RACE 1

1 CAPTAIN’S PRIDE   9 MALSHANA MOU   7 WAROFDYNAMITE   5 STAR IN MOTION

Summary: CAPTAIN’S PRIDE (1) started favourite when second best to I’m A Fireball who won with authority. With three runs under her girth on this course she could well prove a match for her male rivals.  MALSHANA MOU (9) made good improvement second time out when narrowly beaten but S’Manga Khumalo has opted to partner Captain’s Pride which could be telling. WAROFDYNAMITE (7) finished six lengths off comfortable winner Fortress Of Fire last time out but was right behind the placed runners. He gets first time blinkers. STAR IN MOTION (5) was due to run on Wednesday and is one to watch should he line up here. (Andrew Harrison: 1-9-7-5).

RACE 2

8 HAPPY ANALIA   7 ICY ELEANOR   1 WINGS OF JOSEPHINE   4 VISION TO ACHIEVE

Summary: HAPPY ANALIA (8) is in smart form at present and only got a three-point ride in the handicap for her last win. ICY ELEANOR (7) has not been out since making a winning debut nearly a year back. She was well fancied that day and can make a winning return. WINGS OF JOSEPHINE (1) cruised to a comfortable victory last time out. She took a seven-point rise in the handicap but does get another 4kg claimer aboard. VISION TO ACHIEVE (4) was caught late when going a furlong further last time out. She can do better this shorter trip. (Andrew Harrison: 8-7-1-4).

RACE 3

9 PHIL THE FUTER   3 DANUBE   4 WINDOW TO MY SOUL   6 SERGEANT SOQRAT

Summary: PHIL THE FUTER (9) has his first run for a new stable. He boasts some fair Cape and PE form and should be competitive in this line-up. DANUBE (3) has never been far back in his six starts to date. He may just have needed his last effort and should have a bright chance here. SERGEANT SOQRAT (6) made a modest debut at long odds but does come from a visiting stable that does well on this course. WINDOW TO MY SOUL (4) looks capable of improving on his debut run and the extra furlong should suit. (Andrew Harrison: 9-3-4-6).

RACE 4

1 ISIVIVANE    7 FASTNET FILLY   8 TEFLON MAN   11 KING OF THE GAULS

Summary: ISIVIVANE (1) made a winning return to racing after a year’s lay-off, winning comfortably. He jumps in class but appears to be under the handicappers radar and with only 52kg to shoulder he should at least be competitive in a competitive handicap. FASTNET FILLY (7) is lightly raced and has only been out of the money twice in 10 outings. She beat the smart Green Sapphire two runs back and she too has a light weight in her favour. Kannemeyer has two runners serious runners. OUTLAW KING (5) won the Cape Merchants last run but stable rider Craig Zackey partners TEFLON MAN (8) who gave his supporters a few anxious moments before sewing up his race last time out. KING OF THE GAULS (11) is way better than his Cape form. Back on home turf her could surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-8-11).

RACE 5

4 KEUKENHOF    1 WILD GREEN   6 QUICKSTEPGAL   2 WINTER BELLE

Summary: KEUKENHOF (4) strolled to a comfortable maiden win on debut clocking a useful time. She faces a lot stronger here but could well be something special. WILD GREEN (1) was a beaten favourite in the Cape Nursery last run. She also looks to be well above average. QUICKSTEPGAL (6) made the required improvement when hacking up second time of asking. A repeat should see her in the firing line. WINTER BELLE (2) makes the trip from the Highveld to make her debut. She could be a candidate for the Gr1 Allan Robertson so should be worth following in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-6-2).

RACE 6

2 FORTRESS OF FIRE   5 MILITARY COMMAND   1 I’M A FIREBALL   6 ELEGANTRIX

Summary: FORTRESS OF FIRE (2) also cruised to an easy debut victory in good time. He looks more than useful and can follow up. I’M A FIREBALL (1) lived up to his name on debut winning comfortably. He takes on stronger but looks progressive.  MILITARY COMMAND (5) makes his local debut after two comfortable Hollywoodbets Kenilworth victories. He cannot be left out of any exotics. ELEGANTRIX (6) takes on males in what looks to be a warm-up for the Allan Robertson. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-1-6).

RACE 7

2 SUMMER LILY   8 ASIYE PHAMBILI   12 GIMME’S COUNTESS   11 SHIPHOLIA

Summary: SUMMER LILY (2) has twice finished behind Asiye Phambili and is now 6.5kg better off at the weights which should be more than enough to turn the tables. ASIYE PHAMBILI (6) is back with Duncan Howells after a successful trip to the Cape. She shoulders a big weight but on her best form she could again prove a little too good for her younger rivals. GIMMIE’S COUNTESS (12) has been costly to follow and was a beaten odds-on chance last run when seemingly having it all in her favour. She was run out of it late that day and the drop in trip could better suit. SHIPHOLIA (11) started favourite against males last run finishing behind Teflon Man. However, she goes will on this course and can do better than her last effort. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-12-11).

RACE 8

2 BRISTOL HERCULES   13 RICH FOLKS HOAX   11 KING OF SPIN   14 TYRCONNELL

Summary: Wide open. BRISTOL HERCULES (2) has his first outing for a new stable and Richard Fourie rides. He has been close-up in all five of his recent outings and jumps from a favourable gate. RICH FOLKS HOAX (13) has a difficult draw to overcome but he made a smart local debut and the step up in trip coupled with a handy galloping weight could see him home. KING OF SPIN (11) has also drawn wide but was just over a length back to Rich Folks Hoax when last they met. He has come to hand for his new stable. TYRCONNELL (14) is drawn one off the outside but goes very well on this course and with some luck in running he should be a contender. (Andrew Harrison: 2-13-11-14).

Andrew Harrison

The straight course at Hollywoodbets Scottsville is not always straight forward with the down and up nature of the track often catching out runners not having experience on the course. With the Gr1 Gold Medallion and Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship scheduled for the first Saturday in June, trainers are planning ahead and it will be no surprise to see horses in Sunday’s Gr3 Tote Godolphin Barb Stakes and Gr3 Tote Strelitzia Stakes, both for two-year-olds, lining up in the big races in a month’s time.  

Only seven runners are due to face the starter in the Godolphin Barb but it promises a mouthwatering contest.

Michael Roberts saddles Fortress Of Fire who was allowed to start at generous odds on debut but the race proved no contest as the son of Fire Away cruised to an easy debut victory in good time. He looks more than useful and can follow up. But he is not without opposition. I’m A Fireball from the Mike and Mathew de Kock yard also impressed on debut finishing far too strongly for race favourite and more experienced Captain’s Pride. He obviously takes on stronger but looks progressive.

Add Military Command to the equation and you are faced with an open question. He has won two on the bounce for Peter Muscutt, both at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth that shares some similarities with Hollywoodbets Scottsville and Cape form is generally a little stronger than local form. That said, the race should add a few pieces to the Gold Medallion puzzle.  Corne Spies has the only filly in the race. Elegantrix takes on males in preference to her own sex in the Strelitzia Stakes in what looks to be a warm-up for the Allan Robertson. 

The Strelitzia Stakes should also give some indication of what can be expected in the Allan Robertson. Dean Kannemeyer looks to have a live contender in Keukenhof who strolled to a comfortable maiden win on debut clocking a useful time. “ I don’t know what she beat,” commented Kannemeyer after the race. “But all she could do was win,” he added. Keukenhof faces a lot stronger here but could well be something special. Wild Wild Green was a beaten favourite in the Cape Nursery last run and she also looks to be well above average with Justin Snaith saying that he has brought up his biggest and strongest string to KZN in many a year. Local hopes could rest with Quickstepgal who made the required improvement for Tienie Prinsloo when hacking up second time of asking. A repeat should see her in the firing line. Winter Belle is the only unraced filly in the race and makes the trip from the Highveld to make her debut in feature company against winners. Mike Azzie knows what it takes to win at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and Winter Belle could be a candidate for the Allan Robertson so may be worth following in the market. 

There are four feature races on the day starting with the Listed In Full Flight Handicap.

Peter Muscutt saddles Isivivane who made a winning return to racing after a year’s lay-off, winning comfortably. He jumps in class but appears to be under the handicappers radar and with only 52kg to shoulder he should at least be competitive in a competitive handicap. The mare Fastnet Filly is lightly raced and has only been out of the money twice in ten outings for James Crawford. She beat the smart Green Sapphire two runs back and she also has a light weight in her favour. Kannemeyer has two serious runners. Outlaw King won the Cape Merchants last run but stable rider and current championship log leader Craig Zackey has opted for Teflon Man who gave his supporters a few anxious moments before sewing up his race last time out. He still looked a little green that day so may be the pick. King Of The Gauls is way better than his Cape form suggests and back on home turf he could surprise.

The last feature is the Gr3 Dennis Drier Poinsetta Stakes where Andrew Fortune teams up with the Justin Snaith-trained Summer Lily. The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight has twice finished behind the smart Asiye Phambili but is now 6.5kg better off at the weights with her rival. That should be more than enough to turn the tables. However, Asiye Phambili is back with Duncan Howells after a successful trip to the Cape. She shoulders a big weight but on her best form she could again prove a little too good for her younger rivals. Gimmie’s Countess has been costly to follow and was a beaten odds-on chance last run behind Green Sapphire when seemingly having it all in her favour. She was run out of it late that day and the drop in trip could better suit. Gareth van Zyl sends out Shipholia who started favourite against males last run finishing behind Teflon Man. However, she goes will on this course and can do better than her last effort.

DURBAN — Sixty-one entries from 28 stables were received on Friday 25 April at the initial nomination stage for the 2025 R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July (Gr1) over 2200m on Saturday 5 July.

In pursuit of his sixth “July” victory, Champion trainer Justin Snaith leads the way with ten entries, including the multiple Grade1-winning 3-year-old Eight On Eighteen and the very progressive Okavango.

Eight On Eighteen is likely to follow the traditional WSB Guineas (Gr2)/Daily News (Gr1) pathway into the Hollywoodbets Durban July, while Okavango could be seen next in the World Sports Betting 1900 on 10 May.

Alec Laird has gone empty-handed since winning the 100th “July” with London News in 1996, but he has nominated the exciting Fire Attack, a 3-year-old son of Fire Away who landed his first Grade 1 success when taking out the Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein last month.

Laird has also entered this season’s Betway Summer Cup (Gr1) winner Atticus Finch and Gauteng Guineas (Gr2) winner Parisian Walkway. With “July” success very much a Laird legacy – Alec’s father Syd won the race seven times between 1961 and 1978, while cousin Charles saddled the 2007 victor Hunting Tower – Alec will be keen to land the honours in the 129th renewal of Africa’s greatest horse racing and social event.

Brett and James Crawford are on a hat-trick, having won in 2023 with Winchester Mansion and last year with Oriental Charm, and the latter has been nominated to defend his crown. By the time race day comes around, James will be flying solo as father Brett will have left to take up his new challenge in Hong Kong.

Mike de Kock, now training in partnership with son Matthew, is also seeking his sixth “July” winner and the team holds five entries at this early stage, with the promising Immediate Edge possibly their leading contender.

It’s been more than a decade since Sean Tarry won back-to-back “July’s” with Pomodoro and Heavy Metal. He has entered the SA Derby (Gr1) winner Legend Of Arthur alongside last year’s runner-up Cousin Casey, who has been out of action for ten months. Let’s Go Now, Litigation and Hotarubi complete Tarry’s five entries and he will be hoping to make a serious bid for top honours come 5 July.

Tony Peter has entered The Equator (Ire), an imported son of Galileo who was formerly trained by the legendary Aiden O’Brien. The Equator won his maiden over 2000m and was runner-up in his last two starts before being exported to South Africa.

First Declarations: Monday 12 May 2025

First Supplementary Entries: Tuesday 13 May 2025

Full entry list for 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July

HORSE, AGE/SEX, MR, TRAINER

EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (3C) 127 Justin Snaith

SEE IT AGAIN (5G) 127 Michael Roberts

FIRE ATTACK (3C) 126 Alec Laird

ORIENTAL CHARM (4C) 125 Brett/James Crawford

ROYAL VICTORY (5G) 125 Nathan Kotzen

COUSIN CASEY (5H) 125 Sean Tarry

BARBARESCO (4G) 124 J A Janse van Vuuren

PURPLE PITCHER (4C) 123 Robyn Klaasen

GLADATORIAN (5G) 123 Stuart Ferrie

ATTICUS FINCH (5G) 121 Alec Laird

PARISIAN WALKWAY (3G) 121 Alec Laird

FIERY PEGASUS (3F) 119 Joe Soma

RED PALACE (4F) 119 Dean Kannemeyer

SPUMANTE DOLCE (3F) 119 Mike/Mathew de Kock

SON OF RAJ (5G) 119 Tony Peter

CONFEDERATE (3G) 118 Fabian Habib

THE REAL PRINCE (4G) 118 Dean Kannemeyer

PACAYA (6G) 118 Justin Snaith

POMODORO’S JET (6G) 118 Brett/James Crawford

LEGEND OF ARTHUR (3C) 117 Sean Tarry

FUTURE SWING (5G) 117 Justin Snaith

MADISON VALLEY (4G) 117 Frank Robinson

WILD INTENT (3G) 116 Lucky Houdalakis

BEATING WINGS (4F) 116 Stuart Pettigrew

MUCHO DINERO (5G) 115 Justin Snaith

MAGIC VERSE (4G) 114 Justin Snaith

WITHOUT QUESTION (5G) 114 Justin Snaith

LET’S GO NOW (4F) 113 Sean Tarry

LITIGATION (6G) 113 Sean Tarry

SAIL THE SEAS (3C) 112 Justin Snaith

OLIVIA’S WAY (3F) 112 Roy Magner

HOTARUBI (4G) 112 Sean Tarry

SHOOT THE RAPIDS (4G) 112 Frank Robinson

RAINBOW LORIKEET (4F) 111 Candice Bass-Robin

JOY AND PEACE (4F) 111 Alan Greeff

CAPE EAGLE (7G) 110 Andre Nel

THE EQUATOR (IRE) (4C) 110 Tony Peter

MARAUDING HORDE (4G) 108 Mike/Mathew de Kock

ON MY HONOUR (3G) 108 Glen Kotzen

HOLDING THUMBS (4G) 107 Glen Kotzen

MY SOUL MATE (4F) 107 Candice Dawson

INDIAN OCEAN (5M) 107 Mano Pandaram

NARINA TROGON (5G) 106 Michael Miller

THUNEE PLAYA (4C) 105 Mano Pandaram

SELUKWE (5G) 103 Andre Nel

I SALUTE YOU (3C) 103 Peter Muscutt

INFINITE WONDER (7G) 103 Mano Pandaram

NATIVE RULER (3G) 103 Justin Snaith

IMMEDIATE EDGE (3G) 101 Mike/Mathew de Kock

NAVAJO NATION (4G) 101 Weiho Marwing

REGENERATION (3F) 100 Robbie Hill

KAMENSKY (3G) 99 Roy Magner

WINTER GAMES (4G) 98 Michael Miller

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL (4F) 98 Mike/Mathew de Kock

ZEITZ (3C) 97 Andre Nel

LA PULGA (3G) 96 Candice Bass-Robin

David Thiselton

Hollywoodbets Greyville is going black and white in line with Cape Racing as these will be the group colours of the Gold Circle and Cape Racing partnership, which is due to be official in the next month or two.

Many exciting renovations are taking place aimed at rejuvenating the quality of racing related facilities and rejuvenating the racing experience for the racegoers. 

The project is being led by Gold Circle’s Building and Facilities manager Edward Taruvinga.

LED lights are replacing the halide floodlights and this will be a transformation in many respects. The light on the track will be more uniform, which will  help the horses and jockeys, and the track will appear lighter and sharper. From a broadcast point of view the colours will stand out more and will be more vibrant. Furthermore, there will now be the ability to control the lights. The lights can be switched on and off instantly and they will be able to flash or send out different colours meaning light shows will be able to be put on for racegoers. Winners will be able to be saluted by the lights with a razzmatazz of colours. 

The roof is being renovated which will prevent previous problems with leaking and will allow the solar panel innovation, which is already in place, to be bolstered. 90% of the roof had to be replaced and 85% of the job is done. Among the changes were having more outlets to prevent any pooling of water on the roof.

In the parade ring the gazebo has been removed.

Edward said, “It had a bit of a museum look about it and we are trying to put in something modern. It will have a permanent champagne bar, so we don’t have to be taking tables in and out. It’s going to be quite open and spacious to allow for smaller interviews and for winners to celebrate.”

The winner’s enclosure used for big races in front of the grandstand will remain, but a similar one will be built in the parade ring, meaning the current traditional winner’s enclosure will have a new look.

The old stabling area will be the site for a new generator pump. The LED light will pull less wattage than previously and a generator pump will further enhance the power efficiency.

The polytrack surface mix of wax, fibre and sand is being rejuvenated and the polytrack racecourse should be ready by the end of this month. The drainage is also being improved upon. The racecourse was built on a swamp so is a catchment area and there has been a problem with water flowing on to the poly and pooling, so channels are being created to prevent this from happening. 

The Durban View restaurant room is being revamped in line with the belief that  regular customers become tired of the same look, so a new more exciting ambiance will be created through the changes, which will include new flooring, new bathrooms and general modernisation. 

On the grandstand the benches are being done away with and bucket seats are being installed to Fifa measurements. The seats will be comfortable and will be able to withstand the force of celebrating punters standing on them. 

With the Champions Season approaching some of the changes were planned anyway, but with the big injection of cash from Hollywoodbets now about to become part-owners of the operator it has made the changes easier to do. The changes will also come with Hollywood’s renowned innovative flare and their Midas touch of excellence.