AS the final preparations for Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event, the 2011 Vodacom Durban July, wrap up, all the chatter amongst hardy and social punters alike revolves around which of the runners will cross the line first.

Local sangoma Thembisane Mdlolo throws his bones which point towards a possible victory for English Garden at the 2011 Vodacom Durban July.

Each year twenty beans are grown in individual pots labelled with a particular horse in mind and are closely followed on growth and strength in the weeks running up to raceday.

The Gavin van Zyl trained The Apache and current race favourite Igugu from the Mike de Kock stable are currently leading the way in the 2011 sprouting line up.

Local sangoma Thembisane Mdlolo, who annually throws his bones which contribute to his predictions for the raceday podium, settled on the number 13 English Garden from the Mike Bass stable to win the big race, followed by the Joey Ramsden trained Bravura and the Australian bred Safwan.

Psychic and tarot reader Dashina Kalicharan, who has had the gift of forecasting since birth, believes big punters are going to be disappointed on raceday saying “the favourites don’t always win.”

While Kalicharan made note that her senses are blocked towards any information that would allow financial gain, she indicated that she sensed a jockey in blue and white silks coming out on top.

The letters “S, C and H” also were highlighted in her visions which, when combined with her predicted silk colours, could point to the winner of tis year’s Paddock Stakes, Emerald Cove.

“There is a white male about 1.9m tall with spicy hair and oval face who is a reputable businessman,” said Kalicharan. “I can see that he is going to be a very happy man come raceday!”

This description seems to bestfit Emerald Cove’s part owner Ken Truter who is based in the Western Cape.

Kalicharan and fellow psychic Sulosh Pillay of Angel Therapy (certified under Doreen Virtue) both agreed that good weather can be expected on raceday.

Based on Chinese philosophy of Feng Shui, this year July month has five Fridays five Saturdays and five Sundays, which only happens once every 823 years and also happens to be the number envisioned by Pillay.

“This could come from a jockey number, draw or anything, but it has come through pretty clearly,” said Pillay. Captain’s Wild has been carded as number five and the Mike Bass trained English Garden has been drawn five for the 2011 Vodacom Durban July. Alternatively it could refer to the 2009 winner Big City Life which is the only 5-year-old in the race.

The two agreed that there will be a great deal of hype surrounding the fashion at this year’s event. “I envisage lots of hats but not normal hats, more fascinators and statement headpieces,” said Kalicharan.

“A vast array of 1800’s style fashion with bulky dresses and rouging,” added Kalicharan.

Pillay went on to describe the “feeling of oneness” which will be felt by all come raceday. “The roads will be quiet for the duration of the main race and it will mark a truly multi-cultural raceday this year. A proper rainbow nation,” said Pillay.