SOUTH Africa stages its most prestigious race today when a field of 18 line up for the Group 1 Vodacom Durban July at Greyville in Durban. The race will be shown live on At The Races.

The 11-furlong turf handicap is open to horses of all ages and it is not unusual for the winner to be given an international campaign.

Clear favourite for today’s edition is the three-year-old Legal Eagle, winner of the SA Derby and Jubilee Handicap already this year, trained by Sean Tarry and ridden by Anton Marcus. Tarry is aiming for his third win in the race while Marcus is searching for a record-equalling fourth victory in the Durban July. Legal Eagle is by Greys Inn, a Zabeel horse who won this race in 2004 for trainer Mike de Kock.

The top weight Futura, a four-year-old by Dynasty (a grandson of Sadler’s Wells), finished third in the July last year, beaten less than a length in what was a controversial race. Winner of the J&B Met at Kenilworth in January (arguably South Africa’s second biggest race), Futura will be hard to keep out of the frame.

First past the post last year but demoted to second, Wylie Hall is having his last run before going to stud. An Australian-bred five-year-old by Redoute’s Choice, Wylie Hall is unbeaten this season and has a great draw in stall two.

Mike de Kock and owner Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum are represented by Majmu, a three-year-old Australian-bred daughter of Redoute’s Choice. She has plenty of weight for her age but has a good draw and a top jockey on board in three-time July winner Anthony Delpech.

If the winner does not come from those mentioned above it will surely be French Navy, a three-year-old by Count Dubois, a Zafonic horse trained by William Haggas to win an Italian Group 1 race in 2000.

French Navy was considered an unlucky loser in the SA Derby and he has proven form at this venue. A strong pace here would help him avoid traffic problems but local experts are concerned that there are no obvious pacemakers in the field.

Michael Clower’s full report on the card will appear in next week’s paper.

Paddy Power bets: 11/4 Legal Eagle, 6 Futura, Majmu, 15/2 French Navy, 14 Pine Princess, 18 Power King, 25 Helderberg Blue, Punta Arenas, Tellina, The Conglomerate, 33/1 bar.