HORSE RACING
Mike De Kock’s Heavenly Blue July favourite
Bookmakers take note as the legendary trainer lines up ‘very competitive’ racehorse
Bookmakers — clearly fearful of a fifth Durban July triumph by legendary trainer Mike de Kock — have promoted his three-year-old Heavenly Blue to favouritism for the big Greyville race on July 1. De Kock has won the July four times, scoring with Ipi Tombe (2002), Greys Inn (2004), Bold Silvano (2010) and Igugu (2011). De Kock was at Turffontein on Saturday when his star filly Nother Russia ran out a game winner of the Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes. Asked whether Heavenly Blue, winner of the recent SA Classic, would be aimed at the July, he replied: "Yes, in fact as things stand he would come in with 53kg which would make him very competitive." Jockey Callan Murray, who rode Heavenly Blue to victory in the SA Classic, said: "It would be wonderful if I was chosen to ride him in the July but we must get past the Derby first." Most bookmakers now have the Aussie-bred three-year-old at the top of their betting boards. Betting World quotes the grey at 15-2 but he is available at a...
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