws, expect them in the money.”

Acrostar runs in one of the strongest Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Provinces in years. “Snaith said, “There’s depth in this race, it’s very strong, but with her pedigree we would be very happy with a Gr 1 top 3 here. Her previous three races were prep runs and she’s ready now.”

Star Chestnut (Nkosi Hlophe)

Snaith was “a bit disappointed” Dynamic was not in the July and said, “I think being a Gr 2 winner and some of those horses haven’t even won a feature race he should have got in. I think if he does run in the July he will be in the first three. He’s doing well at home and we expect a good run. It’s obviously a lot weaker than the July, so he will have a good chance, but I think there are some very smart three-year-olds in this race, like St. Tropez and Ultimate Dollar, and they certainly will be hard horses to beat. Ultimate Dollar is doing very well and at the weights there is not going to be a lot in it. Ultimate Dollar was very lame after he kicked the faulty gates (before being scratched from the Daily News 2000), but he’s come on since then, there’s been enough time. His gallop was very good going into this race, although obviously the starting gates are a concern. Krambambuli might be outgunned at this stage of his career, he is still very young and immature. He definitely didn’t stay in his last race over 2400m.”

He continued, “Arniston (R8) won a very good race last time, I thought he might be a little outgunned over 1400m at Scottsville, but he was quite impressive. He will love Greyville, this track is perfectly tailored for him, and I give him a place chance. But it’s a very competitive race, there are some smart individuals, so just hoping for a good race.

Muscatt (Nkosi Hlophe)

Muscatt (race 10) was given a bit too much of a penalty last time so I’m just taking some weight off him with a 4kg claimer. 1000m is a basic race to ride. Divan (Neethling) has been riding the horse everyday and has a lot of confidence in the horse and himself, so I hope for a good run here.

“Heartland is doing very well, I don’t train on poly, so this is their first time on the poly. Pedigree-wise Kingvoldt should suit the poly and action-wise Heartland should suit it. Obviously there are some very fast individuals but these are two quality horses and we’re just hoping for good races. We’re hoping Heartland is a miler, but on the poly they at least go fast. I just hope he comes out of the race well and we will then save him for the summer.”

By David Thiselton

Please note that Heartland and Krambambuli have subsequently been scratched

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.

Frank Robinson has four runners on Vodacom Durban July day and sounded most bullish about Eddie Sweat and Emperor Niarchos.

Emperor Niarchos (Nkosi Hlophe)

He said, “Eddie Sweat (race 7) is slightly touched in the wind, he’s been like that for a while and beat Al Ciberano like that, but I think he is better over 1000m as well. I’ve targeted this race and kept him fresh for it, he is definitely a runner. He is drawn a bit wide but he always tucks in, he has to be covered up. I’m not worried about draws on the polytrack especially for horses that come from behind. He’s well and will run well.”

“Emperor Niarchos (race 1) is always a horse that showed so much, he probably needs to be gelded. But he comes out fresh and often wins a good race. If he just runs to his best he will be a big runner in this type of race, he ran in a MR 100 last time in Jo’burg and ran a good race, this is much lower and I think he’s a good place bet.”

“Sounds Positive (race 2) will also run a good race, she also runs well fresh, she is a filly I’ve battled with soundness but she is very sound at the moment. She may just need it but it’s not the strongest field and I think she is also a good place bet.”

“Great Rumpus (4^th) has been disappointing, but last time he was a little bit handy. He only runs on if we leave him alone in races and in the Highland Night Cup he ran on very well.  I’m just hoping over the extra trip he will have quite a long time to get into the race. He’s well and fit but he has just an outside chance. I’m not very confident with him.”

By David Thiselton

VDJ betting now open: BiPot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 2 – estimated pool R700,000.