Durban July overview: The big race, trainers and jockeys

When I head to Durban each year I always write a preview followed by a review (which some would call an excuse sheet for my failings), but this year will be a fraction different with more of an overview of the big race plus any trainers and jockeys comments I can grab.

For those who have never heard of the Durban July, the race was first run in 1897, so it has plenty of history to it, with various world renowned sponsors such as Rothmans and more recently Vodafone.

In my view (and I am open to be shot down in flames), racing took a bit of a downturn in the last decade plus with other sports proving more popular, betting turnover decreasing, long term owners passing away, and the obligatory racing politics that seem detrimental to the entire sport the world over.

Four years ago (2022) Hollywoodbets came to the rescue to sponsor the event, increase the prize money, add plenty of razzmatazz and publicity, and basically try to save what many said was a dead duck.

That in itself creates me a moral dilemma as a Brit – a bookmaker potentially saving the sport and getting my support, surely not?

Interestingly I can easily see the business case – build and promote the sport, increase betting turnover, keep your percentage of an ever increasing pot and everyone is happy – surely life can’t be that easy and must come with issues?

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Too much control

Truth is I am sure it does, the main one possibly being too much control of the end product, but as long as there is a regulator with teeth then that doesn’t need to be or become an issue, or am I missing something?

Supporting a bookmaker does go against the grain I admit (and it’s here I confess they pay for the hotel etc for the International media), but I can put my hand on my heart and tell you they have not tried to influence my articles in any way and never have.

Apparently it genuinely looked as if racing would slowly die barring fairly intensive “surgery”, and although old duffers like me may not find the social media and “pop art” marketing ploys ideal, it isn’t me they are trying to attract, it’s the younger monied next generation.

To that end the racing is only part of the occasion – think Royal Ascot on magic mushrooms – the fashions, the sounds, the guests are all part and parcel of the experience as Durban gears up to be the place to be seen on the first Saturday of July each year with the biggest race and social occasion in Africa expecting a crowd of 40,000 plus, the mist attended race day on the continent.

Much as I am a fashion victim (ask anyone), I do love the idea of a different theme every year – last year it was *Marvels Of Mzansi, and this year it is Country Allure – and trust me, the fashionistas go to town as you will see in the review!

Centre stage

Based in the centre of the track surrounded by hospitality plus food and drink outlets it is almost another world to the racing – though to be fair the majority do stop to watch the races on the big screens and our sport still takes centre stage.

I certainly think the idea of themed days may well work in the UK as well, bums on seats and money at the tills which we all know the sport needs, but more importantly that is not the target – getting people introduced to racing and its characters and competitors is the aim, with everything else a “sideshow”.

On to the competition next and hands up who knows South African racing inside out – me neither.

It would be remiss of me just to throw names out there and I have to tell you large chunks of racing media here are similar to the UK – sitting on the fence with a good word for every runner!

That doesn’t work for me, especially not for a fiercely-competitive invitation only 11 furlong handicap which often gets rough with more hard luck stories than a football fan, so my suggestions are based on two days of trackwork at Summerveld, a dinner with trainers and jockeys, and any other snippets I could glean from wherever – here’s hoping I can report one winner on the day at the very least!

On to the racing.

A 12-race card will be a marathon not a sprint and there is no way on earth I will look to find all the winners.

Ten different trainers gave me 10 different winners with close to zero consensus on the big race itself, so we will sensibly start elsewhere, with the suggestions below given to me by those who should know a lot more than me – and in preference order.

Race 4 – Grade 3 Durban Gold Vase 3000 metres (NAP)

Stamina is the name of the game here and more than one trainer nominated Ahead Of The Fact as the best bet on the card.

Second to Dance King when staying on strongly over 2400 metres last time out in a Listed race, he will be even better suited by this marathon trip having won over 2800 metres under Richard Fourie three races back.

Reunited with the same jockey this afternoon, if he can keep tabs on the early leaders he could well outpower them all in the finish.

Race 2 – Tote B Stakes 1600 metres

All eyes here will be on the Justin Snaith trained Please Be True, (number 3), with Keagan De Melo riding then gelded son of One World.

Although second to Chasingtherainblow last time out over a furlong shorter the winner has gone in again since to frank the form, and he is far better suited by the mile which is a bonus, though we do need to assume he will take to the polytrack so any bets should be reduced accordingly!

Race 12 – Metro FM 1200 metres

I always feel sprints come with inherent issues such as a good start, luck in running, and so on, but my friends here insist that if I have any money left by the last race (however unlikely), it needs to be placed on Claire De Lune, another representing top trainer Justin Snaith who has chances throughout the card.

Her form fails to point her out as the good thing I am told, with a third at Kenilworth before being outrun late on to come home third, and her win record could certainly be a much higher percentage, but if the excellent Richard Fourie can get the best out of her she could see off the interesting Scarlet Starlet, who may even be my pick if I dabble in the forecast for a fun bet.

Race 7 – Hollywoodbets Durban July 2200 metres

If there was a horse called Haventaclue he or she would get my vote as this race is difficult to solve – but it’s the main race so I feel morally obliged to at least have a say, however worthless that may turn out to be. Racing does love a fairytale and for that reason we have to consider Andrew Fortune who rides Wish List for that man Justin Snaith.

Now a “young” 58 year old, he spent years out of the game after what I will politely call personal issues, but he is now back in the saddle and riding plenty of winners once more – class never fades and if there is a surprise, who is to say he can’t provide it?

Justin Snaith remains South African racing’s “golden child”, and with a handful of the runners he arrives mob-handed, but after chatting with him this morning and trying hard to read between the lines the young filly could be the one.

She is as tough as teak, loves a fight against the colts and won’t be backing off come what may, and her form is there for all to see with an apparently untapped reserves of stamina to call upon, and if her trainer’s enthusiasm is translated to the track I can see her running a massive race as she attempts to break all the statistics for the race, though being a coward I will only be risking my money each way.

To follow – all the colour and all the stories from race day – it’s going to be a racing party like no other!