Andrew Harrison

Field Marshal has always struck as a horse with a feature race in him, especially after his close-up second in the Fever Tree Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville two runs back behind surprise winner African Skyline but with some solid handicappers behind him.

So, his next start appeared to be below par as he battled home behind I Salute You but Frank Robinson put that run into perspective. “He was above himself that day with his head up in the air.”

This was largely a consequence of the rain which has plagued all training programmes at Summerveld but Field Marshal was back on track at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Always within striking distance of the pace in the B Stakes over 1800m Craig Zackey, hunting a double on the day, got Field Marshal to quicken out of the pack and was complimentary of his mounts victory, commenting post-race that Field Marshal still had some improvement to come.

Trois Trois Quatre and Johnny The Thief came from off the pace to fill the shallow end of the purse.

Kannemeyer made it four-on the bounce after his three winners at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Wednesday as Gurkha lived up to his billing as favourite, making short work of the opposition in the card opener. Sitting off the pace in the early exchanges as is the want of Kannemeyer-trained horses, Gurkha came into the straight with some work to do. However, like a slow revving engine with plenty of ‘grunt’, when Zackey asked his mount to put it in, he upped a gear and won as he liked, sweeping past Firelighter and Shesha Ntombi.

The Kannemeyer run of winners snapped in the opening leg of the PA as Plaza Accord finished too strongly for favourite Golden Destiny. Zackey had Golden Destiny well placed for his challenge as he tracked the pace and went into the lead crossing the subway but ran out of gas the last furlong. Jabu Jacobs, who is enjoying a new lease on his career, got Peter Muscutt’s charge to respond up the outside of the field and Plaza Accord went back-to-back, comfortably putting the favourite to bed who was labouring the last bit.

Favourite Rich Folks Hoax denied Zackey a treble and Kannemeyer another win as S’Manga Khumalo extracted the best out of the under-achieving Quandary who recently has been threatening but never quite getting there. Khumalo threw everything, including the reins, at Gareth van Zyl’s gelding.  

Andrew Harrison

After a string of four runner-up finishes, Kudzu finally broke the ice last time out as Muzi Yeni drove him home with a strong finish to win over the Turffontein inner mile.

Johan Janse van Vuuren’s gelding goes an extra furlong on the same course today when he runs in the MR 96 Handicap that heads the card. Like most handicaps, it is a competitive affair but now that Kudzu has finally got his head in front again, he can build on that confidence in spite of a four-point rise in the handicap.

A point to ponder is that Yeni has preferred the ride on Fabian Habib’s runner King’s Express who was a winner over course and distance last time out. That was his second run after a break and if he still has more improvement to come then Yeni will have made the correct choice.

Seasoned trainer Tyrone Zackey holds a strong hand with La Moohal and Flashy Apache, both in with strong chances. Both were in the money last time out and the very much in form Gavin Lerena takes the ride on La Moohal.

However, the list of possible winners does not stop there. Star Coin and Player are both in good form while Two Miles West is 1.5kg better off with King’s Express on their last meeting and Craig Zackey, fresh from a treble at Hollywoodbets Scottsville midweek is back in the irons.

Without much confidence Kudzu is taken to get home ahead of Two Miles West and King’s Express.

 It is a nine-race card so the Pick 6 kicks off with a Graduation Plate over 1450m in the fourth.

Best weighted is Alec Lairds charge Aristotle who battled gamely last time out over a mile on the standside track. His two wins in the Cape came over 1200m and 1400m respectively but was jumped up in trip on his arrival on the Highveld. He appears to be back over what could be a more suitable trip.

Gimmeanotherchance is not the most reliable of customers but can get it together on his day. It was not his day in the Hawaii Stakes last weekend where he finished tailed off. It was a well below par performance and the fact that Mike and Mathew de Kock have backed him up in a week suggests that there was nothing physically amiss. The blinkers come off that could lead to a much improved performance. However, his well being and mindset must be taken on trust.

The fillies are up next in a competitive Graduation Plate. Pointer showed signs of a return to form when three lengths back third to Oxalis Gold last time out. The De Kock’s filly has since smashed a useful field of males in last week’s Gr3 Byerley Turk coming home in a canter so that form could hold up for Pointer.

Scars Of War returns from a lengthy break but she had cracking juvenile form behind the likes of Fiery Pegasus and Quid Pro Quo. If Tony Peter has her anywhere near her best she will be a dangerous customer. Frozen Fantasy and Golden Moment can also get into the scrum.

Plus Four reiterated the strength of the Cape form when making a winning debut for Candice Dawson with Lerena aboard. Plus Four got a hefty six-point rise in the handicap but given her last showing, she could still be under the radar.

Just Var is in mustard form of late as he bids for a hattrick of wins but he is 2kg worse off with Theres A Light with the latter also having the best of the draw. 

DJ Junior could prove the pick in a competitive field in the eighth. The six-year-old is lightly raced but seldom out of the money and the form of his last race has panned out well. 

Dark Silver and Dance King are others to consider.

Gregarious and One Party  are progressive three-year-olds, both in good form while top weight Exceedingly Glam could round up a boxed trifecta.

Race 1: 

1 BACK FROM WAR      2 CONCORDIA      8 WITCHING HOUR      7 REJUVINATE 

Preview: BACK FROM WAR (1) ran is a strong race last time but back down in grade, looks hard to beat. CONCORDIA (2) looks the immediate danger. She showed encouraging progression at the second start and surely has plenty more to come. WITCHING HOUR (8) could run a place on debut and REJUVINATE (7) can improve to get much closer – quartet value. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-8-7) 

Race 2: 

4 MISS TAKES      3 CURTISS CONDOR      1 OLD FASHIONED      6 MISTY METAL 

Preview: MISS TAKES (4) ran a fair race on debut under the apprentice and now gets the services of a senior rider. He can improve a ton and is therefore the winning suggestion. CURTISS CONDOR (3) ran well first up finishing third and can improve to win. OLD FASHIONED (1) keeps running second – strong place chance, should win soon. MISTY METAL (6) is improving with racing – big chance. (Warren Lenferna 4-3-1-6) 

Race 3: 

2 TRAIL RUNNER      7 BRIGHT AND BRAZEN      6 BLINDFIRE      8 CAPTAIN SELVIE 

Preview: TRAIL RUNNER (2) is lightly raced, coming along the right way and looks ready to win. BRIGHT AND BRAZEN (7) was in a feature last time and back in this class, will be able to go close – serious chance. BLINDFIRE (6) has a place chance and CAPTAIN SELVIE (8) might be able to feature on debut. (Warren Lenferna 2-7-6-8) 

Race 4: 

1 ARISTOTLE      3 ROYAL FORCE     4 THE AFRICA HOUSE      7 SHINTO SHRINE 

Preview: ARISTOTLE (1) nearly won last time and looks hard to beat this time and is suggested as a possible banker. ROYAL FORCE (3) is obviously very talented – strong each way chance. THE AFRICA HOUSE (4) is back in form and should win soon – bright chance. SHINTO SHRINE (7) can finish in the first four. (Warren Lenferna 1-3-4-7) 

Race 5: 

3 FRANCILIEN       2 POINTER      1 FROZEN FANTASY      6 GLAMOROUS LADY  

Preview: FRANCILIEN (3) is holding form and rates the one to be with. POINTER (2) finished behind Oxalis Gold last time whom has since won a feature in Durban – huge chance. FROZEN FANTASY (1) was a winner last time and could follow up – chance. GLAMOUROUS LADY (6) is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 3-2-1-6) 

Race 6: 

2 JUST VAR      4 CORRUPT      6 THERES A LIGHT      1 KEY NEWS 

Preview: JUST VAR (2) is winning well and has an undeniable hat trick chance. CORRUPT (4) can do way better than last time and is clearly packed with ability – serious chance. THERES A LIGHT (6) and KEY NEWS (1) have strong place chances. (Warren Lenferna 2-4-6-1) 

Race 7: 

2 FLASHY APACHE      9 TWO MILES WEST      1 LA MOOHAL      7 ROYAL EDITION 

Preview: FLASHY APACHE (2) caught the eye last time when second and has solid overall form. He comes from an inform stable and is the one to be with. TWO MILES WEST (9) can provide cheek all the way home – each way chance. LA MOOHAL (1) has a serious place chance and is a must for all bets. ROYAL EDITION (7) neatly won last time and another huge, honest effort can be expected. Respect and include. (Warren Lenferna 2-9-1-7) 

Race 8: 

3 DJ JUNIOR      4 DIESEL’S SHADOW      2 DANCE KING      6 DARK SILVER 

Preview: DJ JUNIOR (3) is holding form and comes into the race with obvious, strong each way claims. His stable mate looks to be the main danger DIESEL’S SHADOW (4) DANCE KING (2) has won two out of his last three and must, again, be taken seriously. DARK SILVER (6) has a bright place chance. (Warren Lenferna 3-4-2-6)

Race 9: 

3 GREGARIOUS      5 IN THE ETHER      2 RATTLE BAG      1 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM 

Preview: GREGARIOUS (3) ran a cracker first time out the maidens which bodes well for the future. She could end up being anything. IN THE ETHER (5) can never be dismissed from any bets – it would be silly to do that as she is consistent and winning. RATTLE BAG (2) the stable companion is not out of the equation either. EXCEEDINGLY GLAM (1) has a first four chance. (Warren Lenferna 3-5-2-1) 

Ends 

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!