The Turffontein Inside meeting tomorrow holds interest for Vodacom Durban July watchers as the Mike de Kock-trained Royal Crusade runs in possibly the first leg of his bid to make the big race’s final field.

Royal Crusade

The three-year-old Silvano gelding runs in a Graduation Plate over 1600m and is entered in next weekend’s Grade 3 Track and Ball Derby over 2400m at Scottsville, which is the final opportunity for July hopefuls to show their credentials. Royal Crusade finished third in the Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas and although he was well beaten by the runaway winner Monk’s Hood he will be the one to beat tomorrow. He is selected as an exotics banker but that is only because it is a tricky card as he will be up against some useful opposition. Glider Pilot is the highest rated horse in the race and in a handicap would be giving Royal Crusade 2,5kg. He runs at level weights with him here so must have a shout. He is by A. P. Arrow so would seem to need further but his best recent run has been over this trip. He is still a July entry but disappointed in the Jubilee over 1800m last weekend, so the connections will be hoping he can impress here.

Full Mast disappointed when last facing Glider Pilot and was well beaten by him but as a son of Go Deputy he will be improving. Furthermore, he has a plum draw of three with Piere Strydom up so must be considered. Punta Cana has always struck as a classy sort and now at last goes over the trip which would suit his pedigree, being by Trippi out of a Fort Wood mare who won the Grade 2 KRA Fillies Guineas and the Grade 2 Gerald Rosenberg over 2000m. This is also his second run after gelding so he is a most interesting contender. The third De Kock horse is Puget Sound who set the pace last time over this distance and finished only two lengths behind Yakeen when receiving only 1,5kg, so as the latter went on to win the Jubilee Handicap he is another one with a chance. Top Rank won impressively on debut in a moderate maiden. However, he started at long odds that day and is merit rated only 74 so has a lot still to prove. The only filly in the race London Secret finished third in a fillies and mares feature last time so is another one who can’t be ignored.

In the first leg of the PA Carbon Atom is an improving sort who had too much ground to make up last time over 1600m when dropped out. He is now drawn in pole with Hewitson up and as a progressive two-year-old will make his presence felt. However, another two-year-old Silken Prince made a good debut over 1200m and will be a big runner from draw three under Piere Strydom.

In the fifth race over 2000m Chariot Of Gold is the obvious horse having finished third in the SA Oaks and sixth in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000. She is tipped but a danger could be Insignis, who on running style and breeding should relish the step up to 2000m. Tigerlace is also a fair sort who runs on well and she is drawn in pole.

By David Thiselton