All the info you need to know about the Vodacom Durban July 2018 runner MATADOR MAN. This Sean Tarry trained gelding will be ridden by S’manga Khumalo in the big race at Greyville on Saturday 7th July. Betting is available now at Hollywoodbets.
(Photo Credit: Gold Circle)
10 – Matador Man – 16/1
Jockey: S’manga Khumalo
Trainer: Sean Tarry
Owner: Messrs G D Tooch, G L Blank, G J Nassif, J Nassif, Z L Nassif, J Sarkis & R M Scott
Colours: Black, dayglo yellow hoop, armbands and cap, black peak
Breeder: Scott Bros
Sire: Toreador (IRE)
Dam: Sahara by Mogok (USA)
Age: 4
Colour: Bay
Sex: Gelding
MR: 105
Weight: 53.5
Draw: 15
Career Record: 20 runs, 4 wins, 6 places
Stakes Won: R1,142,700
Runs at Greyville: 4 (1 Win, 2 Places)
Runs at 2200m Distance: 0
Notable Runs:
3rd in the 2018 Gr 2 Grevyille 1900 (1900m)
3rd in the 2017 Gr 1 Champions Cup (1800m)
1st in the 2017 KZN Breeders Million Mile (1600m)
2nd in the 2017 Gr 2 Tony Ruffel Stakes (1450m)
Trainer Comments:
Champion Sean Tarry saddles the trio of LIEGE, MATADOR MAN and TILBURY FORT and he remarked the following, “They all galloped good, I’m happy with the way they have come through their preparations and they are all fit and well at this stage but I can’t separate them. Seems like it will be a slow run race with no obvious frontrunner and my main dangers are African Night Sky and Majestic Mambo.”
Sean Tarry: “He was running on strongly in the 1900 so that gives confidence he can go a bit further. If he does get the trip he will be finishing strongly.”
Jockey Comments:
Coming soon…
Winning Form – Magic Tips Comment:
This four-year old Tarry inmate’s impressive performance in last season’s Champions Cup on this course behind brilliant sorts Sail South and Captain America remains etched in the memory bank and arguably earned him a ticket into this event. He struggled in Gauteng off a high merit rating earlier this campaign but blinkers, coupled with a decreasing mark has spelt a return to form at the perfect time for the son of Toreador. He should have finished closer to Elusive Silva and Dark Moon Rising last time but meets the pair on favourable weight terms today.
Verdict: Has peaked at the right time, should have finished much closer last time, can upset.
Hollywoodbets Comments:
- S’Manga Khumalo was aboard Matador Man when he won his penultimate start over 1600m at Turffontein so Tarry has put him back on.
- S’Manga Khumalo became the first black jockey to win the Vodacom Durban July win he rode Heavy Metal to victory in 2013.
- Sean Tarry has won the Vodacom Durban July on two occasions, in 2012 (Pomodoro) and 2013 (Heavy Metal).
View the 2018 Vodacom Durban July horse profiles here:
| No | Horse | No | Horse | ||
| 1 | – | Coral Fever | 11 | – | Fiorella |
| 2 | – | Gold Standard | 12 | – | White River |
| 3 | – | Abashiri | 13 | – | Tilbury Fort |
| 4 | – | African Night Sky | 14 | – | Yakeen |
| 5 | – | Elusive Silva | 15 | – | Made to Conquer |
| 6 | – | Liege | 16 | – | Rocket Countdown |
| 7 | – | Star Express | 17 | – | Dark Moon Rising |
| 8 | – | Do It Again | 18 | – | Secret Potion |
| 9 | – | Majestic Mambo | 19 | – | Pack Leader |
| 10 | – | Matador Man | 20 | – | Crowd Pleaser |
