Raceday Mood Blossoms at Vodacom Durban July Gallops
23 July 2010

Durban - A big crowd of punters  enjoyed a warm midwinters morning at Greyville racecourse to watch the runners in the 2010 Vodacom Durban July go through their workouts at the annual Gallops, with keen fashionistas eager to give a glimpse of their fashion form ahead of the big raceday.

While the thoroughbreds gave little away to the eager punters looking for hints on form from the runners, most of whom galloped in pairs with stable companions, the consensus amongst the racing fraternity is that the 2010 edition of the 114 year old race is one of the most open in many years.

Even sangoma Thembisani Xolani from Clermont, who threw the bones in the traditional forecasting that brings the Gallops to a close, seemed to agonise over the field, before predicting that Number 7 (Orbison) would win the big race, from Fabiani, Vertical Takeoff and Flying Tristram - none of them feature amongst the top five currently topping the bookmakers boards.

The current favourite Irish Flame was on offer at odds of 4/1 after the gallops, with Bold Silvano, River Jetez, Fort Vogue and 2008 champ Pocket Power attracting support from the punters.

Off the course, models and designers gave the crowd plenty of design tips based on the theme "its a Blooming Great Day", ranging from vibrant spring colours to subtle, almost vintage interpretations of the theme.

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