David Thiselton

Turffontein Standside holds an eight race meeting today and a MR 94 Handicap over 1000m, the last race, is the highest rated event.

Warm Winter Nite has thrived since arriving in Fabian Habib’s Highveld yard and low draws have not bothered him down the Turffontein straight in his last two starts. However, this field is bigger and the distance is shorter so dropping  in behind horses, as he likes to do, from draw four out of eleven won’t make it easy for him and he also has to overcome an eight point merit rating raise for his easy last win. He is a tentative selection in a wide open race, but expect him to be making a bold late bid. Richard The First is a decent sort who has dropped to a merit rating just one point higher than his last win and over a suitable course and distance he is drawn on the right side with Piere Strydom up. Bourbon Reserve should be coming into his own and he should have come on from his last run which followed a short layoff. Mist In Scotland can earn from a nice high draw if repeating her last start. Hair Trigger sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and should enjoy the step down in trip. 

The seventh race is a MR93 handicap over 1400m and Night Bomber is a former Cape horse who could well be slung in at the weights considering horses with a certain merit rating in the Cape are invariably better than a horse with the sane merit rating in another centre. He did not win either of his last two Highveld starts, having won his regional debut, only because he was firstly up against a good sort in Cymric and had an unfavorable draw over 1160m and in his last time he was out at the weights over 1400m when third behind the classy Pomodoro’s Jet. The only question mark is whether 1400m stretches him. He led last time and was caught on late but that was against superior opposition and he did not fade badly. Pressonregardless has an eight point merit rating raise to overcome after an easy win over course and distance last time. However, he is progressive and is drawn in pole. Corrupt is a nice type who should start coming into his own and he should be staying on strongly from a nice draw of three. 

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Read All About It made a good winning debut over 1000m and wasn’t disgraced in a Listed 1000m race last time. He will relish the step up in trip and has a nice draw under Richard Fourie. Crystal Grove has shown ability and will also relish the step up in trip and has a good draw. Red Penny improved second time out and should handle the step up in trip. Sister Golden Hair was an easy winner last time over this distance category after being backed and she has a fine chance if repeating. Winchester looks capable of improvement. 

In the next race over 2850m the progressive stayer To The Rescue could carry top weight to victory from a good draw. Romeo’s Magic is proving to be an astute stayer and should be involved. Coffeeberry has shown enough to have a chance here. Mo Ment has always struck as a stayer in the making and won easily look last time. Ideal Future should enjoy the course and distance. 

In the fifth race over 2000m Birthright is better than his last start and this handy type can bounce back with a 4kg claimer up if able to overcome a wide draw early. DJ Junior has a lot of ability but does come back from a look layoff. The best PA runner here could be the consistent Diesel’s Shadow. 

In the sixth over 1400m Sail The Sky wasn’t disgraced on Tuesday down the straight over 1600m and will prefer this trip around the turn from a good draw. Great Motion is progressive and should be right there. King Of Numbers has the ability to be involved from a good draw. 

In the second race Scorpio made a good debut in a strong field over 800m last November and could be the one to beat. One Tiger and Opera Fan look to be the dangers. 

The first could be won by Far Beyond, whose debut third has worked out well. 

RACE 1     

2 FAR BEYOND 7 MYSTICAL MISS 6 JAZZ PIANIST 9 QUEEN’S PACT

Preview: 2 FAR BEYOND made a good debut and is drawn on the right side. 7 MYSTICAL MISS is by Rafeef out of an Al Mufti mare and also has a nice high draw. 6 JAZZ PIANIST is by Rafeef out of the decent Rich Man’s Gold mare Mary Lou. 9 QUEEN’S PACT has not been disgraced in three runs and has a nice high draw. (David Thiselton 2-7-6-9)

RACE 2     

3 SCORPIO 2 ONE TIGER 7 OPERA FAN 5 SIMBINE

Preview: 3 SCORPIO ran a good race behind a good sort on debut and is the one to beat from a nice high draw. 2 ONE TIGER is by One World out of Parade Leader mare Zili. 7 OPERA FAN has run some good races and is improving. 5 SIMBINE has faced some good sorts and has not been disgraced. (David Thiselton 3-2-7-5)

RACE 3     

1 READ ALL ABOUT IT 2 CRYSTAL GROVE 4 RED PENNY 5 SISTER GOLDEN HAIR

Preview: 1 READ ALL ABOUT IT has run two good races and should relish the step up in trip.2 CRYSTAL GROVE made a good debut and had not a bad second race and will relish the step up in trip and has a good draw. 4 RED PENNY improved second time out and should handle the step up in trip.5 SISTER GOLDEN HAIR was an easy winner last time after being backed and could earn here again. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-5) 

RACE 4     

1 TO THE RESCUE 2 ROMEO’S MAGIC 4 COFFEEBERRY 8 MO MENT

Preview: 1 TO THE RESCUE is a progressive stayer and from a good draw he has a chance.2 ROMEO’S MAGIC has good staying form and should be in the shake up. 4 COFFEEBERRY has shown glimpses of form and from pole position with a 4kg claimer up could earn. 8 MO MENT won easily last time and has always struck as a stayer in the making. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-8)

RACE 5     

1 BIRTHRIGHT 2 DJ JUNIOR 3 DIESEL’S SHADOW 6 ARLINGTON ACTION

Preview: 1 BIRTHRIGHT is a progressive sort who should be coming into his own now and this is a suitable distance but he does have a wide draw. 2 DJ JUNIOR has consistent form and from a good draw should be involved although he does come back from a layoff. 3 DIESEL’S SHADOW has some good form over this trip and should be in the shake up. 6 ARLINGTON ACTION should enjoy the trip and could be involved from a good draw. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-6)

RACE 6     

7 SAIL THE SKY 3 GREAT NOTION 4 KING OF NUMBERS 1 SHINTO SHRINE

Preview: 7 SAIL THE SKY  is knocking hard on the door and from a good draw could get it right this time. 3 GREAT NOTION looks to be an improving sort but does have a wide draw to overcome. 4 KING OF NUMBERS has a good draw and has the ability to be involved.  1 SHINTO SHRINE is always thereabouts and should be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 7-3-4-1)

RACE 7     

4 NIGHT BOMBER 8 PRESSONREGARDLESS 11 CORRUPT 1 CHOISAANADA

Preview: 4 NIGHT BOMBER has been in good form and should be right there over a suitable trip. 8 PRESSONREGARDLESS won well last time and from pole position could build on that run although he does have an eight point merit rating raise to overcome.11 CORRUPT has plenty of scope and from a good draw should be staying on.1 CHOISAANADA was a bit outclassed last time and might prefer coming down to this trip too. (David Thiselton 4-8-11-1)

RACE 8     

8 WARM WINTER NITE 3 RICHARD THE FIRST 9 BOURBON RESERVE 10 MIST IN SCOTLAND

Preview: 8 WARM WINTER NITE is in fine form and can go in again. 3 RICHARD THE FIRST is a decent sort and from a good draw from a good high draw should be in the shake up.9 BOURBON RESERVE has been in good form and should be in the shake up.10 MIST IN SCOTLAND went close last time and from a high draw could be right there again. (David Thiselton 8-3-9-10)

RUGBY 8 WIN MARGIN on Friday, 18th April 2025, C/Over R 58 462, Pool Closes at 20h35

Soccer10 on Friday, 18th April 2025, C/Over R 150 000, Pool Closes at 16h00, Sport 12 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 1.7 Million

Soccer10 on Saturday, 19th April 2025, C/Over R 150 000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 15 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 1.7 Million

Soccer13 on Saturday, 19th April 2025, Pool Closes at 15h30, Sport 10 and Pool 1, Guaranteed JACKPOT

ALL 13 CORRECT JACKPOT POOL: R 19 Million, (If only One 13 of 13 Winner)

Soccer ANY 13Xtra on Saturday, 19th April 2025, C/Over R 250 000, Pool Closes at 14h00, Sport 13 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 600 000

KwaZulu-Natal has once again experienced heavy rainfall, with Durban surpassing its annual rainfall average within just four months of 2025.

Hollywoodbets Greyville has recorded 82mm of rain over the past two days, and showers continue with more rain expected today.

Due to these conditions, Gold Circle has proactively taken a decision to move the Hollywoodbets Greyville race meeting originally scheduled for Friday, 18 April to Sunday, 20 April 2025.

Consequently, the meeting planned at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, 20 April has been rescheduled to Wednesday, 23 April 2025. Please note that updated race times will be announced shortly.

Durban, South Africa – The countdown has begun! The 129th edition of Africa’s premier horse racing and social spectacular, the Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ), is set to take place on Saturday, 5th July 2025, at the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. As the most anticipated fixture on South Africa’s racing calendar, the event seamlessly blends world-class horse racing with high fashion, entertainment, and a memorable social experience.

Staying true to the theme of “Marvels of Mzansi,” this year’s racing extravaganza promises an iconic line-up of South African talent, featuring a diverse array of artists set to captivate all attendees throughout the day. The national anthem will be beautifully performed by one of the country’s leading songstresses – look out for the reveal in May. With these performances, the thousands of attendees expected at Hollywoodbets Greyville will have a memorable experience. Stay tuned for the full artist line-up. All ticket holders can look forward to a day filled with live entertainment that will be talked about for years to come, as this year’s HDJ celebrates Mzansi’s vibrant spirit. 

Tickets for this outstanding event are now officially on sale via Ticketpro (www.ticketpro.co.za). Priced at R230 for general admission, your ticket grants access to a day of thrilling racing action, live entertainment, fashion showcases, gourmet food experiences, and an array of engaging activations from event partners. For added convenience, onsite parking is available for R170 per vehicle.

For those seeking an elevated experience, the VIP hospitality packages provide exclusive access to luxurious enclosures, premium viewing areas, and top-tier catering. These options can be explored on the official event website (www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za). Please note that VIP hospitality packages do not include general admission tickets, which must be purchased separately via Ticketpro.

This year’s theme, “Marvels Of Mzansi”, was unveiled in late February, marking the official commencement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience, presented by Durban Fashion Fair. The fashion programme includes the much-anticipated HDJ Young Designer Award, showcasing the best up-and-coming talents from KwaZulu-Natal. The winners will share the spotlight with the HDJ Invited Designers and DFF Rising Stars at the HDJ Fashion Preview Gala, set to take place at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in late June.

Racing enthusiasts can also look forward to the announcement of the first official entrants on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. With last year’s champion, Oriental Charm, emerging as the early ante-post favourite, excitement is already building. 

Secure your tickets today and experience Africa’s greatest horse racing and social event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July!