The Vodacom Durban July Log as at 31 May 2021

Sylvester wrote: Now that the draws are out i am going with Rainbow Bridge. The draw one is not ideal but with lotsa pace in the race might be a year for a low draw to win.

Luke/Sands/Muscutt combo have got the right horse this year.

1st 4 draws
2020 17/13/18/1
2019 8/3/14/15
2018 15/11/13/17
2017 8/1/12/17

mikesack wrote: This year marks the 125th running of the Durban July.
In order to make a case for a Quartet pay out of 5 to 6 figures and more I am factoring in the following.

1. Rainbow Bridge will have no favours with the pole position, like last year when drawn 2. Won't be coming wide like in the Met.
2. The 3 y/o runners Linebacker, Rascallion, Kommetdieding, Shah Akbar and a few others have not raced with older horses yet.
3. Got the Green light has yet to prove he stays the 2200 and will meet Do it Again on worse terms than last year when he beat him by a neck.
4. Belgarion has been jocked by last year's winning jockey Fourie.
5.Will Running Brave set the pace and try to steal a march in the home straight with no supporters in the stands to cheer her home or will Crown Towers go out and set the gallop for his mate to Do it Again?
6.Is Do it Again long in the tooth now?

It makes for an intriguing contest and
The Quartet is going to pay for sure.

Will go wide and brass the fancied runners.[/quote

My Opinion is that if a horse stays the hard 2450m at Turffs and is beaten less than a length he stays 2200m at Greyville - The only question is if they go too fast then that could effect those with with stamina doubts -I think Running Brave(who really should not be in the race after 2 poor efforts) will set a slowish pace and will drop back onto those behind as they enter the straight - I am certain a horse that finished ahead of the field bar 1 stays the July trip - My personal place fancy Cirillo does not stay the trip on exposed form but with the massive weight turnaround from the Met and Green Point he can easily place if he can steal some ground when Running Brave flounders

Frodo wrote: I think the pace will be set by either Crown Towers or Shah Akbar with Running Brave just behind them

Prish007 wrote: Guys help me understand this. I'm a huge rainbow bridge fan. But how can it be that in a big race there are only 3 horses above 55 kgs. How can RB give 7 kgs to majority of the field. I hate to say it but do it again has been under the radar at that weight. People have been saying the are a number of no hoppers, but we should remember that a number of unfacied horse in the past have filled the First 6 spots in July. A lot of luck in the running is needed. My boxed qt Linebacker, do it again, RB, she's a keeper, rascallion, trustful, kometdieding.

Bob Brogan wrote: Did the Gallops take place today?