Vodacom Durban July 2010

Bold Silvano wins
Bold Silvano and Irish Flame rounded off a brilliant season for champion trainer Mike de Kock as they thundered to victory in the R3 million Vodacom Durban July at Greyville yesterday. Roared on by a capacity crowd of 50 000 people, the two fought a thrilling duel down the home straight with Bold Silvano holding on to win by a length. Given a copybook ride by jockey Anthony Delpech, Bold Silvano kicked for home crossing the subway, getting first run on his stable companion Irish Flame ridden by Kevin Shea.

This move proved decisive as Bold Silvano battled all the way to the line to win by a length from Irish Flame with Orbison running on late to snatch third ahead of rank outsider Service Ace with the grey Happy Valley in fifth.
Bold Silvano started at 13-2 with Irish Flame the warm favourite at 33-10.

De Kock said post race that it was great to win a race with the State President, Jacob Zuma, in attendance. He also said that both Bold Silvano and Irish Flame had unbelievable preparations for the big race. “Nothing went wrong which is unusual for a July.”

Delpech said he was always travelling well and was going well at the top of the straight. “Kevin was just behind me and I thought that if I quickened up better than him I would win.”

This was victory number three for both De Kock and Delpech. De Kock had previously won with the brilliant filly Ipi Tombe and Greys Inn while Delpech had won on Classic Flag and also Greys Inn. For the people who believe in these things, Delpech’s three wins came six years apart and Bold Silvano carried saddle cloth number six.

For people’s favourite Pocket Power, it was not to be as the champion raced wide throughout and never got in a blow while his full sister River Jetez was also never seen in the race with a chance.

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