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Jockey Karis Teetan is optimistic that he can overcome the considerable problems posed by hot favourite Jackson's number 18 barrier draw in the Vodacom Durban July at Greyville on Saturday week.

He said: “We were a little disappointed by the draw – it would have been better if we were in the first ten – but I am not too worried.

“There is not that much speed on my inside and many of the best horses are drawn towards the outer. Jackson has a lot of speed away from the gate, you can ride him from anywhere and you go 600-700m before you start to turn.

“Brett Crawford and I still have to sit down and discuss tactics but I will do what I always do and that is ride him with confidence.

“This is my fourth July ride so I have the necessary experience and I know that I am on the best horse in the race.”

The 22-year-old Mauritian, who has ridden over 100 winners this season, has been studying Anton Marcus.

Teetan said: “Anton is very good at the gate. He bounces his horses out, often straight to the front.”

Marcus, bidding for a history-making fifth July win, rides the Mike de Kock-trained Vettel who has been backed from 20-1 in to 15-2 joint second favourite with stable companion Ilha Bela in the last week.

The favourite will be under pressure if Teetan is unable to get him in – or is shuffled back – by the time the field reaches the start of the long horseshoe bend taking them from the back straight to the home straight.

Not since Jackson's sire Dynasty won from stall 20 in 2003 has the July winner been drawn higher than 13.