Wednesday, 13 June 2012: Important Vodacom Durban July developments on Monday saw two contenders scratched the top twenty and a further two being supplemented at the final supplementary date.
The Joey Ramsden trained Bravura is having a holiday and will take no further part in the Champions Season, while Mike De Kock scratched the problematic but talented Silver Flyer after another disappointing run in the Group 3 Cup Trial(1800m) at Clairwood on Saturday.
De Kock however supplemented the front-running winner of the R500 000, Group 1 Woolavington (2000m), Viva Maria. The filly, with an 88 merit rating, surprised all when she galloped away from her stable companion and Vodacom Durban July second favourite Ilha Bela, to win by four lengths at Greyville on June 2.
Lightly raced Eton Square, was supplemented by trainer Gavin van Zyl after his impressive win in the R200 000, Group 3 Bettingworld Jubilee Handicap(1800m) at Turffontein. With a merit rating of 88 and only three prior starts the son of Miesque's Approval beat the two other Vodacom Durban July entrants, Seal in position 15 and Smanjemanje in position 16 and, convincingly.
The July panel face a tough time selecting the final field, with places having to be found for the two supplementaries together with the Group 3 Cup trial winner, Gold Onyx(NZ), the Group 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge(1600m) runner-up Castlethorpe(AUS) and Group 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup(2400m) runner-up Sage Throne.
The weights for the Vodacom Durban July were announced on the 12th of June. As expected, last year's runner-up to Igugu, Pierre Jourdan, will carry top weight of 60kg.
Current short-priced favourite, Jackson, will carry the maximum weight that can be allocated to a three-year-old, of 57kg and although it will be a hefty burden, Brett Crawford's charge is extremely well in on handicap terms.
With a merit rating of 116, and taking into account the 2kg allowance on the WFA scale, Jackson is the best in at the weights. SA Derby dead-heaters, Pomodoro and Royal Bencher, both on 55kg, are 1kg out on handicap terms as is Pierre Jourdan.
Beach Beauty from the Dennis Drier yard is the top weighted filly with a hefty 58kg, while the Mike de Kock duo of fillies, Viva Maria and Ilha Bela, have been allocated 53.5kg and 53kg respectively.
Vodacom Durban July 2012 Weights
HORSE A/S WGT M/R TRAINER
0 PIERRE JOURDAN (5G) 60.0 114 B Gary Alexander
0 TALES OF BRAVERY (5G) 59.5 113 Vaughan Marshall
0 CASTLETHORPE (AUS) (4G) 59.0 112 Mike Bass
0 BEACH BEAUTY (4F) 58.0 110 Dennis Drier
0 CHESALON (4G) 58.0 110 Mike Bass
0 ILSANPIETRO (BRZ) (5G) 57.5 109 C Mike de Kock
0 SEAL (4G) 57.5 109 B Gavin van Zyl
0 JACKSON (3C) 57.0 116 Brett Crawford
0 POLAR BOUND (4G) 57.0 108 Brett Crawford
0 SMANJEMANJE (5G) 57.0 108 B Tyrone Zackey
0 ENGLISH GARDEN (4G) 56.5 107 Mike Bass
0 TOP SELLER (4C) 56.5 107 B Vaughan Marshall
0 GALANTHUS (5G) 56.0 106 Tyrone Zackey
0 GOLD ONYX (NZ) (4G) 56.0 106 Sean Tarry
0 LION IN WINTER (5G) 56.0 106 Joey Ramsden
0 SOLO TRAVELLER (4G) 56.0 106 Mike de Kock
0 BULSARA (5G) 55.5 105 B Gavin van Zyl
0 SAGE THRONE (4G) 55.5 105 Colin Scott
0 POMODORO (3C) 55.0 108 Sean Tarry
0 ROYAL BENCHER (3G) 55.0 108 Alec Laird
0 GALILEO'S DESTINY (4C) 55.0 104 Mike de Kock
0 JET JAMBOREE (4C) 55.0 104 Dominic Zaki
0 CAPTAIN'S WILD (5G) 54.0 102 Mike de Kock
0 HOUSE OF WAX (4G) 54.0 102 B Geoff Woodruff
0 TRIBAL DANCE (3C) 53.5 105 Vaughan Marshall
0 VETTEL (ARG) (3C) 53.5 105 Mike de Kock
0 VIVA MARIA (3F) 53.5 105 Mike de Kock
0 GORONGOSA (IRE) (5M) 53.5 101 B Mike de Kock
0 ILHA BELA (3F) 53.0 104 Mike de Kock
0 ZAMBUCCA (3C) 53.0 104 Saeed Mohideen
0 WHITELINE FEVER (3G) 53.0 103 Sean Tarry
0 ASTRO NEWS (3G) 53.0 102 Greg Ennion
0 GOLDEN CHATEAU (AU (3C) 53.0 102 B Mike de Kock
0 ETON SQUARE (3G) 53.0 101 Gavin van Zyl
0 BAY ROUTE (5G) 53.0 100 Deon Visser
0 PRINCESS OF LIGHT (4F) 53.0 100 Geoff Woodruff
0 SOUL MASTER (4G) 53.0 100 Geoff Woodruff
0 MASTER PLAN (3G) 53.0 99 Greg Ennion
0 BUY AND SELL (8G) 53.0 97 Sean Tarry
0 TAIPAN (3C) 53.0 97 Dean Kannemeyer
0 ICE DIAMOND (5G) 53.0 91 Glen Puller
0 EXTRA COVER (5G) 53.0 87 Alec Laird
0 GREY COSSACK (5G) 53.0 84 Herman Brown/Frank Robinson
0 CANTERBURY TALE (3G) 53.0 80 Mike de Kock
0 IRON GREY (4G) 53.0 78 Mike de Kock
0 THUNDER DANCE (3F) 52.0 102 Brett Crawford
0 ATLANTIC OAK (GB) (5M) 52.0 98 Mike de Kock
Please note:
The final field of 20 for the R3 million, Group 1, Vodacom Durban July is determined by the July log with the position of a horse on the log determined by a panel of three. This position takes into account the merit rating, current performance and Group race performance of each horse.
• Declarations will close on Wednesday, 20 June 2012
• Announcement of Final Field and Barrier Draws Thursday, 21 June 2012
SOUTH AFRICA: Big Names Withdraw From Durban July
