Durban – The R750 000 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes (Gr2) over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 3 May, the traditional curtain raiser to Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal, has attracted a quality field of twelve horses, including last year’s winner Royal Aussie. Trained by Justin Snaith, Royal Aussie will be partnered by charismatic Andrew Fortune and from a decent draw, the 5yo son of Royal Mo will have every chance of defending his crown.
Cousin Casey, runner-up in last season’s Hollywoodbets Durban July (Gr1) and HKJC Champions Cup (Gr1), makes his first appearance since then but faces a tough challenge from the worst of the draw. He did also run second behind Royal Aussie in the 2024 IOS Drill Hall Stakes and is very much at home at the City track. Raymond Danielson has been announced as See It Again’s jockey for Champions Season and the pair will jump from a handy draw. Gladatorian also flies the flag for the local contingent and the classy Stuart Ferrie inmate should make a bold bid for top honours.
Lucinda Woodruff has made a flying start to her Champions Season campaign and Café Culture, winner of the 2024 Post Merchants, will be looking to take full advantage of pole position. The Real Prince, a fluent winner of the Jet Master Stakes, is highly regarded by Dean Kannemeyer and will be doing his best work late while the Vaughan Marshall-trained 4yo Questioning, who is very game and super consistent, is not without a chance of troubling his rivals here. It all adds up to a very competitive and exciting renewal of the IOS Drill Hall Stakes.
The R750 000 World Sports Betting Guineas (Gr2) over 1600m has attracted a small but brilliant line-up with dual Grade 1 winner Eight On Eighteen going head to head with Fire Attack and Cosmic Speed. Both Eight On Eighteen and Fire Attack may now prefer a tougher test of stamina which could open the door for Cosmic Speed to add to his excellent victory in the Grade 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m in March. Eight On Eighteen is rated marginally ahead of Fire Attack and Cosmic Speed by the handicappers but Justin Snaith’s exciting 3yo son of Lancaster Bomber has bigger fish to fry in the coming months. Sail The Seas and Cats Pajamas are progressive 3yo’s and can get into the mix.
A full field lines up for the R500 000 WSB Fillies Guineas (Gr2) over 1600m and the race has a wide open appearance. Green Sapphire brings solid form into the race but has a tricky draw to overcome whereas the highly-rated VJ’s Angel will jump from pole position. VJ’s Angel will need to put an inexplicably bad run in the Empress Club Stakes (Gr1) behind her but, judged on her best form, she is certainly one of the leading lights and is very much course suited. Oxalis Gold has done no wrong recently and will appreciate stepping up in trip while sparingly-raced stable companion, Spumante Dolce, has the class and quality to be a major player here.
Racing gets under way at 11:40 on Saturday with the running of the annual World Sports Betting “Dash” over 400m which always proves a hit amongst on-course fans. Ten runners will face the starter and another thrilling display of pure speed is anticipated.
