David Thiselton

Craig Zackey was on fire for the whole of last week which first saw him claw back a deficit in the national jockeys championship and then saw him forge clear.

After the Champions Day meeting, at which both Richard Fourie and Gavin Lerena scored four-timers, the standings were Fourie 176, Lerena 174 and Zackey 171.

However, Zackey has since scored a double at last week’s Hollywoodbets Greyville Monday meeting, a treble at the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Wednesday meeting, he won both races at the Vaal Classic meeting last Thursday which was abandoned after the 2nd race, he rode a treble at the Fairview turf meeting on Friday and he rode a double at the Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting on Sunday.

The standings are now Zackey 183, Fourie 177 and Lerena 174.

Zackey’s 12 winners in the week came at a strike rate of 37,50%, while Fourie had only eight rides in the week for one win and Lerena had a blank from seven rides.

Fourie might have to up his travel rate to beat Zackey, but probably remains the favourite due to the devastating form his East Cape guv’nor Alan Greeff is in. Greeff has had 122 wins this season, 120 of them in the East Cape, and he should pass his own East Cape record of 176 wins in season, which he set in 2019.

Fourie should also easily beat his own East Cape record of 119 wins he set last season as he is already on 103.

Lerena has been handed a 90 day suspension of which 60 are suspended for the Jason Gates whipping incident. So he will be out of the title race unless he is able to stretch out the process in order to only take the effective 30 days next season. SA jockeys seem to be able to delay the taking of a suspension through the appeal process and the slowness and lack of uniformity in setting inquiry or appeal dates. 

Fourie is leading the way this season for Gr 1 wins and black type wins.

He has had six Gr 1 victories this season already. The record is thought to be Weichong Marwing’s 13 Gr 1 wins in the 1998/1999 season.

Lerena has had four Gr 1 wins this season and Zackey has had three, so the three leading riders are also leading the Gr 1 count.   

The other Gr 1 scorers are Calvin Habib, Piere Strydom and Ryan Munger.

Fourie has had 19 stakes race (black type) successes this season, including the six Gr 1s, Lerena has had 12, Zackey had had eleven, Strydom has had seven, Rachel Venniker has had six, Sean Veale has had five, Aldo Domeyer has had five, Muzi Yeni has had four, Munger has had four, Habib has had four, Kabelo Matsunyane has had four, Raymond Danielson has had three, Serino Moodley has had three, JP van der Merwe has had two, Marco van Rensburg has had two and Grant van Niekerk has had two.

Deryl Daniels is the only other jockey with more than one stakes success, although all three of his black type successes have been in Zimbabwe.

The East Cape Jockeys championship sees Fourie on 103 wins, Zackey on 56 and Chase Maujean on 21.

The KZN Jockeys championship is being led by Rachel Venniker on 46 wins with Sean Veale next best on 45 and Zackey is on 38.

The Gauteng Championship is led by Lerena on 122, Yeni on 63 and Strydom on 56.

The Western Cape Championship is being led by Fourie on 66, Van der Merwe on 44 and Domeyer on 42.

Trent Mayhew leads the national Apprentice Championship this season with 20 wins and is followed by Nirvan Nastili and Brevan Plaaitjies who each have eleven wins.

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong SA Jockey Academy (SAJA) graduate Karis Teetan rode a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday. 

He has had a quiet time lately by his standards and the treble took him to 30 wins for the season and sixth on the Jockeys Log, one position behind ex-pat South African and SAJA graduate Luke Ferraris, who is having his best season on the island and is on 33 wins.

Lyle Hewitson and Keagan de Melo, the other two ex-pat South African SAJA graduates, are on 18 and eight wins respectively in seasons they will both be disappointed with to date. They lie 13^th and 18^th on the log respectively.

Race 1: 

1 GOLDEN ALEXIA     8 LAVA LAMP      3 POTATO SALAD     5 MADAME POMPADOUR 

Preview: GOLDEN ALEXIA (1) can be forgiven for her last run and judged on first two efforts. She could be difficult to oppose. LAVA LAMP (8) caught the eye when making a pleasing debut and with natural improvement, can be very effective. POTATO SALAD (3) has a strong place chance and MADAME POMPADOUR (5) can improve and is the value for the quartet – chance. (Warren Lenferna 1-8-3-5) 

Race 2: 

4 ONE TIGER      6 OPERA FAN      1 ALPHA WORLD      3 KAALVOET 

Preview: ONE TIGER (4) is by One World whose progeny are winning races and he could be anything. Gavin Lerena gets the ride on debut. Watch the betting. OPERA FAN (6) is improving and quickly – bright win chance. ALPHA WORLD (1) and KAALVOET (3) might be able to threaten first time at the races today. (Warren Lenferna 4-6-1-3) 

Race 3: 

1 EIGHT HATS      8 WINTER BELLE      7 SPIRITRIX      4 HOTARU 

Preview: EIGHT HATS (1) made a pleasing debut and with natural progression, can win. WINTER BELLE (8) is nicely bred and could feature first up. SPIRITRIX (7) could be anything and HOTARU (4) can improve to place. (Warren Lenferna 1-8-7-4) 

Race 4: 

6 GREEN STREET      1 ICHACHA      7 SHAMOON      8 CHICAGO LASS 

Preview: GREEN STREET (6) showed last time when second, that the winning run is near. ICHACHA (1) can be forgiven for his last effort and must be respected and included in all bets. SHAMOON (7) ran the best race of her career thus far last time and can earn again. CHICAGO LASS (8) is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 6-1-7-8) 

Race 5: 

10 ART NOUVEAU      7 INCLUSION      11 NKWENKWEZI      1 GIFT OF ROYAL 

Preview: ART NOVEAU (10) finished 2^nd over 1400m last time out in her first run on the Highveld and is selected to go one more. INCLUSION (7) is improving and surely has plenty more to offer. Strong place chance. NKWENKWEZI (11) and GIFT OF ROYAL (1) must be included in trifectas and quartets. (Warren Lenferna 10-7-11-1) 

Race 6: 

3 ROMEO’S MAGIC      1 TO THE RESCUE      9 MO MENT      7 ROSY LEMON 

Preview: ROMEO’S MAGIC (3) is in terrific winning form and clearly goes for Gavin Lerena. He is the firm first choice. TO THE RESCUE (1) is ultra-consistent and the obvious, immediate danger – strong each way chance. MO MENT (9) trotted up last time and can follow up and ROSY LEMON (7) is always a quartet inclusion. (Warren Lenferna 3-1-9-7) 

Race 7: 

2 BUFFALO STORM CODY      1 MINOGUE      7 NIGHT BOMBER      9 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE 

Preview: The way BUFFALO STORM CODY (2) won last time, it is hard not to selected him to follow up. MINOGUE (1) ran like a typical second run back from a rest last time and way more can be expected now. She is a talented sort. Expect a huge effort. NIGHT BOMBER (7) is holding form and can earn as is and can BOB’S YOUR UNCLE (9) (Warren Lenferna 2-1-7-9) 

Race 8: 

1 WARM WINTER NITE      4 HONG KONG      2 LONGSWORD      8 PAUL REVERE 

Preview: WARM WINTER NITE (1) Won cozily last time and can follow up. HONG KONG (4) is clearly talented and has to be taken seriously – big each way claims. LONGSWORD (2) can never be ignored from any bets and PAUL REVERE (8) is a big runner. (Warren Lenferna 1-4-2-8) 

Andrew Harrison

Field Marshal has always struck as a horse with a feature race in him, especially after his close-up second in the Fever Tree Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville two runs back behind surprise winner African Skyline but with some solid handicappers behind him.

So, his next start appeared to be below par as he battled home behind I Salute You but Frank Robinson put that run into perspective. “He was above himself that day with his head up in the air.”

This was largely a consequence of the rain which has plagued all training programmes at Summerveld but Field Marshal was back on track at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Always within striking distance of the pace in the B Stakes over 1800m Craig Zackey, hunting a double on the day, got Field Marshal to quicken out of the pack and was complimentary of his mounts victory, commenting post-race that Field Marshal still had some improvement to come.

Trois Trois Quatre and Johnny The Thief came from off the pace to fill the shallow end of the purse.

Kannemeyer made it four-on the bounce after his three winners at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Wednesday as Gurkha lived up to his billing as favourite, making short work of the opposition in the card opener. Sitting off the pace in the early exchanges as is the want of Kannemeyer-trained horses, Gurkha came into the straight with some work to do. However, like a slow revving engine with plenty of ‘grunt’, when Zackey asked his mount to put it in, he upped a gear and won as he liked, sweeping past Firelighter and Shesha Ntombi.

The Kannemeyer run of winners snapped in the opening leg of the PA as Plaza Accord finished too strongly for favourite Golden Destiny. Zackey had Golden Destiny well placed for his challenge as he tracked the pace and went into the lead crossing the subway but ran out of gas the last furlong. Jabu Jacobs, who is enjoying a new lease on his career, got Peter Muscutt’s charge to respond up the outside of the field and Plaza Accord went back-to-back, comfortably putting the favourite to bed who was labouring the last bit.

Favourite Rich Folks Hoax denied Zackey a treble and Kannemeyer another win as S’Manga Khumalo extracted the best out of the under-achieving Quandary who recently has been threatening but never quite getting there. Khumalo threw everything, including the reins, at Gareth van Zyl’s gelding.  

Andrew Harrison

After a string of four runner-up finishes, Kudzu finally broke the ice last time out as Muzi Yeni drove him home with a strong finish to win over the Turffontein inner mile.

Johan Janse van Vuuren’s gelding goes an extra furlong on the same course today when he runs in the MR 96 Handicap that heads the card. Like most handicaps, it is a competitive affair but now that Kudzu has finally got his head in front again, he can build on that confidence in spite of a four-point rise in the handicap.

A point to ponder is that Yeni has preferred the ride on Fabian Habib’s runner King’s Express who was a winner over course and distance last time out. That was his second run after a break and if he still has more improvement to come then Yeni will have made the correct choice.

Seasoned trainer Tyrone Zackey holds a strong hand with La Moohal and Flashy Apache, both in with strong chances. Both were in the money last time out and the very much in form Gavin Lerena takes the ride on La Moohal.

However, the list of possible winners does not stop there. Star Coin and Player are both in good form while Two Miles West is 1.5kg better off with King’s Express on their last meeting and Craig Zackey, fresh from a treble at Hollywoodbets Scottsville midweek is back in the irons.

Without much confidence Kudzu is taken to get home ahead of Two Miles West and King’s Express.

 It is a nine-race card so the Pick 6 kicks off with a Graduation Plate over 1450m in the fourth.

Best weighted is Alec Lairds charge Aristotle who battled gamely last time out over a mile on the standside track. His two wins in the Cape came over 1200m and 1400m respectively but was jumped up in trip on his arrival on the Highveld. He appears to be back over what could be a more suitable trip.

Gimmeanotherchance is not the most reliable of customers but can get it together on his day. It was not his day in the Hawaii Stakes last weekend where he finished tailed off. It was a well below par performance and the fact that Mike and Mathew de Kock have backed him up in a week suggests that there was nothing physically amiss. The blinkers come off that could lead to a much improved performance. However, his well being and mindset must be taken on trust.

The fillies are up next in a competitive Graduation Plate. Pointer showed signs of a return to form when three lengths back third to Oxalis Gold last time out. The De Kock’s filly has since smashed a useful field of males in last week’s Gr3 Byerley Turk coming home in a canter so that form could hold up for Pointer.

Scars Of War returns from a lengthy break but she had cracking juvenile form behind the likes of Fiery Pegasus and Quid Pro Quo. If Tony Peter has her anywhere near her best she will be a dangerous customer. Frozen Fantasy and Golden Moment can also get into the scrum.

Plus Four reiterated the strength of the Cape form when making a winning debut for Candice Dawson with Lerena aboard. Plus Four got a hefty six-point rise in the handicap but given her last showing, she could still be under the radar.

Just Var is in mustard form of late as he bids for a hattrick of wins but he is 2kg worse off with Theres A Light with the latter also having the best of the draw. 

DJ Junior could prove the pick in a competitive field in the eighth. The six-year-old is lightly raced but seldom out of the money and the form of his last race has panned out well. 

Dark Silver and Dance King are others to consider.

Gregarious and One Party  are progressive three-year-olds, both in good form while top weight Exceedingly Glam could round up a boxed trifecta.

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!