2015 Durban July Tips
The highly anticipated Vodacom Durban July is finely here but the question everyone is asking is where they should put their money.
There is a strong line up of horses for the main race at the Greyville Race Course tomorrow. With 18 horses featuring in the race, choices will be difficult to make.
Gold Circle racing and marketing executive Graeme Hawkins has narrowed down his focus to four horses he believes could be genuine contenders for the 119th Durban July.
“Well as always it’s a very tough race to win and a tough to find a winner. Legal Eagle is the favourite but I do have some question marks about him. My personal choice is a for nice little outsider called Power King from the Dean Kannemeyer Stable – I think he’s attracted each way bets at 14/1,” Hawkins told East Coast Radio.
“But there is loads of talent in the race – Futura is going to try and be the first horse in more than 60 years to win under top weight so for that reason I’m tempted to pass him by as a potential winner – I expect him to run a very good race.”
Most bookies are backing Wylie Hall (who won last year’s race but was then demoted), Futura, Legal Eagle and French Navy. Hawkins singled those horses out, while continuing to back Power King.
“Wylie Hall, who of course won the race last year and was then demote after an objection – he is looking extremely well. I think he’s going to go very close,” Hawkins said.
“So my short list of potential winners would be Wylie Hall, French Navy, obviously the favourite Legal Eagle to be ridden by Anton Marcus and Power King, that’s my list of four horses.”
“But certainly it doesn’t end there and there’s a host of other runners that do have chances. A lot of luck is needed in running. There are 18 horses taking part in the race this year and we’re expecting the pace to be on but I’m going to go with power King.”
Tomorrow’s action seems set to be blessed by good weather. And although Kwa-Zulu Natal is crying for rain, Hawkins hopes the initial forecasts hold out.
“Well we all need rain, we badly need it in KZN but forgive me if I’m being a little selfish but hopefully it will stay away until after the weekend, it can pour then. The forecast is looking really good, no wind and a nice temperature between 24-25 degrees as a high on Saturday. It looks like it will be a nice temperate afternoon with a bit of cloud cover.”
Reports suggest over R100 million in winning bets will be paid out on course, while the overall bets are expected to be over R200 million.
“The ticket sales have been fabulous; the early betting indications suggest we are in for absolute bonanza – all around everything is looking fantastic for a wonderful 2015 Vodacom Durban July,” Hawkins said.
The main race gets underway at 16h30 tomorrow afternoon.
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