Commentary

COMMENTARY

On the scene for Saturday's Durban July

by Marie Kizenko

Durban typically has a mild winter, perfect for staging South Africa's most

prestigious event, the Durban July (SAf-G1) over 2200 meters at the Greyville

Racecourse.

However, there has been steady rain during the past week, causing the ground

to have plenty of give, and the first two races on Saturday's card have been

canceled. The sun is expected to chase away the clouds by post time tomorrow,

but the condition of the course will certainly make it a test of stamina for the

20 runners in the R3.5-million (US$344,806) feature.

"It's a very open July," summed up trainer Dean Kannemeyer, who will saddle

star sophomore Capetown Noir (Western Winter). The powerfully built colt secured

wins in the Cape Premier Guineas (SAf-G1) and Cape Derby (SAf-G1) during the

summer, and comes into this affair off a blanket-finish third in the Daily News

(SAf-G1) at Greyville June 1. Capetown Noir showed he could handle 10 furlongs

in both the Cape Derby and the Daily News, but the muddy footing has his

conditioner cautious about the additional distance Saturday evening.

"If it wasn't the July, we wouldn't be racing tomorrow," Kannemeyer

acknowledged. "My horse is a daisy cutter, really has a wonderful action. Of

course, we would want good ground, but that's not the case."

The conditioner also voiced concern about Capetown Noir's post, as the

three-year-old is out in the 15 hole.

"Obviously, I'd love to be closer to the paint," Kannemeyer admitted. "But if

they have a good, genuine pace, then it will be all right and the jockey (Karl

Neisius) will be able to drop in. If they go slow, then he'll be forced to stay

wide."

Among Capetown Noir's 19 rivals is defending titleist Pomodoro (Jet Master),

who posted a 20-1 upset 12 months ago while shouldering a 121-pound impost.

Since then, he has notched a third in the Queen's Plate (SAf-G1) and a fourth in

the J&B Met (SAf-G1), and most recently was third to Variety Club in the Gold

Challenge (SAf-G1) at Clairwood June 8.

"Pomodoro did win last year from 20, but like always, you need the luck,"

Kannemeyer added. "Pomodoro won last year with 55 (kilograms, 121 pounds). He's

good enough to win the July again, but I'm not sure if he can with 60 (132

pounds). But I do have to respect him."

Alongside Capetown Noir, another three-year-old facing his elders here is

Wylie Hall (Redoute's Choice), who made his way to South Africa after being

purchased as a yearling for A$205,000 at the 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast

Yearling Sale. The bay captured a listed event over very soft ground at

Turffontein April 6, and followed that with a win in the South African Derby

(SAf-G1) over 2450 meters on the same course April 27. He was fourth, beaten a

neck, in the Daily News, and will surely benefit over further ground here.

The racecourse will stage a 67-second moment of silence in tribute to Nelson

Mandela before the running of the July.

There are three additional Group 1 events at Greyville Saturday: the R750,000

Garden Province for fillies and mares at a mile; and a pair of R600,000

seven-furlong contests for juveniles.

Two-year-old fillies will start the sequence in the Golden Slipper (SAf-G1)

and Happy Valentine (Silvano) has looked like a potential star in winning her

first two appearances, including the Allan Robertson Championship (SAf-G1) last

out at Scottsville May 25 for trainer Vaughan Marshall. She is favorably drawn

in stall 2 with a short run to the turn.

Juvenile males will get their chance for a big prize one race later in the

Golden Horseshoe (SAf-G1). Captain of All (Captain Al) graduated in his second

start for trainer Dennis Drier before stepping up to secure the Sun Medallion

(SAf-G1) at Scottsville May 25. The bay colt has the 8 hole, while Willow Magic

(Dubawi) is stuck out in 17. Prior to finishing second in the Sun Medallion, the

Australian-bred collected the South African Nursery (SAf-G1) at Turffontein

April 27.

The popular Beach Beauty (Dynasty) leads a full field of talented distaffers

in the Garden Province, which is arguably the deepest contest of the day. Given

a brief break after finishing third in the J&B Met, the five-year-old came back

to land the Drill Hall (SAf-G2) over this course May 4, and most recently split

Variety Club and Pomodoro when second in the Gold Challenge. The Shanks

Syndicate colorbearer will have to be at her best to overcome her 16 barrier,

however.

Louvre (Doowaley) has been rounding into career form for trainer Duncan

Howells, most recently edging Espumanti (Dansili) in the Tibouchina (SAf-G2) at

Clairwood June 8. Blueridge Mountain (Giant's Causeway), a Group 1 winner at

Kenilworth in January, takes on her elders following a runner-up effort behind

Do You Remember (Silvano) in the Woolavington 2000 (SAf-G1) over this course

June 1. Do You Remember will take on the boys in the day's featured Durban July

instead.

After an early morning visit to Clairwood, where most of the main Durban July

hopes were prepping for the event, the international media were ferried a half

hour up into the hills to the idyllic Summerveld. Summerveld is a training

center operated by Gold Circle, and offers stabling for up to 1,100 head in

storybook surroundings.

Construction is currently underway to allow for 400 additional boxes. Among

the training options are a sand track that climbs steadily through 800 meters,

as well as a 2,000-meter grass gallop that also has an uphill climb, and an

all-weather strip that covers 1,200 meters. Breakfast is available in the

clubhouse, and offers a sausage, egg and cheese sandwich that is out of this

world.

After a quick tour of Greyville and getting accustomed to the ins and outs of

a new track, we were hosted by the Gold Circle leadership at a media dinner at

the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, a Durban suburb. It was held in the July Room

of the historic hotel, which was hung with racing memorabilia, and featured a

first-rate meal and standout company.

It immediately became clear upon my arrival that the Durban July is a major

event among the locals -- it got me out of a small hiccup with customs

officials, and my manicurist kept inquiring about my scheduled outfit. The theme

of this year's race is "Posh, Oh My Gosh!" and I am eager to see the 55,000-plus

attendees. Oh, and stay tuned for the 13TH race!