SOUTH AFRICA: July Lead Up Starts

Sunday, 20 May 2012: The R300 000 Betting World 1900 on Tuesday night at Greyville is the first of the lead up races for the Vodacom Durban July since the first log was published on the 9th of May.

The race is packed with borderline cases for the Vodacom Durban July as well as a number of horses that have secured their place in the final line-up but are using the race as a stepping stone into the big race.

Chesalon , who missed the Group 1 J & B Met through injury and currently occupies the eleventh spot on the log, heads the line-up. The son of Fort Wood opened his Champions Season campaign with a strong second behind current Vodacom Durban July third favourite, Tales Of Bravery, in the R300 000, Group 2 Drill Hall Stakes(1400m).

Brett Crawford, trainer of Vodacom Durban July favourite Jackson , saddles the smart Polar Bound .

Already in the top twenty in position fourteen, he opened his Durban campaign with a convincing victory in a MR 95 Handicap over 1600m at Greyville. Polar Bound has come to hand as a four-year-old, winning four of his last five starts, including the R300 000, Group 2 Peninsula Handicap (1800m) at Kenilworth in the Cape.

Classy Beach Beauty  from the in-form Dennis Drier stable is the one could spoil Polar Bound's party.

Finishing fifth, 1.85L off Igugu in the R2.5 million, Group 1 J & B Met(2000m), Beach Beauty started her Champions Season campaign in fine style when runner-up to the 2011 Champion Two Year Old Filly, Princess Victoria, in the R150 000, Group 3 Poinsettia Stakes(1200m) at Clairwood.

A daughter of past Vodacom Durban July winner, Dynasty, Beach Beauty is much better suited to the 1900m of the Bettingworld 1900 and will be fighting out the finish under Sean Cormack. Currently in position six on the log, Beach Beauty is assured of a run in the Vodacom Durban July and will be using the race as a preparation for the big race.

Borderline cases include Sean Tarry's Gold Onyx(NZ) and Mike de Kock's Solo Traveller, Berry Blaze(IRE) and Golden Chateau(AUS). Gold Onyx, who was unlucky not to make the 2011 Vodacom Durban July field, is in position 25 and a good effort could see him move up into the top twenty.

Golden Chateau in position 21 and Berry Blaze in position 27 could move into contention with a strong effort, but Solo Traveller, who is outside of the top 30, will have to win in order to secure a start in the Vodacom Durban July.