With the final field of 20 for the R3 million, Group 1, Vodacom Durban July determined by the July log, the first publication of the log is always an eagerly awaited affair.

The position of a horse on the log is determined by a panel of three and takes into account the merit rating, current performance and Group race performance of each horse.

The initial log published on the 9th of May yielded no surprises, with Brett Crawford's star three-year-old and Group 1 Investec Cape Derby winner, Jackson in the number one position.

Of the top ten, the Dennis Drier trained Beach Beauty is the only runner not to have won a Group 1 and while a Group 2 winner, the filly has been placed at Group 1 level, indicating the depth and strength of this year's entries.

Two horses with chances that are currently outside the top thirty are Dean Kannemeyer's only entry, Taipan and Castlethorpe (AUS) from the Mike Bass yard.

Taipan is entered in a R78 000, Conditions Progress Plate over 1800m at Greyville on Friday night, but the Dynasty colt is unlikely to have it all his own way as the field of seven includes five Vodacom Durban July contenders.

Castlethorpe, who finished 12th in the 2011 Vodacom Durban July, has been nominated for the R700 000, Group 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge (1600m) at Clairwood, Durban, where a good run could secure him a place in the final field.

The next log is due on the 23rd of May after the running of the Group 2 Bettingworld 1900, where Group 2 Drill Hall Stakes winner, Tales Of Bravery, currently in 9th position, heads the field.

LOG AS AT 9 MAY 2012

TOP 20

NO HORSE AGE MR TRAINER

1 JACKSON (3C) 116 Brett Crawford

2 DANCEWITHTHEDEVIL (5M) 116 St John Gray

3 EUROPA POINT (IRE) (5M) 109 Mike de Kock

4 POMODORO (3C) 108 Sean Tarry

5 ROYAL BENCHER (3G) 108 Alec Laird

6 BEACH BEAUTY (4F) 107 Dennis Drier

7 PIERRE JOURDAN (5G) 114 Gary Alexander

8 BRAVURA (5G) 113 Joey Ramsden

9 TALES OF BRAVERY (5G) 113 Vaughan Marshall

10 TOP SELLER (4C) 107 Vaughan Marshall

11 CHESALON (4G) 110 Mike Bass

12 THUNDER DANCE (3F) 104 Brett Crawford

13 ILHA BELA (3F) 104 Mike de Kock

14 POLAR BOUND (4G) 108 Brett Crawford

15 SILVER FLYER (3C) 108 Mike de Kock

16 SEAL (4G) 110 Gavin van Zyl

17 ILSANPIETRO (BRZ) (5G) 111 Mike de Kock

18 EBONY FLYER (4F) 107 Justin Snaith

19 SMANJEMANJE (5G) 108 Tyrone Zackey

20 BULSARA (5G) 106 Gavin van Zyl

NEXT 10

21 GOLDEN CHATEAU (AUS) (3C) 102 Mike de Kock

22 FLIRTATION (5M) 103 Mike de Kock

23 ASTRO NEWS (3G) 107 Greg Ennion

24 ENGLISH GARDEN (4G) 107 Mike Bass

25 GOLD ONYX (NZ) (4G) 101 Sean Tarry

26 GORONGOSA (IRE) (5M) 101 Mike de Kock

27 BERRY BLAZE (IRE) (4F) 104 Mike de Kock

28 PRINCESS OF LIGHT (4F) 100 Geoff Woodruff

29 LION IN WINTER (5G) 108 Joey Ramsden

30 GALANTHUS (5G) 106 Tyrone Zackey

• The VDJ Log will be updated on Wednesday 23-May and again on Tuesday,

5-June.

• The Final Field will be declared on Thursday 21-June, when the draws for barrier positions will take place.