RACE 1     

3 FIRELIGHTER 6 LONG STREET 7 THE GOLDEN GOAL 5 PARLIAMENT SQUARE

Preview: 3 FIRELIGHTER has hard-knocking form and over a suitable trip is well drawn, although this is an open maiden, so it will make it harder for him having to carry top weight. 6 LONG STREET often places and should be able to earn here carrying only 57,5kg. 7 THE GOLDEN GOAL has some fair form and could place. 5 PARLIAMENT SQUARE is also capable of being in the money. (David Thiselton 3-6-7-5)

RACE 2     

2 AVERSATOR 10 INDIGENOUS 3 ALANNAH 8 HOLLYWOOD HEIRESS

Preview: 2 AVERSATOR made a fair debut in the strong centre  of Cape Town and from a good draw should be right there over a step up and trip he should handle. 10 INDIGENOUS has run two good races in Cape Town and beat Aversator by two lengths last time, but he does have a wide draw to overcome here. 3 ALANNAH made a fair debut and can earn from a good draw. 8 HOLLYWOOD HEIRESS has shown some, shown some ability and could earn. (David Thiselton 2-10-3-8)

RACE 3     

12 TERMINAL VELOCITY 11 ROY’S GRACE 13 NAUTICAL LANDING 6 K M V RETROFIT

Preview: 12 TERMINAL VELOCITY has hard-knocking form and can go close here over a suitable trip despite having to overcome a wide draw. 11 ROY’S GRACE has some fair form and is distance suited, but also has to overcome a tricky draw. 13 NAUTICAL LANDING s another one with some good form who needs to overcome a wide draw. 6 K M V RETROFIT should be right there if bouncing back to her best. (David Thiselton 12-11-13-6)

RACE 4     

4 APACHE AG 10 SILVER PLATTER 9 HARUN AL RASHID 1 LIMELIGHT LEGEND

Preview: 4 APACHE AG made a fair debut over 1400 meters and should relish the step up in trip and is well drawn.10 SILVER PLATTER has been knocking on the door and is distance suited but does have a wide draw to overcome. 9 HARUN AL RASHID is also distance suited and has a wide draw. 1 LIMELIGHT LEGEND ran well last time and from pole position could, could be involved. (David Thiselton 4-10-9-1)

RACE 5     

3 MAGICAL VIEW 4 ONE SMART COOKIE 5 MALCOLM’S DREAM 1 SCHOOL POLICY

Preview: 3 MAGICAL VIEW has not been disgraced in feature races and has a chance from a good draw over an ideal trip. 4 ONE SMART COOKIE is a consistent sort who’s distance suited and has a fair middle draw. 5 MALCOLM’S DREAM can never be ignored and looks to be off a competitive merit rating.1 SCHOOL POLICY has not been disgraced in Cape Town and is drawn in pole over a suitable trip. (David Thiselton 3-4-5-1)

RACE 6     

1 PORFIRIO 4 RICHARDTHEFEARLESS 6 PONGOLA 2 GORGEOUS DUDE

Preview: 1 PORFIRIO disappointed last time but the trip might have been too far and from pole position he has a chance here.4 RICHARDTHEFEARLESS is a capable sort who’s well drawn over a suitable trip.6 PONGOLA is in good form and over a suitable trip can be involved if overcoming a tricky draw. 2 GORGEOUS DUDE won quite nicely last time and off a 3 point higher mark could earn from a good draw. (David Thiselton 1-4-6-2)

RACE 7     

1 GET IMPRESSED 5 MADISON VALLEY 3 UNDERWORLD 6 STRATHCLYDE

Preview: 1 GET IMPRESSED has class and enjoys this course and he is drawn in pole over an ideal trip. 5 MADISON VALLEY has plenty of class too and should have come on from his last run although this is also too short. 3 UNDERWORLD has plenty of ability and from a good draw over a suitable trip he has his third run after a layoff. 6 STRATHCLYDE is a capable sort too and should enjoy this course and distance. (David Thiselton 1-5-3-6)

RACE 8     

1 OKAVANGO 5 EL REY VIENE 9 BLACKBERRY BREEZE 7 UZWANO

Preview: 1 OKAVANGO brings some good Cape Town form and is drawn in pole over a suitable trip. 5 EL REY VIENE is in good form and is distance suited and has a fair draw. 9 BLACKBERRY BREEZE is capable of earning here if things pan out well from a wide draw. 7 UZWANO could bounce back over a step down in trip he will appreciate. (David Thiselton 1-5-9-7)

RACE 9     

2 AMONG THE CLOUDS 4 PLUM PUDDING 7 FLYING HAFLA 3 SONATA SAMARITAN

Preview: 2 AMONG THE CLOUDS has some fair Cape Town form and from a good draw over a suitable trip should be right there.4 PLUM PUDDING is distance suited and should make a bold bid although she does return from a layoff. 7 FLYING HAFLA should enjoy this course and distance and Muzi Yeni stays aboard. 3 SONATA SAMARITAN has some hard knocking form and should handle the step up and trip. (David Thiselton 2-4-7-3)

David Thiselton

Torrential rain put paid to Friday’s scheduled night meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville, but there is still hope as the meeting has been moved to today. With a few days of sunshine, the track will hopefully have dried out.

The meeting scheduled for Hollywoodbets Scottsville today has been moved to Wednesday.

There are nine races with the first off at 12.05 and there should be some intriguing racing with some of the Cape horses having arrived in KZN.

The first race is an open handicap, meaning the better horses carry more weight, but Firelighter, despite having to carry topweight, should still be too good. Long Street is the one who could give some cheek.

The two Cape horses Aversator and Indigenous should fight out race 2 over 1400m. They met in Cape Town over 1200m and Indigenous beat Aversator by two lengths, but Aversator was making his debut then and likely needed it more and looks to have more scope so from a good draw he is taken to win it, although there should not be much in it.

The third is a tricky contest because the form horses are all drawn wide. Terminal Velocity, Roy’s Grace and Nautical Landing will all enjoy the 1400m distance and are hard knocking and Terminal Velocity is preferred. KMV Retrofit is not far off them and has a better draw and Street Talk could improve.

In the next race over 1800m Apache AG caught the eye on debut as a nice looking sort with plenty of upside and he will have come on from that debut run. Silver Platter and Harun Al Rashid are both proven over the trip and are big dangers, although they both have wide draws to overcome.

In the fifth race over 1400m Magical View was beaten by Malcolm’s Dream the last time they met and she is now 3kg worse off at the weights, so on paper Malcolm’s Dream should beat her. However, Magical View likely needed that run and next time out performed well in a Gr 3 over this course and distance, so she should give a good account of herself from draw three. One Smart Cookie and always be relied on to run will too and she has a fair draw.

In the sixth over 1600m Porfiro is drawn in pole under Andrew Fortune and this consistent sort will enjoy the step down in trip from 1800m. Richardthefearless found 2400m too far last time and could bounce back over this shorter trip with Muzi Yeni up. Pongola is in good form and distance suited and can earn if managing to overcome a tricky draw.

In the seventh over 1600m Get Impressed has some class and his two career best performances were over this course and distance, so he should do well from pole position. Madison Valley has plenty of class and that class could pull him through over a trip shorter than ideal. Underworld has class too and should be coming into his own, so he could also be involved in what is a competitive race contested by good horses.

In the eighth over 1800m Okovango’s Cape form could prove superior. El Rey Viene and Blackberry Breeze make most appeal of the rest.

In the last race over 1800m Among The Clouds is also a Cape horse with some fair form and she could prove to be some way better than her 73 merit rating. Plum Pudding was beaten 2,50 lengths by Among The Clouds last November over this trip and meets her on the same terms, but she might prove superior to the KZN horses. Flying Hafla can do better than last time and will enjoy the step up in trip.

David Thiselton

Turffontein Standside holds an eight race meeting today and a MR 94 Handicap over 1000m, the last race, is the highest rated event.

Warm Winter Nite has thrived since arriving in Fabian Habib’s Highveld yard and low draws have not bothered him down the Turffontein straight in his last two starts. However, this field is bigger and the distance is shorter so dropping  in behind horses, as he likes to do, from draw four out of eleven won’t make it easy for him and he also has to overcome an eight point merit rating raise for his easy last win. He is a tentative selection in a wide open race, but expect him to be making a bold late bid. Richard The First is a decent sort who has dropped to a merit rating just one point higher than his last win and over a suitable course and distance he is drawn on the right side with Piere Strydom up. Bourbon Reserve should be coming into his own and he should have come on from his last run which followed a short layoff. Mist In Scotland can earn from a nice high draw if repeating her last start. Hair Trigger sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and should enjoy the step down in trip. 

The seventh race is a MR93 handicap over 1400m and Night Bomber is a former Cape horse who could well be slung in at the weights considering horses with a certain merit rating in the Cape are invariably better than a horse with the sane merit rating in another centre. He did not win either of his last two Highveld starts, having won his regional debut, only because he was firstly up against a good sort in Cymric and had an unfavorable draw over 1160m and in his last time he was out at the weights over 1400m when third behind the classy Pomodoro’s Jet. The only question mark is whether 1400m stretches him. He led last time and was caught on late but that was against superior opposition and he did not fade badly. Pressonregardless has an eight point merit rating raise to overcome after an easy win over course and distance last time. However, he is progressive and is drawn in pole. Corrupt is a nice type who should start coming into his own and he should be staying on strongly from a nice draw of three. 

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Read All About It made a good winning debut over 1000m and wasn’t disgraced in a Listed 1000m race last time. He will relish the step up in trip and has a nice draw under Richard Fourie. Crystal Grove has shown ability and will also relish the step up in trip and has a good draw. Red Penny improved second time out and should handle the step up in trip. Sister Golden Hair was an easy winner last time over this distance category after being backed and she has a fine chance if repeating. Winchester looks capable of improvement. 

In the next race over 2850m the progressive stayer To The Rescue could carry top weight to victory from a good draw. Romeo’s Magic is proving to be an astute stayer and should be involved. Coffeeberry has shown enough to have a chance here. Mo Ment has always struck as a stayer in the making and won easily look last time. Ideal Future should enjoy the course and distance. 

In the fifth race over 2000m Birthright is better than his last start and this handy type can bounce back with a 4kg claimer up if able to overcome a wide draw early. DJ Junior has a lot of ability but does come back from a look layoff. The best PA runner here could be the consistent Diesel’s Shadow. 

In the sixth over 1400m Sail The Sky wasn’t disgraced on Tuesday down the straight over 1600m and will prefer this trip around the turn from a good draw. Great Motion is progressive and should be right there. King Of Numbers has the ability to be involved from a good draw. 

In the second race Scorpio made a good debut in a strong field over 800m last November and could be the one to beat. One Tiger and Opera Fan look to be the dangers. 

The first could be won by Far Beyond, whose debut third has worked out well. 

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!