David Thiselton

There is an intriguing eleven race meeting on the Vaal straight course on Thursday and with the outside rail at zero metres the high draws should be favourable in the races that are down the straight, while low draws will be favourable for the two races around the turn, the 1700m events of race four and five.

The highest rated event is race 8, a 101 merit rated handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. Calantha was inconvenienced by a low draw last time out and the best has probably not been seen yet of this well-bred sort, who now has a standside rail draw. Night Vigil was aided by a high draw last time out and just got up to beat One Fell Swoop. She is progressive and is in fine form and should make a bold bid. Kindred Heart won a good race over this distance last time and off a five point higher mark could still make her presence felt, although she has quite a low draw. Wings Within Me has four lengths to make up on Calantha, but is only half-a-kilogram better off, although she does have a 4kg claimer up so could earn. Green Flash has a lot of ability, but tends to take too strong a hold. However, she did stay on over 1160m last time, so she is capable of surprising if it pans out well.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Cape Saffron was caught wide last time and can do better so is preferred from pole position to the other chief protagonists. Nkwenkwezi showed good resolve last time when second over 1600m and has a good chance if able to overcome a wide draw. Arctic Silver could earn, although on formlines she is held by Nkwenkwezi.

In the fifth race over 1700m The Ultimate King chased home Count Huhtikuu last time over 1800m and they were in a different race to the rest of them, who were beaten 14,75 lengths and more by the winner. Count Huhtikuu had some decent form, so The Ultimate King should be hard to beat from a good draw. Chieftain’s Shield is capable of running on and from pole position should be in the shake up. Future King is a progressive sort who should relish this trip, although he was due to run on Tuesday.

In the sixth race over 1600m Obsidian won very easily over 1400m in the maidens and runs off a reasonable 79 merit rating over a suitable trip and is drawn towards the outside. Douglas Dragon comes off a good run in a stronger field over 2000m, but the concern is whether the trip will be too sharp, as he has been running from 1800m to 2400m in his last ten starts, and he also has the potentially unfavourable number one draw. Safe Space is in good form and is distance suited and has a plum high draw. 

In the seventh over 1400m Presley would have come on from his last start and over a suitable trip should be staying on, especially considering he has a nice high draw.  Bob’s Your Uncle was not bothered by an unfavourable low draw over 1160m last time and this versatile sort could make his presence felt again. The Africa House has become ultra consistent and over a suitable trip is drawn towards the right side, so he should be involved too.

In the ninth race over 1200m Cars Big As Bars is drawn towards the right side and is in fine form, so looks the one to beat. It’s Her Way has ability and if able to overcome the effects of a low draw should be staying on. Exceedingly Glam has a fair form chance here with leading jockey Craig Zackey up.

In the first race over 1200m War Of Kingdoms has a draw towards the low side but after a good debut faces an uninspiring field and Zackey could get off to a good start. Mizzen Sword has a potentially unfavourable number one draw, but is in good form and can fight it out. Asian Delight, Time Will Tell and Trip To States could earn.

In the second over 1200m Red Amber is drawn on the right side and comes out of race which has worked out well. Green Extreme has fair form but is drawn towards the low side. Genovefa, Tipperary and Blindfire can’t be ignored.

In the third over 1400m Green Street did well when stepped up to this trip last time but has to overcome the number one draw. Ichacha and Crescendo return from layoffs but have the ability to go close.

In the tenth race over 1200m Hong Kong looks to be full of potential and can carry topweight to victory.

In the last race over 1000m Virgin River is very quick and from a plum high draw can beat home Phantom Express and Rock Of Bismantova, who have to overcome low draws. 

RACE 1     

8 WAR OF KINGDOMS 1 MIZZEN SWORD 3 ASIAN DELIGHT 9 TIME WILL TELL

Preview: 8 WAR OF KINGDOMS made a good debut and can go one better.  1 MIZZEN SWORD is knocking hard on the door and should be right there.3 ASIAN DELIGHT showed improvement last time and could earn. 9 TIME WILL TELL can go close if repeating his penultimate start. (David Thiselton 8-1-3-9)

RACE 2     

16 RED AMBER 3 GREEN EXTREME 12 GENOVEFA 2 TIPPERARY

Preview: 16 RED AMBER went close second time out and has a strong chance here. 3 GREEN EXTREME is knocking hard and should be in the shake-up.12 GENOVEFA ran a good race last time and is improving. 2 TIPPERARY can earn in this line-up. (David Thiselton 16-3-12-2)

RACE 3     

8 GREEN STREET 1 ICHACHA 5 CRESCENDO 10 EXPLOSIVE GIFT

Preview: 8 GREEN STREET did well when stepped up to 1400m last time and looks to be the one to beat.1 ICHACHA has plenty of ability but has returned from a layoff. 5 CRESCENDO made a fair debut after being backed and should be right there.10 EXPLOSIVE GIFT was not disgraced on debut and could earn. (David Thiselton 8-1-5-10)

RACE 4     

2 NKWENKWEZI 3 CAPE SAFFRON 4 ARTIC SILVER 9 LAVA LAMP

Preview: 2 NKWENKWEZI is knocking on the door but does have a tricky draw. 3 CAPE SAFFRON has fair form and should earn here from pole position. 4 ARTIC SILVER can earn here if repeating her last start.  9 LAVA LAMP made a fair debut and can earn if repeating. (David Thiselton 2-3-4-9)

RACE 5     

1 THE ULTIMATE KING 5 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD 8 FUTURE KING 3 BLURRED VISION

Preview: 1 THE ULTIMATE KING is knocking on the door and will be hard to beat. 5 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD has pole position and should be staying on. 8 FUTURE KING ran well second time out and should improve over this trip. 3 BLURRED VISION has a chance over a trip he should enjoy. (David Thiselton 1-5-8-3)

RACE 6     

4 DOUGLAS DRAGON 9 OBSIDIAN 7 SAFE SPACE 2 WILLOW EXPRESS

Preview: 4 DOUGLAS DRAGON is knocking on the door and has a fine chance here. 9 OBSIDIAN won well in the maidens and has a chance here.7 SAFE SPACE is in good form and should be right there. 2 WILLOW EXPRESS is always capable of winning.  (David Thiselton 4-9-7-2)

RACE 7     

7 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE 1 ZUZAN 4 PRESLEY 5 THE AFRICA HOUSE

Preview: 7 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE is quite versatile and from a good draw should be in the shake-up.1 ZUZAN has a good draw over a suitable trip and has a touch of class. 4 PRESLEY would have come on from his last start and is distance suited and should be staying on. 5 THE AFRICA HOUSE s distance suited and should be thereabouts. (David Thiselton 7-1-4-5)

RACE 8     

4 NIGHT VIGIL 6 SALENIO PENINSULA 7 BOSUM BUDDY 8 KINDRED HEART

Preview: 4 NIGHT VIGIL is in fine form and should make a bold bid. 6 SALENIO PENINSULA is a capable sort and will appreciate the step back down and trip. 7 BOSUM BUDDY should be right on top of Night Vigil. 8 KINDRED HEART has ability and should be thereabouts.  (David Thiselton 4-6-7-8)

RACE 9     

8 IT’S HER WAY 9 CARS BIG AS BARS 10 LADY OF ARC 5 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM

Preview: 8 IT’S HER WAY should go close back in ordinary company. 9 CARS BIG AS BARS looks promising and has a shout. 10 LADY OF ARC won well last time and should handle the step up and trip. 5 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM could be in the shake-up. (David Thiselton 8-9-10-5)

RACE 10    

1 HONG KONG 6 ONE PARTY 7 FLIGHT OF A CONDOR 11 WESTERN WISHES

Preview: 1 HONG KONG is a promising sort and is the one to beat. 6 ONE PARTY went close last time and can be thereabouts with a repeat. 7 FLIGHT OF A CONDOR looks capable of improving.  11 WESTERN WISHES went close last time and has a chance.  (David Thiselton 1-6-7-11)

RACE 11    

4 VIRGIN RIVER 9 PHANTOM EXPRESS 1 ROCK OF BISMANTOVA 7 KINSHIN SHA

Preview: 4 VIRGIN RIVER is quick and can follow up on her last win. 9 PHANTOM EXPRESS should be right on top of Virgin River. 1 ROCK OF BISMANTOVA can never be ignored.  7 KINSHIN SHA could earn again if it pans out to his liking. (David Thiselton 4-9-1-7)

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.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Ffos Las and Newmarket (UK) – 17 April 2025.

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!