The 129th renewal of the R5-million HWB Durban July takes centre stage at HWB Greyville on Saturday, topping a blockbuster 12-race card with the promise of record-breaking tote pools. A R2-million Pick 6 carryover is set to fuel a final pool expected to reach R15 million, while the World Pool on Race 7 offers global liquidity on a grand scale. The Quartet on the big race could climb to R10 million, and a R500,000 Jackpot Three carryover adds extra thrills late into the day.
The action continues beyond Durban: Saturday brings the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse from Sandown in the UK, and Sunday features the Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes at Turffontein.
Betway is offering generous odds on all weekend meetings, with value to be had all round, especially on the Greyville programme, where there are big fields and plenty of chances in each contest.
De Kock Racing is represented by Immediate Edge in Race 7, the Durban July, and Betway has him priced up at 9-1. Mike de Kock commented: “Immediate Edge has a tremendous amount of ability and a good turn of foot. I really rate this horse. We know he has a ‘ghost rating’ of 112 or 114, higher than his official rating. He’s going to have to up his game, and perhaps experience is against him. He has a money chance.”
Here are Mike’s comments for the stable’s other runners on ‘July’ day:
Race 6, 1400m: “Yipee Kiyay was green around the turn last time and he ran around in the straight. He’ll need gelding in time, will win his races and will be at his best over a mile. But I’d definitely include him in the Trifectas and Quartets. I’m A Fireball’s dam won the KZN Guineas and the Ipi Tombe Challenge. He works very well, never blows. We haven’t got to the bottom of him yet, his best days are to come, but I wouldn’t leave him out of anything.”
Race 8, 1600m: “White Pearl is a quality filly, perhaps bottomed out at Grade 2 level. She is gutsy, should run very well and has a good Place chance, I’d say, probably just a few pounds short of Grade 1 level. Spumante Dolce is a Grade 1 filly, she is capable of winning it but it won’t be easy. She is in a good space, but she may find Double Grand Slam a tough nut to crack, She’s a grinder, plugs away, while the Snaith filly has big acceleration.”
Race 10, 1600m: “We were hoping for a better draw for Oxalis Gold, but she is a talented filly so we’re expecting a good run. She likes to go forward and get her own way early on. With a bit of luck in running she’ll be right there.”
Race 11, 1600m: “We’ve been experimenting with Icy Blast away from sprints. We’re trying the mile, our second attempt, no real confidence from his first try. So we’re hoping for a forward run, but not much to go on over this trip, we’ll have to see.”
Mathew de Kock filed comments for the stable’s runners at Turffontein on Sunday:
Race 1, 1400m: “I was surprised to see Open Sesame start at such long odds on her debut. She ran a very good race over a trip too short. She’s a nice filly, taking on winners. But she could be up to the task, she has genuine top three prospects.”
Race 2, 1400m: “Jan Van Goyen will really appreciate stepping up to 1400m. We’re taking on Shadow Fax again, there is a weight turnaround but he beat us convincingly last time. It will be interesting to see how they shape up at level weights.”
Race 3, 1600m: “Gimmeanotherchance is working well, as he always does. On his best form he can win a race like this. Wecangoallnight is improving with racing, he should run well, has a money chance.”
Race 4, 1000m: “This is an interesting race, a Novice Handicap in which our two-year-old Constellation is up against older horses. His times over 1000m have been very good, he is a fast horse. We think he has a lot of potential. This is a unique race, we’re quietly confident he can get the job done.”
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