Race 1:

Preview: U S RANGER (7) caught the eye on debut and with natural improvement should be hard to beat. APPLES AND TEA (1) could make his presence felt on debut and the betting must be watched. JUST CARTER (5) has claims on good debut effort -last run was in a strong feature. ROCKING IN RIO (6) has quartet claims. (Warren Lenferna 7-1-5-6)

Race 2:

Preview: TP THUNDERCHILD (8) was backed on debut, has scope to progress and can win this time. DAFFODIL DELIGHT (2) and SABOTEUR (7) are worth respecting on debut and WILD STAR (9) has scope to do better – place chance. (Warren Lenferna 8-2-7-9)

Race 3:

Preview: ENCHANTING CHOICE (1) has good form and a bright, strong winning chance. BAIE MOOI (4) won well last time and could follow up – big runner. FAMILY POWER (2) gets valuable weight off the back and is one for the shortlist. EPIKLEROS (3) is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 1-4-2-3)

Race 4:

Preview: BLAME IT ON ME (3) ran an absolute cracker last time and is selected to go one better. CLIFFIE CLAVIN (4) is never far off the action and has serious each way claims as the value. WARRIOR’S EDGE (14) can do better than the last run shows and ROCKIE BLUE (15) has obvious claims. (Warren Lenferna 3-4-14-15)

Race 5:

Preview: LANCIAFIAMME (7) is holding form, clearly talented and caught the eye in the penultimate feature. Winning effort looks on the cards. JOKER MAN (5) ran a huge race last time and it would be no shock if he were to go one more. DAS GUTE (8) is in a good winning space and is a must for all bets. BINGWA (4) can never be ignored – include. (Warren Lenferna 7-5-8-4)

Race 6:

Preview: JUAN CARLOS (1) is capable of serving up way more than he has recently and from a cozy draw, could bounce right back to winning ways. BAD MEDICINE (2) trotted up last time and can give plenty cheek all the way home – can win. HOME REEF (3) has ability, fair form and can be forgiven for the last run. Big runner. ONLY A POET (9) could be the value for the places. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-3-8)

Race 7:

Preview: MERCANTOUR (1) never shaped last time but certainly did plenty times before that and is confidently selected to bounce right back to winning ways. ANUSCHKA’S WORLD (2) is holding form, has ability and an each way chance. GOLDEN PAVILLION (6) showed guts and determination last time – respect and include. ROMAN AGENT (7) should be in the first four. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-6-7)

Race 8:

Preview: FREE WORLD (6) is taking time for the next win but has run some fair races recently and could represent some value – each way chance. PENNY’S WORLD (7) has claims on good penultimate run and is the exacta suggestion. QUEEN OF JAZZ (8) gets weight off the back and has a bright place chance and ARE YOU SURE (1) is one for the shortlist. (Warren Lenferna 6-7-8-1)

Ends

Andrew Harrison

In spite of an impressive record that features multiple Gr1 successes, a record that most would be envious of, See It Again has still flattered to deceive, not winning when he had every right to.

Recently he also developed an aversion to the starting stalls that saw him withdrawn at the start on two occasions and was in danger of his starting certificate being withdrawn permanently.

That said, a change of climate, a change of routine that no doubt included a frolic or two in the cold waters of False Bay, and a change of trainer appear to have got him back on track. The strapping chestnut son of Twice Over has run two cracking races since joining Justin Snaith’s Phillippi yard and in both cases he was a touch unlucky, finding traffic at a crucial stage of the race.

He looked a dead certainty for fourth place in the Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate but rallied like the horse of old. Switched off the heels of The Real Prince with 50m to travel, he flashed home for a close-up third behind The Real Prince and Questioning, relegating Sail The Seas into fourth.

The real key to See It Again’s new lease on racing could be Andrew Fortune. He is a rider who has an almost uncanny report with his mounts, coaxing the best out of them be they modest maidens or Gr1 prospects and See It Again appears to be responding to Fortune’s superb hands.

See It Again drew wide at 10, with only Okavango on his outside in an 11-horse field but Jono Snaith intimated at the draw that Okavango would be used as a pacemaker which could open the way for his stable companion with Fortune declaring in typically bold fashion, ‘whatever beats me, will win’.

One has to take See It Again’s behavior at the start on trust, but if all goes well, a second Gr 1 WSB Met over the Kenilworth 2000m is on the cards tomorrow.

Owner Nic Jonsson will be dressed in his ‘workwear’s’ finest with two other runners in his colours, in last year’s winner Eight On Eighteen and recent Peninsular Stakes winner Okavango.

Given his performance, Eight On Eighteen did not look fully wound up for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, an observation confirmed by Snaith after he drew gate 2 for last year’s Met winner. Eight On Eighteen finished just over four lengths back to The Real Prince in what was his first competitive run after a five-month break and he should come on lengths from that outing.

A further bonus is that Richard Fourie is back in the irons after an inspired ride on Questioning in the King’s Plate.

The Real Prince finished with a timely burst up the inside rail to snatch victory in the King’s Plate and Dean Kannemeyer has a knack of getting his runners to peak on the day. Although the gelding only just made it home, it was a run full of merit given that it was his second outing back after his runner-up berth behind Gladatorian in the Gr1 World Pool Champions Cup where he looked the winner before his rival caught him on the line.

Last season’s Hollywoodbets Durban July winner will relish the extra 400m and will be out to give Kannemeyer his first Met winner.

Stuart Ferrie’s charge Gladatorian is likely to start at lengthy odds given his effort in the King’s Plate but it may be a mistake to take that form at face value. As Ferrie pointed out post-race, he made up some 13 lengths in the straight to finish under three lengths off the first four home and he was more than happy with the run. Gladatorian won last season’s World Pool Champions Cup over 1800m with a devastating turn of foot to catch The Real Prince so exclude him from exotic bets at your peril.

Garrix and The Equator, who will be ridden by Arc-winning jockey Rene Piechulek, could provide upset results but if See It Again finds his best form they could all be chasing shadows.

Main supporting feature on the day is the Gr1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes where Double Grand Slam will be out to make amends for her defeat in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes when beaten into fourth behind Wish List. It was the mare’s first run back after a break and lacked her usually finishing burst. It was also a scorching hot afternoon and visiting rider Oisin Murphy was certainly feeling the heat.

She has a wide draw at 11 but on her day, Snaith’s mare is the one to beat and Fortune could win both Gr 1’s on the day.

Going on jockey bookings, Richard Fourie would have had the pick of the James Crawford fillies and has plumbed for Mon Petit Cherie ahead of stable companion Reet Petite who finished second to Wish List in the Paddock Stakes and second to Quickstepgal in the Gr1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas. Fourie is contracted to owners Ridgemont but so is Gareth Wright who general rides second string.

Asiye Phambili is in good form and as game as they come. The mile trip holds no fears and she will be competitive.

Tienie Prinsloo’s WSB Cape Fillies Guineas winner Quickstepgal has been scratched with a jarred knee.

RACE 1 

4 ST HARRY   12 CHAMPAGNE CASTLE   1 MARSEILLES   7 QUERARI DANCER 

Summary: ST HARRY (4) made an eye-catching debut. Well supported in the market, he came from a long way back to snatch victory. He can build on that experience. Justin Snaith has a strong hand with three runners headed by CHAMPAGNE CASTLE (12) who has taken on males at her last two and won convincingly. She should be involved in the finish. Stable companion MARSEILLES (1) found strong market support at just his second start and landed the odds comfortably and should come on from that effort. QUERARI DANCER (7) beat Marseilles on debut. She has not been out since November last year but the form has held up well. (Andrew Harrison: 4-12-1-7). 

RACE 2 

2 WORLD FIRST   1 NOTE TO SELF   6 FAST AND FREE   10 WEHAVEASITUATION 

Summary: WORLD FIRST (2) has improved as he has stepped up in trip. He was a narrow winner first time out of the maidens and got a four-point raise in the handicap but he is lightly raced and still improving. NOTE TO SELF (1) has not been out of the money and close-up in all four starts. This trip should suit. FAST AND FREE (6) found strong market support last run but may have found the trip too far. The form of his maiden win over course and distance has held up.WEHAVEASITUATION (10) has come good of late and seldom runs a bad race. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-6-10). 

RACE 3 

8 HOLDING THUMBS   2 MAGIC VERSE   1 ZATARA MAGIC  4 AHEAD OF THE FACTS 

Summary: HOLDING THUMBS (8) is a top class stayer and won his last start a lot more comfortably than the margin suggests. Weight does not bother him as he showed two runs back when fighting off the lightly weighted AHEAD OF THE FACTS (4) giving him 11kg. Holding Thumbs has since beaten him again and meets on much more favourable weight terms. ZATARA MAGIC (1) has excellent Fairview form and is a solid galloper. He does jump in trip. MAGIC VERSE (2) was under a length back to Holding Thumbs last time out but the latter had the race won a long way out. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-1-4). 

RACE 4 

1 INFLUENCE    6 MIRACULOUS   18 MAURITIAN KESTREL   9 KELP FOREST 

Summary: Wide open handicap to start the Pick 6. INFLUENCE (1) started at long odds in a winning debut. He must surely come on with the experience and could follow up. The form behind KELP FOREST (9) will be closely scrutinized with many of this field finishing behind him. Kelp Forest won at long odds and second-placed MIRACULOUS (6) was also friendless in the market but did have some fair form prior to that. Third-placed MAURITIUS KESTREL (18) was less than a length back and now gets the benefit of a 4kg claimer. However, he may be drawn on the ‘wrong’ side of the straight as current trends point to fields bunching on the inside rail but he does have Andrew Fortune on CLAIR DE LUNE (19) drawn on his inside so will have one to follow. WHIRLWIND (14) is a lightly raced filly who was narrowly beaten in her handicap debut but does take on males. (Andrew Harrison: 1- 6-18-9). 

RACE 5 

1 THE US OF A   14 ALL THE RAGE   10 TEFLON MAN   2 HIS MAJESTY 

Summary: THE US OF A (1) is seldom out of the money and has started favourite in his last five races. He carried a big weight with cheek pieces last run. They have been removed and he has a handy galloping weight. ALL THE RAGE (14) is drawn on the other side of the course that may not be ideal. However, he has a handy weight, yet to finish out of the money and won well last time out. HIS MAJESTY (2) has had two promising local outings over further since his arrival from the UK where he was mostly sprinting. The blinkers go on and he may be worth following in the market. TEFLON MAN (10) has been coming to hand slowly and looks primed for this after a smart effort behind stable companion Outlaw King in the Merchants. (Andrew Harrison: 1-14-10-2). 

RACE 6 

14 GREAT PLAINS   6 POWERANDTHEGLORY   3 O’TENIKWA   2 RAVEN BLACK 

Summary: GREAT PLAINS (14) has the widest draw to contend with but made a cracking comeback over course and distance after a lengthy rest beating Sail The Seas who was touched off in the recent L’Omarins King’s Plate. He has a big weight but a repeat will see him close. Stable companion POWERANDTHEGLORY (6) was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. He jumps in class but only has 51kg to shoulder and he gets first-time blinkers. O’TENIKWA (3) has shown up well in two sprints since his return to the Cape. The step up in trip from a plum draw can see him into the firing line. RAVEN BLACK (2) steps up in trip but has solid recent sprint form and with only 52.5kg to shoulder he could be a big threat. (Andrew Harrison: 14-6-3-2). 

RACE 7 

10 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM   12 QUICKSTEPGAL   9 ASIYE PHAMBILI   2 MON PETIT CHERIE 

Summary: DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (10 )will be out to make amends for her defeat in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes when beaten into fourth behind Wish List. It was the mare’s first run back after a break and lacked her usually finishing burst. It was also a scorching hot afternoon and visiting rider Oisin Murphy was certainly feeling the heat. Going on jockey bookings, Richard Fourie would have had the pick of the James Crawford fillies and has plumbed for MON PETIT CHERIE (2), the higher rated of the two, ahead of stable companion REET PETITE (2) who finished second to Wish List in the Paddock Stakes and second to QUICKSTEPGAL (12) in the Cape Fillies Guineas. Fourie is contracted to owners Ridgemont but so is Gareth Wright who generally rides second string. Quickstepgal who followed up with a cracking run in the Gr 2 Sceptre Stakes, only caught in the dying strides. She is back over a mile and does have a deep draw to overcome. However, she has good gate speed and the services of former Champion Jockey Keagan de Melo. Asiye Phambili is in good form and as game as they come. The mile trip holds no fears and she will be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 10-12-9-2). 

RACE 8 

10 SEE IT AGAIN   2 EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN   4 GLADATORIAN   6 THE REAL PRINCE 

Summary: SEE IT AGAIN (10) has run two cracking races for his new stable and was a touch unlucky in both not to have finished closer. He appears to have taken a renewed interest in racing and with some luck in running rates a strong chance. Richard Fourie is back aboard last year’s met winner EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (2). He was having his first run back in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate after a lengthy break and looked in need of the run. He should strip at his peak. GLADATORIAN (4) was doing his best work late in the King’s Plate. If intended pacemaker OKAVANGO (11) set a solid gallop, Gladatorian could mow them all down as he has a smart turn of foot. THE REAL PRINCE (6) got up late to win the King’s Plate over a trip short of his best. He will be at his peak and will have plenty of supporters. (Andrew Harrison: 10-2-4-6). 

RACE 9 

7 TOUCHED BY ANGELS   1 PAY THE PALACE   2 HAPPY VERSE   3 BETTER MAN 

Summary: TOUCHED BY ANGELS (7) is highly regarded by the stable and has yet to finish out of the money. He does take a big step up in trip but he should see it out comfortably. HAPPY VERSE (2) has won three of his six starts and was runner up to Jan van Goyen in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. He too should have no troubles seeing out the extra furlong. BETTER MAN (3) was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out from a wide draw and is a must inclusion in all calculations. PAY THE PALACE (1) was unplaced in the Guineas but was ahead of Happy Verse prior to that. He will definitely enjoy the step up to this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-2-3). 

RACE 10 

2 PRINCESS OF GAUL   9 WANDER DUNE   11 MAI SENSATION   13 DISTING 

Summary: PRINCESS OF GAUL (2) has smart form over the trip and although she carries top weight against a myriad of low weights she is the class in the race. WANDER DUNE (9) was a beaten favourite last run when sent over further. She has only had two three starts and two smart efforts over the course and distance. MAI SENSATION (11) would appear to be the pick of the Lucinda Woodruff pair given JP van der Merwe’s choice of rides. She has a big weight but has been taking on stronger at recent outings while CALL ME SECRET (1) steps up in class but got a hefty 14 pound shunt up the handicap for her seventh place behind Quickstepgal in the Fillies Guineas. DISTING (13) has not been far back at recent outings and with Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance she cannot be ignored. (Andrew Harrison: 2-9-11-13). 

RACE 11 

7 SWIATEK    1 QUEEN REGENT   3 GIVE ME EVERYTHING   8 LITTLE SUZIE 

Summary: SWIATEK (7) has only twice been out of the money in a dozen starts. She was a beaten favourite when third in a feature over 1800m last time out but is down in class and should stay the extra. QUEEN REGENT (1) also steps up in trip after being touched off over a mile last time out. She boasts solid sprint form but indications are that she will stay the trip and only has 50kg to shoulder. GIVE ME EVERYTHING (3) was just over two lengths back in the Paddock Stakes and should be primed for this event. LITTLE SUZIE (8) has lost her way a little since KZN’s Champions Season and could surprise if finding her best form. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-3-8). 

RACE 12 

11 SMARTEN UP   2 FOUDRE   4 UNITED FRONT   13 ROCKANROLLIN 

Summary: A highly competitive handicap to end the day. SMARTEN UP (11) enjoyed the step up in trip last time out and can go one better although he only meets FOUDRE (2) on 0.5kg better terms. UNITED FRONT (4) was beaten four lengths by Foudre and Smarten Up but gets first time blinkers which suggests that there is more to come as he has only had six starts. ROCKANROLLIN (13) got his first win in a handicap maiden sprint but is back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. He does have a deep draw to contend with. (Andrew Harrison: 11-2-4-13).  

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.