Alistair Cohen

Trainer Vaughan Marshall will saddle nearly 20 horses at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday, including three lively chances in the Grade 3 Champagne Stakes over 1200m. Seeking The Stars has long been one of the stable favourites and being seven years old, he has seemingly not lost any zest for racing. He could claim a richly deserved ninth career win under Gavin Lerena.

When Lerena travels to Cape Town for Marshall, one needs to take notice. He was associated with One Stripe for nearly the last 12 months for the same owner, Rikesh Sewgoolam. Seeking The Stars has almost been hidden in the shadows of other big-name Marshall horses like One World, Rascallion and One Stripe, but his efforts have never gone unnoticed.

During the Cape Summer Festival of Racing, he kept the best company at Grade 1 and Grade 2 levels. He was hardly going to be a threat to Gimme A Prince, who is the highest rated horse in South Africa, but that Grade 1 dust has settled and Seeking The Stars may have found the right landing spot to win again.

In January, he was run off his feet in the Grade 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship over 1000m, but when one considers Gimme A Prince was a facile five-length winner, he was just behind some A-Grade sprinters beaten by 7,2 lengths overall. Seeking The Stars followed up with a good 2,15-length fourth behind Gimme A Prince in the Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m a month later. One could argue that Gimme A Prince ran a level below himself but it was still an admirable performance. 

Tenango was a winner all over last time but he was snared at the line by Gem King by a nose. He reopposes Gem King and he meets on 2kg better terms which should be enough to turn the tables. Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson has maintained that Tenango has a feature race within and since a wind operation, he has done sweet little wrong. He has a smart turn of foot and the latest conditions after some rain could help him finish his race better than the hard going through summer. Andrew Fortune is riding very well and he is carded to take the ride.

Marshall also has Lion Rampart and All Out For Six in the race. Both are promising three-year-olds. The former probably has more going for him as a proven sprinter but the latter has the scalp of the HSH Princess Charlene Big Cap last month and he is easily the highest earner in the field. Watch both for good runs.

Marshall has good winning chances in races 1 and 2. Ireland Forever in the opener might be a little tentative because some rivals have a lot to come but are unproven. But his debut win should set him up. He followed that win up in the Listed Cape Of Good Hope Nursery over 1200m and although he failed to fire, to the eye, his debut showed his hand as a useful two-year-old to follow. He is back to the same 1000m trip that he won in his debut. That could be the key.

Better Man makes a ton of appeal in race 2 over 1400m. He stormed home late to be beaten 2,75 lengths by Pay The Palace at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. The track did not suit horses coming from off the pace and he made inroads when the race was all over. With that further education under the belt he must take a power of beating for the same connections as Seeking The Stars.

Umfula has a lot to recommend as a smart stayer in the making. He strikes as one of the better bets on the card in race 7 over 2200m. It might have taken him four frustrating runs to win but he was always burning towards his peak trip and now that he has found his groove, there could be seriously exciting things in the pipeline. He sauntered to victory at his last run when he smashed Ahead Of The Facts, who is no mug, by 2,75 lengths. Richard Fourie is obliged to ride because his sponsors own a share in the horse and one would be certain that he is pleased to partner up again. Brett and James Crawford train.

There is a paucity of form in race 3 over 1100m. Duchess Of Paloma makes the most appeal of those who have experience but it is hardly form to sing from the rooftops about. Check the market on all debutantes, especially the well-bred Ukuduma and Lowveld Lily.

If Ocotillo was drawn better than Gate No 11, she would stack up as a huge play of the day, but she could still get away with it in race 5 over 1400m. She is out of Grade 1 winning mare Camphoratus and there has been steady improvement throughout her career. Trainer Eric Sands is in terrific form and log-leading jockey Craig Zackey takes the ride. Her last run form was well franked because Kleinzee stepped out and won her post-maiden in style last Wednesday.

There are a few winning chances in race 5 over 1700m, but Past And Present could be set up for his overdue maiden exit. He tried 2400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last month and although he stuck around for second behind Wood World, he did not look like winning. This more sympathetic trip could do the trick with him. He keeps finishing second. His penultimate run was behind Umfula, who received a glowing report.

Bass-Robinson has a strong hand in race 9 over 1200m. Rahhabba and October Fest make plenty of appeal. The former is fresh off her maiden win, so she could have slightly more to come despite rising in class. She beat Miss William in good style by 1,75 lengths over this course and distance when last seen in February. 

Father-daughter team Michelle Rix and Harold Crawford could also saddle a double with lively chances on the card. Beneath The Clouds has finally got into a consistent vein of form and she has learned the trade after starting her career a bit wayward in terms of how she did things. She is overdue and she could crack it in race 6 over 1700m. She is also from the Kleinzee form which might spark up a race earlier and that will add some confidence.

Firingonallengines is as gutsy as they come and this overachiever could score in race 10 over 1200m. He races handy and he is able to find which is testament to his character. He takes on some upwardly mobile opposition who needs to be considered but as far as effort goes, Firingonallengies often gets a thumbs up.

Race 1: 

The William Longsword gelding (1) NORTH POINT was ultra-impressive when winning his last start and looks set to follow up here. (2) AMEN CORNER won a good race on debut at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last month. He has obvious scope for further improvement but bumps a potentially above average sort in North Point. (5) ORBIT made an auspicious winning debut back in December before fluffing his lines in his subsequent outing. He returns from a three month break and may have freshened up nicely. (7) IRELAND FOREVER drops in class from his moderate Nursery effort and can be competitive here. Selection: (1-2-5-7).

Race 2:

(8) BETTER MAN showed good improvement in his second start over this trip and gets the services of Gavin Lerena. (2) Randolph Hearst finished a well beaten third on debut but this blue-blooded colt will come on leaps and bounds with the benefit of that experience and will appreciate the step up in trip. (4) NEW WORLD brings decent form into the race and was not far behind Better Man when they met last month. (6) SUPPOSEYOU’VEHEARD comes out of that same form line and was right on top of Better Man and New World at the finish. Richard Fourie now takes the ride which is a positive and he can turn the form around. Selection: (8-2-4-6).

Race 3: 

There is every chance a newcomer can win this, the opening leg of the Place Accumulator, so keep a close eye on the betting. (1) UKUDUMA is a very well-bred daughter of Vercingetorix and Lerena rides for the Marshall stable. (3) Fourie has been engaged to ride the debutante LOWVELD LILY for the Snaith team and is also very nicely related. (7) WINTER GAMBLE has been placed in three of her five starts but appears limited and could be vulnerable to a market springer. (2) RUBY REX has shown some promise and may prefer returning to the straight course following a disappointing last effort at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Selection: (1-3-7-2).

Race 4:

(11) OCOTILLO faces a tricky draw in this 1400m contest but appears to bring the best form into the race and high-riding Craig Zackey retains the ride. (7) HUNGA TONGA was a close second behind Wehaveasituation towards the end of last month and on that form there is not much to choose between Ricky Maingard’s filly and (12) MISS WILLIAM who was third then and is now 1kg better off in this Open Maiden. (1) CHAMPAGNE BLAZE is a very well related juvenile from the Marshall stable and the daughter of Vercingetorix has cracked pole position. Any market support must be respected. Selection: (11-7-12-1).

Race 5:

Competitive Open Maiden over 1700m. (4) DRICUS may represent the quality here and is expected to show further progress after finishing second over 1400m last time. (9) TUNGUSKA ran a good race over 1600m last month and the form of that race has been franked. (10) PAST AND PRESENT is holding form well having been runner-up in his last three outings and rates a clear chance again. (12) SHOW OFF is lightly raced and may have scope for further improvement over the added trip. Selection: (4-9-10-12).

Race 6:

The Candice Bass-Robinson-trained (2) ENGLISH MISTRESS is a long time but very consistent maiden and from a good draw and with Andrew Fortune in the saddle she could exit the maiden ranks here. (5) SWEETSUMMERLOVE is slowly coming to hand and could get into the mix. (6) BENEATH THE CLOUDS is seldom far back and rates a clear chance in this limited field. (16) LUCKY THIRTEEN has a wide draw to overcome but comes into the race with a very low mass and could make her presence felt. (7) SPECIAL GLAMOUR may have more to come as she steps up in trip. Selection: (2-5-6-16).

Race 7:

The Canford Cliffs colt (6) UMFULA is on a hat trick and was a dominant winner over this course and distance last time out. (9) KWITE A KING is holding his form well and will appreciate going a touch further than in recent starts. (8) BOUNCEBACK ran third over 1800m last time and is still relatively unexposed, so can improve further. (7) TOTHEMOONANDBACK is 3kgs better off with Umfula for a three-length beating which should bring the pair a lot closer together. (2) HELIOTROPE has the form to win a race of this nature and is well treated at the weights, Selection: (6-9-8-7).

Race 8:

Competitive Grade 3 event over 1200m but there is lots to like about (4) TENANGO and he could claim his first Stakes success. (6) ALL OUT FOR SIX won the richly endowed Big Cap over 1400m last time and is a classy 3yo. He could be equally competitive over this slightly shorter trip. (10) LION RAMPART has been a touch disappointing recently but this will be his peak run and he could bounce back. (1) GEM KING has found a new lease of life but is now 2kgs worse off with Tenango which could sway the outcome in the latter’s favour. (11) DANCE VARIETY went wrong in his last start back in December but on best form would have an undeniable chance in this line-up. Selection: (4-6-10-1).

Race 9:

Open race but (8) OCTOBER FEST should be ready to produce her best and will appreciate stepping back in trip. (10) SHE’S GOT CLASS ran a terrific race first up out the maidens and a repeat of that performance will see her go close here. (4) FROM A DISTANCE is far better than her recent form suggests and could pose a threat. (2) NOODSBERG was a runaway winner of her maiden back in November but could need this run and a stiffer test of stamina. Selection: (8-10-4-2).

Race 10:

Hardest race on the card. (17) TOUGH TERRAIN has the right form but his chances may be compromised by being drawn on the wrong side of the track. (12)  ALL ABOUT AL has useful course and distance form and will be thereabouts at the finish. (9) FIRINGONALLENGINES is very quick and he brings good consistent form into the race. (11) MAJOR MASTER is very classy but prefers a touch further. However, he could be a factor in this line-up. There are many other with chances and punters will need to cast their nets wide, particularly as the possible track bias in this large field could be a determining factor. Selection: (17-12-9-11).

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.

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!