LEADING trainer Joey Ramsden has added his voice to the 2013 Vodacom Durban July debate with some pearls of wisdom in his latest blog on his website, www.joeyramsden.com

Ramsden writes: “Now back in the real world and Gold Circle land. Yesterday we had the July acceptors where they keep their covert finalfield of 20. This is where we are all supposed to sit in a room and pretend to be extremely excited as to whether you get a run or not. Thankfully I know I had not got a run with Bravura as I got phoned and asked whether I wanted to put him in another race.

“At least I don’t have to go and eat bad food, drink with people I really don’t want to see and sit and try and look cheery with the possibility of being asked a lot of stupid questions afterwards. I have to say I don’t really understand how he only made the last 30. It is beyond me but there you go.

“When you finish 5th, beaten 4,5 lengths behind the best sprinter in SA (and which is probably going to be the Equus horse) for your warm up race, I didn’t think it was a bad effort. He has not run over 6 furlongs since he won his Maiden four years ago.

“Anyway, it will be interesting to see what farcical field they eventually come up with. One thing is for certain, they do not have to give any reason for their choices and they probably won’t. I personally think the whole process stinks and, whilst I am disappointed for Markus (Jooste,owner) and Bravura, on a personal level to not be involved suits me right down to the ground”.  – extracted from Joey’s Blog on http://www.joeyramsden.com