Andrew Harrison

Recent arrivals in KZN with half-decent Cape Town form usually do well in their first local run and Gurkha fits the bill in the first at Hollywoodbets Greyville, Sunday 06 April 2025. He was a recent arrival with Dean Kannemeyer’s string and his horses gave notice of their wellbeing last week.

Punters face a competitive card but Gurkha can get the afternoon off on a winning note although he does face some solid local opposition.

Mark Dixon saddles Master Du Rouvray who may just have needed his last effort when returning from a break and should stripe a lot fitter. Firelighter has the best of the draw and was a beaten favourite last run. MJ Odendaal’s charge looks to be in a good space. Black Platina returns from a break but was much improved last run. Wide draw but can feature.

The first leg of the Bipot is a tricky handicap but Beach Palace won well enough in a small field last run. He has been consistent of late and the stable is in form. Mariachi Madness makes the trip from the Highveld for Clinton Binda and comes with some solid recent form although over shorter. Andre Nel has reunited Rafiki with Calvin Habib and their last win was over course and distance although he does carry top weight. Veteran Cotton Ron seldom runs a bad race. He steps up a furlong in trip but does have a 4kg claimer up.

Golden Destiny could prove to be one of the better bets on the card as he has won his last two at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and although going an extra furlong he does have the best of the draw and could still be under the handicappers radar. Tyrconnell has drawn a little deep but is seldom out of the money and should put in another good effort while Stars In Heaven goes well this trip and has a handy galloping weight although taking on stronger.

Festival Of Magic can kick-start the Pick 6 but it is a competitive handicap. Mike and Mathew de Kock’s runner has dropped in the handicap but has been taking on slightly stronger of late. He has a wide draw but cheek pieces could see him improve. Elusive Belle takes on males and if she can reproduce her penultimate run over course and distance with only 49kg to shoulder she will be dangerous.  Count Marsh has the widest draw but was touched off over the trip last time out. He gets Gavin Lerena aboard.

Field Marshal disappointed last start after a smart previous effort but he can make amends given his best form. However, Lerena has deserted Field Marshal to partner Spirit Of Levana who he rode last time out and the blinkers have been replaced by cheek pieces. Quatermain has been knocking on the door for some time now and comes with consistent Highveld form. He gets the benefit of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance although taking on stronger. View Of The World is hardly ever out of the money and with a more experienced rider aboard cannot be ignored lightly.

Binda sends out Inafix in the sixth and the gelding won well enough over the distance last time out and only got a four-point rise in the handicap. He meets modest company and can follow up. My Siraya won first time out for Stuart Ferrie and although taking on males she is lightly raced and should have a strong chance in this line-up. Arverni Princess has not been out since August last year but had some fair form before the break. She has a handy weight and can surprise. Purple Powahouse has not won for over three years but is never far back. He was running on late last Monday and can feature prominently in this field.

Vision To Achieve is struggling for her next win but is seldom far back. She has a big weight but Paul Gadsby looks to have picked the right race for her next win. Sahara Dawn is Sean Tarry’s only runner on the day and she showed up well over course and distance last run and from a good draw should be in the shake-up. Drive By is over her best course and distance and has a 4kg claimer aboard. Stable companion Dynasty’s Last is still a battling maiden but with her light weight has a chance in this line-up.

The eighth is a seriously competitive handicap and Alyson Wright’s gelding Slytherin could fit the bill. He surprised on debut and has started at long odds in two subsequent starts. His does appear to be under the handicappers radar. Antonio Gaudi was a recent maiden winner on the Highveld recently but had steady form leading up to that win. He has the best of the draw. Who Blinked has not been far back since shedding his maiden and can feature while stable companion El Dante just needed his last run. His best form is over further but he should come on from his last effort.

Kannemeyer can book-end the meeting with Rich Folks Hoax who although he has smart Cape form over a mile he has a handy weight and could prove too classy for this line-up even over this shorter trip. Future Flo will have plenty of supporters but has been climbing the handicap steadily and got an eight-point rise in the handicap last start as the handicappers try to put him in his place. He steps up a furlong but is capable. Quandary has been in good form of late and is over his optimum trip and will be a competitive runner while Smorgasbord has been consistent and should also be competitive.

Soccer4 ADD-IN: R25 000 on Saturday 5 April 2025. Pool Closes at 16h00. Sport 18 and Pool 2. Estimated Pool: R100 000.

Soccer13 Guaranteed Jackpot on Saturday. 5 April 2025. Guaranteed Pool: R35 Million 13 of 13. Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 10 and Pool 1.

Soccer10 ADD-IN: R200 000 on Saturday. 5 April 2025. Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 15 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R2 Million

Soccer Any 13Xtra C/Over R200 000 on Saturday 5 April 2025. Pool Closes at 13h30. Sport 13 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R500 000

Soccer6 ADD-IN: R75 000 on Sunday. 6 April 2025. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 2 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R400 000.

..

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!

Please Note: From December, Unit cost of all Soccer10 Pools closing on Wednesdays will be R3.

The R3 unit cost on Wednesdays is on a trial basis only & follows requests from many customers to increase the Soccer10 Unit.

The unit cost of Soccer10 Pools on all other days remains R2.

All systems go on 1 January 2025

Horseracing in KwaZulu-Natal took the next step to the dawn of a new era with the publication on Thursday of a revitalized racing programme and the news of the introduction of incentives and stakes adjustments that will align the province with the status quo in the Cape.

The introduction of the new-look programme and policies on the East Coast comes into play as a result of the proposed acquisition of Gold Circle by the Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings group, which now hinges on the required approval of the KZN Economic Regulatory Authority (KZNERA).

Whilst the outstanding approval of the KZNERA is critical to the transaction, and will be the final step in transferring ownership, Hollywoodbets and its appointed Chairman Designate of Gold Circle, Greg Bortz are in management and strategic decisions during the interim period, with Hollywoodbets investing funds at its own risk to ensure the continuity of horse racing in KZN, and the survival of Gold Circle.

Programme and related reading matter, click here.

Subject to the fulfillment of other outstanding conditions precedent, the deal effectively unlocks a R500 million rescue injection from Hollywoodbets, and a takeover of the sport in the holiday province, which is set to include track upgrades and other infrastructural and operational initiatives.

The new KZN programme covers the period 1 January to 28 February 2025 and introduces the stakes-boosted class racing structure to the province, while unveiling financial incentives via the RaceCoast incentive scheme with the ultimate aim of improving racehorse ownership in KZN and achieving enhanced field sizes with the knock-on vital lifeblood of increased betting turnovers.

Down South, the RaceCape incentive programme has proven a winner and has underscored the unprecedented turnaround in Cape horseracing by providing further opportunities for the local racing community and increased employment prospects for grooms and work riders, as well as raising the bar for all related and ancillary horse racing services.

“We are very excited about future plans for KZN racing,” Cape Racing Executive: Racing & Bloodstock Justin Vermaak told the Sporting Post on Thursday, as he outlined broad plans to revolutionise the appeal of the sport across the board for all stakeholders in KZN.

“We need to provide owners and trainers with an even and attractive playing field that makes them want to race. Stakes and rewards need to be meaningful. That ultimately leads to better field sizes, more exciting racing and improved betting turnovers. Punters are key to the success of the process. We are implementing a first world reform in terms of transparency when it comes to information. Items like horse weights, for example, will be published. They are, after all, a form assessment tool. Horses working at our training centres and tracks will all have easily identifiable bar-coded saddle-cloths. So, there are no secrets. If Oriental Charm or One Stripe is on track, the public will share in it,” added Vermaak, who confirmed that barrier draws after acceptance was another operational change which would be implemented on 1 January 2025.

Veteran KZN trainer Garth Puller, who attended a recent stakeholder’s meeting at Summerveld hosted by Greg Bortz, Justin Vermaak, Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets officials, enthused that he was thrilled by the news of the takeover by business-minded racing people who were brave and bold enough to step in and turn the ship around.

“This has come very late for me at my age, but it’s a lifechanger and the future is brighter than it was yesterday,” reflected a delighted Puller as he told the Sporting Post that the adjusted stakes and ‘very welcome’ incentives would boost cash-flows,  while also making it so much easier to help him and his colleagues market the basic ownership product.

“And we are getting draws after acceptances. Wonderful! I was calling for that 25 years ago at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Bigger fields mean a faster pace, means better form, means better truer results. It’s an ecosystem of positivity. It all feeds on itself,” added the horseman who is never scared to pass an opinion.

Puller said the repair of the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville was ‘definitely quite overdue and welcome news’.

“That’s our stage. The track must be safe for horse and rider, be true and competitive, and have credibility with all role-players. That’s not a negotiable.”

On the ‘abolition’ of the committee structure to facilitate decision making and policy, Puller said that he was so pleased to hear that all reasonable suggestions will be considered by management.

“Wonderful! So there are no more long-winded committees to hide behind and to dither over. How refreshing.  I believe every stakeholder in this sport in KZN needs to doff a cap to Hollywoodbets and Mr Bortz. This investment and takeover is a brave move. But we know that with the passion for horse racing of the local population in this province, we can make it work. And by putting the structures in place they are making sure we have no excuses. Let’s look forward and get on with rebuilding KZN racing. I am absolutely thrilled. This is good news,” he concluded.