VDJ excitement builds despite no crowd
Despite the lack of crowds at this year's behind-closed-doors Vodacom Durban July, the interest in the day's racing will be heightened as punters across the globe hope to call their winners home on Saturday.
The roar of the 55 000 strong crowd might be absent from the raceday, but having the option of following the event from the comfort of your own home might grow the appeal of the event as families gather around the television to usher home the runners of the 135th edition of the event.
Race Seven on the card, or the main race, has garnered a huge amount of interest in the lead-up to the event with back-to-back champion Do It Again hoping to become the first horse in the event's history to win a hat-trick.
Do It Again will be ridden by Anton Marcus who will be hoping to repeat their result of 2018 when they rode to victory. Marcus has won an unprecedented five July titles and has a sixth in his sights.
Do It Again's trainer Justin Snaith said at the Hollywoodbets Pre-Vodacom Durban July panel discussion that this is the best opportunity ever to make history.
"We don't have any excuses going into this year's race," Snaith said. "I think this is the best that I have ever seen him but if Rainbow Bridge beats him then you know that he's the better horse.
"We've got no excuses and with Anton Marcus onboard I couldn't be more confident for a good run and it's just been an absolute provilage to be a part of this horse's journey to what will hopefully be his third July win."
Warren Kennedy, who will navigate race favourite Rainbow Bridge, said at the Hollywoodbets Pre-Vodacom Durban July panel discussion that he's in fantastic shape.
"I'm really happy with his prep going into Saturday," he said. "At the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge it wasn't the plan to go to the front but it's the way the cards fell and he can be an aggressive horse so I didn't fight with him and when he found himself in front I was able to dictate the race.
"He had a great run on Thursday morning and it's all systems go!"
Snaith has got five runners in this year's main race and with Balgarion has another horse with a good chance to win the R 1 500 000 prize. Snaith knows that pound-for-pound he isn't the strongest horse but with the handicap he is carrying seven kilograms less that Rainbow Bridge.
"At 53 kilos it's a different story and between him and Bunker Hunt the weight is the big thing that brings them back into the race."
The racing starts at 11:35am with the main race at 15:10.
Race Seven on the card, or the main race, has garnered a huge amount of interest in the lead-up to the event with back-to-back champion Do It Again hoping to become the first horse in the event's history to win a hat-trick.
Do It Again will be ridden by Anton Marcus who will be hoping to repeat their result of 2018 when they rode to victory. Marcus has won an unprecedented five July titles and has a sixth in his sights.
Do It Again's trainer Justin Snaith said at the Hollywoodbets Pre-Vodacom Durban July panel discussion that this is the best opportunity ever to make history.
"We don't have any excuses going into this year's race," Snaith said. "I think this is the best that I have ever seen him but if Rainbow Bridge beats him then you know that he's the better horse.
"We've got no excuses and with Anton Marcus onboard I couldn't be more confident for a good run and it's just been an absolute provilage to be a part of this horse's journey to what will hopefully be his third July win."
Warren Kennedy, who will navigate race favourite Rainbow Bridge, said at the Hollywoodbets Pre-Vodacom Durban July panel discussion that he's in fantastic shape.
"I'm really happy with his prep going into Saturday," he said. "At the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge it wasn't the plan to go to the front but it's the way the cards fell and he can be an aggressive horse so I didn't fight with him and when he found himself in front I was able to dictate the race.
"He had a great run on Thursday morning and it's all systems go!"
Snaith has got five runners in this year's main race and with Balgarion has another horse with a good chance to win the R 1 500 000 prize. Snaith knows that pound-for-pound he isn't the strongest horse but with the handicap he is carrying seven kilograms less that Rainbow Bridge.
"At 53 kilos it's a different story and between him and Bunker Hunt the weight is the big thing that brings them back into the race."
The racing starts at 11:35am with the main race at 15:10.
Punters can catch the action on DSTV on channel 204 and 210 from 1pm while Tellytrack will provide extensive coverage on channel 239. Fans can also follow the raceday on the event website and social media platforms.
