Who do you pick to win the Vodacom Durban July?
Horseracing enthusiasts will be laying their wagers on top race.
The famous Vodacom Durban July Handicap will take place at Greyville Race Course today and many people will be having a flutter.
For hardened punters it is a way of honing all that knowledge for a big splurge on the big day.
For the casual gambler, whose only knowledge is that horses have four legs, it is a case of choosing their lucky number, usually 7 in my case, or selecting a horse’s name you my fancy.
But who are the favourites?
Sean Tarry claimed back-to-back Durban July titles in 2012 and 2013, so it’s no surprise to see his three-year-old, Al Sahem (4/1 SportingBet) leading the way in the betting.
The Silvano progeny has won three of his six career starts to date.
They have all come Group 1 company and he is yet to finish outside the top two places.
He beat Greyville rival, Pagoda (33/1 SportingBet) over a mile-and-a-half to win the South African Derby last month, so there is no doubting he has the speed and stamina to win a handicap of this calibre.
Edict Of Nantes (9/2 SportingBet) also has a Derby title to his name this season, after Frankie Dettori ventured to South Africa to ride the 11/2 shot to victory in the Cape Derby at Kenilworth in January.
Brett Crawford’s charge got the better of Al Sahem when they clashed horns in the Daily News 2000 earlier this month, but the gap between the two will be much shorter over this longer trip.
Black Arthur (9/2 SportingBet) struggled to a seventh place finish in this contest last season, after bringing some excellent form with him to Greyville.
Five more uninspiring appearances have followed and it’s hard to see him returning to winning ways in this company.
Well-bred four-year-old, Ten Gun Salute (12/1 SportingBet) ended a long winless run on his last outing at Greyville.
He has struggled when stepping up over 10 furlongs, but that victory could serve as a much-needed shot of confidence.
Mr Winsome (16/1 SportingBet) finished third behind Ten Gun Salute at Greyville last month.
Two impressive wins, over the same trip he will tackle in this contest, sandwich that third place finish, but his record at Greyville doesn’t make for pleasant reading.
It’s proving impossible to split the favourite at the head of the market, despite Edict Of Nantes’ victory in the Daily News 2000.
Proven stamina goes a long way in this 11 furlong sprint and Al Sahem just edges Edict Of Nantes in that department.
However, Al Sahem has been handed a horrible draw in barrier one and if he fails to get off to a fast start, he’ll have a lot of ground to make up on his fellow favourite, who’s handily placed in barrier 13.
Horizon , which is in after Elusive Silva was scratched, is placed neatly in barrier 17 and he will carry the least weight with him to post, having been burdened with just 8-5.
His jockey, Richard Fourie won this race in 2014 and if Horizon runs the race he is capable of, he could perform well above his current odds.
The horses running are:
- Marinaresco
- French Navy
- Master Sabina
- Brazuca
- Krambambuli
- Saratoga Dancer
- The Conglomerate
- It’s my turn
- Ten Gun Salute
- Nightingale
- Black Arthur
- Edict of Nantes
- Al Sahem Horizon
- Mr Winsome Nebula
- Scratched
- Pagoda
- Tilbury Fort
- Safe Harbour
- Horizon
Res 1: Nebula
Other articles you may be interested in:
A look at the thoroughbred horse
Var filly highlights final day of National Yearling Sale
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