Durban July weekend runners

Mike and Mathew de Kock arrive at Hollywoodbets Durban July weekend with two runners who have taken very different routes into South Africa's flagship race. Aladdin's Lamp earned his place through late supplementation, while Curious Girl gained a start as a reserve after The Ultimate King was scratched.

While both runners are regarded as outsiders, the Lucky Fish ambassadors expect them to be competitive and believe neither can be ignored by punters playing into the expected R10-million Quartet pool on Race 7.

Mathew de Kock commented: “We were in two minds whether to run Curious Girl in the July or the Durban Gold Vase, because she is very fit and in top form and we had a good winning chance in the Vase. But it was hard to turn down the opportunity to run in Africa’s greatest race, so she takes her place. She’ll need to raise her game in this company, but she’s game and honest and we’re hoping she can do so and get into the money.

“Aladdin’s Lamp travelled to Durban on Thursday and he’s fine and in good shape. He has a tough ask from barrier 18, but he’s in a good space, doing just as well as when he won the Jubilee last month. He’s in with a shout with his handy weight, will need luck in the running but we’re hoping he can do his owners proud.”

Mike and Mat send out Dave The King and One Eye On Vegas in the afternoon’s feature sprint, the Grade 3 Post Merchants over 1200m.

“We’re really happy with Dave The King, who is prepping for the Champions Cup over 1800m on Gold Cup day. This is a race to keep his fitness levels up and keep him on target so he probably doesn’t have a winning chance, but his class could bring him into the reckoning for minor money.

“One Eye On Vegas is very well and has had a good prep. We wish he was drawn in a lower gate, so we’ll need a bit of luck. He certainly is one to consider for all bets and has a good eachway chance.”

Captain West debuts for the yard in Race 10 over 1600m and Zac Lloyd gets the ride. He has some impressive Western Cape form lines, has impressed in his work and Mat said: “Captain West has been down in Durban for two months and we’re very happy with what he’s shown us. He will make good improvement from this run, but he looks fit enough to get into the action and is worth including in your play, a nice horse.”

De Kock Racing has three runners coming to Turffontein’s standside track on Sunday for their introduction to racing in Race 5 over 1160m.

Comments are:

Glastonbury Fire: “He is not showing much ahead of his first run. He’s bred for a bit further but we’re giving him a sprint for fitness and the experience. One this is behind him, we’ll step him up.”

Pole Position: “He is showing an amount of speed, but he’s a bit green and will need the experience. Looks limited in ability.”

Spicy Plum: “He will improve with the run, but is fit enough and showing us good enough work to get involved here. We’re looking forward to the race, a first run for the revived Onamission Syndicate of which rugby star Steven Kitshoff is a member.”