The R4.25-million (US$324,620) G1 Vodacom Durban July is the seventh race on today's 12-race card at Greyville Racecourse in Durban, South Africa. Billed as the country's premier race, it is an open Grade 1 conditions race with a set top weight of 60kgs, a capped weight of 57kgs for 3-year-old colts and geldings and a capped weight of 56kgs for 3-year-old fillies. While the 3-year-olds have a weight advantage, only three have managed to return victorious in the last 10 years.
This year, two outstanding 3-year-old colts, Edict Of Nantes (SAf) (Count Dubois {GB}) and Al Sahem (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}), together with the 4-year-old gelding Black Arthur (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}), are the current joint favorites. The Brett Crawford- trained Edict Of Nantes is the only horse in the field to have won two qualifying races, the G1 Investec Cape Derby and the G1 Daily News 2000. He impressed with his 1 3/4-length victory in the Cape Derby in January, but it was his recent Daily News victory that saw him propelled to the top of the betting boards. After racing off the pace for most of the race, Anton Marcus made his move approaching the final turn, sending Edict Of Nantes around the field and into the lead. Al Sahem, under a driving ride by Anthony Delpech, chased hard, but could not make inroads into the winner's lead.
Trained by champion trainer Sean Tarry, Al Sahem also earned an automatic entry when winning the G1 SA Derby by 1 3/4-lengths. He would have to improve on his Daily News run in order to beat Edict Of Nantes, but Tarry is not champion trainer for nothing and that finishing order could well be reversed. Edict of Nantes (54kgs) has the services of master tactician Anton Marcus and jumps from barrier 13, while Al Sahem (53.5kgs) with S'Manga Khumalo in the saddle will jump from barrier one.
Of the older horses the standouts are Marinaresco (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}), Black Arthur, It's My Turn (SAf) (Dynasty {SAf}) and the filly Nightingale (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}). Marinaresco, trained by Candice Bass-Robinson, followed his 2016 Durban July second place with victories in the G1 Champions Cup and the G2 Drill Hall S., but the top weight of 60kgs could hamper his chances. Bernard Fayd'Herbe has the ride and he jumps from barrier nine. Nightingale (55kgs), also trained by Bass-Robinson and a winner of the G1 Klawervlei Majorca S. in January, jumps from barrier six with the vastly experienced Anthony Delpech in the saddle.
Justin Snaith saddles the quartet of It's My Turn, Black Arthur, Krambambuli (SAf) (Black Minnaloushe) and the recently acquired Master Sabina (SAf) (Jet Master {SAf}). Master Sabina is an automatic qualifier due to his victory in the G1 Sansui Summer Cup, but a recent stable change may not count in his favour. It's My Turn has been winless since his runaway victory in the 2016 Cape Derby, but 55. 5kgs and the services of four- time July-winning jockey Piere Strydom could see him finish in the first four.
Black Arthur is a very popular entry, despite being winless for the entire season. Snaith is confident that a recent gelding operation has him back to his best and combined with a light weight of 54.5kgs, he could just be the one they all have to beat. Black Arthur jumps from barrier eight and Grant van Niekerk has the ride.
The trackwork standout during the week however, was last year's winner The Conglomerate (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}). With star newcomer Callan Murray fresh from a stint in Hong Kong in the saddle and 56kgs, he is best not ignored.
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