RACE 1

9 GODRIC GRYFFINDOR has been rested for 104 days, he has run two great races in succession, top jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride this colt on Monday, if he doesn’t need the run back after a small break, he will be hard to beat in this field. 6 THE CULLINAN ran a great race on debut, with natural improvement expected from this individual going into his second run, he should be right there in the finish. 7 ROYAL LIGHT could be the value horse in this tricky race, even though he was beaten just under nine lengths on debut, it looked to be a strong maiden race on the 30th of March, he could show any amount of improvement, watch him closely at a decent price. 1 ANOTHER HERO will love the extra 200m, he will be doing some good work late. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 6 – 7 – 1)

RACE 2

12 VERCICAT must have a big winning chance here, he ran a lovely race coming back from a small break and gelding last time, this doesn’t look to be the strongest race on paper, if he has made further improvement back at home, he will be hard to beat. 6 CRAZY LITTLE THING is much better than her recent start, now that she is back sprinting at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she should return to her best form, include her into all bets. 2 EUGENIUS has run two nice races in succession, the blinkers have been fitted to this gelding, even though he carries top weight in this open maiden event, he will go very close to winning. 5 LIFELONG DANCE ran a better race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 21st of March, if she can build on that run with a low weight on her back, she could sneak into the Quartet at a big price. Watch the first timers closely, if they have ability, they can certainly make a winning debut. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 6 – 2 – 5)

RACE 3

2 BOOGIEFIED won a terrific race on the 18th of March, he was given three points for that win, even though he will need to produce a career best performance to win again on Monday, he is gutsy and he tries hard, from a neat draw, he should be competitive. 1 KATSU finished like a train for second behind La Pulga on the 6th of April, he is super consistent, there should be no excuses for this gelding from a neat draw, watch him closely, he will be running on strongly late. 7 SONG TO THE MOON was unlucky not to win at Fairview Racecourse last time, he is a beautiful gelding with a big action, if the speed is good early, he will be flying at them late, include him into all bets. 3 PAY THE PALACE drops one point in the ratings from his last run in the Grade 3 Variety Club Mile on the 6th of April, the yard thinks highly of this individual, on his best form, he can definitely win a race like this. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 1 – 7 – 3)

RACE 4

4 SPANISH VERSE moved up like a winner in his last start behind Blizzardboy on the 30th of March, the blinkers have now been fitted to this gelding, and he drops in trip to 1600m, he will be very hard to beat. 5 ZAGREB was a touch unlucky behind Super Viking on the 30th of March, if he stays the 1600m trip on Monday, he will be competitive from a good draw. 1 BIG DEAL ran a great race last time, he should enjoy the step up in trip, top jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride this gelding from a nice draw, he will be right there in the finish, include him into all bets. 11 BOURBON KING should have finished closer to the winner on the 30th of March, the blinkers have been fitted to this well-bred gelding, if he gets some luck in running from a wide draw, he will make the finish interesting. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 5 – 1 – 11)

RACE 5

9 SPIRIT OF NICAL has run two nice races in succession, if she finds herself in a good position turning for home from a bad draw on Monday, she will be competitive in this race. 2 REDLIGHT LANE never runs a bad race, her form of late is good, the blinkers have been removed, she steps up in trip, and she gets the 4kgs off her back from the apprentice claim, this looks to be the perfect opportunity for her to exit the maiden ranks. 8 UP IN FLAMES has been rested for 61 days, she is much better than her recent form, the blinkers have been fitted, if she bounces back to her best form, she has a big winning chance. 4 MON PAPILLON is interesting, she was doing some good work late from an impossible position last time, there is no doubt that she will love the step up in trip to 1500m, if she travels early, she could be the horse they all need to beat, keep a close eye on this beautiful grey filly. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 2 – 8 – 4)

RACE 6

5 DISTRICT MASTER still ran a good race last time even though things didn’t go according to plan early for him, he should be on speed from a good draw on Monday, if he gets away from the field at the right time, he will be hard to fetch late. 6 DEVIL A SAINT should be winning soon off this rating, he stayed on well to finish second behind Klein Karoo on the 25th of March, if he brings that run to the track again on Monday, he will go close to winning. 4 GIVETHATMANABELLS has been rested for 145 days, his form of late is superb, if he doesn’t need the run back after a lengthy break, he will run a big race from a neat draw. 7 CEDAR POINT stayed on beautifully late for third behind King’s Quest on the 21st of March, he is improving with every start, include him into all bets. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 6 – 4 – 7)

RACE 7

8 DANCE VARIETY quickened up smartly to win a good race on the 1st of April, he was given two points for winning the Easter Sprint, jockey Calvin Habib knows this gelding extremely well, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be powering home late, if the gaps open at the right time, he can win again. 11 KING REGENT was desperately unlucky last time, he was only beaten just over two lengths by Dance Variety, he will be running on strongly late, keep a close eye on him at a big price. 7 DEMANDING DAVE is held in high regard by trainer Mike Stewart, he is improving at a rate of knots, he looks to be a serious sprinter in the making, there is no doubt that he will be right there in the finish again. 6 SARDINIA BAY was just touched off late by Dance Variety in the Easter Sprint on the 1st of April, he is very fast, with a low weight on his back on Monday, he will try and get away from the field early. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 11 – 7 – 6)

RACE 8

1 SHESGOTCLASS must have a big winning chance, she stayed on beautifully for second behind Symphony In White on the 6th of April, on her current form, she will be right there in the finish again. 2 OBJET D’ART quickened up like a smart horse last time, he found some traffic problems going through the last 400m, and he still managed to win with absolute ease, even though this is a big jump in class for him, he looks talented with lots of ability, he will be flying at them late. 9 FAST TRAIN is much better than his last run, ignore that, the drop in trip is key for this gelding on Monday, he should bounce back to his best form now that he is sprinting up the lane at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. 4 GIVE IT LALDY needed his last run when finishing third behind Objet D ‘Art, it was his first run back from a rest and gelding, the yard thinks highly of this individual, on his best form, he will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 2 – 9 – 4)

RACE 9

1 HAMPSTEAD HEATH was doing some good work late for third behind Whirlwind on the 1st of April, her last two runs with the blinkers have been excellent, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be running on nicely late, include her into all bets. 2 SEVEN NO TRUMP is much better than her last run, the drop in trip to 1200m is key for this filly on Monday, she should bounce back to her best form. 13 CLAIR DE LUNE finished second in the same race as Hampstead Heath last time, if she brings that run to the track again, she will go close to winning. 3 MARITZBURG MEMORY has dropped further in the ratings, she loves this track and trip, with some luck in running, she could sneak into the places at a big price. It’s a tricky race, go wide. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 2 – 13 – 3)

Alistair Cohen

Trainer Mike Stewart has done a super job placing Demanding Dave to rise through the divisions and emerge as a sprinter capable of claiming a race of substantial standard. He has his first dip into stakes level at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday and he could claim the Grade 3 Champagne Stakes over 1200m.

Demanding Dave has become a crowd favourite in Cape Town. He has been in firing form over the past few months landing four wins in his last six runs. He has a fantastic turn of foot which makes him a joy to watch as he weaves his way through when he tastes success. Sadly, that running style broke him last time but there are reasons to believe he can turn that form around.

Jockey Andrew Fortune has ridden Demanding Dave three times and booted him to victory in all three starts. Fortune is sweating to 54kg to ride him on this public holiday.

Last time out he finished 1,3 lengths behind Dance Variety over 1100m in the Easter Sprint. He finds himself 0,5kg worse off but he ran into traffic problems when he was unwinding and becoming a threat. Some of the pace fell into his lap which took away some momentum. 

His sequence of wins came over 1000m but his running style should give hope that he can be as effective over slightly further. This is probably his ceiling as far as stamina is concerned.

Sardinia Bay is also a promising three-year-old sprinter in the making. He finished just ahead of Demanding Dave in the Easter Sprint and they meet on identical terms. He has buckets of early pace but rain has arrived in Cape Town which might test his fluent stride. He cannot be ignored.

Dance Variety has a target on his back having defeated these lively chances last time. He does have his issues which cause him to be hit and miss so he is hard to rely on. If he is in the same mood as earlier this month, he could easily claim back-to-back wins. Calvin Habib has taken his chances with an in-form Adam Marcus yard and they combine.

The Cullinan put up a pleasing debut earlier this month and if he builds on that performance, he could exit the maiden ranks at his second attempt in race 1 over 1200m. He finished a length behind Earn The Weekend over this course and distance. Godric Gryffindor stands out as a major threat but he has not been seen since January so his fitness must be taken on trust.

Tristan Godden has found himself in the right place at the right time riding some work for Justin Snaith in Durban and he receives his second call-up from the Champion Trainer in the space of a month. He rides Vercicat in race 2 over 1200m. His first run after being gelded was full of promise when he finished second behind Earn The Weekend. If the formline is franked a race earlier, his chances will enhance. There is no depth to form and filling the runner-up spot sets an uninspiring standard.

Pay The Palace has been tested against the best three-year-olds in Cape Town and he did not disgrace himself. Then he turned up in the Grade 3 Variety Club Mile earlier this month and was not far behind the promising Jet Force. He is back over the same course and distance in race 3. This is a drop in class and he gets Richard Fourie aboard. If he gets anywhere near his run in the Grade 2 Cape Punters Cup in November when close-up behind Good For You, he would take a power of beating.

There are a few runners who are ready to win in race 4 over 1600m. Spanish Verse could have found himself with an opportunity shed his maiden tag which would be overdue. He was touched off in his last two runs. Blizzardboy got his number last time narrowly. He seems to be weary when off the bit so when he glides into contention unextended, he is probably more appealing to the eye than the feel. He must have a top chance. Zagreb and See The Sign must have good chances.

Spirit Of Nical could the one to side with in race 5 over 1500m. Her last two runs suggest some life having finished fourth and third after some rather uninspiring early form. If she confirms the improvement and there is no reason to doubt that, she could get the job done. Up In Flames is better than her recent runs and she could bounce back to life and give Spirit Of Nical a run for her money.

There are plenty with chances in race 6 over 1400m. Devil A Saint has a pleasing turn in the weights in his favour. His last start saw him finish 1,75 lengths behind Klein Karoo over this course and distance. He is 2,5kg better off which should be enough to turn the form around. His hard knocking form could be rewarded.

Oliver showed signs of life in his last run when he returned from a break and flew at the end to finish 1,75 lengths behind What A Fortune. That piece of form has been well looked after with the winner finishing third in the Race Coast Sale Big Cap a few weeks ago behind Roland Garros who would be an aimer in this field. Oliver has a good turn of foot and if the pace is on, he will be seen to best effect. He comes from the yard of Adam Marcus which has been sending out a litany of winners lately.

Star World arrives in good form and she could complete back-to-back wins when she runs in race 9 over 1200m. She turned over South Of France last time by a length at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. South Of France has won subsequently. Richard Fourie is carded to ride for Vaughan Marshall. Her main danger is Iona Castle who is fresh out of the maidens but it seems that James Crawford has worked out what makes her tick.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Wolverhampton(UK) – 27 April 2026.

Andrew Harrison

The battle for a place in this year’s R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July began in earnest on Wednesday with the announcement of the first 63 entries. Given the that first entry fee is a modest R2 500 there are plenty of connections willing to take their chances at this early stage.

That said, two of the early entries line up on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening, the three-year-old Count Of Rouen and Johnny The Thief although both may have to take a back seat in a competitive handicap where Dean Kannemeyer has two lively contenders in the Class 3 Handicap over 1900.

Kannemeyer sends out Continentalexpress and Uzwano. Continentalexpress is consistent but would probably be more effective over further and while Uzwano goes this trip for the first time his pedigree suggests that he should easily see it out and may be the pick of the pair with Hollywood Racing’s Sean Veale in the irons.

Peter Muscutt sends out Count Of Rouen who was in need of his last run. As a Hollywoodbets Durban July entry he will need to put in a forward showing. Go Grayson Go is the likely pacemaker. He has been caught late at his last two over 1950m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and may just last over this 50m shorter. Mohave Prince is unbeaten in two since the blinkers were added, has a handy weight helped by Rachel Venniker’s allowance.

MJ Odendaal has always held Johnny The Thief in high regard and he was running on well over a distance well short of his best last time out. Only time will tell whether his is good enough to make the July field.

Punters face a competitive field from the first race where most are first timers so the betting should prove your best guide.

The second could rest between Peace Rose and Peach Melba although Emerald Forge makes her local debut and has been expensive to follow on the Highveld where she has started favourite on numerous occasions only to disappoint but must have shown some ability.

Kiartay and Bison Warrior could suffice in the first leg of the PA. Kiartay made a smart debut before taking on winners in a feature next time out, both runs at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He has the best of the draw in his first outing for Tienie Prinsloo. Bison Warrior was run out of it late last run and the step up in trip with some experience under his girth should see him close again.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Bai Yulu made a smart debut at long odds for Mike and Mathew de Kock. She is bred to stay this trip and any improvement can see her home. Gold Gold Baby has some promising Western Cape form and meets little of note in this line-up and is the one to beat. Surprise could come in the form of Flickering Light who showed signs of coming to hand  when stepped up to 1600m last run. This trip should suit.

Tough handicaps follow. In the fifth, Tobacconist has come well at his last two and is over his ideal trip and Veale stays with the ride in preference to top weight Trois Quatre. Stuart Ferrie’s filly Hodge Podge is in cracking form and she followed up two close-up finishes behind subsequent Gr2 SA Derby winner Curious Girl with a comfortable victory over Fine Wine who has since gone on to frank that form. Of the balance I’m Invictus won well second time of asking when tried in blinkers. He has a handy weight and looks promising. Leading rider Craig Zackey takes the ride on My Boy Lollipop who has no recent form over shorter. The step up in trip and jockey booking could be a pointer.

In the seventh, Silver Salute was a comfortable winner over course and distance in her local debut. She only got a three-point raise in the handicap and can follow up. Blue Poppy was well beaten by Silver Salute when last they met but it was a below par performance from a wide draw. She should finish closer. Grand Occasion has been in mustard form of late and won well from a tricky draw when beating Blue Poppy last time out. Michaelle Michel’s 1.5kg allowance offsets her rating increase and she can confirm that result. West Side Story showed some improvement when going a mile again. She has a light weight and has an upset chance.

The eighth is a wide open handicap but Tyroconnell  has been knocking at the door of late in useful company. He has no weight on his back and gets cheek pieces again which can see him go one better. Queue Wing is a veteran with 48kg to shoulder from a good draw. Judged by jockey bookings Green Glow would look to be Kannemeyer’s second string but Serino Moodley was aboard when shedding his maiden and the gelding is way better than his last effort. Stable companion Kanaal Skater s better than his last run from a wide draw and has a winning chance on his penultimate showing while Sundance Kid has been runner-up at his last three but all have come on the poly which is a concern.

The last is another tricky handicap but Take Your Place has shown up well in two recent outings against speedy opposition. She gets a three-point relief in the handicap that should see her competitive in another wide open race. Call Of The Karoo was a beaten favourite last start when taking on stronger. She has top weight but also a stronger rider aboard. Amafort is unbeaten in two with blinkers and a useful 4kg apprentice aboard and has a hattrick chance.

David Thiselton

 

There are 63 entries for the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July to be run on July 4 over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

 

Champion trainer Justin Snaith, who is going for a sixth July win, led the way with ten entries headed by the WSB Cape Town Met and World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge winner See It Again. He also has last year’s July runner up Eight On Eighteen in his team as well as dual Gr 1 winner Wish List, the Met runner up Legal Counsel, the exciting Lucky Fish Cape Derby runner up Note To Self as well as Okavango, Happy Verse, Native Ruler, Regulation and Great Plains. Note To Self could be the one to side with, because this big son of Futura has a fine turn of foot and as things stand will have a nice galloping weight of 54kg, presuming the 130 rated See It Again will stand his ground and be allotted top weight of 62kg.

 

The race has new conditions with the difference between this year’s and last year’s being there is a 10kg spread as opposed to a 8kg spread; there are no maximum or minimum weights for three-year-old males or for three-year-old females or for older females, and there are no minimum weights for older males.

Rather it is just a straight handicap with the normal weight for age allowances, which in the case of a 2200m race taking place in the month of July is a 2kg weight for age allowance for the three-year-olds.

Mike de Kock has also won five Julys and will now be attempting to win one as a partner of his son Mathew. They have four entries headed by Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Jan Van Goyen, Gr 2 SA Derby winner Curious Girl, Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas winner Splittheeights and the former Zimbabwean Triple Crown winner Buster Barnes. Of those Splittheeights looks to have some fine formlines and is potentially well weighted, although as things stand he is officially 2,5kg under sufferance off a 109 merit rating.

Dean Kannemeyer will be going for a fifth win in the big race, but last year’s winner The Real Prince is his sole entry.

Sean Tarry has won the July twice before and he has entered three horses, including Gr 1 SA Classic winner Grand Empire. The latter is officially 1,5kg under sufferance as things stand, an unusual occurrence for a Gr 1 winner, so he has to be considered potentially well weighted.

James Crawford now heads the yard who won the race twice in succession in 2023 and 2024 as his father Brett has relocated to Hong Kong.

James played a big part in both victories and has three entries, including the progressive pair Star Major and Reet Petite. They both have the perfect merit rating for a three-year-old as things stand, 114, because that means they come into the race with bottom weight of 52kg and they sneak into the handicap.

The other three trainers with entries who have won the race before are Alec Laird, Glen Kotzen and Candice Bass.

Laird has a big entry of six, headed by the Gr 1 winners Fire Attack and Atticus Finch. Fire Attack has had a disappointing season, but at his best he possesses a strong finish, so can’t be written off. Atticus Finch suffered epistaxis in last year’s race, but if things go well for him this former Betway Summer Cup winner has the class to be a threat, although he will have to carry a big weight of 60,5kg off his 127 rating as things stand.

Kotzen has entered the brave stayer Holding Thumbs, who will try his heart out.

Bass has three entries including the dependable Rainbow Lorikeet and the exciting three-year-old prospect Viva’s Liberte, the best of whom is unlikely to have been seen yet.

Another interesting entry is the Jackpot City Dingaans winner Trust, who was a narrow runner up in the SA Classic and he looks potentially well weighted off a mere 110 rating, which officially puts him 2kg under sufferance as things stand. He will be out to give July nearly man Larry Nestadt a first win in the big race and the other owners, Gary Player and the Lindsay Ralphs family, will also be trying to win the July for the first time.

The filly who only just missed landing the Triple Tiara, the Corne Spies-trained Hazy Dazy, is an entry.

KZN have plenty of entries headed by the Frank Robinson-trained Betway Summer Cup winner Mocha Blend, the Stuart Ferrie-trained Gr 1 Champions Cup winner Gladatorian,  the Gareth van Zyl-trained champion stayer King Pelles and his SA Derby runner up stablemate Salani Kahle, the Nathan Kotzen-trained stayer Shoot The Rapids and his improving stablemate Field Marshal, Peter Muscutt has three entries including I Salute You, Michael Roberts has entered the classy Ladyofdistinction and there are also entries from Darryl Moore and MJ Odendaal.

Devin Heffer, Hollywoodbets Brand and Communications manager, said, “It has been a privilege for us as a leading brand to be associated with this internationally acclaimed sporting event since 2022, and every year it just gets bigger and better. With the adjustment in the race conditions and a doubling of the prize money to a record new stakes pot, the first entries list is proof that the stars are aligned and  Hollywoodbets Greyville is set to live up to its label of the ‘Theatre of Champions’ on 4 July”.