July surprise on the cards
2006-06-30 13:47
Durban - Some of the best-known race horse owners will be at the Greyville on Saturday afternoon in the hope that one of their horses will win the R2m Durban July over 2 200m.
Those with the highest profile present will be Bridget Oppenheimer and David Makins, Ebrahim Khan, Greg Blank, Mike Rattray and Markus Jooste.
There is also a possibility that Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum will make his appearance at the track. He is co-owner of the three-year-old colt Money Bags and three-year-old mare Candy Critic.
Money Bags, ridden by Jeffrey Lloyd, looks to have a better chance of victory than Candy Critic, but due to the unpredictable nature of horse racing, Candy Critic may well steal the thunder.
Makins owns and breeds the mare Jamaica. This will be Jamaica's final race before she is put out to stud.
Khan's three-year-old Elusive Fort looks destined to be a future champion.
Elusive Fort won his two previous races and will be a strong contender on Saturday.
Best-known owners
Blank owns a host of race horses but has not yet been able to enter a winner for the grade 1 July event.
He is co-owner of Fork Lightening, Candy Critic and River Plate.
Rattray is not only one of the best-known owners, but also a successful breeder in his own right.
Three years ago Yard Arm came within a breath of winning the July for Rattray's Lammerskraal stud but was beaten by a whisker into second place by Dynasty.
The three-year-old gelding, Jagged Ice, cannot be underestimated either.
Earlier this year Jooste dipped deep into his wallet when he was the biggest buyer of year-old fillies at the annual sale at Gosforth Park in Germiston.
Almost all the 20 horses running in this year's July have a chance of winning the R1 140 000 prize and it is clear that punters and racing fundis have no clear idea who will be first past the post.
Big money has already been wagered on almost all of the horses on the card and their odds have changed dramatically. By late on Friday afternoon Elusive Fort (5-1) was the bookmakers favourite, while Eyeofthetiger, Hunting Tower and Lion Tamerwere next at 6-1.
Bishops Rock and African Appeal (both 10-1) were well-backed but the big money was attracted by Money Bags who's odds have moved to 12-1.
Punters do not have a clear favourite and there may be a big surprise in store.
Last year's winner, Dunford, has not had a run of late and is quoted at 50-1. His owner, Robert Bloomberg, is convinced that he will run better than his odds indicate.
Bloomberg is also co-owner of Eurovision (16-1).
Latest odds:
5-1 Elusive Fort
6-1 Eyeofthetiger, Hunting Tower, Lion Tamer
10-1 African Appeal, Bishops Rock
12-1 Money Bags
14-1 Jamaica, Jagged Ice
16-1 Eurovision
20-1 River Plate, Sushisan, Zebra Crossing
25-1 Candy Critic, Equal Image, Red Badge
40-1 Fork Lightening, Omaha Beach
50-1 Dunford
66-1 Cup Of Grace