2009 Durban July … Pick your winner now!

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<td bgcolor=”#ffffff”><span lang=”EN-ZA”>&#160; <strong><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/1_PocketPowerSilks.jpg” />1 POCKET POWER</strong>
<p>This mighty gelding comes into race in the best form of his illustrious career and by his trainer’s account has never been sounder or moved better. It will take a monstrous performance to beat him. SA’s equine superstar has it all going for him and looks set to near the R10-million earnings barrier.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>16 Wins, 11 Places, 30 Runs. Earnings: R8,241,040.</p>
<p><strong>2 OUR GIANT</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/2_OurGiantSilks.jpg” />Trainer Charles Laird supplemented Our Giant into the July field and it was a clever move. A formidable runner, Our Giant is at peak fitness and with good collateral form to Pocket Power, must have more than an upset chance from a good draw. On past evidence, though, he’s best at 1600m.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>11 Wins, 12 Places, 28 Runs. Earnings: R2,758,005.</p>
<p><strong>3 BUY AND SELL</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/3_BuyAndSellSilks.jpg” />As erratic as he is talented, Buy And Sell gets his third chance in the July after a narrow second in 2007 and a 14th-place finish last year. His preparation is on target, he is fit and will have a good place chance if he gets to Greyville in the right frame of mind. Vastly experienced Felix Coetzee rides.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>7 Wins, 9 Places, 24 Runs. Earnings: R1,995,755.</p>
<p><strong>4 KAPIL</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/4_KapilSilks.jpg” />A creditable fourth to Pocket Power (3.5kg worse off) in this year’s 2000m J&amp;B Met, providing no conclusive evidence as to whether he will see out 2200m. On class alone he has a chance and in theory can beat Pocket Power at these weights on their recent Gold Challenge encounter. But will he stay?</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>7 Wins, 8 Places, 20 Runs. Earnings: R897,040.</p>
<p><strong>5 SMART BANKER</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”97″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/5_SmartBankerSilks.jpg” />With eight wins from 17 starts, including two G1s, Smart Banker is arguably the best young horse coming through the ranks and has the ability to dethrone Pocket Power. But his trainer, taking starting gate positions into account, has taken his stable jockey off in favour of better-drawn Our Giant.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>8 Wins, 3 Places, 14 Runs. Earnings: R2,753,380.</p>
<p><strong>6 RIVER JETEZ</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/6_RiverJetezSilks.jpg” />A mare of exceptional quality and all the rage in KwaZulu-Natal this winter. Trainer Mike Bass is on record as saying she is better than last year when only 1.10 lengths behind Pocket Power in this race. She is 1kg worse off for that and should battle to turn the tables, but expect a bold effort.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>6 Wins, 16 Places, 24 Runs. Earnings: R1,466,160</p>
<p><strong>7 BIG CITY LIFE</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”97″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/7_BigCityLifeSilks.jpg” />SA’s leading three-year-old this season, Big City Life hasn’t put a hoof wrong in his impressive build-up to the July which includes three Grade 1 wins. Lesser performed three-year-olds have won this race, which means that Big City Life has a lot going for him. A big runner whichever way you look at it.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>6 Wins, 3 Places, 11 Runs. Earnings: R1,620,625.</p>
<p><strong>8 TROPICAL EMPIRE</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/8_TropicalEmpireSilks.jpg” />This six-year-old began 2009 with a win and was then sidelined and transferred to Duncan Howells. He’s done well in both starts since and his July odds plummeted after he overcame a slow start to beat a useful field in the Greyville 1900 in easy style in May. Bigger task now but warrants consideration.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>7 Wins, 11 Places, 27 Runs. Earnings: R756,400.</p>
<p><strong>9 FOREST PATH</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/9_ForestPathSilks.jpg” />One of three runners from the Mike de Kock stable, this headstrong three-year-old is not far off the best of his generation and won the SA Classic in March. But he has fluffed his lines in his last two starts and will need to make improvement to have a say in the finish, plus he has to overcome the worst draw.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>4 Wins, 4 Places, 13 Runs. Earnings: R1,840,130.</p>
<p><strong>10 LIKEITHOT</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”97″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/10_LikeItHotSilks.jpg” />This six-year-old gelding doesn’t look good enough on his overall form to win the Durban July, but often pops up with a big run when you least expect it. A wide draw won’t help him, but on his best form he’s one that it might just pay to include in the back end of Quartets.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>6 Wins, 12 Places 31 Runs. Earnings: R1,403,510.</p>
<p><strong>11 ALUMINIUM</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”97″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/11_AluminiumSilks.jpg” />Leading jockey Mark Khan returns from injury to partner trainer Geoff Woodruff’s import, who was narrowly beaten by Smart Banker (1kg better off) in the 2000m Champions Challenge in April. This Argentine-bred has good early speed and will be suited to Greyville, but is drawn wide.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>5 Wins, 9 Places, 18 Runs. Earnings: R879,900.</p>
<p><strong>12 CATMANDU</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”97″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/12_CatmanduSilks.jpg” />Capable Catmandu has flashes of top form and is 3kg better off with Pocket Power for a 4.35-length beating in last year’s July. That is insufficient for him to turn the tables on the defending champ and he is also held by Tropical Empire and several others. Plus he hasn’t won for ages. Minimal appeal.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>5 Wins, 13 Places, 27 Runs. Earnings: R984,360.</p>
<p><strong>13 THANDOLWAMI</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/13_ThandolwamiSilks.jpg” />Good efforts in the 2008 Charity Mile November Handicap and the 2009 Champions Challenge show he is well above average, though perhaps not July-winning material. Failed in the Greyville 1900, but his connections oozed confidence at the July draw and it could pay to keep him on your side.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>6 Wins, 10 Places, 25 Runs. Earnings: R820,150.</p>
<p><strong>14 BOUQUET-GARNI</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/14_BouquetGarniSilks.jpg” />SA Derby winner Bouquet-Garni has plenty of ability and has been prepared by one of the world’s best trainers with the Durban July as his primary target. He needs a patient ride, but has a good turn of foot and plenty of class, which makes him one for the shortlist if you don’t like the favourite.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>4 Wins, 1 Place, 11 Runs. Earnings: R1,086,375.</p>
<p><strong>15 METEOR SHOWER</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/15_MeteorShowerSilks.jpg” />With seven wins from 24 starts, Meteor Shower probably deserves his place in this line-up, but he’s never really shown the kind of ability to suggest he’s in the upper echelon. Even with a handy weight, he will do well to earn a cheque and makes the least appeal of top trainer Mike Bass’ four.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>7 Wins, 6 Places, 24 Runs. Earnings: R434,060.</p>
<p><strong>16 THUNDERING JET</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/16_ThunderingJetSilks.jpg” />Thundering Jet has a handy weight and a good draw in his favour but little else. On paper he isn’t much more than a decent handicapper who is lucky to have made the line-up in a race of this calibre. Stays well, but the formbook suggests he will be hard pressed to match strides with the best.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>4 Wins, 8 Places, 22 Runs. Earnings: R385,705.</p>
<p><strong>17 CAPE TOWN</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/17_CapeTownSilks.jpg” />Cape Town is a game and honest campaigner who presents his up-and-coming trainer Gavin van Zyl with his first runner in the July. He hasn’t won a race out of merit-rated company, however, and finds himself 2.5kg worse off with Tropical Empire for a two-length beating in the Greyville 1900.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>4 Wins, 11 Places, 21 Runs. Earnings: R340,630.</p>
<p><strong>18 LONDON GUEST</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/18_LondonGuestSilks.jpg” />Trainer Tony Rivalland’s London Guest is a useful course-and-distance winner with a good turn of foot and traditionally comes to his peak around this time of the year. He’s a notch below the best, however, and is held on form. The best his connections can hope for is a minor placing.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>6 Wins, 8 Places, 16 Runs. Earnings: R485,760.</p>
<p><strong>19 OUTCOME</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/19_OutcomeSilks.jpg” />This game five-year-old has scored all 10 of her victories at Greyville and is weighted with a money chance. Her best form is over 1600m, but she has shown enough over 1800m and 2000m to suggest that she won’t be disgraced over 2200m. This is one runner you don’t want to leave out of Quartets.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>10 Wins, 6 Places, 28 Runs. Earnings: R842,890.</p>
<p><strong>20 ZIRCONEUM</strong></p>
<p><img alt=”” align=”left” width=”96″ height=”94″ src=”http://news.tabonline.co.za/Portals/0/2008July/20_ZirconeumSilks.jpg” />This three-year-old filly has scope and is still maturing. From April to June her form showed an improvement of a few lengths and she won the Woolavington decisively over 2000m at Greyville a few weeks ago. Should have improved more since and looks the pick of the three De Kock runners.</p>
<p><strong>Career record: </strong>4 Wins, 9 Places, 14 Runs. Earnings: R1,251,550.</p>
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