The first Vodacom Durban July log was out yesterday and some will claim that it contained one or two surprises while others will be happy. But as usual it is sure to draw a lot of discussion.

The recent Gr 1 winners are packed at the top of the log and include the three most fancied runners Majmu, Futura and Wylie Hall.

Legal Eagle will attempt to become the third SA Derby winner this century to win the July and is the highest placed three-year-old male on the log in fifth, one behind the highest placed three-year-old filly Majmu. There are six three-year-old fillies in the top 20 on the log, which must be a record, although it is not surprising as this could be the best three-year-old fillies crop ever seen in the country.

Three-year-old The Conglomerate was an impressive winner of the KRA Guineas last Saturday and not only was his merit rating raised to 108, but he has joined last year’s July winner Legislate on a price of 8/1 in the betting. He is one of five three-year-old males in the top 20 and finds himself in position 13, one behind the oldest horse in the top 20, the seven-year-old gelding Gold Onyx, who is known as a Greyville specialist. Gold Onyx has a history of being omitted from the July at the eleventh hour, but might now finally get his first chance to run in the big race since finishing a 2,65 length seventh in 2012.

The Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge was the only race in South Africa to make it onto the IFHA’s recent top 100 races in the world list, but the winner of this race last year, the 113 merit rated-King Of Pain, finds himself outside of the top 20 too. He finished a 1,75 length second to the log number one Futura in last season’s Gr 1 Champions Cup over 1800m despite carrying joint topweight, so the grounds for his omission from the top 20 can only have to do with his relative inactivity since then, having had only two more runs, including a lacklustre performance in the Gr 2 Drill Hall Stakes over1400m on Saturday.

Another possible surprise is the omission of the Joey Soma-trained Athina from the top 20 as she flew up for a head second in the prestigious Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes over 1800m. The reason might be that her only performance against the boys in a Gr 1 saw her well beaten in the SANSUI Summer Cup.

The twice-placed Triple Tiara bridesmaid Trophy Wife, who also finished runner up to Majmu in the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes, is not in the top 25, which could be counted as another surprise considering she comes from a vintage crop, whereas Deputy Jud, coming from a relatively disappointing crop of male three-year-olds, finds himself in position 15 on the log after Triple Crown third and second-place finishes. The reason could be that Deputy Jud has proved his stamina reserves by finishing runner up in the SA Derby.

– By David Thiselton

Picture: Wylie Hall (Nkosi Hlophe)

Following his consecutive Grade 1 wins in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and J&B Met at Kenilworth in January 2015, Futura tops the 2015 Vodacom Durban July Log as issued by Gold Circle today.

It is important to note that the maximum field size has been increased this year from 16 to 18 runners, thus allowing 18 runners to face the starter for the 2015 Vodacom Durban July and today’s initial log reflects the composition of the field as if the race were to be run at this point in time. The panel has also selected two reserve runners in order of preference and the next five favoured horses in alphabetical order.

The next Log will be issued on Tuesday, 2 June 2015

Ryan Moore, regarded by some as the best jockey in the world, achieved the rare feat of landing both the 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas over the weekend at racing’s headquarters, Newmarket in England.

The stalwart Gr 1-producing sire Galileo and the equally prolific Gr 1-winning trainer Aiden O’Brien had their respective names attached to yet another classic winner when the colt Gleneagles converted 4-1 favouritism under Moore in the 2000 Guineas on Saturday.

On Sunday the Danehill Dancer filly Legatissimo gave trainer David Wachman his first British classic winner when returning odds of 13/2 under Moore in the 1000 Guineas.

Both Guineas winners ran in the familiar blue with an orange circle colours of Michael Tabor and he owns both horses in partnership with D Smith and Mrs John Magnier.

Moore became the first since Kieran Fallon in 2005 to win both of the prestigious Guineas races in the same season. Kieran Fallon was the last to do it in 2005 when riding the Aiden O’Brien-trained pair Virginia Waters and Footstepsinthesand to respective victories. Both of the 2005 winners were also owned by Tabor and Magnier.

Therefore Moore is in position to become the first ever jockey to ride all five British classics in one season.

The shortlist of riders who have won four of the Classics in one year includes three of the greatest names in racing history, Sir Gordon Richards, Lester Piggott and Steve Cauthen.

– By David Thiselton

Picture: Ryan Moore (Thoroughbred Times)

Champion trainer Justin Snaith has declared Legislate a doubtful starter for this year’s Vodacom Durban July, but added that the Equus Horse Of The Year and reigning July champion had emerged from a starting stall incident at Greyville on Saturday sound and that “there is nothing wrong with him”.

He said that the incident had led to a lot being taken out of the superstar Dynasty colt and that as a consequence his Champions Season program might have to be curtailed. However, he added that Legislate would “definitely” line up for the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge on June 6 and that the rest of his program would still depend on the outcome of a discussion with the owners.

Snaith was angered by a couple of decisions made by officials at Greyville on Saturday that he believed had affected his prized horse, who was a shock late scratching in the Gr 2 Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m.

However, both the Chief Starter Paul Hepworth and Chief Stipendiary Steward Sean Parker defended the decisions that were made.

Legislate kicked out after being loaded and his near hind foot became stuck for a few seconds between the gates. He managed to free the foot before a handler coming to the rescue could reach him.

Snaith said that the course veterinarian’s decision to scratch the horse had been “100% correct.”

However, Snaith’s first gripe was that Legislate had been loaded ahead of three other horses, despite being known to kick in the pens. He also pointed out that a lot of money had been riding on him and that the public had been looking forward to seeing him run. He contrasted it to the handling of Act Of War, who was the hot favourite for the Winter Guineas in Cape Town the following day and had duly been loaded last.

Hepworth responded by saying that Legislate had come from Cape Town graded as a “kick in the pens.”. He pointed out that the loading sheet had clearly stated that Legislate would be loaded before three horses with more serious gradings. Therefore trainers and jockeys had been given ample opportunity to “come and have a chat”. Jockey Richard Fourie did in fact speak to Hepworth’s assistant at the start on Saturday and appeared to have been happy with the latter’s response, which included a reminder that Legislate had been in the same place in the loading order for last year’s July. Furthermore, Hepworth confirmed that he had now changed Legislate’s grading to reflect his antics on Saturday.

Snaith’s second gripe was that as a stallion who had been anticipating a race, it had been a poor decision to lead Legislate back to the parade ring on the same way around the circuit as the race and hence past the main grandstand.

Parker responded by saying that the horse was led in that direction in his best interests because a set of starting stalls and the machinery that is used to haul them had been on the turf track at the 1600m mark in anticipation of the next race, which was over 1900m on the polytrack. Going the other way he would also have had to cross the road near the Royal Durban entrance, which could potentially be used by cars between races.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Legislate (Liesl King)

The Vaal has an eight race meeting on the outside turf track tomorrow and there look to be one or two opportunities for punters.

Eye The Countess is by Visionaire who has quickly gained a reputation as a producer of precocious speedsters and on debut Eye The Countess caught the eye with a late charge having been slow away and then racing green before finally seeing daylight. Piere Strydom takes the ride and she is drawn on the right side. Aldiara beat Eye The Countess by 3,5 lengths on debut when slightly slowly way before maintaining a good pace throughout and she is also drawn on the right side. Just A Reminder is a half-sister by Captain Al to the Gr 1 winner Do You Remember. Peg O’ My Heart is by Jay Peg out of an unplaced Windrush mare who is out of an own sister to Met winner Alastor. Sharp Princess is by Dynasty out of a Gr 3-winning Tamburlaine mare.

In the second over 1200m, Prospect Strike by Toreador is out of a Mr Prospector mare who has produced a couple of precocious sorts so he could be involved from a good draw. Jayaash is yet another Mike de Kock-trained Sheikh Hamdan-owned Australian-bred and this combination has been all conquering lately, although he does have the worst of the draw. Nucky Thompson showed good pace from a tough draw on debut and should be included in all bets from a good draw especially considering he should relish the step up in trip.

Winter Al looks difficult to oppose on form in the third but is returning from a six month layoff. She has a good draw so is still the selection, but those wishing to play it safe can include Fiesta De Espana and Winter’s Hope who are both drawn on the wrong side but have some reasonable form.

The fourth over 1000m is a weak affair. Return To The Sun caught the eye with a late charge over 1000m on the sand last time to finish runner-up. Star Of Burma could be interesting having done well on debut over 1400m and now returning from a five month layoff as he struck as one that had some pace. Blackadder could shape from a good draw if repeating his last run.

In the fifth over 1200m, Doing It For Dan looks to be a progressive sprinter who could rise above his current merit rating and he is drawn on the right side. Mootahadee impressed on the sand last time and might be coming into his own so is the other one to consider.

Rock Me Var finished close up in a Gr 1 over 1400m last July but hasn’t raced since and is drawn on the wrong side. However his merit rating of 87 makes him a fair proposition.

In the sixth over 1200m, Graduation Day looks destined for bigger things and is hard to oppose off just a 76 merit rating despite being drawn on the wrong side. Barbel Run and Will Pays could follow him home.

In the seventh over 1000m, the topweight Captain’s Diva is consistent on turf and could win from a good draw with a 2,5kg claimer up. King’s V would prefer 1200m but is drawn on the right side and should be charging home late. Lady Al also has the form to go close and is not too badly drawn.

In the last over 1600m, Icy Breeze could improve over a suitable distance from a good draw. Eau De Creole is drawn on the wrong side but has caught the eye on occasion and faces a moderate field so should be thereabouts. Three-G is also drawn towards the inside but ran on well last time over course and distance after losing a couple of lengths at the start.

– By David Thiselton

Picture: Ice Pack (Nkosi Hlophe)