Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
Divorce, Maintenance, Personal Injury, Medical Negligence
Every year I get asked by people if I have a horse running in the July. The short answer is no, I never had one in the 10 years that I have owned race horses. Firstly, the July only suits horses who run a certain distance, namely 2 200 metres, and secondly, it really is the very best horses in the country at that distance. If there are 3500 race horses across the country, only 20 of them run in the July this year and it will be the horses that are in the best form and with the highest ratings towards the end of June that make the final field.
I’ve had horses entered into the July and I’ve had horses that would have run in the July and qualified, if my trainer at that time had believed in running 3 year old female horses. He appears to have changed his mind this time, with the ruling favourite for the July being the filly that beat my filly, Do you Remember, three times. Cherry on the Top is the winner of the Triple Tiara and is already quoted now as the 4/1 favourite for the July Handicap. Cherry on the Top is now the July Handicap favourite, so if she is the favourite and my horse has run second to her three times, my horse Do You Remember should make the race. Particularly, based on the fact that the July is a handicap, so we will not meet Cherry on the Top at equal weight – she will have to give us weight - which means we now have much more of a chance of beating her than we ever did previously. The second stage of entries for the July recently closed and now there are about 80 entries for the July, and what is important to note is that each entry costs R12 500,00 – so you don’t just enter the July – you have to make sure that you think you have a chance of running in the race because 60 of those entries are not going to get their R12 500,00 back!
That of course is cheap compared to racing in Dubai where the main races on the Dubai World Cup night, most of the entries are $100 000 per horse! It is a long way to go still, but this may be the year when I have my first runner in the July and apart from Do you Remember, I have also entered my colt, Master Sabina, but he would still have to win another two races just to get into the race. It is an unlikely scenario, but we are taking the gamble, which is probably why the bookies have listed him at 150/1 for the July whereas Do you Remember is 33/1.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Thursday 23-May-13
Post a Comment
Comments
Cherise said:
on Monday 03-Jun-13 12:39 PM
I agree with Benita I wouldn't mind owning my own horse either, However, there must be a lot of training and prep that goes into getting horses to a level where they can compete in the July.
Great achievement and reward if your horse wins - so sure is worth it.
moenisha said:
on Friday 24-May-13 09:21 AM
I don't know anything about horse racing I just like to see how the people dress for the July
Benita said:
on Thursday 23-May-13 04:52 PM
This is very interesting. I wouldn't mind owning a horse.
Julie said:
on Thursday 23-May-13 03:11 PM
The Dubai World Cup must be an amazing experience. This was a very interesting article. So the July is NOT just a glorified horse race.... Happy to know you're taking the gamble and a sure motivation to watch it this year.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
