July Day – Stable round up and comments

Unrivalled as Africa’s greatest sporting and social event, July 4 will again attract more than 50 000 of the country’s bold, brash and beautiful to Greyville Racecourse in Durban for the R3 million Vodacom Durban July.

It is in fact 112 years ago in July 1897 that seven runners faced the starter at the inaugural meeting of the new Durban Turf Club.

With the countries finest horses competing in the 12 carded races it provides spectators and fans a feast of equine excellence, and is unquestionably the greatest and most prestigious horse racing event on the continent.

Revenue generated, accumulates to a massive spree of over R190-million on the day with R36-million splurged on the outcome of the main race alone.

Mike Bass has carded 11 runners for the day including 4 entries for the feature event. Defending joint champion Pocket Power heads the Bass quadrant and tops the board as the reigning 2/1 favourite, while his sister River Jetez is touted as the current second favourite at 4/1. Meteor Shower and Thundering Jet will have to step up to their biggest challenge lining up at 150/1 and 100/1 respectively and putting them jointly at the opposite end of the board in the favoured betting.

As customary the website will be reporting on a daily basis as we count down the final week to the 4th of July, and you can tune in for the latest pics, video’s, gallops and stable interviews on the featured home page article.

But let’s get down to business with a break down of all the Bass runners in their respective races.

VODACOM DURBAN JULY (Grade 1)

Pocket Power

Draw: 12

Jockey: Bernard Fayd’Herbe

Owned By: N.M Shirtliff/Mr and Mrs A Webber

Interbet Odds: 24/10

Runs 30

Wins 16

Places 11

The defending champion and current reigning horse of the year carries the top allocated weight of 58 kg and even with his mammoth merit rating at 126 he still has more than half the field out at the weights. His preparation has been perfect and he remains unbeaten in 2009. Mike has had a much sounder race horse to work with this season and despite a few minor foot troubles, heads into the race very well prepared. He strode out well in his grass gallop at Greyville on Thursday and Bernard gave him an enjoyable workout before pulling him up well short of the finish to avoid the gravel crossing. He galloped in a time of 123.5 seconds with stable companion Nevvay.

His draw of 12 is by no means a discerning factor and Bernard will try and have him settled in midfield just off the rail if things pan out his way.

He has shown his versatility by racing a lot handier in his last two starts and if things go his way he will be the horse they’ll all have to catch at the finish. He is giving away a lot of weight which will make his task a difficult one, but we are still optimistic that he is up to this challenge.

River Jetez

Draw: 15

Jockey: Glen Hatt

Owned By: Marsh Shirtliff/ Mr and Mrs C A Amm

Interbet Odds: 5/1

Runs 24

Wins 6

Places 16

It is a first time occurrence that full siblings lie first and second in the betting for the July. Many see her as the one to topple his thrown and with an equally good preparation she has a realistic chance of doing so. At five years old she appears to be at her peak making steady improvement through her career and she has matured into a smashing looking filly. The siblings previously met in the Gold Challenge where she finished 4th just 3 lengths back behind her brother carrying 2.5 kg less on that occasion. She comes into the July carrying 51.5 KG and many form pundits take this weight turnaround as her determining edge. She is most certainly distance suited and will have an outstanding chance if she doesn’t have too much to make up at the death. Glen Hatt knows the mare well after running on strongly to finish 3rd in this years running of the J&B Met and he will be dead set on setting that record straight.

Thundering Jet

Draw: 3

Jockey: Muzi Yeni

Owned By: Mr I Longmore

Interbet Odds: 150/1

Runs 22

Wins 4

Places  8

A huge task lies ahead for this son of Jet Master but he does have a few positive factors in his favour - Good recent form over the track and distance, a good draw at 3, he is exceptionally fit, and has a light galloping weight of 51kg to shoulder. He represents long odds at 100/1, but for the extremist supporter this may be a good roughie to place in all exotics, and in our opinion he represents some real value at this price on offer. All said it will be satisfying should he make the frame but he will certainly have to run well above himself to achieve this.

Meteor Shower

Draw: 6

Jockey: Kelvin Jupp

Owned By: Anfield Sports (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr M Aronstam) and Messrs G L Blank and D I Scott

Interbet Odds: 200/1

Runs 24

Wins 7

Places 6

Well drawn at 6 but realistically has very little chance in a field of this quality. This 6 year old entire is exceptionally well bred and has proved to be a quality stayer having already notched up 7 career victories. But you know what they say, notta ticket notta chance!

Runners Comments

Race 1- MR 80 (2400m)

Golden Parachute

Draw (2)

Galloped well on Thursday. He is developing into a really nice stayer and will be well suited to this distance. In this company he should have a good each way chance.

Race 3- Gr3 SABC Sport (2200m)

Bill Of Rights

Draw (8)

He is always difficult to assess as he is very unreliable, but can never be discounted. He is capable of putting up a good show if things go his way.    

Nevvay

Draw (15)

Has been doing exceptionally well in Durban this season but unfortunately is drawn wide. If he has luck in the running, he definitely will be a threat.

Judged Excellent

Draw  (9)

Got hit by a clod last time which affected his run. His work has been good and he is well weighted in this field. He may well be concerned in the finish this time.

Race 5- MR 80 (3000m)

Diamond Quest

Draw (5)

Surprisingly he seems to be showing his old best. His gallop on Thursday was very good and he could well be the surprise package in this field. The reports were that he should have finished a lot closer in the Lonsdale the last time out.

Race 8- F&M 80hc (1400m)

Sing Dixie Sing

Draw (18)

She is well suited to this distance and the field doesn’t appear too competitive. Unfortunately she is drawn very wide which she will have to overcome. From a good draw we would race her with a good chance in the field.

Race 10- Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes (1600m)

Consensual

Draw (18)

Found the 2000m of the Woolavington too far last time and will be better suited to this trip. She is however badly drawn again and looks to have no easy task from there. She has come through her prep well and we are hoping for a good run.