David Thiselton

The Gr 3 Langerman is a two-year-old event that is often a good pointer to the classic races of the following season and the 1500m race could be won this year by Catwalk King, who caught the eye last time when coming from off the pace to win the Listed Somerset 1200.

On pedigree he should enjoy this step up in trip being by Buffalo Bill Cody out of a High Chaparral mare who won over 2000m. He has a good draw of two with Keagan de Melo staying up.

Kalahari King won well on debut over 1200m and looked to be a horse looking for further next time out when staying on over 1100m. He will relish this step up in trip and will be a threat under Richard Fourie despite a tricky draw of six.

Aquae Calidae was beaten 1,25 lengths by Kalahari King on debut but improved to win over 1200m next time out and this superbly bred colt will relish the step up in trip and is drawn well in three.

From The Island has the widest draw of all to overcome but this big horse won well over 1400m last time when giving weight all around and must be a player here.

Uncle Same could earn a cheque here.

Those are the five who make most appeal and they are selected in the order mentioned.

The Listed Irridescence Stakes over 1500m could see Grapes Of Wrath making amends as she was unlucky behind Catwalk King last time. The half-sister to Charles Dickens is drawn in pole and can beat home the widely drawn Enticement, who should enjoy the step up in trip.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m Cork Bay won well on May 3 and the form has been well franked, so he could beat Kelp Forest and Volegov, who should enjoy the step back up in trip.

In the next race over 1200m Music Of The Night is in fine form and can follow up her last win off a three point higher mark and with the 4kg claimer staying aboard. Raffish Trend should enjoy the course and distance at this time of year and Star World has the form to be a contender.

In the fifth race over 1400m Prince Of Tibet has a tricky draw but should enjoy the trip and can run on to go close.  Super Viking should be right there and Noon Day Gun is always capable of winning a 1400m race of this nature.

In the ninth race over 1600m Peaches And Cream stayed on well last time over 1500m and from a good draw should go close.

In the first race over 1000m My Bonny Boy went close over course and distance last time and is the one to beat.

In the second over 1000m Hiawatha Goldberg is interesting stepped back down in trip and should be right there under Richard Fourie.

David Thiselton

The highest rated race at Turffontein Standside on Saturday is a MR96 Handicap over 2400m and it could be fought out by Corrupt and Bellerephon.

Corrupt has 4,70 lengths to make up on Bellerephon from their last meeting over this trip at the Vaal, but he now has his third run after a layoff and is now 3kg better off. He does have a tricky draw of five out of eight but can be dropped out in this small field as he is capable of a strong, resolute finish down the long Turffontein Standside straight.

Bellerephon ran on well last time when drawn widest of all in a seven horse field over course and distance. He didn’t have the best luck in running and can do better, so would not be a surprise winner.

One More Star is by One World and is a half-brother to Triple Crown winner Malmoos so will stay the trip and he has the advantage of Mickaelle Michel’s 1,5kg gender claim, although he does have to overcome draw eight of eight.

Those three make most appeal.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1160m Highwayman Harry has been knocking on the door and is the one to beat. Berry Lance is on the up and could be the main threat.

In the sixth race over 1400m Tracksuit Dave is in good form and from a good draw over a suitable trip should go close. Trombolines will enjoy the step up in trip but does have to overcome a wide draw. Quevano should be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw.

In the seventh over 1160m Precocious has good form and should be right there. Blizzard Snow ran a cracker last time and with a repeat will be a threat. A Bit Of Class has some class so is interesting put back over a sprint and should be running on.

In the eighth over 1160m Dad’s Dream will enjoy the drop back in trip and should go close. Play With The Wind has disappointed in her last two starts but with second time blinkers on she could bounce back. Cold Shine goes for a hattrick and off a three point higher mark could be in the shake up again.

In the ninth over 1160m Kia Kaha bounced back with a good win last time with first time cheekpieces and that might have done the trick as she has always struck as one with plenty of ability. She can follow up off a merit rating she can rise above. Pointer ran a cracker last time and with the draw bias not really noticeable down the straight anymore can go close from a low draw.

In the third race over 1160m Rendezvous In Rio is knocking hard and is the one to beat.

In the second over 1160m Perfect Sky should be right there.

In the first race the horse to beat is Gimme Some Luck who is unbeaten in two starts, including a Sales Cup, and looks to be a decent sort. Fierceness looks a decent sort too and should be right there and Catfish has a chance if he takes his place having run two days earlier.

RACE 1

2 MY BONNY BOY ran a great race up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 2nd of June, that was his first run back after a rest and gelding, in hope that he has improved further back at home, he will be hard to beat. The well-bred newcomers add plenty of intrigue, keep a close eye on them in the market and parade ring.

RACE 2

8 HERITAGE RIDGE has run four lovely races in succession, she stayed on well to finish just over four lengths behind Hampstead Heath in her last run on the 21st of June, the drop in trip is key for this filly, she will run a big race here. 4 BARNEY MCGREW improved to run a much better race last time, even though he carries top weight in this race, he loves the conditions being on the softer side, he will go close to winning. 6 MAJOR APOLLO continues to slide in the ratings, he should be amongst the places on his best form, watch him closely at a decent price. 7 GALACTUS ran a fair race behind African Memoir on the 31st of May, he could sneak into the places.

RACE 3

2 CORK BAY quickened smartly to win a good race on the 3rd of May, he was given five points for that impressive win, he loves the conditions being on the soft side, the form of his last race has worked out well, he has a big winning chance again. 5 KELP FOREST stayed on well to finish second behind Fast Train on the 24th of May, he was unfortunately given two points for being a loser last time which is not ideal, in hope that the speed is good early, he will be low flying at them late. 7 WITCH HAZEL absolutely bolted up to win his maiden in style on the 2nd of June, he looks highly progressive, he has a big winning chance. 8 YAMAZAKI has been rested and gelded, he may find this trip on the short side, but he will be doing some good work late, watch him closely.

RACE 4

4 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT fought hard to win a good race on the 31st of May, she was given three points for that win last time, on her current form, she has a big winning chance again. 6 GIRL LIKE US finished second behind Music Of The Night on the 31st of May, she needs a particular ride, if the gaps open at the right time, she will be right there in the finish, include her into all bets. 13 BLUE LAGOON was given a top ride by jockey Aldo Domeyer on the 31st of May, she was tough in the finish when beating Enticement, even though she has gone up in the ratings, she will run a big race again with the blinkers fitted. 9 RAFFISH TREND won well on the 16th of May, the drop in trip is the only concern, she will be doing some good work late.

RACE 5

8 ONE MAGIC sprinted away from the field in good style on debut, he potentially looks like a smart horse in the making, this will be tough for him as he takes on older horses out of the maidens, but if he finds himself in a good position turning for home, he can absolutely win again. 6 SUPER VIKING was just touched off by Trip To Camelot last time, it won’t be easy for him with the big weight on his back, but he is very consistent, and he should run a big race again. 2 FORT YUKON stayed on well for third in his last run on the 24th of May, he never runs a bad race, from a neat draw on Saturday, his chances must be respected. 3 GIVETHATMANABELLS has dropped a point in the ratings from his last run on the 24th of May, he will be cherry ripe going into this race, include him into all bets at a decent price.

RACE 6

1 GRAPES OF WRATH was very unlucky last time in the Listed Somerset 1200, she is way above average this filly, she will be hard to beat now that she steps up in trip from a good draw. 3 CHINWAG stayed on well for third behind Before Sunrise on the 2nd of June, she is a big filly with a big action, she will love the extra 100m, include her into all bets. 5 FOG IN FINLAND ran a great race behind Blue Lagoon on the 31st of May, she found some traffic problems early, and then finished her race off well late, with some luck in running, she should be amongst the places. 7 SHEZARIPPER is much better than her last run, ignore that completely, in hope that she stays this trip of 1500m, she will run nicely.

RACE 7

3 AQUAE CALIDAE won like a smart colt in the making on the 24th of May, the yard thinks highly of this individual, he will love the step up in trip, he has a big winning chance again from a good draw. 2 CATWALK KING powered home to win the Listed Somerset 1200 impressively on the 31st of May, that was his first run back from a rest and gelding, he can only improve, include him into all bets. 9 FROM THE ISLAND has been rested for 73 days, he won a good race last time, with some luck in running from a bad draw, he should be right there in the finish. 6 KALAHARI KING was a touch disappointing in the Grade 3 Winter Nursery, in hope that he relaxes in the parade ring, and moving down to the start, he can bounce back to his best form and be super competitive.

RACE 8

1 GIVEN TO FLY was beaten just over seven lengths by Lark’s Song on the 3rd of May, the drop in trip is key for this filly on Saturday, she will go close to winning from a good draw. 5 SPECIAL GLAMOUR has run two excellent races in succession, she will be right there in the finish again on her current form. 2 KISSES won well on the 31st of May, even though it wasn’t a strong field, she won with plenty in hand, she can be very hard to peg back if she gets away from the field at the right time, watch her closely. 3 PEACHES AND CREAM never runs a bad race, she tries hard, she will be given every possible chance from a neat draw.

RACE 1

Great start to the race meeting with some smashing youngsters taking on each other. Well-bred GIMME SOME LUCK can’t be faulted having won well over 1000m and 1160m straight after. The form lines are proving strong and he could be hard to peg back again. But he meets FIERCENESS who won as he liked on debut. He too is well bred, should appreciate the step up in trip and has much more to come. CATFISH impressed against his elders last time. He has a second go over the longer distance and can get closer but is carded to run earlier.

RACE 2

PERFECT SKY did what was required to win her second start and first at this track before a smart effort in the Devon Air Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The youngster tired late after showing good pace then and should prefer being back over the straight sprint. STAGGERWING looks a big threat. She is consistent and after winning her last start easily looks to be getting better with racing. ELUSIVE DRAGON needs to find more to win but has a say at the weights. TAX FREE made no show on the Polytrack but he penultimate run on the turf was decent.

RACE 3

There are first-timers in the race and as always keep an eye on betting movements. Lightly raced four-year-old RENDEVOUS IN RIO has decent form and is overdue to win. She ran a fair race in her first run after a long layoff and could get the job done for a stable in good form. FALLODON has been getting better with each start. She could give of her very best in her outing and go close. HOC EST VITA didn’t run to form last time. Her penultimate effort entitles her to serious respect in this line up. One to watch out for is well-related NEW YORK GROOVE who can only improve.

RACE 4

More newcomers to watch out for including CHANCELLOR from the yard of Tony Peter, OCTOBER REEF, a Rafeef/Trippi cross and Vercingetorix colt RISING EAGLE from the powerful Mike and Mathew de Kock yard. HIGHWAYMAN HARRY met a decent two-year-old youngster last time, the form has been franked, and he must be in with a winning chance. A 1.5kg claim should boost his chances. Many with earning potential. TIGER’S CAPTAIN is back from a rest but should be right there. GIVE ME A CHANCE ran a decent race last time finishing just ahead of BERRY LANCER and ECHOES OF WAR.

RACE 5

HOTARUBI edged out BELLEROPHON in a recent course-and-distance meeting but the latter is weighted to avenge that defeat on 2kg better terms. BATTLEGROUND and DAMOVA are hard-knocking stayers with the form and experience to be competitive off their current marks. ONE MORE STAR, CORRUPT and CHABAL have good recent form over the distance so could make their presence felt too. Maturing SAMUEL SHARPE also warrants respect under a light weight.

RACE 6

TROMBOLINES and WINSTON’S WONDER are better than their recent comeback efforts suggest – both will strip fitter and should be competitive. They are closely matched on the form of a 1600m meeting earlier this year but the latter (2kg better off) could have the edge on these revised weight terms. Last-start winners ONETWOBUCKLEMYSHOE and ONE OF THOSE DAYS are open to improvement after respective absences so are best kept safe. QUEVANO, TRACKSUIT DAVE and ELUSIVE RED can get into the picture too.

RACE 7

PRECOCIOUS lost little in defeat when beaten on the Highveld for the first time in 5 starts since relocating from Cape Town. She returns fresh after 13-weeks, racing off a 2-point higher mark but remains open to improvement, so it could pay to follow her progress. KOMATI RIVER is capable on her day but is inconsistent, while A BIT OF CLASS and UNITED OFFER could get involved if bouncing back to earlier form. Versatile VALENTINA BALDUCCI has feature-race form so warrants respect on her reappearance after a lengthy layoff. Course-and-distance specialists BLIZZARD SNOW and LOST FOR WORDS aren’t ignored.

RACE 8

COLD SHINE has won both Highveld appearances, the latest at this level over a track and trip under a 3-point penalty. His rider’s 2.5kg allowance negates another 3-point rise so, with any improvement in his peak outing, he should complete his hat-trick and remain unbeaten in the province. Promising 2yo DADS DREAM will enjoy being back in a sprint but carries 60kg against older hard-knocking rivals. Consistent MAVERICK QUEEN would have tightened up after a pleasing comeback run and could improve to pose the biggest threat, especially off a reduced mark. SAKURA HANAMI and NKANDLA GOLD can earn too.

RACE 9

POINTER has held her own at a higher level and made an encouraging return to form last time off her current (career-low) rating in a stronger race over 1200m, and a similar performance could suffice at this level and end a long winless spell. Last-start scorers SHE’S ALL MINE, CRYSTAL GROVE and KIA KAHA remain competitive under resultant penalties and could trouble the selection. MALSHANA MOU will enjoy reverting to sprints after a game-in-defeat 2nd from the front over 1450m last time, so she isn’t taken lightly either. QUIET WINTER and ADA LOVELACE are others with earning potential.

David Thiselton

The highest rated race at Turffontein Standside on Saturday is a MR96 Handicap over 2400m and it could be fought out by Corrupt and Bellerephon.

Corrupt has 4,70 lengths to make up on Bellerephon from their last meeting over this trip at the Vaal, but he now has his third run after a layoff and is now 3kg better off. He does have a tricky draw of five out of eight but can be dropped out in this small field as he is capable of a strong, resolute finish down the long Turffontein Standside straight.

Bellerephon ran on well last time when drawn widest of all in a seven horse field over course and distance. He didn’t have the best luck in running and can do better, so would not be a surprise winner.

One More Star is by One World and is a half-brother to Triple Crown winner Malmoos so will stay the trip and he has the advantage of Mickaelle Michel’s 1,5kg gender claim, although he does have to overcome draw eight of eight.

Those three make most appeal.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1160m Highwayman Harry has been knocking on the door and is the one to beat. Berry Lance is on the up and could be the main threat.

In the sixth race over 1400m Tracksuit Dave is in good form and from a good draw over a suitable trip should go close. Trombolines will enjoy the step up in trip but does have to overcome a wide draw. Quevano should be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw.

In the seventh over 1160m Precocious has good form and should be right there. Blizzard Snow ran a cracker last time and with a repeat will be a threat. A Bit Of Class has some class so is interesting put back over a sprint and should be running on.

In the eighth over 1160m Dad’s Dream will enjoy the drop back in trip and should go close. Play With The Wind has disappointed in her last two starts but with second time blinkers on she could bounce back. Cold Shine goes for a hattrick and off a three point higher mark could be in the shake up again.

In the ninth over 1160m Kia Kaha bounced back with a good win last time with first time cheekpieces and that might have done the trick as she has always struck as one with plenty of ability. She can follow up off a merit rating she can rise above. Pointer ran a cracker last time and with the draw bias not really noticeable down the straight anymore can go close from a low draw.

In the third race over 1160m Rendezvous In Rio is knocking hard and is the one to beat.

In the second over 1160m Perfect Sky should be right there.

In the first race the horse to beat is Gimme Some Luck who is unbeaten in two starts, including a Sales Cup, and looks to be a decent sort. Fierceness looks a decent sort too and should be right there and Catfish has a chance if he takes his place having run two days earlier.

David Thiselton

Mickaelle Michel would never have believed in her wildest dreams when landing in South Africa last December that she would be aboard the favourite for South Africa’s greatest race, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, just seven months later. However, she will have to defy 43 years of history even if ignoring the fact that she would become the first female jockey to ever win the big race.

Mark Sutherland was the last jockey to ride the winner of the July in his first ride in the great race and that happened in 1983 on the filly Tecla Bluff, who was the first of the great trainer Terrance Millard’s six July winners.

The previous jockey to achieve the feat was Leslie Mustard, who won on the Des Rich-trained Lightning Shot in 1977 in his first July ride.

Before Mustard one would have to go as far back as 1959 to find another case.

1959 was a historic year, because the Oppenheimer family had the first of their nine July wins either as owners, breeders, or both, as their homebred four-year-old Tiger Fish made amends for his short-head defeat the previous year, He was ridden to a convincing 2,25 length victory by Bennie Little in the latter’s first ever July ride.

Bennie was the grandfather of current jockey Chad Little.

Whilst the Oppenheimer family have a fine chance this year of making it a tenth July victory with their Frank Robinson-trained homebred filly Mocha Blend, an opportunity for history to repeat itself was missed when Holding Thumbs did not make it into the final field earlier this week as this Glen Kotzen-trained Vercingetorix gelding was bred by the Oppenheimer family and Chad Little was due to ride him.

It would have been Chad’s second career July ride, his first having been 21 years ago on Tyson who finished 11^th in the 2005 July.

Mickaelle will become only the second woman to have ridden in the iconic race.

Rachel Venniker made history when riding in the Hollywoodbets Durban July in 2024.

She might get a second ride in the big race this year as she is booked to ride the first reserve runner Choisaanada, an Erico Verdonese-trained horse who was somewhat controversially left out of the top 18 having been a top 18 incumbent on the last Hollywoodbets Durban July log.

It was in fact the second time a Verdonese-trained horse who had been set to be ridden by Venniker was eliminated at the last minute as the Verdonese-trained Jimmy Don was 18th on the final log in 2023, but did not make the cut.

Rachel had been set to make her July debut in 2022, but suffered a concussion and whiplash injury after a freak starting-gate accident just five days before the big race.

When she did finally have a July ride two years ago it was aboard the outsider Hluhluwe, a three-year-old 40-1 chance trained by Justin Snaith,

and she finished a 5,35 length eleventh.

Venniker and Verdonese will be hoping there is a scratching before 08H15 on Friday July 3.

The July is not an easy race to ride in, so experience would be an advantage, but a professional of Mickaelle Michel’s standing would go in with plenty of meticulous homework and preparation having been done. July replays, for example, would be a valuable tool for a first-time rider in the race and there are plenty of current jockeys and ex-jockeys who would be willing to offer advice.

There will be many hoping the popular French jockey can make history in about ten days time on the fourth of July.

David Thiselton

Peter Muscutt spoke about the draws of one and fourteen for his two Hollywoodbets Durban July runners, Isivivane and I Salute You respectively, at Summerveld yesterday morning. He also gave feedback on his Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe runner St. Harry.

Isivivane jumped well from draw two last time out in the Gr 3 WSB 1900. Sean Veale managed to settle him in the box seat behind the pacemaker Trust. From there he ran on well down the inside to win the race by 0,60 lengths from Regulation.

Peter said about his pole position July draw, “It is probably a very good draw for him. It can be a bit of an awkward barrier if they miss the break or don’t manage to hold their position early, but he’s pretty sharp out of the gates. We would have to be positive on him and he should get a very cosy run in transit from that barrier.”

Isivivane is by Erupt (Dubawi), who won two Gr 1s over 2400m. He is out of a mare by Casey Tibbs, a Sadler’s Wells stallion who won two Listed races over 2000m. Furthermore, Isivivane’s dam Rodeo Sioux’s three wins included two over 2600m, one of them a Non-Black Type feature.

Peter said, “I have no doubt that 2200m is well within his compass.”

In I Salute You’s last race in the Gr  3 Betgames Cup Trial over 1800m he was drawn in pole position and after dwelling slightly at the break he sat on the rail but only had two horses behind him in the ten horse field. He moved outward coming around the final turn and ran on well to be a 0,70 length second giving the winner Zeitz 2,5kg.

He is 1kg better off with Zeitz from that run in the July, but this time has drawn wide in 14.

Peter said, “It’s a little bit awkward, but he is quite a versatile horse. He can sit with them or off them and he has got a turn of foot.

I Salute You is by Soqrat, whose three Gr 1 wins were over 1600m, but he did finish a narrow second with topweight in the Gr 1 Summer Cup over the tough Turffontein Standside 2000m trip and he finished third in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and a not disgraced 4,45 length 8^th in the July carrying second topweight of 59kg. I Salute You is out of a mare by speed influence Var and her two wins were over 1000m and 1200m, but both I Salute You and Taegan’s Champ have won over 1700m to 1750m trips.

Peter said, “With him too I have no doubt that the 2200 is going to be within his distance range.”

I Salute You’s big race rider Mark du Plessis lands in South Africa on Wednesday night next week.

Peter said, “Mark will get to sit on I Salute You on the Thursday morning and  then basically his work is done.”

Tristan Godden will likely be riding I Salute You at the official Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops on Thursday morning this week.

Peter has one other runner on July day, the exciting Australian-bred St. Harry, who is a son of Harry Angel (Acclamation).

He runs in the Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m.

Peter said, “He is drawn eleven, but he is a very good horse. He hasn’t run since Cape Town. I have given him as much time to mature as possible. He has got a devastating turn of foot, so we can ride him conservatively from the eleven barrier. He’s an exciting horse for the future, so we don’t want to overdo things with him as a two-year-old, but he has developed and furnished very well since his last race and if he runs to his work he should be a factor on July day.”

David Thiselton

The big question before the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field Announcement and Draw Ceremony at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday morning was whether the fancied entry Regulation, who had been single figures in the betting markets, would make the top 18 and connections and supporters were left on tenterhooks until the last minute as 17 horses were on the board without his name appearing.

The Justin Snaith-trained horse’s name then appeared, although the connections of the Erico Verdonese-trained Choisaanada must have feared the worst as the horses are revealed in weight order and when they went past the 58,5kg weight without his name appearing the writing was on the wall.

Choisaanada is merit rated 121, while Regulation is merit rated 106 and the latter is thus 1kg under sufferance.

However, considering Regulation beat Zeitz by 3,20 lengths when winning the Gr 3 Ownpay Peninsula Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and faces the latter on the same terms in the July he looks to have a chance of winning the race.

Choisaanada on the other hand, finished a neck ahead of The Ultimate King at level weights in the Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes and Regulation beat the latter in the WSB 1900 by just over a neck when receiving 6kg. Regulation will only receive 4,5kg from The Ultimate King in the July, but would have received 6,5kg from Choisaanada, so that collateral formline would justify Regulation’s position in the final field.

Nevertheless, Choisaanada’s connections are likely to feel aggrieved as he was three positions ahead of Regulation on the final log.

On a brighter note the Australian-based sensation Zac Lloyd will be aboard Regulation. He will attempt to break the trend of his legendary father, the former Durban-based Jeff Lloyd, who finished third in this race no fewer than nine times without ever winning, although he did finish second in his last July ride in 2018. Regulation landed a plum draw of two.

There were no other contentious issues in the Final Field Announcement.

The race favourite is the James Crawford-trained Star Major who is part of a fairy tale story as the Querari colt will be ridden by French woman Mickaelle Michel, who travelled out here with the hope of riding winners and enjoying the experience but never in her wildest dreams would she have believed that she would be riding the favourite in South Africa’s greatest race just seven months after arriving.

James Crawford was assistant to his father Brett when they landed the July in successive years, 2023 and 2024, and will be out to win a first July under his own license.

Three-year-old Gr 1 Daily News 2000 winner Star Major jumps from a well nigh perfect draw of four and will realise a long held dream for Durban-born part-owner Ravi Naidoo if he were to win the race. Ravi went close two years ago with Cousin Casey and will be hoping to go one better.

That 2024 race was of course won by Oriental Charm, who was part-owned by Greg and Gina Bortz and this year the couple part-own the Snaith-trained Native Ruler and they are sole owners of Regulation.

Greg was also Durban-born and another Durban-born owner who will be out to realise a long held dream will be Ravi Padayachee, the chief owner of the Gareth van Zyl-trained King Pelles. Ravi pulled a draw of 17 for King Pelles.

Preshalin and Jayson Murugasa, owners of the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Aladdin’s Lamp, are also passionate Durban-born owners.

Mike de Kock has won five Julys before and will be out to win a first together with son Mathew and they will have to do it from the widest draw of all as Aladdin’s Lamp drew 18.

An interesting fact of the field is that following on from no female runners in the race in 2024 and only one last year, there are no fewer than five female runners this year and one reserve.

The two most fancied of them, Wish List and Mocha Blend, drew seven and 13 respectively.

Wish List will be one of five horses representing Justin Snaith, who will be out to win a sixth July. She will be out to give a first July win to Andrew Fortune, who will become the oldest jockey to win the race at the age of 59 if she does it. Fortune pulled his own draw of seven and was thrilled with it.

Among the Snaith-trained horses is the topweight Legal Counsel, who only just failed to become a Gr 1 wfa winner when pipped in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m last time and he also came second in Cape Town’s greatest race The Gr 1 wfa WSB Met over 2000m. He will be ridden by Callan Murray and is drawn well in five.

The locally-trained horses in the field are the Stuart Ferrie-trained Gladatorian, the Frank Robinson-trained Mocha Blend, the Gareth van Zyl-trained King Pelles and the Peter Muscutt-trained pair I Salute You and Isivivane.

There are eight Cape-trained horses in the top 18 and five Highveld-trained horses and the two reserves are both Highveld-trained horses.

Tammy and Candice Dawson will be out to become the third female trainers to win the July and have the mare Minogue involved. She will be ridden by Gavin Lerena.

The 18 incumbent runners include five three-year-olds, nine four-year-olds, three five-year-olds and one six-year-old and the two reserves consist of a four-year-old and a three-year-old.

Three jockeys have been flown in to ride in the race, Zac Llloyd, Chad Schofield, who rides King Pelles, and Mark Du Plessis, who rides I Salute You.

Only five jockeys in the race have won a July before, with Richard Fourie having three wins to his name, while each of Gavin Lerena, Kabelo Matsunyane, JP van der Merwe and last year’s winning rider Craig Zackey have won the big race once apiece.

 The weight structure this year has topweight at 62kg and bottom weight at 52kg and for the first time in many years it is just a straight handicap without any allowances or limitations.

There is only one horse in the top 18 who is officially under sufferance and that is Regulation, who is 1kg under sufferance, although the second reserve runner Curious Girl will be 4kg under sufferance if she gets in.

With a stake that doubles from last year to R10 million it is going to be a humdinger!

David Thiselton

The all important Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field Announcement and Draw Ceremony will happen at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

The final field panellists, consisting of chairman Raf Sheik (Race Coast), Lennon Maharaj (NHA Chief Handicapper), Aveen Sewpersad (Race Coast), Kurt Felix (Race Coast), Gabriel Soma (4Racing) and Luciano Passerini (4Racing), will have had the unenviable task yesterday (Monday) of choosing 18 runners plus two reserves from the 25 horses still standing their ground.

They would have been helped by the late scratching yesterday of the fancied Happy Verse as he was a top 18 on the log incumbent.

The scratchings of Tenpenny and Shoot The Rapids yesterday would not have been of much help as they were outside the top 20 on the last Hollywoodbets Durban July log and at most the only impact they would likely have had on the final field selection process would have been consideration for one of the two reserve positions.

The anomaly this year is that one of the most fancied runners in the betting market is the Justin Snaith-trained Regulation, despite him only having been 20^th on the final Hollywoodbets Durban July log and having a lowly merit rating of 106, which would mean he would be 1kg under sufferance carrying 52kg if he is a runner in the big race.

The Legislate gelding was fancied to book his place in the July by winning the Gr 3 WSB 1900, but he was caught wide from a wide draw and could only manage a 0,60 length second.

He was then fancied to make amends in the Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial, but he was once again caught wide and he then reportedly choked up. His unplaced run there dented his chances of a place in the final field.

In his favour is that when winning the Gr 3 Ownpay Peninsula Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in December he beat top 18 on the July log incumbent Zeitz by 3,20 lengths when receiving only 1kg and then when finishing an unlucky third in the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in January he beat Zeitz at level weights by 1,55 lengths and beat another top 18 July log incumbent, Native Ruler, by 2,35 lengths at level weights.

Furthermore, he beat top 18 incumbents The Ultimate King and Native Ruler in the WSB 1900, although he was receiving 6kg from The Ultimate King and 8kg from Native Ruler and only beat them by a quarter of a length and 1,35 lengths respectively.

Zeitz reversed form with Regulation when winning the Cup Trial and Regulation was also beaten by Listed Sledgehamnmer winner Field Marshal in the Cup Trial. The latter still stands his ground in the July.

The problem is which horse would Regulation leapfrog if it was decided to put him in?

The 19th position on the last log was the Gr 3 Jubilee winner Aladdin’s Lamp and he deserves a place as the winner of a traditional July pointer race and he is also in the handicap off his 110 rating carrying 53kg.

The next horse above Regulation on the log in 18th position was Minogue, who has placed a narrow second in her last two races, which were both Gr 2s over 2000m.

However, Regulation has won a stakes race this season, while Minogue has never won a black type race in her career, although she has many stakes places to her name including a Gr 1 runner up finish.

Other horses who have not had stakes wins this season despite some good placed efforts are Choisaanada (17th on the log), I Salute You (15th), Olivia’s Way (14th), Viva’s Liberte (11th), King Pelles (9th), Note To Self  (7th) and Gladatorian (6th).

If winning a stakes race is a key criteria then Regulation must have a chance.

It is always a tough decision for the final field panellists and there are always those who either feel disappointed or aggrieved.

However, the Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field Announcement and Draw ceremony is when the famous “July Fever” really kicks into overdrive.

It is a hugely anticipated event by the South African racing community and trainers, owners, jockeys, breeders, grooms, punters and bookmakers will be on tenterhooks when the ceremony starts at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning, with the final field tension being followed by the barrier draw tension.