Muzi's July ride doing well

ROYAL VICTORY ALLOCATED EXPECTED WEIGHT OF 57KG FOR R5-MILLION GRADE 1 RACE

- Muzi Yeni

Speedy Chocolate Soldier stands out on Turffontein card.

Last week also saw the release of the weights for the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July (Grade 1) and they were as expected, with no real surprises.

I am really happy with the way my ride Royal Victory is going and I believe off 57kg we have a definite chance at the big one. Everything has gone off well and the next couple of weeks are ultra-important for all horses.

Let's hope everything goes off nicely for everyone and we are in for a good race at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 6 July.

We Also saw the running of the Grade 3 Tabgold Derby and the Grade 2 Tabgold Oaks, both over 2400m.

As mentioned in my preview of the Derby, I thought Future Pearl would take all the beating and he produced a scintillating turn of foot to show he is still the class horse over those staying trips.

He was impressive enough to warrant a chance in the Hollywoodbets Durban July (although over a slightly shorter trip), but it will be interesting to see if that's the decision the connections will make, instead of the stayers' race on July day.

Sean Tarry also produced the good in the Oaks, completing a memorable feature race double, then Red Maple finished the race off extremely well to get up in the dying strides and notch victory.

She has always been a decent filly and put two well-below-par efforts behind her, and she has now got more Black Type to her name.

We also have had the privilege of watching what I believe to be the pinnacle of horseracing world-wide this week, the Royal Ascot Festival.

There is no doubt in my mind when it comes to turf racing, this is the place every person in racing would love to be, and with the lovely news of exports opening up a while back, the dream of riding there has improved slightly, although we would need our very best to compete at that event.