All 4 of our runners are in good shape for the July meeting, said Mike Bass from his Durban base in Clairwood. This years Durban July is as close to a true handicap as we can expect, and with no real stand out horse, racing fans could look forward to what may be the best we have had for many years.

The traditional battle between the three year olds and the older horses wavers on. According to the experts the three year old crop of this year has been touted as the best for some time. The current betting supports this theory with Irish Flame and Bold Silvano atop the boards, in particular Irish Flame is difficult to oppose on his current form and with De Kock in command, he certainly is a well accounted for favourite.

With regards to the final field of 20, I’m not sure the best 20 were selected, a few horses were a bit stiff in my opinion, but arguments can be made for every horse and what really counts is that we have assembled a really top class and exciting line up for Africa’s greatest race on Saturday.

Mike is very happy with all our horses’ preparations thus far, and we caught up with him for his views:

Our July runners, their gallops and Mike’s comments

Pocket Power

Draw 17

Ridden by: Bernard Fayd’Herbe

With a draw of 17, the champion has it all to do. The betting suggests the public have looked elsewhere for value and in general may prefer the lure of his younger adversaries. It is certainly a worthy debate. The thing with Pocket Power, is he has done little wrong. Without looking for excuses we felt the Clairwood track has not suited him. His first win of the season at Greyville in the pinnacle 1400 was devastating and he simply has not been able to replicate this sufficiently at Clairwood due to the conditions, but being group placed twice this season was good enough for us to think he has every chance in this race.

His official July gallop with Fort Vogue over 1400 at Greyville was excellent and Bernard was very confident that he will be at his very best for this race after he completed the last 2 furlongs in one of the fastest times for the day in 24.23 seconds.

It is going to be tough for him being an older horse now but we must feel he has every chance to win on Saturday.

Mike has him in great shape, and we expect him to be running on from the tail to be right there. At 5/2 to make the first 4, this must represent excellent value and should he manage to win on the eve of his 8^th birthday it would be one of the greatest achievements in racing history. 11/1

River Jetez

Draw: 9

Ridden By: Jeff Lloyd

The reigning J&B Met champion and full sister to Pocket Power galloped with Love Is In The Air. Jeff Lloyd was very complimentary about her gallop and said: “She feels great and is moving very well” This mare has had an outstanding preparation and it seems the older she gets the better she becomes. She is fortunate enough to have the services of Jeff who will jump her from a 9 draw and makes a huge appeal at the weights with 55kg on her back.  She will be a huge runner. 6/1

Fort Vogue

Draw: 11

Ridden by: Anton Marcus

Drawn 11 Anton Marcus has the ride. His 4^th placing in the Met this year was promising and we have always eyeballed this July as his main mission. He has been sparingly raced and we feel that his preparation has been perfect. He is currently at level weights with the 3 year old favourite Irish Flame. His gallop alongside the Champion was expected. He only does what he has to, but he will be fitted with blinkers for the July and both Anton and Mike are very happy with the way things have gone for him. If he is good enough he will have an excellent winning chance. 13/2

Love Is In The Air

Draw: 5

Ridden by: Gavin Lerena

Considered a long shot in a race like this, and at this stage of her career, but she is a group 1 and 7 time winner so we feel we should take our chances. There has been some talk of her not getting the trip but she won The Oaks as a 3 year old, so she has no stamina doubts. This race is renowned for ‘roughies’ making the frame, and our hope for her is that she may be one of them.

 We have always rated her highly and from a 5 draw she may finish strongly with Gavin Lerena up. She galloped very well with Bernie up and Mike feels she has come on really well. “She looks terrific and will be back to her best” said Mike. 60/1

Neck on the block – Selection time

We would like to think that all of our horses will make the frame but in stand out field like this, that would be rather optimistic. There is not much between our three main contenders (Pocket, River and Vogue) and it will be a tough one to call as they show equal appeal. Should we have to put our neck on the block, perhaps River Jetez or Pocket Power, and that would be purely on their well being and current form.

Most of the runners on Saturday come in with a fair winning chance but after forcing Mike Bass for a selection, he felt that perhaps the treasured sash might just belong to one of the following:

Mike Bass’s July selections: (In no particular order)

Pocket Power

Bold Silvano

Fort Vogue

River Jetez

Ancestral Fore

Russian Sage

Orbison

The sangoma bone-throwing tradition yielded a win for Orbison followed by Fabiani, Vertical Takeoff and Flying Tristram. Mmmm

Best of luck to all the participants and connections and as usual may the best horse win.

See you soon

The Bass’s