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By Nicci Garner

Writer/journalist


Get some Bold Inspiration

Charles Laird has always viewed Friday night's Betting World 1900 at Greyville as Bold Inspiration's best chance of getting into the Vodacom Durban July and planned a long time ago to have him "spot on" for Friday night’s Grade 2 race.


He has removed the blinkers as jockey Anton Marcus found him difficult to restrain last time, when a two-length fifth in the Listed Sledgehammer over 1750m at Scottsville. He said his runners is so sound and well at the moment that he “just wanted to go”.

Laird added that the well-drawn 4-1 favourite’s preparation has gone well and he believes he possesses the necessary turn of foot for the tight Greyville track, although he hopes for a good gallop.

Bold Inspiration’s disappointing SANSUI Summer Cup run can be ignored because he was asked to do it from the front, which according to Laird is an impossible task for a coastal horse over the Turffontein 2000m.

Helderberg Blue is also near the top of the betting but he could drift in light of assistant trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe’s comments. He said the Betting World 1900 is a pipe-opener for Helderberg Blue.

“He needed his last run very badly. The handicapper punished him for his third place in the J&B Met and at the weights he’s got no chance. He’s also not really a Greyville type, he’s a grinder.”

The Jet Master gelding is a nervous sort, but his “new friend”, recently retired Epic Tale, accompanies him to the track in the mornings to keep him calm and looked in fine shape on Tuesday.

Helderberg Blue’s stablemate Mountain Master has made it into the final field and will also be having a preparatory outing for July Day. He is quoted at 20-1. – Gold Circle.

Betting World’s betting: 4-1 Bold Inspiration; 11-2 Power King, Solar Star; 6-1 Jayyed; 7-1 Helderberg Blue, Double Clutch; 12-1 Dynamic, De Kock; 14-1 and upwards others.

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