The quality of the three-year-old colt division is such an intriguing debate. There is little consistency across the country and a standout is not evident for now. That adds some excitement because something will step forward in the coming months. Star Major could be the one. He will be sufficiently tested in the Grade 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Always held in high regard, Star Major has not necessarily had the rub of the green. A combination of wide draws and traffic problems had halted him from announcing himself among the main three-year-old campaigners this season. He showed his class when he won the HKJC World Pool Politician Stakes over 1800m at this course in late January. The most taking aspect of that he ran past the strongly fancied Happy Verse with ease. He hit the line with tons in hand.

His hard-luck stories along the way started in the Grade 2 Cape Punters Cup when he was supported in the market and got tight for room up the inside rail. He still finished 2,55 lengths behind Good For You. A terrible draw of No 12 in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas proved too hard an ask when he got into the action but plodded late to finish 3,45 lengths behind runaway winner, Jan Van Goyen. He still finished sixth, close-up behind the placegetters.

Luyolo Mxothwa is carded to take the ride for James Crawford. This son of Querari seems to be peaking at the right time. He could follow in impressive footsteps. Last year, this race was won by subsequent Equus Horse Of The Year, Eight On Eighteen.

The last time a filly won this race was in 1999. Dog Wood claimed victory for Mike de Kock. Wish List is the best chance the fairer sex has had of winning this race since. She won the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes over 1800m in mid-January in emphatic style. She finished ahead of Reet Petite and Double Grand Slam who subsequently won the Grade 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes.

Ironically, Wish List is by star sire Legislate who won this race in 2014. He was ridden by Richard Fourie. He was trained by Justin Snaith. Wish List is trained and she will be ridden by the same men. Perhaps it is written in the stars. The three-year-old fillies’ form is more reliable than the colts. She could fit into the picture as a winner so she warrants respect.

Note To Self could be a top horse in the making. One grapples with themselves whether he is ready to win a Grade 1 in February. He is clearly on his way through the divisions and he is impressive. His last win came against far weaker but he has all the attributes of a brilliant horse. A place would be acceptable but a win would send him through the glass ceiling. Grant van Niekerk gets the chance to ride for Snaith.

Happy Verse is considered as an alternative option. He needs to prove he can reach this distance. He could ultimately be waiting to be gelded. He too has loads of ability. Gavin Lerena takes the ride for Snaith.

The Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m is always a competitive affair. The race often points to Grade 1 paths around the country for the rest of the season. Instinct suggests that Outlaw King could be perfectly setup to win after his World Pool Cape Flying Championship effort. He flashed up late to finish third, less than a length behind Kingdundee. Trainer Dean Kannemeyer was noted that he was unsure whether 1000m last time would be to his liking. His best form is over this trip. He runs like he will get this trip. His running style takes a brave punters to label him as a good thing because he drops in and finds his feet late, but this could be his biggest moment. Craig Zackey takes the ride.

Questioning, All The Rage, Asiye Phambili and I Am Giant figure into the play as his main dangers.

The only form to work with in race 1 over 1000m is hugely unconvincing so a first timer is the likely winner. Grapes Of Wrath is a half-sister to Charles Dickens and she had a gallop at this course just over a month ago. She galloped smartly. Candice Bass trains and Aldo Domeyer, the Charles Dickens team, combine.

The first feature is the Listed Masks Of Fire Kenilworth Cup over 2500m, race 2. There are stamina queries in this small field. A chance is taken on Landoftherisingsun. He has hinted that he has not unlocked his full potential. Perhaps this extra distance will open a few more doors for him.

Race 3 over 1600m sees Phantom Man as the most likely to exit the maiden ranks. He has been runner-up in his last two runs when favourite to get the job done. There are a few with pleasing form in the race so it will not be a procession. Serino Moodley is up for Andre Nel.

Trainer Alan Greeff was in the headlines for his exploits with his two-year-olds last season. He won the Ridgemont Cape Of Good Hope Nursery last season with Direct Hit. He is back for more with Casperita who was one of the most impressive two-year-old winners to date this season. It will take something special for Greeff to repeat what he did between February 2025 and July 2025 but this is his start. She dotted up by 6,75 lengths at Fairview earlier this month. Richard Fourie is carded to ride.

The OTT Cape Fillies Classic over 1800m, race 5, is not easy to decipher despite a small field. Kattekwaadkwadraad could be maturing at the right time and set to emerge for Mxothwa and Crawford. She has always been immature and playful which has settled down gradually over her runs. If she is not ready for a stakes feature yet, she will surely get there. Keep an eye on her. When she is the finished article, she could become smart. She just needs to make slight improvement to win. She might possess that progress.

The Grade 2 Splashout Prix Du Cup, race 6, over 1400m looks tailormade for Stormwatch. Trainer Eric Sands commented on Perfectly Placed before her last run that he was going back to basics and educating her how to race again. That worked a charm. Dropped in she motored by aiming at horses. She lengthened to beat Air Raid by a length over this course and distance. In the post-race interview, Gavin Lerena basically booked the ride for her in this race. She is the only certainty in the event to relish this distance.

Snow Pilot came back to his best in a strong race last time. When in form, he is among the best around. He could back that up in the Listed Play ‘N Go Jet Master Stakes over 1600m. A known frontrunner, Richard Fourie dropped him behind the pace at the end of January. He stormed to victory. The former Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner ought to have his confidence back. Expect some stiff competition from Garrix who is back to his best distance. He is an excellent horse.

Prince Of Tibet loves Hollywoodbets Durbanville but he has remained consistent at HQ. He could maintain those good numbers in race 10 over 1600m under Aldo Domeyer.

RACE 1

The majority of the field step out for the very first time, so the market will be our best guide-watch for any strong support late on. With no exposed form to go on, breeding, stable confidence and parade ring impressions could prove crucial. The only runner with race experience didn’t show much on debut and was well beaten, that said, natural improvement second time out is always possible. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 7 – 3 – 1)

RACE 2

1 TENPENNY won a great race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 11th of February, he was given six points for that victory, provided that he stays this trip of 2500m, he will be hard to beat. 5 ERIC LIDDELL stayed on nicely for third behind Note To Self on the 31st of January, he is a big horse with a great action, he will love this trip, watch him closely, he can definitely win a race like this. 6 GENTLEMAN JOE finished just over two lengths behind Eric Liddell last time, he carried top weight on that occasion, and still managed to run a super race, he is honest, and he tries hard, there is no doubt that he will be competitive on his best form. 2 LANDOFTHERISINGSUN ran third behind Tenpenny on the 11th of February at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he likes to be on speed early, if he stays this trip, he can finish amongst the places. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 5 – 6 – 2)

RACE 3

5 FREQUENT TRAVELLER is much better than his last start, he finished just under seven lengths behind Fort Liam on the 11th of February, in hope that he is ridden positively on Saturday afternoon, he will be competitive at a decent price, include him into all bets. 6 PHANTOM MAN never runs a bad race, he finished second in the same race as Frequent Traveller last time, he will be on speed early, and he will try and get away from the field at the right time, watch him closely. 10 ROYAL INFLUENCER must have a big winning chance in this field, he ran a super race for third behind Klein Karoo on the 11th of February, that was his first run back from a small break, he will love the step up in trip to 1800m, if he gets some luck in running from a bad draw, he can make them all work for victory. 3 SPANISH VERSE caught the eye late for third behind Fort Liam last time, he should get the run of the race from a good draw. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 6 – 10 – 3)

RACE 4

1 CASPERITA won impressively at Fairview Racecourse on the 6th of February, she could be absolutely anything, there was plenty to like about the way she hit the line, she looks smart, and she looks progressive, include her into all bets. 7 QUERARI DANCER had no luck last time, she finished just under two lengths behind Red Spice on the 31st of January, she is a decent filly with lots of ability, if the gaps open at the right time on Saturday, she will be competitive. 5 RED SPICE quickened up smartly to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 31st of January, the yard thinks highly of this colt, he can definitely win again. 9 LADY NANCY ran a great race behind Red Spice on the 31st of January, she was flying at the finish when beaten just under two lengths at the line, the extra 100m on Saturday will help her chances. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 7 – 5 – 9)

RACE 5

1 QUEEN REGENT stayed on well for third behind Time For Love on the 31st of January, she never runs a bad race this filly, the drop in trip to 1800m is key for this individual on Saturday, there should be no excuses from a good draw, include her into all bets. 2 BEACH VERSE travelled like a winner last time when finishing second behind Rose Woott in the Clapham Stakes, she is extremely well-bred, if she stays the 1800m, she will go close to winning. 7 KATTEKWAADKWADRAAD finished third in the same race as Beach Verse on the 4th of February, she is in a great space at the moment, her form is very good, she will be competitive again. 4 KUBU ran a lovely race for third behind Educator on the 17th of January, she is a young filly that is still improving with every start, she might be able to sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 2 – 7 – 4)

RACE 6

1 SWIATEK is much better than her last run in the Grade 3 Summer Fling Stakes, she didn’t stay last time, jockey Richard Fourie gets the best out of this filly, from a neat draw, she will run a big race, watch her closely at a decent price. 5 PRINCESS OF GAUL stayed on well for second behind Babelicious on the 31st of January, the step up in trip to 1400m on Saturday will help this filly, she is packed with class, and she has a sharp turn of foot late, she will go close here. 4 STORMWATCH won a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 4th of February, she was given four points for that win last time, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be running on strongly late. 2 BABELICIOUS won in great fashion at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 31st of January, she was given six points for that impressive win, she will run a cracker here from a good draw. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 5 – 4 – 2)

RACE 7

13 ALL THE RAGE quickened up super impressively to win a good race on the 31st of January, he was given three points for that win, even though the race didn’t go according to plan early for this colt last time, he still managed to win going away at the line, he is packed with class, there is no doubt he can win again. 1 TEFLON MAN had absolutely no luck in the Winchester Sprint Cup on the 31st of January behind All The Rage, he will be switched off early, and he will be low-flying late, include him into all bets. 8 I AM GIANT must have a good each way chance, he ran a blinder for second in the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship on the 10th of January, if the gaps open at the right time for this gelding, he will be competitive. 2 OUTLAW KING finished third in the same race as I Am Giant last time, top jockey Craig Zackey sticks with this gelding, he will right there in the finish. (Brandon Bailey: 13 – 1 – 8 – 2)

RACE 8

5 NOTE TO SELF won like a smart horse in the making on the 31st of January, he is a beautiful horse with a big action, even though this is a big step up in class for him, he looks progressive, and he looks exciting, he should be right there in the finish. 1 STAR MAJOR had to work hard to win the Grade 3 Politician Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 31st of January, the yard thinks highly of this colt, he should love the step up in trip to 2000m, watch him closely at a decent price. 2 WISH LIST was given a terrific ride by jockey Andrew Fortune in the Grade 1 Paddock Stakes on the 10th of January, she quickened up beautifully to beat a good field on that occasion, if she stays the 2000m trip on Saturday, she has a big winning chance. 6 HAPPY VERSE travelled like a winner behind Star Major in the Grade 3 event on the 31st of January, he moved up at the right time, and he was nailed on the post in a driving finish, if he behaves going down to the start on Saturday, he will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 1 – 2 – 6)

RACE 9

9 GARRIX must be the value horse in this tricky race, he was only beaten just over three lengths in the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met on the 31st of January, the drop in trip is key for this gelding on Saturday, and the blinkers have been fitted, he will be low-flying late. 10 JET FORCE quickened up like a smart horse to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 14th of February, he will be switched off early from a wide draw, and he will be storming home late, include him into all bets. 4 ZEITZ was a touch disappointing in the Grade 2 Premier Trophy on the 10th of January, he finished just over four lengths behind I Salute You, he could bounce back to his best form now that he drops in trip to 1600m. 8 I SALUTE YOU must have a good each way chance in this field, Trainer Peter Muscutt has done a wonderful job with this gelding, if he gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, he will make them all work for victory. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 10 – 4 – 8)

RACE 10

2 TRIP TO CAMELOT has been rested and gelded, he caught the eye late when finishing just over five lengths behind Chance Encounter on the 10th of December, even though he is a maiden running against winners, he looks progressive, top jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride this individual from a good draw, he will go close. 5 MIDWAY is much better than his recent start, he finished just under five lengths behind Double Dash on the 11th of February, the drop in trip to 1600m will help this gelding on Saturday, he should be competitive on his best form. 1 PRINCE OF TIBET has been rested for 110 days, he was last seen running third behind Boundless Love on the 10th of November, he always has a winning chance at this level. 4 DOUBLE DISTILLED has run two excellent races in succession, he should be able to sneak into the places on his current form. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 5 – 1 – 4)

David Thiselton

In form Grant van Niekerk has been given the spare ride in the Gr 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby on the Justin Snaith-trained Note To Self, who is the fancy of more than a few to win the race.

Richard Fourie was originally on Note To Self, but when Andrew Fortune became unavailable after his fall on Friday Fourie jumped off Note To Self to get on to Fortune’s intended mount, Wish List.

Gavin Lerena is aboard the third Snaith-trained runner Happy Verse.

On paper Wish List is the one to beat. She is the highest rated runner on 115 and also gets a 2,5kg gender allowance which makes her officially 3kg well in with the second best-weighted runner, Star Major, who is rated 114.

Happy Verse is rated 113 and Note To Self  a lowly 96.

However, Note To Self created an enormous impression when winning a C Stakes event over 2000m on WSB Met day in effortless fashion by three lengths.

He is a highly progressive gelding by Futura and has a gigantic stride.

He is being nurtured along slowly but surely by Snaith.

Wish List will be out to become the ninth filly in history to win the Cape Derby, but the first filly this millennium.

However, one bit of history will repeat itself if she does win, because her sire Legislate won this race in 2014 and he was also trained by Snaith and ridden by Fourie.

Wish List has a smart turn of foot and a resolute finish, as she proved in the Paddock Stakes.

She should relish the extra 200m trip, as Legislate went on to win the July and her dam Wind Chill is not only by stamina influence Silvano, but she also won the Gr 2 SA Oaks over 2450m.

In 1925 a filly called Desert Born won the inaugural running of the race today known as the Lucky Fish Cape Derby.

Since then the following fillies have won the race:

Decoration (1929), Windlass (1930), Anthea (1935), Fringilla (1936), Green Lass (1951), Taim Bluff (Arg) (1980), Dog Wood (1999).

Happy Verse is by Vercingetorix out of a Giant’s Causeway mare, so he should also have no problem with the trip.

He is known for his fine turn of foot and if it turns into a crawl, he will have a big chance.

In fact the betting has Wish List and Happy Verse as joint favourites at 5/2 with Note To Self third favourite at 28/10.

Star Major relished the 1800m trip of the traditional Cape Derby trial race, the Gr 3 Politician Stakes, and ran on strongly to beat Happy Verse by 0,40 lengths. He looks to be a highly progressive sort and will not be a surprise winner. He is a 9/2 shot at present.

Better Man received 1,5kgs from the first two in the Politician and was beaten 3,15 lengths, but he always struck as a Derby type and Vaughan Marshall has won this race twice before, including with an unfancied horse, Top Seller (2011).

Viva’s Liberte will be a fascinating runner as he was being touted by some race watchers as one who would blossom into a proper classic horse. He won his first two starts and after a disappointing fourth next time out he was given a three month lay off. He came back with a fair effort and now faces his first acid test. He is by Vercingetorix out of the Jet Master mare Viva Maria, who won the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000, so he should have no problem with the trip.

Pay The Palace has 4,15 lengths to make up on Star Major from the Politician Stakes, so is up against it, although he did finish a fine third in the Gr 2 Punters Cup earlier so is capable.

Ignite The Fire is only rated 88, but runs in the same Greg and Gina Bortz colours that Oriental Charm carried in this race two years ago when rated 87 and starting at 100/1 odds. Oriental Charm finished third before going on to win the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

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.