Saturday's sees the running of the 2024 Durban July at Greyville Racecourse and we have a free betting tips for every race on the card
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Race 1: 11:45 TABGOLD FM 80 HANDICAP (F & M) 1400m (Poly)
We are on the polytrack for the first race of the day and 2 year old Lock and Key is a warm order after an impressive wide margin win on debut. Record breaking jockey Richard Fourie is booked again and that performance deserves respect but she takes on older horses here and is on the poly for the first time.
I like Vihaan's Queen for a place. She has had 2 runs on the poly, a close up fourth and a narrow win and although she took a hike in the ratings for that victory Rachel Vennicker takes off 1.5kg and she can run into the top 4.
Selection: Each way Vihaan's Queen at around 16/1
Race 2: 12:25 OMODA MR 96 HANDICAP 1400m (Poly)
We stay on the polytrack and at the same trip but move up in grade for the second race. The favourite is The Grey King who ran a much fancied July runner Flag Man close (giving weight) 2 starts back and he had excuses in his last run in a Grade 1. He comes up against some specialists on this surface one of whom is Queue Wing who had finally cracked a draw and I make him a speculative play.
Selection: Each way Queue Wing at around 10/1
Race 3: 13:05 Splashout 2200 (Grade 3) (C & G) 2200m
We switch to the turf which is race for some horses who did not make the cut for the Durban July and the first leg of the Place Accumulator looks wide open. As with the first 2 races I'll take a speculative each way play hoping to add to the bank roll for the main events to come without doing to much damage to the account balance. The Cape Town raider Baratheon has no weight on his back, is distance suited and could surprise.
Selection: Each way Baratheon at around 20/1
Race 4: 13:40 DSTv Gold Vase (Grade 3) 3000m
What is projected to be a R20m Pick 6 starts here and it's far from straightforward but Raiseahallelujah, Down To Business and Breeze Over are leading contenders. It doesn't stop there, many with chances and I'll look to Indian Ocean, who has some eye catching weight swings in his favour on collateral form as another value each way play.
Selection: Each way Indian Ocean at around 14/1
Race 5: 14:20 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper (Grade 2) 1400m
The 2 year old girls step out in Race 5 and Gimmies Countess looks the one to beat. An impressive winner on debut she had no luck in running when 0.65 lengths behind the more experienced Quid Pro Quo over 1200m last time out. They renew rivalry over an extra 200m and the tables can be turned. Sourceress Supreme was staying on in that same race, she has a wide gate to overcome now but looks way overpriced at 50/1 and could make the first 4.
Selection: Win Gimmie's Countess at around 12/10
Sourceress Supreme to run in the first 4 at around 11/2
Race 6: 15:00 Durban Golden Horseshoe (Grade 2) 1400m
Another juvenile feature and the field is all colts and geldings. Truth is 2 wins from 2 without having to get out of 2nd gear and is clearly a top prospect but has competition in the shape of Great Plains and stable mates Proceed and Cosmic Speed. The latter, Cosmic Speed is having his third run after gelding and looks a decent each way bet given he is drawn much better than his rivals.
Selection: Each way Cosmic Speed at around 17/2
Race 7: 16:00 Hollywoodbets Durban July (Grade 1) 2200m
The big one and you can make some sort of case for plenty of the field. There is a quartet carry over with a pool of around R15m expected and it could well pay rockets.
Last years Durban July winner Winchester Mansion and runner up See It Again are in the field, Future Swing is the choice of Richard Fourie and Green With Envy, Oriental Charm, Flag Man, Purple Pitcher and Barbaresco are top 3 year olds, all with chances.
Those who read our preview of the Summer Cup at Tuffontein in November 2023 will know we labelled Royal Victory at 66/1 and trainer Nathan Kotzen's 4yo gelding duly obliged under jockey Muzi Yeni. Since then he has followed up with a win in the Grade 1 Premier's Champions Challenge, also at Turffontein in April, confirming the Summer Cup win was no fluke. This is his biggest test to date but he has drawn Gate 1, this is essentially a “home game” and whilst I am totally biased as my wife has a small share in him, he should give us a good run for our money in a race which has been a long term target.
Selection: Win Royal Victory at around 10/1
Race 8: 17:00 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes (Grade 1) 1600m
A Grade 1 for the girls and a super field full of class acts including but not limited to Double Grand Slam, Silver Sanctuary, Rascova, Humdinger and Red Palace. The draw favours Double Grand Slam but she is a tentative choice for a conservative stake to win.
Selection: Win Double Grand Slam at around 5/2
Race 9: 17:40 Post Merchants (Grade 2) 1200m
Over to the sprinters and it's wide open so if you are still going in the Pick 6 I hope you have gone wide or have spotted something I haven't.
A number of fancied runners are coming back in trip, the draw is a big factor too but I will chance my arm with Teflon Man who I'm hoping we haven't seen the best of yet.
Selection: Each Way Teflon Man at 10/1
Race 10: 18:20 Compendium Insurance Brokers Handicap (Listed) 1600m
Still 3 races to go under lights and stamina on my side is running out but this is another opportunity for those of us who are still battling on. A lot of the horses I like are drawn wide which puts me off but I will have a small each way on Lady Heist to be a factor from gate 2.
Selection: Each way Lady Heist at around 10/1
Race 11: 18:50 Brentford FC – Pinnacle Stakes 1600m
If you're not flagging by now I certainly will be so just a quick pick here in the shape of Gauteng Raider Just Be Lekker.
Selection: Win Just Be Lekker at around 6/1
Race 12: 19:40 Gagasi FM - Mr 90 Handicap 1000m (Polytrack)
If you think this race is competitive it will be nothing compared to the race to secure an Uber so I will suggest an each way on Quandary and lets hope we have made some cash.
Selection: Each way Quandary at around 10/1
You are more than welcome to share your own views on the Durban July thread on our discussion forum where knowledgeable horse racing punters from our community post their own tips. If you would like to join in you can register for an account here
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