Different camps describe each race as "South Africa's greatest race" , for me they are both great races but the buzz around the July is incredible and its a no contest .
Met all the way these days . The historical importance is being overshadowed by the poor track situation in both the race itself and the events leading up to it. Also with export at that time of year being an option for some of the best horses...July lost its glamour for me/
The July has always been a great social/festive event for all South Africans but more so for Durbanites.Unfortunately this great race day has lost its identity and appeal.One has to remember that the poor masses that pack the course on this day are the ones that create the July athmosphere.Now with the poor quality of racing in kzn there cannot be any sort of build up to the July.The greatest race in Africa is sadly no longer the VDJ but the J&B Met. (Imvho)
How 11 time SA Champion Jockey and only SAF jockey ever to win a British Championship saw it..............
Michael Roberts, S.Africa 's greatest ever jockey.
Michael Roberts, whose first and only July win was on Super Quality in 1997, was also once in the position, like Lloyd, where he was unfairly said to have a “July jinx”.
He said, “There was a big gap when I was overseas. I used to come back but didn't ride for Millard who was dominating the race in those years. I should have been on the winner one year when Bert Abercrombie asked me to ride Bush Telegraph as Garth Puller wasn't going to do the weight. But the July coincided with Mtoto running in the Eclipse and I chose to stay for that.”
Garth Puller duly wasted down to 49kg and Bush Telegraph won.
Roberts had no regrets as he won the Eclipse on Mtoto, his first Group 1win in Europe.
“Never having won the July did begin to weigh on my mind a bit as I didn't want to retire without one,” he said. “Some people didn't care about the championships, they'd say 'but you've never ridden a July winner'.”
In 1997 he was set to ride the David Ferraris-trained North By Northwest, but after he won the Daily News stable jockey Weichong Marwing switched to him from his original choice, Super Quality.
“David phoned and I decided to come out for Super Quality as it was always nice to come and see friends anyway.”
Roberts remembered how his heart sank when he came into the parade ring and saw this “little pony” he was to ride.
"I asked the groom if he'd backed him and he said 'No I've backed North By Northwest'". His hopes sank further.
However the horse gave Roberts a tremendous feel down to the start and he remembered saying to Garth Puller, “I hope the bomb hasn't gone off early!”
Roberts described the race, “It was very rough until the Drill Hall and being small he was bumped around a lot. But then he got comfortable and coming up the hill he was cantering. A wide gap opened at the top of the straight – I couldn't believe it. I was able to angle to the outside. In the last 50m he was in the front and I had this image in my mind of how a horse often comes flying late in the July. It was the longest 50m of my life!”
Few will forget the tears of Roberts as he entered the winner's enclosure having finally won the race that is every South African jockey's dream.
every tom, dick ,harry, larry and sally and those that know nothing about the sport of kings feels the july vibe and goes to the tote outlets and wager a bet even for the minimum R6.
the build up gets everyone excited and everyone is drawn into it.the build up and lead up and coverage makes the JULY a spectacular event not to be missed.
The MET is a class of its own but does not get drawn by the masses in terms of betting and crowds like the JULY.
Ask any Trainer, Jockey or Owner which race he would rather win and it will without doubt be a landslide in The Julys favour. The build up and talk starts 3 months before the race. No contest.
it used to be the july by a steeplechase margin but gold circle have gone a long way in bringing that down to about 3 lengths...one thing is for sure the cape summer season is definitely the premier racing season way ahead of the natal winter season and anything else Gauteng has on offer
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