Jo finds Kuda’s (in)sure(d) thing
Some people burn the midnight candle studying form. Others grow beans, while some throw the bones and look for the outcome. Whatever the case, it’s Vodacom Durban July week and everyone even remotely interested in horseracing knows about the “July”, one of the jewels in the South African racing crown.
We’ll leave the actual tipping, news from the horse’s mouth and studying to those who know better, but there have been some trends involving Kuda Insurance, a brokerage that has strong ties to the racing and equine industry, that might make the casual observer sit up and take notice.
There are five Kuda-insured runners in this year’s final July field, with another one – Shango – being among the two reserves.
When you look a little closer you will see that Kuda has insured the winner of the last three Julys and will be going for win No4 in as many years. In fact, in last year’s running the first three past the post were all insured by Kuda – Belgarion, Got The Greenlight and Do It Again.
All three are back for another crack at the R1.25-million first prize in this prestigious Grade One event, while another two runners make it five for the Kuda-insured group. Cirillo and Kommetdieding join last year’s 1-2-3 in being “represented” by Kuda, so for those looking for omens, you have Got The Greenlight (5-2), Do It Again (8-1), Belgarion (11-1), Kommetdieding (14-1) and Cirillo (55-1) running for you..
We chatted to Kuda’s Bloodstock Product Manager Jo Campher, to give you a little bit more on the five runners.
BELGARION
“He flew up to win last year. At the 1000m mark he was still about 20 lengths off the pace setter. Don’t dare popping past him at the stables with no carrots, he will be disappointed. He just loves them. Dynamite definitely comes in small packages – as he proved last year!”
DO IT AGAIN
“What a horse, with back to back victories in 2018 and 2019, and that brave third last year. He’s a honest horse that gives his best every time of asking. He knows what his job is about. He loves his outings to the beach and it is always a source of great joy to see him enjoying himself on the sand and in the sea.”
CIRILLO
“What a trooper he is – or like his trainer Sean Tarry calls him, ‘a soldier’. He is always up there, and has a never-say-die attitude and will always fight to the end. He has matured into a very handsome, honest horse. He has run so close behind top horses and he surely deserves a Grade One title behind his name.”
KOMMETDIEDING
“He has won the hearts of people all over the country with his unique name. It definitely suits him. He might not be big but he is honest and quirky with a good attitude. He can switch off when needed but quickens up in a split second when popped the question.”
And, we asked her for her final predictions.
“My feeling is for Got The Greenlight. Do It Again had a magnificent gallop, Linebacker is weighted well with a good draw, while don’t discard Belgarion – he has shown us what he is made off. Rascallion might surprise us as well, while Rainbow Bridge has been in good form and he should not be overlooked.”
