The Vodacom July barrier draw for 2009 was done at Greyville's Stewards Room to a packed invited guest list that included some of the who's who of racing and Durban's society.
From a racing perspective, Pocket Power, the defending champion and triple J&B Met winner drew 12 while his full sister, River Jetez, was slightly wider at 15. Mike De Kock got the worst of the draws this year when Forest Path, Zirconeum and Bouquet-Garni all drew wide positions. Charles Laird announced a late switch of jockey for Smart Banker who drew 17 whilst stable mate Our Giant drew 2. He mentioned that due to Our Giant's favourable position, Anton Marcus, his stable elect would now switch mounts from Smart Banker.
Duncan Howells was thrilled with his position for Tropical Empire at 1 but did mention that although he does not have the best horse in the event, he gets his position in the race "for free" as he put it.
Steve Sturlese's Outcome made the final field along with Roy Moodley's London Guest trained by Tony Rivalland. Outcome is the reigning Garden Province champion and some felt that this Greyville specialist may opt for that race again this year. Cape Town is another who sneaked into the event off a merit rating of 97. The spread of ratings this year is a full 24 points which makes for an interesting race and with many runners under sufferance.
Give us your fancy for the "July" in the comments section below, from 1st to 4th in order.
DRAW 2009: VODACOM DURBAN JULY
|
No
|
Draw
|
Horse
|
Age
|
Wgt
|
MR
|
Equip
|
Jockey
|
Trainer
|
|
1
|
12
|
POCKET POWER |
6 B g
|
58
|
121
|
A
|
B |
Fayd'Herbe |
Mike Bass |
|
2
|
2
|
OUR GIANT (AUS) |
5 Ch g
|
55
|
115
|
BA
|
A |
Marcus |
Charles Laird |
|
3
|
13
|
BUY AND SELL |
5 B g
|
53
|
111
|
T A
|
F |
Coetzee |
Sean Tarry |
|
4
|
5
|
KAPIL |
6 B g
|
52.5
|
110
|
A
|
P |
Strydom |
Stan Elley |
|
5
|
17
|
SMART BANKER |
4 B g
|
52.5
|
110
|
A
|
B |
Nyawo |
Charles Laird |
|
6
|
15
|
RIVER JETEZ |
5 B m
|
51.5
|
108
|
A
|
G |
Hatt |
Mike Bass |
|
7
|
10
|
BIG CITY LIFE |
3 B c
|
51
|
107
|
A
|
G |
Cheyne |
Glen Kotzen |
|
8
|
1
|
TROPICAL EMPIRE (AUS) |
6 B h
|
51
|
106
|
A
|
B |
Lerena |
Duncan Howells |
|
9
|
20
|
FOREST PATH |
3 Ch g
|
51
|
105
|
A
|
W |
Kennedy |
Mike de Kock |
|
10
|
16
|
LIKEITHOT |
6 B g
|
51
|
105
|
A
|
A |
Forbes |
Charles Laird |
|
11
|
18
|
ALUMINIUM (ARG) |
4 Br g
|
51
|
103
|
A
|
M |
Khan |
Geoff Woodruff |
|
12
|
8
|
CATMANDU |
5 B g
|
51
|
102
|
TBA
|
K |
Derere |
Andre Kirsten |
|
13
|
7
|
THANDOLWAMI |
4 Ch g
|
51
|
102
|
BA
|
R |
Danielson |
Craig Eudey |
|
14
|
14
|
BOUQUET-GARNI |
3 Ch g
|
51
|
101
|
A
|
M |
Byleveld |
Mike de Kock |
|
15
|
6
|
METEOR SHOWER (IRE) |
6 B h
|
51
|
100
|
BA
|
K |
Jupp |
Mike Bass |
|
16
|
3
|
THUNDERING JET |
4 B g
|
51
|
100
|
A
|
M |
Yeni |
Mike Bass |
|
17
|
4
|
CAPE TOWN |
4 B g
|
51
|
97
|
T A
|
*K |
Teetan |
Gavin van Zyl |
|
18
|
11
|
LONDON GUEST |
6 Ch g
|
51
|
97
|
A
|
D |
Daniels |
Tony Rivalland |
|
19
|
9
|
OUTCOME |
5 B m
|
50
|
103
|
BA
|
G |
Schlechter |
Michael Miller |
|
20
|
19
|
ZIRCONEUM |
3 B f
|
50
|
103
|
A
|
A |
Delpech |
Mike de Kock |
|
