RACE 1

7 HAMMERHEAD   1 BOURBON’S BEAST   3 FLAG CHAMP   8 RED CARDINAL

Summary: HAMMERHEAD (7) has improved with each outing and the step up in trip will suit. BOURBON’S BEAST (1) has been making steady improvement and ran a cracker over course and distance last time out in soft ground. He has the best of the draw and has plenty in his favour. FLAG CHAMP (3) has run two smart races over the distance but was beaten just over a length by Bourbon’s Beast when last they met. Flag Champ has a better draw this time around. RED CARDINAL (8) was a close-up second on the poly last run and can feature. The filly HARPA (9) has been close-up at recent outings but a wide draw against males is against her. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-3-9).

RACE2

2 CYMRIC   5 ICY BLAST   8 GOLDEN RULE   4 WILD AT WAR

Summary: CYMRIC (2) has his third run after a break for his new yard. He is well weighted in this race and if anywhere near his best he will be hard to beat. Stable companion ICY BLAST (5) was not far back over course and distance last time out and meets GOLDEN RULE (8) on 1.5kg better terms. Peter Muscutt’s runner is banking on a winning hattrick, the last over course and distance beating Icy Blast by nearly two lengths. WILD AT WAR (4) was touched off on the poly last run. He has come down in the ratings and can prove dangerous. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-8-4).

RACE3

4 PSYCHE    2 SIYABAMELLELA   5 THOUGHT CONTROL   3 SPIRIT OF SHIMLA

Summary: Tricky maiden. PSYCHE (4) was well supported on debut over course and distance and finished a close-up third. She should have come on from the experience. SIYABAMBELELA (2) was friendless in the market on debut but was beaten just over a length in an Open Maiden. That run should have brought her on. THOUGHT CONTROL (5) has finished runner-up in both starts but well beaten. She should however, feature prominently. SPIRIT OF SHIMLA (3) tried a mile last time out after two good efforts on the poly. The drop back in trip should suit and she cannot be written off lightly. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-5-3).

RACE4

2 AVERNI PRINCESS   7 QUEEN BRAGANZA   8 PERFUME POWER   5 CELESTIAL DIAMOND

Summary: ARVERNI PRINCESS (2) has won three of her last four over the trip and is in good form. She is up in class but only has 49.5kg to shoulder which should make her a big runner. Duncan Howells has two runners. QUEEN BRAGANZA (7) disappointed when favourite after winning her first two. Back on turf over a shorter trip she can make amends. Based on jockey bookings, CELESTIAL DIAMOND (5) would be the preferred choice but she has been rested and her last run was over a mile. PERFUME POWER (8) ran a smart race first time out of the maidens. She goes well this trip and the betting could tell a story. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-8-5).

RACE5

2 FATE OF FORTUNE   6 TAM’S KNIGHT   BLAZING FURY   1 CITY OF LOVE

Summary: Competitive handicap. FATE OF FORTUNE (2) has been in cracking form over course and distance and did not get a penalty for his runner-up berth when favourite last time out. Given his good form he can go in again. TAM’S KNIGHT (6) is lightly raced but has won both starts for Robbie Hill since arriving from the Cape. However, he has not been out since May last year. He obviously has issues so Hill is unlikely to run the gelding if not close to peak fitness. BLAZING FURY (10) has a wide draw to contend with. He looks held by stable companion SMORGASBORD  (8) on their last meeting but he has only had three runs and should have scope for improvement. CITY OF LOVE (1) was not far behind the promising Exocet last run although on the face of it his current form does not look promising. But he gets first time blinkers and from a good draw he could surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 2-6-10-1).

RACE6

1 SAFE TRAVEL   4 JAZZ FESTIVAL   5 NUMZAAN   6 ERIC’S LEGACY

Summary: SAFE TRAVEL (1) has been close-up in two races since arriving in KZN. He has the best of the draw with a 4kg claimer aboard and can give Adam Azzie his first winner since relocating from the Highveld. JAZZ FESTIVAL (4) is back on his favourite surface and was running on late behind NUMZAAN (5) when beaten two lengths. He is now 4 kg better off and should be able to turn the tables on his front-running rival. ERIC’S LEGACY (6) was not far back first up out of the maidens in soft ground. The step up in trip will suit and he shed his maiden with authority even though it was against moderate opposition. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-5-6).

RACE7

2 THE GHOST   7 FATE DECREED   5 LILAC IN WINTER   3 MOUNTAINSOFTHEMOON

Summary: THE GHOST (2) has come down dramatically in the ratings and although shouldering a hefty 62kg she improved over course and distance last time out. FATE DECREED (7) has come on nicely in her last two and looks primed for this race. LILAC IN WINTER (5) shed her maiden first up on this course. She has improved in blinkers and the step up in trip could see her go in again. MOUNTAINSOFTHEMOON (3) is never far back. She has also dropped in the handicap and could now be off a more competitive mark. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-5-3).

RACE8

4 HAPPY FORTUNE   2 PROM QUEEN   10 BLUE POPPY   8 SNEEUWITJIE

Summary: HAPPY FORTUNE (4) has been holding form well. She meets PROM QUEEN (2) at the same weights but the drop in trip could see the tables turned. Prom Queen’s win was not out of turn and there should not be much between the pair. BLUE POPPY (10) has the widest draw but has made steady improvement leading to her maiden win. She does appear to have some scope and has a chance again in this line-up. SNEEUWITJIE (8) has caused major boil-overs in both of her wins but she did appear to get on well with visiting French rider Mickaelle Michel and can feature again with a light weight. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-10-8).

Andrew Harrison

Cymric was one of the better juveniles of his year and although only a three-time winner from 15 starts he has been something of an under achiever.

That said, he has his third outing for Mike and Mathew de Kock when he lines up in a Conditions Plate on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

This will be his third run after a break for his new yard and is well weighted. If anywhere near his best he will be hard to beat. Stable companion Icy Blast was not far back over course and distance last time out and meets Golden Rule on 1.5kg better terms. Peter Muscutt’s runner is banking on a winning hattrick, the last over course and distance beating Icy Blast by nearly two lengths. Wild At War was touched off on the poly last run and has come down in the ratings. He can prove dangerous.

In the first, Hammerhead has improved with each outing and the step up to a trip that will suit but he will face stiff opposition from the likes of Bourbon’s Beast who has been making steady improvement and ran a cracker over course and distance last time out in soft ground. He has the best of the draw and has plenty in his favour. Flag Champ has run two smart races over the distance but was beaten just over a length by Bourbon’s Beast when last they met. Flag Champ has a better draw this time around. Red Cardinal was a close-up second on the poly last run and can feature while the filly Harpa been close-up at recent outings but a wide draw against males is against her.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a tricky maiden but Psyche was well supported on debut over course and distance and finished a close-up third. She should have come on from the experience. Siyabambelela was friendless in the market on debut but was beaten just over a length in an Open Maiden. That run should have brought her on. Thought Control has finished runner-up in both starts but well beaten. She should however, feature prominently while Spirit Of Shimla tried a mile last time out after two good efforts on the poly. The drop back in trip could suit and she cannot be written off lightly.

It doesn’t get any easier from here on. Arverni Princess has won three of her last four over the trip and is in good form. She is up in class but only has 49.5kg to shoulder which should make her a big runner. Queen Braganza disappointed when favourite after winning her first two. Back on turf over a shorter trip she can make amends. Duncan Howells has two runners. Based on jockey bookings, Celestial Diamond would be the preferred choice but she has been rested and her last run was over a mile. Stable companion Perfume Power ran a smart race first time out of the maidens. She goes well this trip and the betting could tell a story.

The fifth is a competitive handicap but veteran Fate Of Fortune has been in cracking form over course and distance and did not get a penalty for his runner-up berth when favourite last time out. Given his good form he can go in again. Tam’s Delight is lightly raced but has won both starts for Robbie Hill since arriving from the Cape. However, he has not been out since May last year. He obviously has issues so Hill is unlikely to run the gelding if not close to peak fitness. Blazing Fury has a wide draw to contend with and looks held by stable companion Smorgasbord on their last meeting but he has only had three runs and should have scope for improvement. City Of Love was not far behind the promising Exocet last run although on the face of it his current form does not inspire any confidence. But he gets first time blinkers and from a good draw he could surprise.

Safe Travel looks to be one of the safer bets on the card. He has been close-up in two races since arriving in KZN and with the best of the draw and a 4kg claimer aboard he can give Adam Azzie his first winner since relocating from the Highveld. Danger could be Mark Dixon’s runner Jazz Festival. He is back on his favourite surface and was running on late behind Numzaan when beaten two lengths. He is now 4 kg better off and should be able to turn the tables on his front-running rival. Eric’s Legacy was not far back first up out of the maidens in soft ground. The step up in trip will suit and he shed his maiden with authority even though it was against moderate opposition.

The grey, The Ghost is well named and has come down dramatically in the ratings. Although shouldering a hefty 62kg she improved over course and distance last time out and could provide some value for punters in the seventh. Fate Decreed has come on nicely in her last two and looks primed for this race while Lilac In Winter shed her maiden first up on this course. She has improved in blinkers and the step up in trip could see her go in again. Mountainsofthemoon is never far back. She has also dropped in the handicap and could now be off a more competitive mark.

The last is another tricky handicap. Happy Fortune has been holding form well and meets Prom Queen at the same weights. However, the drop in trip could see the tables turned. Prom Queen’s win was not out of turn and there should not be much between the pair. Blue Poppy has the widest draw but has made steady improvement leading to her maiden win. She does appear to have some scope and has a chance again in this line-up. Sneeuwitjie has caused major boil-overs in both of her wins but she did appear to get on well with visiting French rider Mickaelle Michel and can feature again with a light weight.

David Thiselton

The 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July will be a milestone one with the prize money doubled to R10 million and with a longer handicap introduced as the topweight will be upped to 62kg and bottom weight lowered to 52kg.

It will fittingly fall on the 30th anniversary of the centenary July, which turned out to be one of the greatest of all Julys as it was won by the legendary Alec Laird-trained London News, who went on to put South African racing on the map by winning the QE II Cup in Hong Kong.

The renowned South African wildlife painter Henk Vos released his celebrated work, the Painting Of The Century, depicting a century of July winners, after the July’s centenary running.

The iconic painting now hangs in the Classic Room at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Alec Laird actually ordered one of the prints of the painting before it was completed as the print had the first of his great Uncle Syd Garrett’s five July winners on the left and the greatest of his father’s record seven July winners, Sea Cottage, was in the centre.

The right hand side just had a blank with a silhouette of a horse, because Vos did not know yet which horse he was going to paint there.

Alec, who trained out of Randjesfontein on the Highveld, related, “He hadn’t made up his mind what horse he was going to put in the last panel (the 20th panel) and he even said to me ‘I would like you to win the July because I would like to put you as the last painting.’ With about a year to go I said to him I’m not going to make it.’”

However, fate then had it that London News not only became the 14/10 favourite for the 100th running of the July, but he was also saddle cloth number 20, being the only three-year-old in the field and the bottom weight.

Piere Strydom recalled, “I remember at the traditional Friday night cocktail Henk Vos was there with his big painting and there was one spot left for the 100th winner and I can still remember saying to someone that I think my picture’s going to be up there.”

London News duly won the race and Alec, London News and Piere Strydom are now at the forefront of the famous painting’s 20th panel and the horse is fittingly carrying the no. 20 saddle cloth.

The London News story starts at the National Yearling Sale of 1994.

Alec recalled big owners Laurie and Jean Jaffee’s chief aim at that Sale was to buy a yearling by their own 1987 July winner, Bush Telegraph.

Alec recalled Harmony Forever being his number one choice at that Sale.

However, he remembered London News being “a nice horse.”

He added, “On the first day a Bush Telegraph colt called Mr Newspaperman went for about R300,000. London News looked more athletic and Jean Jaffee actually said to me, ‘What about this one?’ On the first day they didn’t get a horse, the second day they didn’t get one and the more they asked me about London News the nicer he got, because I was otherwise going to go home without a horse!”

The Jaffees managed to secure London News.

Alec recalled, “He was a light youngster and even as a three-year-old was quite light. He didn’t show immediately, but we always had the feeling that he would be a nice horse when he matured.”

In fact, London News made a particularly inauspicious debut, beaten no fewer than 16,5 lengths under Anton Marcus in a 1200m Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m at the Vaal on June 6, 1995.

However, he got better and better and when he smashed the Greyville 2000m course record, which still stands today, in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, he had won six out of eleven starts including the Dingaans and two middle distance Gr 1s.

Piere Strydom was aboard for the Daily News 2000 too.

He reflected on the 1996 July, the first of his four victories in South Africa’s greatest race, “London News was a lekker horse to ride because he had gate speed, a lot of natural speed and he would travel right up there in front and he had a good kick. But at the top of the straight (having led) I thought with a light weight let me just let the reins go a bit and get a length or two for the short straight. But he accelerated way quicker than I had expected and that’s when he made up three or four lengths on the field. Obviously it was going to tell at the end and he was stopping quite badly at the end. I heard the horses coming and I was just hoping for the line and he held on.”

Alec added, “Mike Rattray had invited me to watch in his box because it was on the line and he won by a neck but my eyes wouldn’t believe it because there was so much pressure. I wanted to see the number up!”

Alec described the emotion of being on the honour roll together with his late record-breaking seven-time July-winning father Syd.

In fact his extended family is comfortably the most prolific July-winning family in history with his grandfather Alec winning one as a jockey, his great Uncle Syd Garrett winning two as a jockey and three as a trainer, his father Syd winning a record seven as a trainer, and the cousins Dennis Drier, Alec Laird and Charles Laird each winning one July apiece – a total of 16 for the July dynasty.