RACE 1     

3 BRIGHT AND BRAZEN 2 BACK FROM WAR 5 MATCHA MINT 7 SHIMMERING

Preview: 3 BRIGHT AND BRAZEN has run two good races against better opposition than this and is drawn in pole over an ideal distance. 2 BACK FROM WAR is not far off Bright and Brazen on form lines. 5 MATCHA MINT made a fair debut and should be in the shake-up. 7 SHIMMERING is by The United States out of an Oratorio mare and is a half-brother to a horse who won second time out. (David Thiselton 3-2-5-7)

RACE 2     

4 GEOSTORM 9 VIPINGO 8 PRINCESS KEIRA 1 ALPHA WORLD

Preview: 4 GEOSTORM is by Buffalo Bill Cody and is a half-brother to city by the Sea and full brother to Buffalo Storm Cody. 9 VIPINGO has run two good races and has a good draw over a suitable trip. 8 PRINCESS KEIRA has not been disgraced against much better company and should be in the shake-up. 1 ALPHA WORLD is by One World out of a Querari mare and is drawn in pole with S’Manga Khumalo up. (David Thiselton 4-9-8-4)

RACE 3     

7 CONCORDIA 2 WINDS OF GRACE 3 MILO’S MILLIONAIRE 1 ON A JET PLANE

Preview: 7 CONCORDIA  jumps from a good draw with Gavin Lerena up and should improve over this trip. 2 WINDS OF GRACE  has a tricky draw to overcome but does have a form chance here. 3 MILO’S MILLIONAIRE has shown some form and could earn from a good draw with Craig Zackey up.  1 ON A JET PLANE disappointed last time but if that run is ignored she could earn her. (David Thiselton 7-2-3-1)

RACE 4     

8 MIGHTY EAGLE 2 CURTISS CONDOR 6 AMANATTO 5 GOLDEN ALEXIA

Preview: 8 MIGHTY EAGLE is only a two-year-old but has run two decent races and the form of his last third place finish was franked so he could be the one to beat despite a difficult draw and having to face older horses.2 CURTISS CONDOR made a good debut and should improve with his step up in trip although he has a difficult draw to overcome. 6 AMANATTO is never far off them and from a good draw should be in the shake-up. 5 GOLDEN ALEXIA has run some decent races and from pole position should earn. (David Thiselton 8-2-6-5)

RACE 5     

3 TOO LATE MY MATE 5 GLAMOROUS LADY 2 SOLDIER’S EYE 7 I AM REGAL

Preview: 3 TOO LATE MY MATE is drawn in pole over a suitable trip and should be the one to beat. 5 GLAMOROUS LADY is knocking on the door and has a good draw here again over a trip she should relish. 2 SOLDIER’S EYE is in good form and should be running on after being dropped out from a tricky draw. 7 I AM REGAL bounced back with a good effort last time and from a good draw could be in the shake-up. (David Thiselton 3-5-2-1)

RACE 6     

4 SECRET RECIPE 3 WAGRAM 6 STREISAND 5 TANA MAREE

Preview: 4 SECRET RECIPE won well last time over this trip and from a fair draw off a four-point high mark and with Muzi Yeni staying aboard she could repeat. 3 WAGRAM won in her second start on the Highveld and comes into this race with a reasonable merit rating and she is drawn in pole over an ideal trip. 6 STREISAND  has been in good form and over an ideal trip is drawn well. 5 TANA MAREE won well in the maidens and was scratched last time at the start for coughing but seems to be well regarded and could be thereabouts. (David Thiselton 4-3-6-5)

RACE 7     

5 MANZ KNIGHT 6 GAMER 4 WHISPERS OF WAR 2 CARNELO

Preview: 5 MANZ KNIGHT should have an opportunity here from a good draw over a suitable trip as he is usually thereabouts. 6 GAMER has been in good form and can run on after being dropped out from a wide draw. 4 WHISPERS OF WAR should be right there if repeating his best form over this trip. 2 CARNELO is well drawn and having gone close over 1800 meters before should be able to see out this 2000m trip. (David Thiselton 5-6-4-2) 

RACE 8     

4 HEAVYLIESTHECROWN 5 THERES A LIGHT 7 ONE PARTY

Preview: 4 HEAVYLIESTHECROWN won impressively on debut and could still be anything although she does have a tricky draw this time over the same course and distance. 5 THERES A LIGHT ran well over 1400 meters last time and from a fair draw could earn here. 7 ONE PARTY went close last time over 1100 meters and has a fair draw here so should be in the shake-up. (David Thiselton 4-5-7)

RACE 9     

7 THERE SHE GOES 4 VITELLIUS 1 LAVA FIRE 9 SAHARA DAWN

Preview: 7 THERE SHE GOES  is in fine form but has a tough draw to overcome here. 4 VITELLIUS was facing stronger over further last season but was not disgraced over this trip after a long layoff and Gavin Lerena is an eye-catching booking. 1 LAVA FIRE has been facing stronger and with a 2,5kg claimer up off a reduced merit rating could earn here. 9 SAHARA DAWN has a form chance in this line up with Zackey up. (David Thiselton 7-4-1-9)

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Catterick and Lingfield (UK) – 23 April 2025.

Please note: Hollywoodbets Scottsville received 12mm of rainfall overnight (135mm for this month).

Current penetrometer readings: Standside 30, Inside 31.

With further showers forecasted and temperatures expected in the low teens, a decision has been taken to abandon today’s race meeting.

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. 

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!