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The Vodacom Durban July has been thrown into confusion with the early favourites Vercingetorix and Cherry On The Top both ruled out of the R3.5-million race over 2200m at Greyville on July 6.
Vercingetorix, trained by Mike de Kock, is unbeaten in four starts including victories in the G1 Daily News 2000 and the G1 KRA Guineas, both run at Greyville.
“He is out,’’ said De Kock from the UK where he is currently preparing Shea Shea for his Royal Ascot engagement this week.
“He has a long international campaign ahead so I don’t want to risk his long-term soundness. Also I have serious reservations about his stamina.’’
Vercingetorix had been priced up as favourite but bookmakers suspended betting when the connections of Horse of the Year Variety Club hinted at the possibility that the dual Rising Sun Gold Challenge winner may be supplemented into the Durban July.
However that did no eventuate after they decided not to test him over 2200m. In his only race over further than 1600m in the Investec Derby over 2000m at Kenilworth last year Variety Club was run out of it late by Jackson.
The Mike de Kock yard notified Gold Circle that Vercingetorix would be a doubtful starter without giving a reason.
De Kock is currently in England preparing Shea Shea for the Royal Ascot meeting,
De Kock said: “He didn’t pull up 100% and has an international campaign ahead, so I don’t want to risk his long term soundness.
“Also, I have serious reservations about his stamina.”The champion trainer also scratched a number of other horses that looked unlikely to make it into the final field. They were Mujaarib, Galileo’s Destiny, Sanshaawes, Alexandra Palace, Tequila Sunrise, Ilha Bela and Izora.
Vercingetorix was supplemented for the July shortly after his KRA Guineas win and was immediately installed as favourite.
However, when Cherry On The Top was supplemented the following week, she replaced him at the top of the boards.
The three-year-old filly arrived in Durban on the back of her famous Triple Tiara triumph and was sent out an odds on favourite for the Woolavington 2000 in her last start but clearly wasn’t herself on the day and finished fourth.
Cherry On The Top’s trainer David Ferraris notified Gold Circle that he would be vacating his stables at Clairwood and moving his horses back to his Turffontein base in Johannesburg. Cherry On The Top and Knock On Wood were subsequently withdrawn from the July.
Other July entrants taken out were the Paul Peter-trained Enchanted Kingdom and the Yogas Govender-trained Caymen Island.
As things stand last year’s winner Pomodoro will carry the July top weight of 60kg.
The only new entrant was the Mike Bass-trained River Crossing, winner of the G3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup in his last start.
Variety Club also looks like having to miss his intended target of the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita in California in November.
Derek Brugman, racing manager for owners Markus and Ingrid Jooste, confirmed the July situation yesterday and added: “The route we are now planning is for Variety Club to go with the Mike de Kock horses via Mauritius and hopefully get to Hong Kong in time for the Hong Kong Mile in December.
“We have received an official invitation. We could then look at the Dubai carnival, race him in Europe and then possibly go for next year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile before bringing him back to stand at stud in South Africa.”
Justin Snaith’s leading Durban July entry Run For cruised home to win an Allowance Plate at Greyville on June 14
Snaith’s backup for the Vodacom Durban July is Jet Explorer who looks likely to be ridden by Anthony Delpech.
“There is no standout in the July this year and Run For It with 56.5kg looks ready,” Snaith said.
“I am going into the July quietly confident with these two sound horses. Jet Explorer is certain to run a big race and if Run For It produces his best he will take a lot of beating.”
