David Thiselton

The Turffontein Standside meeting on Saturday has nine races and is headlined by a Graduation Plate over 1000m and a MR 101 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1160m.

The Graduation Plate is the first race and the Mike Azzie-trained Winds Of Change is 6,5kg better in at the weights than any other horse according to official merit ratings. He should have come on from his last when a close up third and although drawn on the wrong side by trends he has Gavin Lerena up and the draw should be manageable in this small field. Trajanus is officially 12,5kg under sufferance with Winds Of Change, but is very quick and looks to be on the up. African Pride was a touch disappointing last Saturday over this course and distance in the Sophmore 1000, but is now drawn on the right side and could do better considering his narrow third in the Listed Golden Loom over this course and distance. Kaalvoet had some reasonable form in Cape Town behind the like of Good For You and The US Of A, but he finished last in the Sophomore 1000 last Saturday also needs to bounce back. Chapbook has shown some ability and could earn from the favourable standside draw. I’m A Fireball is the second best in at the weights and can boast a 1,95 length sixth in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion last season. He wasn’t disgraced in his reappearance last time out over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville and is a player if able to overcome the number one draw. That leaves Clever Trevor who has a tough task at the weights but could still improve.

In the MR 101 Handicap over 1160m for fillies  and mares, Elegantrix has plenty of speed and class, but is another one who will have to overcome a low draw. Tuscan Romance sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and is another low drawn runner who makes appeal. Poblano caught the eye last time and would have been fancied if this had been over 1000m, but she does stay this trip and could represent good value. Blizzard Snow is better than her last run, which did not pan out well and can make amends from a nice draw under in-form visiting rider Mickaelle Michel. Green Flash has a nice high draw and is in hard-knocking form, so should be a player.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m The Playboy Bomber has a plum draw over a trip which should be ideal.  Jordan ran well last time and is ideally distance suited, but does have a tough draw to overcome. Vesuvio ran a cracker last time over this trip and has a similar draw of six. Skittle Skies missed the break in the Grand Heritage and lost many lengths, but is a contender here if jumping on terms. Banha Bridge sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and has Yeni up from a good draw, so can’t be ignored.

In the fifth race over 1600m Speedman has impressed in both starts over 1160m and 1400m respectively and could have a chance if able to overcome a wide draw, although he was due to run on Tuesday so is not sure to line up. Tommy Atkins will also be a runner over a step up in trip he should relish and he has a fair draw. Guerilla Warfare is capable of earning here from pole position. Page Boy has been a touch disappointing, but has the ability to earn if able to overcome a wide draw. Spy Story has won over 1600m before so is interesting stepped back up to that trip from a good draw as he has fair recent form over shorter.

In the sixth over 1400m Peregrine Falcon enjoys this trip and is a big runner from a good draw. Fostinovo is knocking on the door and is ideally distance suited and well drawn. Legendary rallied well to win on Grand Heritage day over this trip and will be a player if able to overcome a wide draw and a three point higher mark. Oklahoma Smokeshow won his maiden well over 1500m and off a reasonable merit rating of 72 can make a bold bid from pole position. My Lucky Charm has a chance if bouncing back from his disappointing last start.

In the eighth over 1160m Xenophon is a talented sort who is knocking on the door and can record a third career win from a middle draw. . It’s Personal is in fine form and off a three point higher mark for his latest win should be in the shake up from a nice high draw. Mister Wilson has 1,90 lengths to make up on Xenophon and should be in the shake up from a high draw. His Lordship has plenty of ability and can make his presence felt if low draws prove to not be disadvantageous. Top Division could earn from a high draw.

In the ninth over 1160m Waiting On Charlie went close when stepped down to 1000m and can go one better here. Whirlybird should beat Maverick Queen on the weight turnaround and is a contender. Maverick Queen ran a cracker over 1200m last time and this consistent sort should be right there. United Offer has some class and is interesting stepped back down to this trip. Angel’s Oasis is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance and had some fair Cape Town form, so is interesting from a high draw.

The second race over 1160m could go to Gulf Of America from a nice high draw.

The third race over 1160m could go to Trombolines and Lovable must not be ignored.

RACE 1

1 WINDS OF CHANGE 3 TRAJANUS 2 AFRICAN PRIDE 5 KAALVOET 6 CHAPBOOK

Preview: 1 WINDS OF CHANGE is classy and bounced back to his best in his second run after gelding when still possibly needing it so he should take a power of beating. 3 TRAJANUS is quick and can make it three wins over this trip in succession. 2 AFRICAN PRIDE will appreciate the step down in trip. 5 KAALVOET has shown some ability and has some form in the strong centre of Cape Town. 6v CHAPBOOK is capable of being in the shake up here. (David Thiselton 1-3-2-5-6)

RACE 2

1 GULF OF AMERICA 2 FIERY FROLIC 5 POWER OF TIGER 13 TREASURE STATE

Preview:  1 GULF OF AMERICA has run two good races over 1160m and looks the one to beat. 2 FIERY FROLIC ran a good race last time over 1160m when the blinkers were removed and could follow up by going close in this uninspiring field. 5 POWER OF TIGER was a fair third last time over 1000m last time and can earn again. 13 TREASURE STATE is by The United States out of a Spectrum mare and she is a half-sister to twice winner Empress Josephine (Crusade) who reached a merit rating of 86. (David Thiselton 1-2-5-13)

RACE 3

9 TROMBOLINES 12 LOVABLE 11 POWER OF PEARLS

Preview: 9 TROMBOLINES was due to run earlier but if still eligible will take a power of beating in this contest. 12 LOVABLE made a good debut in a strong field and should improve. 11 POWER OF PEARLS has shown enough to be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 9-12-11)

RACE 4

8 THE PLAYBOY BOMBER 5 JORDAN 4 VESUVIO 1 SKITTLE SKIES

Preview: 8 THE PLAYBOY BOMBER has a plum draw over a trip which should be ideal. 5 JORDAN ran well last time and is ideally distance suited but does have a tough draw to overcome. 4 VESUVIO ran a cracker last time over this trip from a similar draw.  1 SKITTLE SKIES is a contender if jumping on terms. (David Thiselton 8-5-4-1)

RACE 5

1 SPEEDMAN 9 TOMMY ATKINS 6 GUERILLA WARFARE 2 PAGE BOY

Preview: 1 SPEEDMAN was due to run earlier but if still eligible is the one to beat having won his first two starts in impressive style and running off a reasonable 88, although he does have to overcome a wide draw. 9 TOMMY ATKINS was due to run earlier, but if still eligible will also be a runner over a step up in trip he should relish. 6 GUERILLA WARFARE is capable of earning here from pole position. 2 PAGE BOY has been a touch disappointing but has the ability to earn if able to overcome a wide draw. (David Thiselton 1-9-6-2)

RACE 6

8 PEREGRINE FALCON 2 FOSTINOVO 9 LEGENDARY 10 OKLAHOMA SMOKESHOW

Preview: 8 PEREGRINE FALCON has shown enough over this trip category to be a big runner from a good draw. 2 FOSTINOVO is knocking on the door and is ideally distance suited and well drawn. 9 LEGENDARY rallied well to win on Grand Heritage day over this trip and will be a player if able to overcome a wide draw. 10 OKLAHOMA SMOKESHOW won his maiden well over 1500m and off a reasonable merit rating of 72 can make a bold bid from pole position.

Preview: (David Thiselton 8-2-9-10)

RACE 7

2 ELEGANTRIX 11 TUSCAN ROMANCE 6 POBLANO 9 BLIZZARD SNOW

Preview: 2 ELEGANTRIX has plenty of speed and class and make it tell here and although she has a low draw the draw bias has not been too evident lately at Turffonein Standside. 11 TUSCAN ROMANCE sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and is another low drawn runner who makes appeal. 6 POBLANO would prefer 1000m but if ridden conservatively could get home as she possesses plenty of ability. 9 BLIZZARD SNOW is better than her last run and can make amends. (David Thiselton 2-11-5-9)

RACE 8

6 XENOPHON 4 IT’S PERSONAL 3 MISTER WILSON 10 HIS LORDSHIP

Preview: 6 XENOPHON is a talented sort who is knocking on the door and can get it right here to record a third career win. 4 IT’S PERSONAL is in fine form and off a three point higher mark for his latest win should be in the shake up. 3 MISTER WILSON has 1,90 lengths to make up on Xenophon and should be in the shake up. 10 HIS LORDSHIP has plenty of ability and can make his presence felt if low draws prove to not be disadvantageous. (David Thiselton 6-4-3-10)

RACE 9

9 WAITING ON CHARLIE 7 WHIRLYBIRD 4 MAVERICK QUEEN  2 UNITED OFFER

Preview: 9 WAITING ON CHARLIE went close when stepped down to 1000m and can go one better here. 7 WHIRLYBIRD should beat Maverick Queen on the eight turnaround and is a contender. 4 MAVERICK QUEEN ran a cracker over 1200m last time and this consistent sort should be right there. 2 UNITED OFFER has some class and is interesting stepped back down to this trip. (David Thiselton 9-7-4-2)

Andrew Harrison

Punters face a competitive card in the first KZN meeting of the New Year with some tricky maidens and competitive handicaps.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Fortress Of Fire won well last start and is now running up to early promise. However he will need to keep Maphaka at bay who started favourite that afternoon and is now 2.5kg better off on that encounter. Beamonesque is way better than his last run behind Fortress Of Fire and Maphaka and can finish a lot closer while Music Is Life was beaten by the weight last run when starting favourite and can make amends.

The fourth sees plenty in with chances but Double Causeway shed his maiden at second time of asking and S’Manga Khumalo will need to waste to make the weight which may be an indication of the colt’s chances. Run To Rio has been consistent of late and has a handy galloping weight with a claiming apprentice up. He could oblige at good odds. Master Du Rouvray may prefer it a touch further but has useful recent form and should contest the finish. 

The fifth is wide open but Actor has consistent recent form and should be competitive from the best of the draw. Red Bomber was not far back in the 21-runner Grand Heritage. He is Johan Janse van Vuuren’s only runner on the day and the gelding should be a factor. Mohave Prince took on a useful field over shorter last run and can do better over this trip while Rooster Bradshaw has patchy form but shows pace and will be dangerous if allowed to get away.

Sonata Samaritan could be one of the better bets on the card but it will not be easy going but Paul Gadsby’s filly was touched off by the highly rated Ladyofdistinction last time out. The latter runs on Boxing Day so one can get another line of form. Princess Goldie is never far back and goes well this course and distance while Siberian Winter had her consistency rewarded last run and is 1kg better off with Ubukhwebezana on their last meeting with the latter carrying a big weight but going for her fourth win in her last five starts.

Grand Appeal has a big weight in the seventh but meets little of note and should go one better. Main danger could be Gorgeous Dude who has shown consistent recent form and has a handy weight. He should at least be in the firing line. Dricus found his best with the blinkers removed and gets some relief from the saddle.

In the last, Trippi’s Silk comes with some solid recent Cape form. He is up in trip but could prove too good in this line-up. Heaven’s Will is down in class and has a 2.5kg claimer aboard. He has drawn widest but can go close. Town Crier is lightly raced and gets first time blinkers and is one to watch in the betting. 

The first leg of the Bi-Pot is a tricky maiden field. Sargasso Sea made good improvement at her second start from a wide draw and should come on further. Captain Ventura shows good pace, her last two on the poly. She gets cheek pieces for the first time and is likely to improve. Sovereign Gem starts over shorter but has been steadily supported in the betting at each start and can still improve while Winter Blessing is seldom out of the money. She is distance suited she rates a winning chance. 

Punters face a similar dilemma in the first leg of the Place Accumulator where Hey Diddle Diddle takes on males and although well beaten on debut she did race green and is likely to improve. War Emperor was a well beaten third at just his second start but the winner won by a street. He can finish closer here. Cape form is generally stronger than local and although the form behind Nebulous is not strong, it could be strong enough to land the honours. 

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.