Durban July day form, preview & free tips
Our Greyville tips, form and preview focus on a blockbuster 12-race card, headed by the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July Grade 1.
In a major break from years past, the Hollywoodbets Durban July will be run as a genuine handicap, with several of the country’s highest-rated gallopers withdrawn, including last year’s winner The Real Prince.
MORE: South African horse racing
That said, it is a competitive line-up and being a true handicap, the theory is that all have an equal chance. Betting sites‘ ante-post favourite Star Major has built up a rapport with French rider Mickaelle Michel, the pair winning their last two in the KZN Guineas Gr 1 and the Daily News 2000 Gr 1.
Mocha Blend won the Betway Summer Cup Gr 1 at long odds, but those that had paid attention were not wholly surprised. Frank Robertson’s mare is a strapping individual and has always had a touch of class.
Gareth van Zyl saddles the stayer King Pelles, who was at the peak of his powers last year and won the Gold Vase Gr 3 over 3000m on the July card, while Justin Snaith has his usual strong hand headed by top-class filly Wish List.
The supporting Gr 1 feature is the Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes, where last year’s winner Double Grand Slam has a tricky draw to contend with as she tries for back-to-back wins.
Race 1
Greentube Class 4(Open. Benchmark At 60.0kg = 82)
Tough handicap. SOMMERSTERN (10) made a winning KZN debut in good fashion. He has a tricky draw and makes his poly debut, which is a concern. PLACE OF PRACTICE (3) was a recent maiden winner, but enjoyed the step up in trip and the poly track. SONG TO THE MOON (8) has consistent Cape form over further, but is never far back and if taking to the poly he will be competitive. MAGMA MAGIC (11) has come well of late winning his last two and is unbeaten under Tristan Godden. If he takes to the poly he will be a factor.
Our tip: 10-3-8-11
Race 2
Tote B Stakes(For All Horses)
IMPERIAL POWER (11) is back on his favourite surface. He has consistent form and should feature in a wide open race. PLEASE BE TRUE (3) has some useful Cape form in good company. His last two starts were in the soft so the poly should suit. ROYAL SWORD (8) is a poly specialist and started favourite at his last three. SUN DANCE KID (12) has the widest draw, but has excellent poly form and a 1.5kg allowance from the saddle.
Our tip: 11-3-8-12
Race 3
Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200 (Grade 3)(Hcp)
LA PULGA (10) showed up well in his local debut from a wide draw. He boasts smart Cape form. OTTO LUYKEN (12) is a past winner of this race. He showed his best form last time out. MAGIC VERSE (3) has made steady recent improvement and should be cherry-ripe. IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA (5) is holding form well and was narrowly beaten last time out.
Our tip: 10-12-3-5
Race 4
Durban Gold Vase (Grade 3)(For All Horses)
CURIOUS GIRL (1) goes this trip for the first time, but stays well has the best of the draw and a light weight. AHEAD OF THE FACTS (10) has shown up well in two warm-ups on this course. He should be right there. SHOOT THE RAPIDS (8) stays well and is in mustard form. He should be involved in the finish. VIHAAN’S BOMB (13) won well to much weaker last time out but he stays well and also has a light weight.
Our tip: 8-1-10-12
Race 5
Amusnet Golden Slipper (Grade 2)(For 2 Yof R100 000 Win Bsa)
ALICE B TOKLAS (7) won well first up over course and distance. She has a decent draw and can follow up. ROYAL TIARA (3) was second best behind Alice B Toklas when last they met but is likely to have come on from that run. TUDOR ROSE (2) took on males when shedding her maiden on debut. The blinkers go one from a handy draw. OCEAN MISTRESS (10) shows promise and will enjoy the step up in trip.
Our tip: 7-3-2-10
Race 6
Omoda Golden Horseshoe (Grade 2)(For 2 Yo R100 000 Win Bsa)
VIBE CHECK (1) has the best of the draw and is a strong front runner. He rates the one to eat. KAZENOYONI (10) was second best behind Vibe Check when last they met but expect a change of tactics coming from off the pace. PRAYERSANDPROMISES (12) was an easy winner when stepped up in trip. RED SPICE (7) may just have needed his last run. Up in trip but has smart Cape form. ST HARRY (11) returns from a break but shows promise and should put in a big effort.
Our tip: 1-10-11-7
Race 7
Hollywoodbets Durban July Gr 1
MOCHA BLEND (13) showed her class when winning the Betway Summer Cup Gr 1. She was getting weight from most but won with authority. She has had a faultless preparation and should put in a big run. KING PELLES (17) has a tricky draw to overcome but stays well and was at his peak this time last year. STAR MAJOR (4) is the best three-year-old in the country and comes off two cracking wins in the Guineas and the Daily News. He tends to come from a long way off the pace and will need some luck in running in an 18-horse field. WISH LIST (7) is at the top of the three-year-old fillies and is a class act. She won her last start from a seemingly hopeless position.
Our tip: 13-17-4-7
Race 8
Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes Gr 1
DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (10) has a tricky draw to contend with as she tries for back-to-back Garden Province wins. She ran a cracked over a distance too short last outing and should go close again. MON PETIT CHERIE (6) just failed to catch QUICKSTEPGAL (7) when jumping from a wide gate. She has a better draw here and can turn the tables although it should be tight. KEUKENHOF (8) has been close-up to star filly Wish List at her last two and a win would not be out of order.
Our tip: 10-6-7-8
Race 9
Post Merchants (Grade 3)(Open)
BUFFALO STORM CODY (9) has a big weight and was narrowly beaten by JERUSALEMA RAIN (6) last time out. He meets his rival on 4kg better terms and should turn the tables. The blinkers are back on. SPEEDMAN (8) has won four of his six starts and has a handy galloping weight. He has a fair draw and looks more than capable. KAALVOET (1) was a touch unlucky last run in the Golden Horse Gr 2, however, he got a hefty five-point jump in the handicap.
Our tip: 9-8-1-6
Race 10
Premier Gateway International Hcp (Listed)(Hcp)
Wide open. GREEN GATEWAY (5) steps up to a mile but did finish strongly to win last time out with first time blinkers. MOHAVE PRINCE (2) has come good recently and his last win was over course and distance. He has a favourable draw. IMPOSING (7) was touched off by July runner ZEITZ last time out. He has won over course and distance and has a fair draw. JP’S PALACE (14) has the worst of the draw but is never far back. With some luck in runner he will be competitive.
Our tip: 5-2-7-14
Race 11
Race Coast Middle Stakes (F & M)(For Fillies And Mares)
ANCHORAGE (1) has improved in blinkers. If she takes to the poly from the best of the draw she will be a strong contender. BUTTERCUP BABY (3) took on much stronger from a tough draw last time out. Her last two wins were on the poly. ONE SMART COOKIE (6) is seldom far behind and should put in another honest run. MISS WORLD (11) has drawn wide but is seldom out of the money and is in good form.
Our tip: 1-3-6-11
Race 12
Metro Fm – Class 4 (F & M)(For Fillies & Mares. Benchmark At 60.0kg = 82)
CAPTAIN’S PRIDE (12) has a wide draw to contend with but has useful recent form and has done well on the poly. SCARLET STARLET (2) may just have needed her last run after making a winning debut. From a good draw she can feature. WHAT A STAR (4) is a poly specialist over course and distance and has a favourabe draw. THOUGHT CONTROL (9) has been knocking at the door and has shown up well in her last two over course and distance. Pre-race favourite Clair De Lune is priced at around 3.00 to win this with HollywoodBets (Hollywoodbets review).
Our tip: 12-2-4-9
