JULY : Tony Rivalland

Summerveld trainer Tony Rivalland will have his second Vodacom Durban July runner in London Guest who will line up in the big race on Saturday week.



Rivalland’s first official runner was I’m Taking It, whom he was taking care of for Darryl Hodgson in the early 1990’s. His charge this year, the six-year-old London Guest, is a son of former July winner, London News.



London Guest will be the first July runner for owner Roy Moodley . “ Roy is very excited indeed,” said Rivalland.



London Guest is bracketed with the mare Outcome near the bottom of the betting at 100-1, but Rivalland felt that he would beat more horses home than would beat him.



“He has natural toe and runs well at Greyville. With a bit of luck he can run into the back end of the exotics. He doesn’t like the wet, but like all horses he likes a bit of sting out of the ground.”



Rivalland has some concerns though as the big chestnut gelding was out of work for three weeks after winning the Listed Sledgehammer Stakes in his last start.



“He did his best work since then this morning (Monday). We will give him a proper gallop on Thursday, probably in the company of Keen Warrior. As long as there are no hiccups we should just get there in time.”



London Guest, who stands at about sixteen one hands, is a real character with many quirks.



He has a cheeky personality, so is always very playful on the way back from work and can nip unsuspecting visitors.



From a young age he has feared water and Rivalland is unable to swim him. His groom, Wilson Nkomose, has a difficult time washing him down in the afternoons as the horse’s natural reaction is to run away from water.



London Guest has a padded stable to cushion him as he loves to roll inside. He tends to chew the rubber off the walls though.



On Monday he was groomed and put into ice boots for 15 minutes after his morning workout and responded to the discomfort by licking his groom’s hand.






Gill Simpkins
Public Relations Manager