There is every chance that - at the close of play on Hollywoodbets Durban July day - bookies will have as broad a smile as a Turkey football fan.
The big race has all the ingredients for a "Would You Believe It" result which could be a blessing for the sponsors and other layers but leave racegoers with empty pockets.
Like many punters, I love a stab at the antepost market and - back in April - took 6-1 a place about Rachel Venniker's mount, Without Question. Anthony Delpech might be right ("Not a horse for me") he said at the final gallops and the suspicion is that my stake money will be in the pocket of my bookie friend, Lance Michael, come Monday morning.
Yet, I keep going back to Without Questions' Daily News run (third beaten two lengths by See It Again) and if the gelding can reproduce that effort, he could still reach a place.
Ever since his Betway Summer Cup win, Royal Victory has been on my July shortlist and 2-1 a place looks a safe bet. It goes without saying that Muzi Yeni would like nothing more than to win this race after spending the season in the shadow of Richard Fourie.
Then - having witnessed two July triumphs for much-missed owner Chris Van Niekerk for the Sean Tarry stable - it looks as if his stayer, Future Pearl, has come good at just the right time. Possibly Messrs Anthony Delpech and Kevin Shea are correct in saying at the final gallops that the Gold Cup is more his race, but what if Grant Van Niekerk - knowing he's on a horse with stamina - tries to steal it from the front.
The quartet is the pick of the July menu of bets - a handsome dividend is always assured. If a punter double floats two horses with the field the cost will be R288 for 10%.
So here's my stab at this exotic bet with my hopes principally resting on Royal Victory.
1. Double float 3 (Royal Victory) and 18 (Future Pearl) with the field. R288 for 10%.
2. Double float 3 (Royal Victory) and 10 (Without Question) with the field. R288 for 10%.
Now there is a strong supporting cast on July 6 and here are my four top choices.
Best Bet: Race 10 No 2 LADY HEIST. I cannot believe that Glen Kotzen's talented filly is 9-1 in the antepost market. Get on now.
2nd Best: Race 4 No 15 BREEZE OVER. Muzi knows the Azzie inmate well - has won on him twice - and is worth a strike at 5-1.
3rd Best: Race 3 No 9 ATTICUS FINCH. Alec Lard's charge returned to form in the Jubilee last time and looks good each-way value at 17-2.
4th Best Race 2 No 1 PRINCEOFGREEN. Well drawn and the three year-old hails from a shrewd yard.
Finally, save some loot for the THIRD jackpot which has a carryover of R3 million.
1st Leg: Field Nos 1-15 (No 10 scratched so include the first reserve No 15)
2nd Leg: 1, 2, 3
3rd eg: 2, 4, 5, 9, 11
4th Leg: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8
Cost: R317 (for 33%)
* Courtesy Turftalk
The following user(s) said Thank You: kt6747, TNaicker, Dazza
