Betting Tips
The big feature races at Greyville during the course of the winter
racing season, are an automatic guide to the winner of the Vodacom
Durban July.
In recent years Royal Chalice won the South African Guineas and then
the Vodacom Durban July; Bush Telegraph won the Daily News 2000,
while Occult, Devon Air and Tecla Bluff all won the Greyville 1900.
Ilustrador emerged as the wonder horse of 1990, winning the South
African Guineas in a sensational finish in which he got up in the
last stride to snatch the honours from the ill-fated Face North. In
1995 Teal won both the South African Guineas and the Daily News 2000
in his build up to the Durban July.
In 1996 London News ran 3rd in the S A Guineas and won the Daily
News 2000 on his way to winning the Centenary Durban July. Golden
Hoard, second in 1997 won the S A Guineas and was second in the
Daily News 2000.
In 1998 Classic Flag ran 2nd in the Daily News 2000 before winning
the Durban July. 1999 saw El Picha running 3rd in the Greyville 1900
before landing the big one for the first time. Trademark ran 3rd in
the Greyville 1900 before triumphing in 2001.
Zimbabwean-bred filly, Ipi Tombe, gave Mike de Kock his first win in
this great race in 2002 after winning the Fillies Classic at
Newmarket and the Fillies Guineas and Woolavington Stakes at
Greyville. Her win in the Vodacom Durban July was her springboard to
a sensational international career in Dubai and the USA.
2003 winner, Dynasty, arrived in Durban having suffered just two
defeats from seven starts and ran out an easy winner in both the
Sunday Tribune South African Guineas and the Daily News 2000. Drawn
20 out of 20 for the big race, he put up a sensational performance
to get up and beat Yard-Arm by nearly a length.
Paddock deliberation is an essential weapon in your betting armoury.
Many punters though, are often at a loss to know what to look for
when casting an eye over a horse in the pre-race parade, which in
more cases than not will provide an accurate clue to the outcome of
the race.
With a few simple pointers you can now rectify this, and spotting
winners could become a far more rewarding exercise.
Horses are like human: It doesn't matter what they are capable of,
if they're not feeling up to it, they will not perform at their
best.
The most noticeable difference between a racehorse in summer and
winter is its coat. Most horses begin to grow winter coats in April
or May, and the sheen of summer often turns dull. This can often
have significant repercussions especially in fillies.
Learn to spot when a horse has "gone over the top" - a sign that it
has had enough of racing for the time being. This is usually
indicated by signs of nervousness or lethargy in the parade ring. On
the other hand a horse which does not usually sweat up, but suddenly
does so, may be saying that it's had enough for now.
Another sign to look out for is when a horse is "tucked up" - i.e.
looking a bit too skinny. Like any athlete, the racehorse cannot
take extended periods of competitive racing - they enjoy a break.
When looking at two-year-olds (juveniles) who are making their first
racecourse appearance, it is very important to bear in mind that
many may be backward. This is often demonstrated by nervousness in
the parade ring. In many instances these youngsters are merely in
the race to gain experience, and will "come to hand" with the
experience of a run - sometimes two.
The trick though, is learning to spot a really fit horse. It will
look hard and its coat is often a giveaway - it should look "alive".
A fit animal will also be on its toes and eager to get on with the
task at hand, a trait often missing in its less tuned-up rivals. If
you want a single indicator of fitness, simply look at the tummy: as
with humans, the horse which carries too much belly is not likely to
be fit.
There is an old racing saying that says "the horse which walks well
will gallop well", so look out for a runner that covers a good deal
of ground with every stride.
Form books only tell part of the story, as horses progress
physically with time. This is particularly true in young horses.
Take into account whether it looks mature and well built, or whether
it still needs to fill out and mature.
A point to remember is that, in general, a good depth of rib cage,
with plenty of hard, gleaming muscle, is preferable to the lean
look.
Breeding is often a useful clue, but here you will have to know a
little in order to make the right choice.
Generally a horse needs the right temperament to perform well. The
stresses and strains of a big occasion can easily cause them to boil
over. This does not necessarily mean an end to their chances, but
generally getting all het up does nothing to improve a horse's
prospects.
Watch the horses canter down to the start, and look for the ones
which stride out freely and eagerly, as they are generally fit and
well and ready to enjoy their outing. Be wary of those that "stride
short" - that is, do not fully extend themselves. With the odd
exception, this generally means that they are feeling something
amiss, and usually these horses do not perform to their ability.
DISCLAIMER
Whilst every effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of final
field information contained on this website please refer to
the official racecard to confirm information before placing
your bets
