Raymond Danielson, jockey for Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July contender Orbison, rode the KZN-owned, bred and trained three-year-old Mogok gelding in a light canter on the Summerveld bottom sand track on Monday.

Asked about Orbison's wide draw of 16, he said that a jockey could not really plan for a July, but instead had to see how the race panned out. He confirmed that split second decision making was an integral part of a jockey's role.

He added, "He is a good horse. I hope there is a good pace. It makes it better for everybody. The first 100m of the race is the most important. That's when everybody is trying to find a position."

He said that the other crucial section of the race was coming up the hill just before entering the straight as everybody would be jockeying for position to ensure they have a run in the straight and also be within striking distance.

Danielson will be having his third July ride and will be hoping to improve on his previous two unplaced starts.

He said, "You feel the excitement when you wake up in the morning. The nerves only really start when you are out parading in front of the grandstand. But I like to be nervous, it wakes me up."

The day of the race works out well for Danielson as in an earlier race he rides Strategic News over the same 2200m distance from a similar draw of 14.

Herman Brown's assistant trainer, Frank Robinson, said that Orbison was very well and he had been very happy with his July gallop.

He added, "It's hard from that draw but you never know how things map out."

The Browns have between grandfather, father and son had six July seconds and one first across-the-line that ended in a demotion to third after an objection.

Since Herman Jnr has taken over the reins, the yard has only had two runners (if the new acquisition Lion's Blood is excluded) and two second places.

Robinson said, "The day before the race in 1996 I found Sleek Machine in the stable with his foot up. The farrier had pricked him. We had to poultice the foot and then rush down to Umbilo to get a bar moulded. He ran with one bar shoe and finished second. Two more strides and he beats London News."

In 2006 the yard finished second with Sushisan, just over four months after he had made his debut.