After the running of the Group 1 Daily News over 2000m at Greyville on June 2nd, and the withdrawal of three horses, there have been significant movements on the Vodacom Durban July log as at June 5th.
Jackson was the outstanding winner of the Daily News on Saturday, the race which trainer Brett Crawford targeted for the imposing Dynasty three-year-old colt for after his Cape Derby win at Kenilworth in January.
Jackson not surprisingly remains at the head of the Vodacom Durban July log at 116 over the Dennis Dryer trained Beach Beauty at 110.
Notable withdrawals to the log came in the form of Ebony Flyer, with the mare now being aimed at the R500 000, Group 1 Garden Province Stakes (1600m) on the July Raceday, the Mike de Kock trained Europa Point(IRE), winner of the Group 1 President's Champions Challenge and St John Gray's champion miler Dancewiththedevil (AUS).
The withdrawals and the dropping of Ilsanpietro(BRZ) to position 27, made way for four horses outside of the top twenty to claim a spot.
Bulsara, Solo Traveller and Tribal Dance were just outside the top twenty and moved up to positions 17 to 19, while De Kock's Vettel(ARG) leapfrogged from outside the top thirty into position 20 after his second placing in the Daily News.
The final lead-up races for the Vodacom Durban July at Greyville on July 7th include the R700 000, Group 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge(1600m) and the R200 000, Group 3 Cup Trial(1800m) at Clairwood on June 9th.
Final supplementary entries close on June 11th, with the weights being published on June 12th.
With the complex weight conditions and the scratching of the highest rated horse, Dancewiththedevil, the connections of Jackson will be hoping that the older horses, Pierre Jourdan, Bravura or Tales of Bravery stand their ground.LOG AS AT 5 JUNE 2012
NO HORSE AGE MR TRAINER
1 JACKSON (3C) 116 Brett Crawford2 BEACH BEAUTY (4F) 110 Dennis Drier
3 TALES OF BRAVERY (5G) 113 Vaughan Marshall4 PIERRE JOURDAN (5G) 114 Gary Alexander
5 POMODORO (3C) 108 Sean Tarry6 ROYAL BENCHER (3G) 108 Alec Laird
7 BRAVURA (5G) 113 Joey Ramsden8 ENGLISH GARDEN (4G) 107 Mike Bass
9 CHESALON (4G) 110 Mike Bass10 TOP SELLER (4C) 107 Vaughan Marshall
11 ILHA BELA (3F) 104 Mike de Kock12 THUNDER DANCE (3F) 102 Brett Crawford
13 POLAR BOUND (4G) 108 Brett Crawford14 SILVER FLYER (3C) 108 Mike de Kock
15 SEAL (4G) 110 Gavin van Zyl16 SMANJEMANJE (5G) 108 Tyrone Zackey
17 BULSARA (5G) 106 Gavin van Zyl18 SOLO TRAVELLER (4G) 106 Mike de Kock
19 TRIBAL DANCE (3C) 105 Vaughan Marshall20 VETTEL (ARG) (3C) 105 Mike de Kock
NEXT 10 IN ALPHABETICAL ORDERASTRO NEWS (3G) 104 Greg Ennion
CASTLETHORPE (AUS) (4G) 109 Mike BassFLIRTATION (5M) 103 Mike de Kock
GOLD ONYX (NZ) (4G) 101 Sean TarryGOLDEN CHATEAU (AUS) (3C) 102 Mike de Kock
GORONGOSA (IRE) (5M) 101 Mike de KockILSANPIETRO (BRZ) (5G) 109 Mike de Kock
MASTER PLAN (3G) 99 Greg EnnionSAGE THRONE (4G) 105 Colin Scott
WHITELINE FEVER (3G) 103 Sean TarryPlease note:
The final field of 20 for the R3 million, Group 1, Vodacom Durban July is determined by the July log with the position of a horse on the log determined by a panel of three. This position takes into account the merit rating, current performance and Group race performance of each horse.• Final Supplementary Entries will close on Monday, 11 June 2012
• Declarations will close on Wednesday, 20 June 2012• Announcement of Final Field and Barrier Draws Thursday, 21 June 2012