RACE 1

(1) AUGUSTA ROSSO ran extremely well on debut and will be tough to beat with Richard Fourie aboard. (5) OLIVE OYL is making progress and is sure to contest the finish. (3) DARLINGBUDSOFMAY wasn’t far on debut and will make progress. (2) BUDDLEJA is another who wasn’t far on debut and will improve and get much closer. (Devonne Govender 1-5-3-2)

RACE 2

(1) ZATARA MAGIC is classy and will be dangerous if allowed to dictate here. (2) ELECTRIC GOLD has plenty ability and will be a strong contender here, he will go close. (7) GIMME MORE TIME represents Cape form which generally stand up strong here, he is capable of having a big say in this contest so respect. (3) EAST COAST is another that has the ability to win a race of this nature and must go into everything. (Devonne Govender 1-2-7-3)

RACE 3

(1) LADY SILVANO packs plenty of class and is holding top form, looks hard to beat. (2) FLIGHT DISPLAY is holding excellent form and will be the main danger. Her last run was ultra-impressive but she will have to lift to beat the top selection. (4) LADY ZULTANITE is very capable and can get into the action, include in quartets. (7) ESSENTIAL is never far back and can get a lot closer. (Devonne Govender 1-2-4-7)

RACE 4

(3) GLOBAL REEF is holding consistent form and rates a winning chance in an open race. (11) DUTCHESS D’ORANGE ran a cracker in the last start and repeat performance will see her go very close. (1) HEEMSTEDE hasn’t lived up to expectations in the Cape, he cannot be ignores here in this field respectfully so is a must include in all bets. (6) HAT MONTERA can pop un and get into the placings. (Devonne Govender 3-11-1-6)

RACE 5

(1) AMERICAN MATADOR is back on Turf and that could make all the difference. His Turf form is good and he will take a power of beating in this line-up. (2) HENRY’S HEDGE represents Cape form and should be respected. (8) GOLDEN GREY is unreliable but can win this on best form, He has run well in the Cape and will be in the shakeup if repeating those runs. (3) CLIFFIE CLAVIN has been getting closer and run into the places. (Devonne Govender 1-2-8-3)

RACE 6

(4) AMERICAN DREAM is holding top and with the 4kg claimer up he looks set to record a hattrick of wins. He does return from a short break however he will be the first choice irrespective as the yard is in top form and with the weight advantage he looks the right one in this field. (8) IGUGULETHU won gutsy race in his last start and if producing a repeat showing will be a massive contender. (2) MAKHACHEV is very capable on his day, he has a tough draw but will be in the firing line. (9) FOUR JACKS wasn’t far in the last start and can get a lot closer, quartet chance. (Devonne Govender 4-8-2-9)

RACE 7

(8) ABOUND is holding solid form and looks to have a massive winning chance in an open race. (12) CHEEKY LADDIE is holding good form and rates a big chance in this line up with the inform Craig Zackey aboard. (7) BRENDEN JAMES won a gutsy race in the last start and will be a huge contender here. (1) SLINGS AND ARROWS Is very capable on his day and can produce a big finish, include in all bets. (Devonne Govender 8-12-7-1)

RACE 8

(5) DIRECT HIT is a very smart horse, she was ultra-impressive in both her wins and looks set to remain unbeaten and will be the banker in all bets. (8) INSTAWORTHY has solid form to recommend and will be in the firing line but will have to lift to beat the top selection. (6) FIERY COUNTESS ran behind a decent sort in the last start and can make the places here. (7) HOT SAUCE was and impressive winner on debut however meets much stronger now, she will be tested. (Devonne Govender 5-8-6-7)

RACE 9

(2) GOCEKWITHLOVE is in top form, she won a gutsy race in her last start and will be a massive contender. (6) MONTELENA is very capable on her day, she wasn’t far behind the top selection on a line of form so must be respected. (1) THREE ROCKS is classy, she has been expensive to follow but is capable of winning this. (4) RED SASH ran well in her last start and can get involved here. (Devonne Govender 2-6-1-4)

KwaZulu-Natal has once again experienced heavy rainfall, with Durban surpassing its annual rainfall average within just four months of 2025.

Hollywoodbets Greyville has recorded 82mm of rain over the past two days, and showers continue with more rain expected today.

Due to these conditions, Gold Circle has proactively taken a decision to move the Hollywoodbets Greyville race meeting originally scheduled for Friday, 18 April to Sunday, 20 April 2025.

Consequently, the meeting planned at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, 20 April has been rescheduled to Wednesday, 23 April 2025. Please note that updated race times will be announced shortly.

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.