Big City Life scratched

From the July

What will Pierre ride??

wow - big blow; what's the reason given?

Loads of rumours ,Glen Kotzen says he put a foot wrong on track..

Press release from Stable:
"He put a foot wrong two weeks ago, whilst undertaking his fast work prep for the Champions Cup. This led trainer Glen Kotzen to scratch him from his run in the Champions Cup and after consulting our Equine Vet John McVeigh, it has been decided that time is not on our side and as a result he will not be lining up in the big race on the 31sr July. He suffered a strain in his near fore and we feel it would be ludicrous to risk the remainder of his career at such a young age..........."

Good call Brian (tu) has been such a fun horse for you guys, all the best for the future.

Injury forces Big City Life out of Durban July bid


LAST year's Vodacom Durban July Stakes winner Big City Life has suffered a setback and will miss South Africa's biggest race at Greyville on July 31.

Only five horses have won the Durban July Stakes twice in the race's 113-year history but Glen Kotzen's four-year-old looked to have a big chance of becoming the sixth when romping back to form in last month's Gold Challenge.

However Kotzen said: "He sprained a ligament when he put a foot wrong on the track. It's really wear and tear."

The son of the former Dermot Weld-trained Casey Tibbs will now be rested until next season when his immediate targets are likely to be the Queen's Plate and the J & B Met.

Kotzen also has this year's Met fifth Fabiani and recent Grade 1 Woolavington winner Imperious Star in the Durban July but the latter is far from a certain runner.

Kotzen said: "The owners [John and Beth Brandtner of the Nutfield Stud] think it might be better to go back to the mile of the Garden Province Stakes with her. We will see what the draws are like and then decide."
dekockcranIrish Flame trainer Mike de Kock PICTURE: Mark Cranham

Mike de Kock's South African Derby winner Irish Flame heads the betting on 9-2 with Betting World (5-1 with Hollywoodbets.net). Stable companion Bold Silvano is third favourite at 11-2 but de Kock believes the pair have a fair bit to do at the weights.


He said at the weekend: "The handicappers are not being lenient with these three-year-olds and they are lumping the weight on as if they don't want them to win."

The weights were published on Tuesday. Pocket Power heads the list with 9st 6lb, Irish Flame has 8st 11lb - as does the Mike Bass-trained 5-1 second favourite Fort Vogue- and Bold Silvano 8st 10lb.

Damn... I really liked BCL for the July

Best swinger for thte july is Bold Silvano and Lizarre

Pierre will be riding Ancestral Fore, delpech is on Bold Silvano, Shea on Irish Flame, Geroudis is on Rudra and then he could be off to mauritius to ride for the roussett stable.

Dynasty Champ site this season????

Pierre riding lizarre, nesius on ancestral fore and I believe Marcus will ride fort vogue