Expert - David Thiselton

David Thiselton grew up not far from South Africa's main training centre, Summerveld, as a child and has been following racing since Mazarin won the 1971 Durban July. His knowledge of racing included a total of five years living in the UK where he ate and slept the sport. His formal entry into the industry was in 2006 when joining Gold Circle as a racing journalist and over the ensuing 18 years he has won three Equus Print Media awards.

Expert Column for Durban July (S1-1) & Garden Province Stakes (S1-2) (David Thiselton)

S1-1     Durban July

The favourite for the G1 Durban July, GREEN WITH ENVY, showed his class in the official gallops on Tuesday and is the one to beat in the big race.

GREEN WITH ENVY just worked on his own but that did not stop him from relaxing superbly when asked to, as he does in his races, and then quickening in exceptional fashion in the straight. The one concern is luck in running. With 18 horses going for home in the 450m straight there can be hard luck stories, especially for those coming from off the pace. His draw of five might help him get handier than usual but will that blunt his renowned turn of foot?

SEE IT AGAIN has landed the draw Piere Strydom wanted and he should be running on strongly as he did last year.

ROYAL VICTORY also has an exceptional turn of foot and from pole position can be placed well by the astute Muzi Yeni.

FLAG MAN is the only one to have tested GREEN WITH ENVY over ground, but a wide draw could be problematic.

BARBARESCO looks to have been targeted at this race and on pedigree should relish the trip.

SELECTIONS: 5. GREEN WITH ENVY, 10. SEE IT AGAIN, 1. ROYAL VICTORY, 17. FLAG MAN & 2. BARBARESCO

DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 5. GREEN WITH ENVY & 10. SEE IT AGAIN
S1-2: Multiple – 3. DOUBLE GRAND SLAM & 6. SILVER SANCTUARY

S1-2     Garden Province Stakes

The G1 Garden Province Stakes over 1,600m sees the renewal of a great rivalry.

RASCOVA has faced DOUBLE GRAND SLAM in all of her last seven races and has beaten her four times. Last time she beat her in the G2 Fillies Guineas over the same course and distance of this race, although DOUBLE GRAND SLAM was tightened up against the outside fence in the straight and seemed reluctant to go through the gap. The wide draw will likely see her going to the front.

DOUBLE GRAND SLAM has an exceptional turn of foot, but in three attempts at 1,600m, she has finished unplaced, one third and one second. On the other she has recorded three exceptional victories over 1,400m. Her pedigree also creates slight cause for concern, but the tight Greyville course from a good draw should suit her down to the ground.

SILVER SANCTUARY won the G1 Woolavington 2000 and beat both RASCOVA and DOUBLE GRAND SLAM in her only previous meeting with them and it was over this trip in the G1 Cape Fillies Guineas. She has a middle draw of six.

ASIYE PHAMBILI has proven speed and class over 1,200m in Graded events, so considering she won three in a row over this trip earlier in her career, she is a fascinating runner.

MRS BROWNING has fine recent sprint form, but has won over 1,450m before and should get a mile from draw two considering she is out of a GALILEO mare.

SELECTIONS: 3. DOUBLE GRAND SLAM, 6. SILVER SANCTUARY, 10. RASCOVA, 7. ASIYE PHAMBILI & 2. MRS BROWNING

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