RACE 1     

1 LITTLEMISSSPLENDID 5 JINGLEBERRY 6 MATCHA MINT 7 RED CARAMEL

Preview: 1 LITTLEMISSSPLENDID made a good debut behind a good sort and then won well second time out over this course and distance and she has a chance from a nice high draw despite having to give 3kg to the rest of the runners. 5 JINGLEBERRY is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Western Winter mare who comes from a strong family. 6 MATCHA MINT is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Fastnet Rock mare. 7 RED CARAMEL has shown some ability and has the standside draw. (David Thiselton 1-5-6-7)

RACE 2     

1 ARISTOTLE 4 GRAND CRESCENDO 5 SALUTE THE FLAG 2 GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE

Preview: 1 ARISTOTLE has plenty of class and went close over 1600 metres last time and should also enjoy this trip despite being bred for further, but does have a tricky draw. 4 GRAND CRESCENDO is much better than his last start and with Gavin Lerena now up he should bounce back over a trip which should suit. 5 SALUTE THE FLAG can also do better than last time and will enjoy the step down in trip. 2 GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE is ideally distance suited and has a middle draw but does come off a disappointing run in the Hawaii Stakes. (David Thiselton 1-4-5-2)

RACE 3     

1 ART NOUVEAU 8 JINGER JAM 7 CITY LIGHTS 2 ARTIC SILVER

Preview: 1 ART NOUVEAU made a good Highveld debut for the Peter yard over a trip which was likely too sharp, so she will enjoy the step-up and trip here, although she was due to run in midweek and it remains to be seen whether she’ll line up here. 8 JINGER JAM choked up last time and was pulled up, but in her previous race she looked likely to run second before being squeezed out between another horse and the rail, so she has a much better chance here than her form suggests. 7 CITY LIGHTS  is a long time maiden but is usually thereabouts and could be again in this line-up. 2 ARTIC SILVER should enjoy the step-up in trip being out of a Silvano mare and she has drawn well. (David Thiselton 1-8-7-2)

RACE 4     

3 HUEHUETENANGO 2 OMBUDSMAN 8 GAMER 7 STORM AHEAD

Preview: 3 HUEHUETENANGO won well in the maidens and has a reasonable merit rating of 79 and is well drawn over an ideal trip. 2 OMBUDSMAN is knocking on the door and should enjoy the step-up in trip. 8 GAMER has become consistent and will relish this trip from a good draw.7 STORM AHEAD has drawn in pole and has a place chance in this line-up. (David Thiselton 3-2-8-7)

RACE 5     

1 THUNEE PLAYA 2 RADICCHIO 4 MUSICAL SCORE 3 NAVAJO NATION

Preview: 1 THUNEE PLAYA has class and should do well here as he has likely been freshened up and this trip is on the sharp side. 2 RADICCHIO should enjoy this trip and is in fine form but does have a tricky draw. 4 MUSICAL SCORE bounced back with a good run last time and from a good draw with Gavin Lerena up, he should be involved. 3 NAVAJO NATION has been running in stronger fields, but back in this company should have a chance from pole position. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-3) 

RACE 6     

8 YAMADORI 4 COSMIC STAR 6 CHYAVANA

8 YAMADORI is in good form and should be also involved in the finish. 4 COSMIC STAR is drawn towards the right side and can be involved in the finish. 6 CHYAVANA has plenty of ability and coming back from a rest over this trip should not pose too much of a problem. (David Thiselton 8-4-6)

RACE 7     

2 BUFFALO STORM CODY 1 MOUNT PINATUBO 4 THE SPECIALIST 5 SALENIO PENINSULA

Preview: 2 BUFFALO STORM CODY impressed last time and should also make a bold bid. 1 MOUNT PINATUBO beat the Specialist by 1.3 lengths last time but is now 3kg worse off. 4 THE SPECIALIST has plenty of ability and could have benefitted from a lay off. 5 SALENIO PENINSULA could earn in this line up from a high draw. (David Thiselton 2-1-4-5)

RACE 8     

3 DOITWITHDIAMONDS 2 MISS SCALETTA 1 MARY’S GREENLIGHT 4 RANI OF KITTUR

Preview: 3 DOITWITHDIAMONDS is in fine form and only just failed last time but can make amends here over a suitable trip. 2 MISS SCALETTA won well over 1600m last time and should enjoy this trip. 1 MARY’S GREENLIGHT has number 1 draw and this is a sort who needs a good draw so could be involved. 4 RANI OF KITTUR can earn if bouncing back from a disappointing run last time. (David Thiselton 3-2-1-4)

RACE 9     

9 FREE IN SEATTLE 3 FLAMBOYANT FLYE 10 LAPIS LAZULI 4 KEY WORKER

Preview: 9 FREE IN SEATTLE  is knocking on the door and over a suitable trip from a good draw should go close. 3 FLAMBOYANT FLYER is drawn in pole and with Piere Strydom up should be right there.  10 LAPIS LAZULI won a good race last time and looks to be on the up so could earn here. 4 KEY WORKER is a capable sort and should be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 9-3-10-4)

Durban – World Sports Betting (WSB) has reaffirmed its commitment to South African horseracing by renewing its sponsorship of three premier race meetings in KwaZulu-Natal during the upcoming winter season. These meetings will include the first two weekends of South Africa’s highly anticipated Champions Season. 

Racing enthusiasts can look forward to a thrilling day of action at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, featuring a ten-race card headlined by the WSB Sledgehammer, WSB Scarlet Lady, and WSB Highland Night Cup. These races serve as an early stepping stone for horses preparing to compete in the Champions Season, which officially begins in May. 

“Horseracing has always been a cornerstone of our sponsorship strategy,” said Ryno Du Plessis, Chief Operating Officer of World Sports Betting. “The renewal of our partnership with Gold Circle reflects our continued passion for the sport and our belief in its future. We’re grateful to the Gold Circle team for allowing us to once again align the World Sports Betting brand with some of the season’s top racing events, and we look forward to welcoming KZN racing fans back on course.” 

The excitement continues at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 3 May, with the official opening of Champions Season. The day’s feature races will include the Grade 2 WSB Guineas, Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas, and the fan-favourite WSB 400m Dash, alongside the historic IOS Drill Hall Stakes. 

Just a week later, the spotlight will shift to the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900, a race that has played a key role in shaping the path to the Hollywoodbets Durban July, with the past two winners having launched their campaigns in this prestigious event. 

“With all the positive developments taking place in KwaZulu-Natal racing, it’s vital to have dedicated partners like World Sports Betting by our side,” said Steve Marshall, Events & Marketing Executive at Gold Circle. “Their growing support of the sport, both provincially and nationally, is a major boost for the industry and helps ensure a vibrant future for horseracing in South Africa.” 

For more information, visit www.goldcircle.co.za or follow Gold Circle on social media.

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.