Derby-July Double: Try Los Angeles With Royal Victory And Without Question

The Molly Column (by David Mollett)

There are two races that set the pulses racing at this time of the year – the Betfred Epsom Derby and Hollywoodbets Durban July – so it would be both satisfying and rewarding for punters to catch the double.

The Derby is run on Saturday and my fancy is the O’Brien runner, Los Angeles, to maintain his unbeaten record and give his trainer his 10th victory in this famous race. Those looking for a longshot should consider Jim Crowley’s mount, Deira Mile.

Despite his 17 lengths defeat in the 2000 Guineas, City Of Troy remains the 2-1 favourite with the sponsors. O’Brien commented: “He was too fresh at Newmarket – he’s been in good form since and everything has gone according to plan.”

This still hasn’t allayed the fears of many UK pundits and one comment caught my attention. “Looking at him from a purely physical aspect, he didn’t seem to have looked as well at three as he did last year.”

The big factor in Los Angeles’ favour is the likely soft ground – he won the Gr 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in heavy ground. His jockey, Wayne Lordan, feels this is his trump card over stablemate, City Of Troy.

The three year-old is a son of 2012 Derby winner, Camelot. Though the latter is yet to sire an Epsom classic winner, he has produced 11 Gr 1 winners.

About Los Angeles, O’Brien said: “He’s a very off-handed horse and very straightforward. Even as a two year-old we thought he was doing more than he should for a horse of his size.”

The forecast rain is also a worry for supporters of second favourite, Ambiente Friendly. The owners of the colt have taken plenty of flak for replacing Callum Shepherd (who won the Lingfield Derby Trial) with the more experienced, Rab Havlin.

After partnering Ambiente Friendly in a workout at Newmarket, Havlin commented: “I hope we don’t get too much rain before Saturday. The ground will be a worry if we get too much rain as he has that real low action.”

So what’s the double we’re taking into the Hollywoodbets Durban July? We couple 6-1 chance Los Angeles with two horses to run a place at Greyville, Without Question and Royal Victory. The former is 4-1 for a place and the latter 56/25.

In last month’s column, I recommended the support of Without Question for a place when the Snaith inmate was 6-1. He’s now 4-1 with World Sports Betting and 3.2-1 with Hollywoodbets.

Muzi Yeni has had to live in the shadow of Richard Fourie all season but – rather like Manchester United upsetting City in the Cup Final – that will all be forgotten if the 37 year-old wins SA’s most popular race.

Muzi’s best chance of July glory came two years ago when he was booked to ride Mike De Kock inmate, Safe Passage. Unfortunately, he had to settle for third place behind S’Manga Khumalo on Sparkling Water.

Royal Victory has had a number of different jockeys in his career including S’manga Khumalo and Calvin Habib, and Muzi has only ridden the four year-old three times. But two of those wins have come in big Joburg races this term – the Betway Summer Cup and Champions Challenge.

Without Question was reported to be blowing heavily after his recent KZN run and he’s sure to strip a fitter horse on July 6. A reproduction of his Daily News third behind See It Again will put him firmly in the mix.

Green With Envy – narrow winner of Saturday’s Daily News 2000 – is out to 28-10 from 5-2 with World Sports Betting and punters would be well advised to hold their fire. A drift to 7-2 looks a distinct possibility.

So Los Angeles to win and Royal Victory to place has to work out around 16-1 and the O’Brien horse to win and Without Question to place in the region of 30-1. The Derby is off at 17h30 (SA time) and carries a first prize of 850 650 pounds.