Sure-fire tips for scoring big on Durban July

01 July 2011 - 01:16 By Mike Moon
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Trainer Mike De Kock's filly, Igugu, will want to emulate the win of Ipi Tombe in 2002. She impressed at the official Durban July gallops at Greyville this week Picture: TEBOGO LETSIE
Trainer Mike De Kock's filly, Igugu, will want to emulate the win of Ipi Tombe in 2002. She impressed at the official Durban July gallops at Greyville this week Picture: TEBOGO LETSIE

Most people who have a flutter once a year on the Durban July don't bother listening to experts - they go for a name or number.

Big Charles won the July in 1981 shortly after Prince Charles married Diana. There are royal weddings in 2011, but no related horse name stands out. Unless you think Igugu (which means "jewel" in Zulu) fits the bill.

Or perhaps Flirtation, Pierre Jourdan or Happy Landing. Maybe Run For It (with Princess Charlene in mind)?

When Court Day won in 1970, the race coincided with Wimbledon, as it does tomorrow. Could it be Past Master or English Garden?

With the Rugby World Cup imminent, Captain's Wild and Black Wing suggest themselves.

The 1960 running is known as the "rugby July" because the previous Saturday the Springboks beat the All Blacks 13-0, with both tries scored by No 13, left wing Hennie van Zyl. Yes, No 13, Left Wing, won.

For numerology freaks, chain e-mails going around give pause for thought. This year is marked by an uncommon sequence of dates: 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11 and 11/11/11. No1 is Past Master and No11 The Apache.

Also, July 2011 has five Fridays, five Saturdays and five Sundays - which happens only every 832 years and which Chinese call "money bags". Tomorrow, No 5 is Captain's Wild.

Trouble is, as the old tale has it, the horse might finish fifth or 11th.

The easiest way to bet on the Durban July is on the TAB, which pays dividends from a betting pool, not fixed odds, as with bookmakers.

The easiest bets are the place, win and swinger (two horses selected to finish in the first three).

The big news is that the TAB is paying out on six places, instead of the usual four.

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