Andrew Harrison

United Nation is unbeaten in four starts on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly and Darryl Moore looks to have picked the right race for five on the bounce when the gelding lines up in the B Stakes over 1000m that heads the card.

He has drawn widest of all in the nine-horse field but Moore has stuck with apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto and his 2.5kg claim could make all the difference again as he carries a handy galloping weight. Clinton Binda is a rare visitor to the Cape but he took his chances with Umzingeli Wenyathi who paid his way with a maiden win.

He won first up on the poly last time out and has only once finished out of the money in nine starts. He has stayed with 4kg claimer Sifiso Bungane who has partnered him in both victories and the Buffalo Bill Cody gelding could prove the biggest danger to United Nation’s record.

Good Traveller has been a soldier for Howard Schwegmann, winning seven from 50 starts. He loves the poly and got up to win narrowly last run but he may prefer it a furlong further. Jet Legacy won his last two over the trip on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville turf and is back on the poly in good form.

It is a competitive card and starts with Higher Love in the first who has improved recently on the poly and was narrowly beaten last outing from a wide draw. Saudi Sweep was disappointing on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville turf last start after three promising efforts for her new stable on the poly. Whatastar makes her local debut. Her recent Cape form has been over further but she looks capable of big improvement.

In the second Skyline Bell made marked improvement at just her second outing, both runs in the soft. She makes her poly debut but can show further improvement. Praise De La Rey is showing steady improvement and appears to have come to hand. Skipper O’Malley finished narrowly ahead of Skyline Bell when they met but she is well exposed and one can expect further improvement from her younger rival.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6 Black Platina goes well over course and distance and should be involved in the finish. Levitator has the widest draw and steps up in trip but is back on his preferred surface. Takeyourbestshot is overdue a win however, he has been rested and weirdly has drawn 10 out of 10 for the fourth consecutive time.

In the fourth Rahhabba has come well at her last two since arriving in KZN. She has the best of the draw in what is a competitive handicap. Happy Fortune’s last two win have been over the trip including one over course and distance. She is in good form and Rachel Venniker’s allowance will help her cause. De Vlugge is seldom out of the money and switches to the poly. She should put in another forward showing while Your Ladyship has been up and down in distance but showed up well last run over shorter and Callan Murray stays aboard.

Amafort is overdue and has run two promising races over course and distance at recent starts and can kick off the jackpot. Mystique Rouge was a close-up second behind Izibulo last time out. She is now 1kg better off in the handicap and can turn the tables. Strutting was a recent maiden winner but has shown some potential. However, she does shoulder top weight.

In the sixth, Queue Wing has been in good form since being tried in blinkers. His last two have been over further but he has gone close over course and distance and has a handy galloping weight. Clever Trevor is lightly raced and has had one sprint since arriving from the Highveld. He should come on from that. Wild At War won over the distance last time out and has gone close on the poly. He should feature again from the best of the draw.

A tough race to close but Acacia’s Blossom has dropped in trip at her last two and went close over course and distance at her penultimate start. A repeat effort could see her home. Rock Music was a recent maiden winner on the Highveld. He have been the travelling companion for Umzingeli Wenyathi but has been showing steady improvement and now faces some well exposed older handicappers. Ultra Quick has been racing over a little further but with De Melo staying aboard it may have been the advice to try shorter. Indecent Proposal is in good form over course and distance and has a slightly better draw this time around.

Race 1: Preview: ROCK ME MAMMA (6) is by Rafeef and will be ridden by the in -form Andrew Fortune. Watch the betting. CASPERITA (2) could be very competitive first up – respect and include. ETERNAL SPIRIT (3) for Dean Smith is by Master Of My Fate and could be anything. QUICK SKETCH (5) can finish in the first four on debut. (Warren Lenferna 6-2-3-5)

Race 2: Preview: WINTERONTHEGREEN (10) brings some okay Cape Town form into the race which could be good enough for her to win this. HERE COMES JOHNNY (6) improved a ton last time in local run and can go close to winning – huge chance. TITLEMOUSE (4) comes from a strong yard and meets the right field on debut – include in everything. ALESIAN BEAU (5) has a first four chance. (Warren Lenferna 10-6-4-5)

Race 3: Preview: TIMELINE (6) is well tried but looks ready for the winning run – strong each way claims. ELUSIVE BOMBA (12) is never far off and could be the place value for the quartets and swingers. ATLANTIC PEARL (7) is running well, holding form and can win – big runner. ENDIZAYO (10) is one for the shortlist. (Warren Lenferna 6-12-7-10)

Race 4: Preview: XTINES PRINCESS (2) is lightly raced, been improving in the Cape and could be very hard to beat in her local debut – outstanding pedigree! LANA VIEW (1) has obvious claims, went close last time and should get it all right very soon, if not today. LEBOMBO GOLD (3) and OH MANDY (5) have strong place chances. (Warren Lenferna 2-1-3-5)

Race 5: Preview: A hard race! YOU’RE SO SPECIAL (10) caught the eye in her post maiden run and looks to have some ability. She rises in class and could end up being absolutely anything. TINTAMARRE (5) can do way better than the last run and is a big runner. COASTAL PATH (11) is never far off and has competed in some competitive races – strong each way claims. ONE TOO MANY (8) ran a cracker last time and can again. There are many others in with bright chances. (Warren Lenferna 10-5-11-8)

Race 6: Preview: FAIRY KNIGHT (1) is good, ran on powerfully to win last time and is the possible banker on the card. GUY GIBSON (2) is holding form and will be a massive danger – exacta suggestion. USA’S HOPE (3) is taking time for the next win but should be in the shake up once again. Strong place chance. CHAMPONELLE (5) is a must for quartet bets. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-3-5)

Race 7: Preview: TRAVEL MASTER (5) disappointed a tad last time but is most certainly worth another chance and therefore the first choice. GUARDING THE WALL (7) bounced back to better form last time at long odds. He is capable and can never be ignored. VOLARE E MAMBO (2) is taking time for the next victory but is certainly earning and can do so again today. Strong place claims. SILVERY SURFER (1) gets weight off – a must for all bets. (Warren Lenferna 5-7-2-1)

Race 8: Preview: SHORI KAI (9) ran a huge race in much stiffer company last time and is clearly on the upgrade. She could be tough to beat. VOORSMAAKIE (11) posted an encouraging effort last time and can earn again and might represent some value. CANFORD QUEEN (10) is never far off the winners and has to be factored into most bets and GAELIC DANCER (6) was not far off last time and can pop up into the back end of the quartets. (Warren Lenferna 9-11-10-6)

Ends

1

4 HIGHER LOVE   7 SAUDI SWEEP   5 WHATASTAR   6 WINDING POWER

Summary: HIGHER LOVE (4) has improved recently on the poly and was narrowly beaten last outing from a wide draw. SAUDI SWEEP (7) was disappointing on the Scottsville turf last start after three promising efforts for her new stable. WHATASTAR (5) makes her local debut. Her recent Cape form has been over further but she looks capable of big improvement. WINDING POWER (6) showed some improvement last run and has a useful claiming apprentice aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 4-7-5-6).

2

7 SKYLINE BELL   1 PRAISE DE LA REY   2 SKIPPER O’MALLEY   3 DREAM DECISION

Summary: SKYLINE BELL (7) made marked improvement at just her second outing, both runs in the soft. She makes her poly debut but can show further improvement. PRAISE DE LA REY (1) is showing steady improvement and appears to have come to hand. SKIPPER O’MALLEY (2) finished narrowly ahead of Skyline Bell when they met but she is well exposed and one can expect further improvement from her younger rival. DREAM DECISION (3) is lightly raced and has not been far back at her last two. The step up in distance could suit. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-2-3).

3

11 BLACK PLATINA   12 LEVITATOR   10 TAKEYOURBESTSHOT   5 ROCK ME BABY

Summary: BLACK PLATINA (11) goes well over course and distance and should be involved in the finish. LEVITATOR (12) has the widest draw. He steps up in trip but is back on his preferred surface. TAKEYOURBESTSHOT (10) is overdue a win. However, he has been rested and has draw 10 out of 10 for the fourth consecutive time. ROCK ME BABY (5) showed some improvement with first time blinkers and the step up in trip could suit. (Andrew Harrison: 11-12-10-5).

4

1 RAHHABBA   2 HAPPY FORTUNE   3 YOUR LADYSHIP   6 DE VLUGGE

Summary: RAHHABBA (1) has come well at her last two since arriving in KZN. She has the best of the draw in what is a competitive handicap. HAPPY FORTUNE’S (2) last two win have been over the trip including one over course and distance. She is in good form and Rachel Venniker’s allowance will help her cause. DE VLUGGE (6) is seldom out of the money and switches to the poly. She should put in another forward showing. YOUR LADYSHIP (3) has been up and down in distance but showed up well last run over shorter and Callan Murray stays aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-3-6).

5

7 AMAFORT   8 MYSTIQUE ROUGE   1 IZIBULO   6 STRUTTING

Summary: AMAFORT (7) is overdue and has run two promising races over course and distance at recent starts. MYSTIQUE ROUGE (8) was a close-up second behind IZIBULO (1) last time out. She is now 1kg better off in the handicap and can turn the tables. STRUTTING (6) was a recent maiden winner but has shown some potential. However, she does shoulder top weight. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-1-6).

6

 9 QUEUE WING    1 WILD AT WAR   6 CLEVER TREVOR   5 FUTURE FLO

Summary:  QUEUE WING (9) has been in good form since being tried in blinkers. His last two have been over further but he has gone close over course and distance and has a handy galloping weight. CLEVER TREVOR (6) is lightly raced and has had one sprint since arriving from the Highveld. He can come on from that. WILD AT WAR (1) won over the distance last time out and has gone close on the poly. He should feature again from the best of the draw. FUTURE FLO (5) steps up in trip and is a solid handicapper. (Andrew Harrison: 9-1-6-5).

7

9 UNITED NATION    3 UMZINGELI WENYATHI    1 GOOD TRAVELLER   4 JET LEGACY

Summary: UNITED NATION (9) is unbeaten in four starts on the poly. Darryl Moore looks to have picked the right race for five on the bounce as he carries a handy weight. UMZINGELI WENYATHI (3) won first up on the poly and has only once finished out of the money in nine starts. GOOD TRAVELLER (1) loves the poly and got up to win narrowly last run. He may prefer it a furlong further. JET LEGACY (4) won his last two over the trip in the Scottsville turf and is back on the poly in good form. (Andrew Harrison: 9-3-1-4).

8

1 ACACIA’S BLOSSOM   5 ROCK MUSIC   6 ULTRA QUICK   7 INDECENT PROPOSAL

Summary: Tough race to close. ACACIA’S BLOSSOM (1) has dropped in trip at her last two and went close over course and distance at her penultimate start. A repeat effort could see her home. ROCK MUSIC (5) was a recent maiden winner on the Highveld. He has been showing steady improvement and now faces some well exposed older handicappers. ULTRA QUICK (6) has been racing over a little further but with De Melo staying aboard it may have been the advice to try shorter. INDECENT PROPOSAL (7) is in good form over course and distance. He has a slightly better draw this time around. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-6-7).

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.