First Take: Durban July Final Field 2020

The Vodacom Durban July Final Field 2020 has been announced. Read on for The Punter’s first impressions and analysis on this year’s July final field hopefuls.

It’s going to be an absolute cracker of a Durban July this year. A truly vintage Durban July Final Field 2020 will line up at Greyville on Saturday, 25 July.

Check out the Durban July 2020 Final Field and barrier draws below. Be sure to sign-up for The Punter’s Durban July Tips 2020, on sale now!

The Punter’s First Take on the July Final Field 2020

On the face of it, it looks a competitive Durban July 2020 at both ends of the weights in this field. Let’s chat through the 18 carded runners.

Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge shoulders top weight of 60kg. Holding form as a 5 year old with a top run to win the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over the mile last time out.

Was runner-up to Do it Again in last year’s Durban July, before going on to win the Grade 1 Champions Cup on Gold Cup Day. Almost won its 2nd Sun Met in a row when going close to One World back in January.

Top jock Warren Kennedy up for the Eric Sands stable, this horse is one part to a coupling with half brother Golden Ducat.

Vardy

Vardy is the other top weight of 60kg. Regular pilot Craig Zackey rides this year’s Grade 1 Queen’s Plate winner for the up and coming Adam Marcus stable.

Has its third run in KZN so is well prepped for the July having gone close to Rainbow Bridge in the Gold Challenge last time out. Has won well over the 1800m in last season’s Winter Classic.

Was 5 lengths off over the 2000m in this year’s Sun Met, but that was off the back of a Queen’s Plate win.

Do it Again

A well-named winner of two Durban July‘s in a row. I’m sure no one would begrudge this champion his third win in a row.

Had a low-key Cape season but the horse has got to take it easy sometime right? Showed a return to form last time when just over a length off in the Gold Challenge.

Anton Marcus stays with this one for better or worse in pursuit of history.

Soqrat

Soqrat leads the Mike De Kock stable charge.

The scratched Hawaam had his last SA run when winning the Grade 1 WSB Premier’ Champions Challenge, with Soqrat finishing 2nd.

Soqrat has actually run 2nd in no less than four Grade 1 races. Twice to Rainbow Bridge, in last season’s Champions Cup and Queen’s Plate. And 2nd to Zilzaal in the Summer Cup 2019.

The horse has also bagged two Grade 1 wins – the Cape Guineas and Horse Chestnut, both as a 3 year old.

While these wins were both over a mile, Soqrat has proven competitive over further. Stable jock Callan Murray rides on July day.

Twist of Fate

A consistent factor in the big features both as a 3 year old last season and this year. Placed 3rd in the Durban July 2019 and 4th in the Champions Cup, with Sun Met and Queen’s Plate places in the summer.

Is yet to win a Grade 1, but was beaten only by Hawaam in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 as a 3 year old for former trainer Joey Ramsden.

Now with the rising Adam Marcus yard, and top Cape jock Aldo Domeyer up for the July 2020 bid with blinkers on.

Bunker Hunt

The 2nd of no less than 5 Justin Snaith runners we’ll be covering in this July card blog!

Had a troubled 3 year old season, losing its jockey in a Cape Derby prep race, going on to place 4th in the Grade 1 Derby.

Has shown promise this season, with a 2nd to Hawaam in the Grade 2 Premier Trophy at Kenilworth back in December, followed by a 5th-placed Sun Met finish.

Won its first start in Durban this season in the Grade 2 Drill Stakes. The stable rates the horse and has booked top Cape jock Grant van Niekerk to ride.

Tierra Del Fuego

One of two runners for multiple time Champion Trainer Sean Tarry, and main stable patron Chris van Niekerk.

This horse interestingly started its career in KZN, before heading up to its Highveld base for a very consistent run of plate and pinnacle race successes.

Recently placed behind Hawaam in the Grade 1 Horse Chestnut and WSB Premier’s Champions Challenge.

Top jock Gavin Lerena up and will be ready for raceday no doubt.

Belgarion

Stable jock Richard Fourie rides Belgarion for the Snaith stable.

Comes in at a galloping weight of 53kg after booking its July spot with a 3-length win in the Grade 2 WSB 1900 last time out.

Previously won the Grade 2 Peninsula Handicap back in January. Didn’t have much of a 3 year old season, but is a 6 time winner from 8 nevertheless, and hunts for a first Grade 1 success on July Day.

Got the Greenlight

The leading 3 year old light in the race at the merit ratings (118). Has won two Grade 1’s this season – the Daily News 2000 and SA Classic.

Previously a Grade 1 winning juvenile with a Premier’s Champions Stakes win on Gold Cup Day 2019.

Lyle Hewitson was originally meant to partner this one but pulled out due to sponsorship conflicts. Top jock Muzi Yeni is an able replacement.

It’s My Turn

Back again as a 7 year old for trainer Dean Kannemeyer. Jockey Sean Veale does duty with stable jock Keagen De Melo riding for the Snaith yard.

Dominated the staying features last season with a trio of victories in the TAB Derby, Gold Vase and Gold Cup.

Can’t complain with the 53kg weight.

Divine Odyssey

Booked its July berth with a Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap win at Turffontein recently.

Has tended to be on the margins of the better horses in its time, although did place to Hawaam in the Premier’s Champions Challenge as a 4 year old last season.

Carried the 53kg last year when finishing 2.8 lengths off 8th in the Durban July.

Shango

Grade 2 Dingaans winner Shango gets stable jock Lyle Hewitson up for the Tarry yard and van Niekerk silks.

Was 3 lengths off Got the Greenlight in the Daily News 2000, and under 0.5 lengths off the winner in the SA Derby over 2450m.

Third run after a rest, so will be fit on July Day.

Capoeira

Booked its July spot with a win over Nexus in the Grade 3 Cup Trial qualifier last time out.

Previously placed 3rd 6.5 lengths to Hawaam in the Grade 1 Daily News last season.

Carries 53kg for the Plattner silks and trainer Andre Nel, with KZN jock Timothy Godden riding.

Golden Ducat

The Eric Sands trained half brother to Hawaam gets his chance to shine with draw 1 and 53kgs. Donovan Dillon rides.

Won the Grade 1 Investec Derby in the Cape summer season. Has two 3rd places in the KZN Guineas and Daily News 2000 on its winter campaign so far.

Aims to turnaround the 1.5 lengths to Got the Greenlight last time.

Padre Pio

The leading KZN light, 3 year old Padre Pio gets in off the back of its 2nd placed performance to Got the Greenlight in the Daily News 2000 last time. Went close in the KZN Guineas prior.

Had a low-key Cape trip in the summer, but is clearly at its best on home turf for big owner Mario Ferreira with Athandiwe Mgudlwa in the saddle.

Silvano’s Pride

This 4 year old Justin Snaith trained filly gets up and coming KZN jock Serino Moodley in the saddle. Won the Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes last time out.

As a 3 year old, it won the Grade 1 Woolavington over 2000m at Greyville.

Tries her hand against the boys with bottom weight of 52kgs.

Miyabi Gold

The final Snaith runner is 5 year old mare Miyabi Gold with Keagan De Melo aboard.

Ran 5th to Do it Again in last year’s Durban July off the same 52kg mark.

Is previously a Grade 2 Gold Bracelet winner at Greyville over 2000m as a 3 year old.

Camphoratus

Camphoratus has another July tilt after a 6th place 2.6 length to Do it Again in last year’s feature.

Ran 3rd 4.4 lengths off Belgarion in the WSB 1900 last time out.

The now 5 year old mare jumps from the same 52kg mark as last year with regular pilot Gareth Wright aboard.

Be with the Best on the Big Days

Hope you enjoyed reading The Punter’s run down of the Vodacom Durban July Final Field 2020.

It is going to be one helluva race, and excitement is building towards the Big Day.

The Punter will be going all out to catch the big Exotics, and there’s bound to be top straight bet opportunities as well!

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All the best!
The Punter