Durban July Day Tips - Best bets and race-by-race preview for Greyville on July 1

Grant van Niekerk will be hoping to guide punters in the right direction in the opening race on the prestigious Durban July day. Secret Identity returns to the track having been unbeaten on this course and looking like a classy filly in the making. Michelle Rix has been very vocal of how special she is and her class is likely to show once more.

Main Defender looks to be the right horse in this contest after doing very little wrong in his career to date. The son of Pathfork is unbeaten from his two starts, winning both over shorter ground and a further distance, showcasing his versatility. The manner in which he won both races suggests that he should be up to the task at hand once again here.

Top jockeys are always worth following on big days like this and that could be the case in River Romeo getting over the line. The son of Pomodoro gets the services of last year’s Durban July winning rider, S’manga Khumalo, and carries a light mass of 55kgs. From a neat draw of barrier gate 2, he should utilize his front-running tactics and kick on from the front. He has also won his only race on the wet surface.

Known for being a 1400m specialist, Runaway Song stepped up to the plate when trying 2400m for the first time to win going away against a competitive field of runners. The way he stayed on that day was very encouraging and if his last run is anything to go by, where he won the Track And Ball Derby, he should be tough to oppose once more.

Richard Fourie and Sean Tarry team up for what looks to be one of the best bets on the card this Durban July day. Mrs Geriatrix is a standout filly in the race, winning all four of her starts to date, with her last win proving to be the most impressive, winning the Grade 1 Allan Robertson by over 2 lengths, suggesting that she is on the up in her career. This can be considered the banker for all exotic bets on the day.

It wouldn’t come as a surprise to see jockey Keagan De Melo notch up a few winners on the day, while the same can be said for trainer Mike De Kock. Gimmeanotherchance provides an opportunity to produce a winner for both. He’s a winner of his last two starts and brought some attractive Gauteng form before hitting the ground running in KZN.

The country comes to a standstill this Saturday at 4 pm as 18 horses line up for this year’s running of the Durban July. Rain In Holland gets the first selection here for the Drakenstein Stud, trained by Sean Tarry and ridden by the winning jockey of the race last year, S’manga Khumalo. The daughter of the Duke Of Marmalade is unbeaten on this course and is yet to lose under the guidance of Khumalo. The conditions should suit her to the ground and should she be able to break her wide draw, the 4-year-old filly could be tough to oppose.

Desert Miracle had a fantastic prep in the Grade 1 South African Fillies Sprint at the beginning of June. She gets Christophe Soumillon on board and the pair should be able to get the better of their nearest challenger in the market, Princess Calla. She does look like she can win another Grade 1 here.

Thunderstruck was sensational in the Golden Horse Casino Sprint finishing an impressive second, she meets a field much weaker than last time and with Christophe Soumillion from a good mid-field draw, she should be quite impressive here.

Quasiforsure was a July entry and he does look like his best trip is this one. He gets the services of Grant van Niekerk and when they hit the straight, he should be running strong and he should be able to get the better of this line-up.

The 11th race on the programme throws up another tricky contest, although Kailene does look worth a fancy here at a decent price. She won an impressive race last time out despite being drawn wide. The daughter of Jackson ran on strongly and should be up to the task at hand under the reins of Rachel Venniker.

USA’s Hope looks to be one of the better bets on the card and offers punters the perfect opportunity to end the day off on a high note. He takes a slight step up in the trip and should be at home over 1400m. From a neat draw of gate 2, Keagan De Melo should be able to get the job done.