Race 1

7 AMC ROY’S FANTASY   1 PREDATOR’S CROWN

Preview: AMC ROY’S FANTASY (7) shed her maiden on the poly last time out and Andrew Fortune stays aboard. PREDATOR’S CROWN (1) finished second on debut but should come on from that run and has the best of the draw off a handy weight. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1).

Race 2

8 FORTRESS OF FIRE   3 HATHIGHWAYTOTHESKY   9 MAGIC SURPRISE   7 TARA STAR

Preview: FORTRESS OF FIRE (8) boasts some useful form in strong company. He made his poly debut last time out and can come on from that. HATHIGHWAYTOTHESKY (3) made a smart poly debut and has some useful Highveld form to back her claims. She has a light weight and a good draw. MAGIC SURPRISE (9) has shown up well in two competitive races since his last win on the poly. TARA STAR (7) is quick and the switch to the poly with Richard Fourie aboard could see her home. (Andrew Harrison: 8-3-9-7).

Race 3

4 HAT’S QUEEN   2 BLIZZARD BOY   3 FINE WINE   5 PRINCE OF TROY

Preview: HAT’S QUEEN (4) was a beaten favourite over course and distance last time out. She has this field stone-cold at the weights. BLIZZARD BOY (2) has improved with the blinkers removed and over ground. He may be the biggest danger.  FINE WINE (3) is comfortable on the poly and has been in good form of late. PRINCE OF TROY (5) was close-up on the poly last start and has a handy weight to shoulder. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-3-5).

Race 4

11 OWNER OF CREATION   10 WATER HYACINTH   4 LIZ HURLEY   6 DOG SOLDIER

Preview: OWNER OF CREATION (11) is a longtime maiden but has come good on the poly of late and can finally break the ice in modest company. However, that he never quite gets home is of concern. WATER HYACINTH (10) steps up in trip and has improved at her last two. LIZ HURLEY (4) was disappointing last run when lacking a finished effort after starting favourite. She is back on turf and she can make amends. DOG SOLDIER (6) showed pace in his last start and could be coming to hand. (Andrew Harrison: 11-10-4-6).

Race 5

10 QUEEN OF THE AIR   5 TEARS OF THE SUN   2 AMERICA FIRST   8 VALLI GAL

Summary: Tricky Open Maiden. QUEEN OF THE AIR (10) has been a beaten favourite at her last two. She has dropped five points in the ratings and could now be more competitive. AMERICA FIRST (2) improved nicely second time out and now steps up in trip. She is one to follow closely in the market. Stable companion TEARS OF THE SUN (5) was much improved first up on the poly. The stable has stuck with Chad Little as pilot. VALLI GAL (8) is a struggling maiden but seldom too far back but does seem to prefer the poly. (Andrew Harrison: 10-5-2-8).

Race 6

6 CURIOS GIRL   7 GERBERA   4 DUCHESS OF POLMA   3 PLUM PUDDING

Preview: CURIOUS GRIL (6) did not get home last run against males after an externed winning streak over ground. She has won over the trip and rates the one to beat. There are a host of rivals on the GERBERA (7) form line with little separating a number of rivals. Sean Tarry’s filly is still on the up and can confirm the result. James Crawford saddles to potential winners in WOMAN’S WORLD (1)  and DUCHESS OF PALOMA (4) with little separating the two on form however, the step up in trip could suit the latter. PLUM PUDDING (3) is also strongly in the mix and she stays the trip. (Andrew Harrison: 6-7-4-3).

Race 7

1 PALACE PRINCE   10 GOLDEN OPERATOR   8 AMELIA’S LEGACY   3 CLEARTHERUNWAY

Preview: Tricky. PALACE PRINCE (1) is the highest rated runner but his recent form has not been inspiring. However, he comes from a smart stable with their only runner on the day. GOLDEN OPERATOR (10) was a touch disappointing in a feature last run after coming off two straight wins. He has the widest draw but has improved in blinkers. AMELIA’S LEGACY (8) found it tough going in the WSB Fillies Guineas behind Wish List but came off to smart efforts in useful enough company. CLEARTHERUNWAY (3) is seldom far back and the form of his last run has been franked. (Andrew Harrison: 1-10-8-3).

Race 8

2 SPACE MISSION   4 THE GLIDING FISH   9 WAR EMPEROR   5 RUN TO RIO

Preview: SPACE MISSION (2) is way better than his last start. He is consistent and goes well this trip although he makes his poly debut. THE GLIDING FISH (4) won a game race under a big weight last time out. The poly suits and he can follow up. RUN TO RIO (5) has been close-up at his last two and has come to hand again. WAR EMPEROR (9) was a recent maiden winner but had consistent form prior to that victory. There should not be much between him and FROSTBITE (2) although the step up in trip could be the decider between the pair. (Andrew Harrison: 2-4-9-5).

Race 9

1 WINTER IN LONDON   11 INDECENT PROPOSAL   3 TOMMY GREANEY   8 MISTY METAL

Preview: WINTER IN LONDON (1) has a big weight but is down in class with a 1.5kg allowance. INDECENT PROPOSAL (11) has the widest draw but goes well on the poly and is holding form well. TOMMY GREANEY (3) raced in feature company last start after his maiden win. One to watch in the betting. MISTY METAL (8) took on much stronger last start and was not far behind. She makes her poly debut. (Andrew Harrison: 1-11-3-8).

Andrew Harrison

It will be black and white at Hollywoodbets Greyville today as the thoroughbred breeders in KwaZulu-Natal hold their flagship race meeting. Eight of the nine races are restricted to horses bred in the province. The card is headed by the KwaZulu-Natal Breeders Mile and supporting feature is the Gr3 Lucky Fish Winter Fillies Stakes.

The Breeders Mile is a tricky event but St John Gray is one of the smartest horseman in the country and he sends out Palace Prince. An owner, breeder and trainer, Gray has no need to send his mares to expensive commercial stallions and cuts his cloth accordingly with consistent success.

Palace Prince is the son of surprisingly unfashionable Potala Palace and is the highest rated runner in the Mile. The colt’s recent Highveld form is not inspiring but he is the highest rated runner and is Gray’s and jockey Philasande Mxoli’s only runner on the day.

Sean Tarry has an exceptional record at this meeting and saddles Golden Operator. Although a touch disappointing in a feature last run after coming off two straight wins he should be a big runner. He has the widest draw but has improved in blinkers. Frikkie Greyling saddles the filly Amelia’s Legacy who found it tough going in the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas behind Hollywoodbets Durban July hopeful Wish List but came off two smart efforts in useful enough company. Mark Dixon’s gelding Cleartherunway is seldom far back and the form of his last run has been franked. He could get in a blow.

Supporting feature is the Gr3 Lucky Fish Winter Fillies Stakes over 2400m. Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial winner Curious Girl did not get home last run against males after an extended winning streak when sent over ground by Mike and Mathew de Kock. She has won over the trip, has a touch of class and rates the one to beat. But there are a host of rivals on the Gerbera form line with little separating a number of rivals but Tarry’s filly is still on the up and can confirm the form. James Crawford saddles two potential winners in Woman’s World and Duchess Of Paloma with little separating the two on form however, the step up in trip could suit the latter. Andre Nel’s mare Plum Pudding started favourite behind Gerbera and beaten less than a length so is also strongly in the mix and in her favour is that she stays the trip.

Michael Roberts’ gelding Fortress Of Fire could anchor the Bi-pot. He boasts some useful form in strong company. He made his poly debut last time out and can come on from that. Hathighwaytothesky made a smart poly debut for visiting Tony Peter and has some useful Highveld form to back her claims. She has a light weight and a good draw. Magic Surprise and Tara Star are both in with chances.

In the first leg of the PA Hat’s Queen was a beaten favourite over course and distance last time out but has this field stone-cold at the weights and can give Peter a quick double. However, Lucinda Woodruff is having a strong Champions Season and sends out Blizzardboy who has improved with the blinkers removed and over ground. He may be the biggest danger.  Fine Wine and Prince Of Troy can also feature.

Owner Of Creation is a longtime maiden but has come good on the poly of late and can finally break the ice in modest company to open the Pick 6. However, that he never quite gets home is of concern. Water Hyacinth steps up in trip and has improved at her last two while Liz Hurley was disappointing last run when lacking a finished effort after starting favourite. She is back on turf and she can make amends.

The fifth is a tricky handicap Maiden but Queen Of The Air has been a beaten favourite at her last two. She has dropped five points in the ratings and could now be more competitive. America First improved nicely second time out and now steps up in trip and is one to follow closely in the market however, stable companion Tears Of The Sun was much improved first up on the poly and the stable has stuck with Chad Little as pilot.

The last two races are competitive. In the eighth, Space Mission is way better than his last start. He is consistent and goes well this trip although he makes his poly debut. The Gliding Fish won a game race under a big weight last time out. The poly suits and he can follow up. Run To Rio has been close-up at his last two and has come to hand again. War Emperor was a recent maiden winner but had consistent form prior to that victory but there should not be much between him and Frostbite although the step up in trip could be the decider between the pair.

Winter In London can round off the programme. He has a big weight but is down in class with a 1.5kg allowance and Duncan Howells may have picked the right race. Indecent Proposal has the widest draw but goes well on the poly and is holding form. Tommy Greaney raced in feature company last start after his maiden win and is one to watch in the betting.

David Thiselton

Wendy Whitehead has three runners at the KwaZulu-Natal Breeders meeting on Saturday and she is also looking forward to the run of one of her stable stars, Buttercup Baby, on Hollywoodbets Durban July day.

Wendy has the best weighted runner in the eighth race on Saturday, the Captain Of Al Kwazulu-Natal Breeders 1600 on the poly. Her three-year-old filly Limitless Sky is 4kg better off than any other horse. She ran a shocker last time over 1400m on the poly in a Class 3 event over 1400m. However, the on course veterinarian could not find anything amiss. Before that she had run a 4,10 length fourth to Keukenhof in the Gr 3 uMzimkhulu Stakes over 1400m and followed that by not being disgraced when beaten 9.05 lengths by the dual Gr 1 winner Wish List in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas. She has drawn barrier ten out of ten on Saturday and regular rider Calvin Habib rides.

Wendy said, “Limitless Sky is very, very well. My only concerns are she doesn’t really like the poly track and she is drawn deep, but I am going to try and change her tactics and try and get her to race a bit more handy and maybe that will pay off because I think that is the right race, it is just a pity we are drawn so deep.”

The bookmakers have taken that last run into consideration and Hollywoodbets have her at 5/1, which could be good value if she does manage to produce her best.

First up for Wendy on Saturday is Tee Dog (Act Of War), who runs in the Blue Sky Thoroughbreds KZN Breeders 1900 on the poly. The small size of the field with just eight runners will suit this big gelding as he relishes being in front and will have the opportunity to dictate in a field where there are no other front-running sorts. He is a whopping 9,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Hat’s Queen. However, the latter has not run since flopping in this race last year when well treated at the weights, only managing a 1,45 length fourth of six. Hat’s Queen will likely need the run after a year’s layoff. The second best weighted runner in the race is Fine Wine (Futura) who is in good form and she has a further advantage of being ridden by the very much in form Mickaelle Michel, whose 1,5kg gender claim is a bonus. However Tee Dog could get the run of the race and will offer good eachway value at 14/1.

Wendy said, “Tee Dog is very well. He just needed that last run of his and has come on from it.”

She runs Dog Soldier (Declarationofpeace) in the Double Superlative Maiden Plate over 1400m on the turf. Wendy reckoned the rider backed off him last time when hampered halfway down the straight, so that run can probably be ignored, Before that he ran a cracking 3,40 length fifth in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf, despite jumping from a wide draw. Richard Fourie is an eyecatching booking and he jumps from draw six over a trip he should get being out of a Captain Al dam who won three times from 1000m to 1600m. This race will not take a lot of winning. Furthermore, the likely favourite Owner Of Creation is drawn wide. The 7/1 shot Dog Soldier has a chance.

Wendy has entered the 102-rated What A Winter filly Buttercup Baby in the Middle Stakes race over 1200m for fillies and mares on the poly on Hollywoodbets Durban July day and she has everything in her favour. Firstly, she is at the top of the highest merit-rated band, the 99 to 102 band, which makes her the best weighted runner among the entries together with the 106-rated Precocious and the 104-rated Scarlet Macaw, who will get half-a-kilogram for each point they are above the benchmark rating of 102. Secondly she has landed a plum draw of five out of the 46 entries. She was tried over 1400m in the Tibouchina last time but it didn’t pan out at all well as she was caught wide without cover from a wide draw and duly faded after being squeezed out in the straight. Before that she ran a cracking four length third in the Gr 3 Poinsettia over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and followed that with a fine run in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint in which she was beaten just 5,40 lengths. She was raised five points to 103 for that Gr 1 effort, but came down a point after the Tibouchina. She should be a big runner in the Middle Stakes race over 1200m on Hollywoodbets July day.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Ascot (World Pool) and Newmarket (UK) – 19 June 2026

David Thiselton

Peter Muscutt has engaged the Australian-based Zimbabwean Mark du Plessis to ride I Salute You in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and this will be a reunion of a partnership which has had success in both Zimbabwe and Singapore.

Peter has never had a runner under his own name in South Africa’s greatest race, but this year he looks a virtual certainty to have two runners as his pair of entries, Isivivane and I Salute You, were in 15^th and 16^th position on the last Hollywoodbets Durban July log.

Peter said about top jockey Mark du Plessis, who was Zimbabwe’s Apprentice Champion in the 1994/95 season and their overall champion in 1997/98, “He rode for me in Zimbabwe and in Singapore and in fact he rode my first winner in Singapore. He has been very successful in Asia and very successful in New Zealand. He actually had to forego the New Zealand championship the one season, because he landed a contract in Hong Kong. He would have won it, he was a long way clear. He did very well in Hong Kong (in two stints). He is a natural light weight and apart from his current residence (Australia) and all of those other places mentioned he has also ridden winners in Japan, very good rider.”

Mark has never ridden in the July before, but has ridden at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Peter elaborated, “He did well in Hong Kong, whose two tracks are not unlike Greyville (both are tight, right-handed tracks), and he has got a lot of experience on tight-turning tracks in both New Zealand and Australia.”

Mark has ridden 36 wins in Queenland this season, which puts him in 32^nd place on the Queensland table. However, that gives a bit of a skewed picture, because in the statistics limited to the metro racetracks he is in 12^th position with 18 wins.

Although these are Peter’s first July runners under his name he has had a lot of experience in preparing July horses as the former Summerveld assistant to both Joey Ramsden and Brett Crawford.

As far as big race preparation goes, he has also learnt from one of the best trainers in the world, having spent seven years working with Australian legend Chris Waller.

The Hollywood Racing-owned four-year-old Erupt gelding Isivivane booked his berth in the July by winning the Gr 3 WSB 1900 on May 9, beating the fancied July entry Regulation by 0,60 lengths at level weights. Sean Veale rode him in the 1900 and will stay aboard for the July.

I Salute You, a four-year-old gelding by Soqrat, booked his place by finishing a 0,70 length second to Zeitz in the Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial over 1800m on June 6.

Peter said, “Isivivane has a 2,5kg advantage over I Salute You, but I Salute You is a very good horse and I have no hesitation in suggesting that both horses are going to see out the trip very well, they are both very fit horses.”

I Salute You will be 1kg better off with Zeitz for a 0,70 length beating and Peter said, “I can’t see him beating us again.”

He added, “I Salute You was also a touch slowly away in the Cup Trial and if he hadn’t missed the break I think he would have taken a lot of beating. He was a fair way further back than I had wanted him and had he been in front of Zeitz turning in I don’t think he would have beaten us.”

He continued, “I Salute You has not jumped well in his last two starts, but we will do some work on that.”

He concluded, “They both came out of their races very well. They seem to be horses who are on the improve and they are both in really good form. Now we wait for the draws.”

Isivivane won’t have run for nearly two months by the time of the July, but Peter does not see that as a problem and reiterated that he was a very fit horse.

Both horses will work on their own at the official Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops.

Peter added, “According to their schedule they will probably both work from the 1400m and pick it up from the 1000m.”

I Salute You is owned by Messrs E C Abraham, Mayesh Chetty, T Herdon, K Nattar, Tony Zackey, Advocate W A J Nicholson & Miss Trinisha Pillay. It will be an exciting build up to the big day for all of them.

Peter said about the draws he would prefer, “Anything from 5 to 10 would be ideal.”

Isivivane is a half-brother to the Gr 1 SA Classic winner Red Saxon (Red Ray). He is out of Casey Tibbs mare Rodeo Sioux, whose three wins included a minor feature over 2600m, so that coupled with Erupt being by Dubawi and having won two Gr 1s over 2400m augurs well for his capacity to handle the testing July trip.

I Salute You’s sire Soqrat’s three Gr 1 wins were all over a mile, but he was a flying second with topweight in the Gr 1 Summer Cup over the tough Turffontein 2000m. I Salute You,  is out of a mare by speed influence Var, but that mare is in turn out of a mare by stamina influence Silvano.

  .

David Thiselton

Justin Snaith has six entries in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and one of them, the Vercingetorix gelding Native Ruler, put in a fine preparation run on Saturday by winning the Gr 3 Winter Stakes over 2400m in authoritative fashion.

The biggest irony with Snaith’s entries, which also includes Wish List, Note To Self, Happy Verse, Legal Counsel and Regulation, is that one of their most supported entries in the betting markets, Regulation, is not certain to make the final field.

Justin spoke yesterday (Monday) about Native Ruler and Regulation and said, “Native Ruler dominated a modest field, but did so with real authority, never giving the impression he was in any danger once turning for home.

He remains a progressive horse and, if you cast your mind back to his excellent run in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, there is every reason to be optimistic about his chances this time around. Keagan de Melo produced a faultless ride and will undoubtedly know the horse even better going into the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Congratulations to Greg and Gina Bortz, Mukund Gujadhur and Rikesh Sewgoolam – a fantastic partnership enjoying a tremendous run of success.

Greg and Gina’s silks, in particular, have struck a rich vein of form of late and also hold a strong hand in the Hollywoodbets Durban July with Regulation. In my view, he is the best-weighted horse of our runners in this year’s race, and it is no surprise to see him prominently positioned in the betting markets (Currently trading at 8–1 and sitting fifth in the betting). JP Van Der Merwe has been booked to ride him at 52kg.

The best-weighted horse often wins this great race, not necessarily the best horse.

Things did not go his way last time when he choked up in the Cup Trial, but he has since scoped clear. Should he secure a place in the final field, I believe he is capable of running a massive race. His brother Belgarion won the Hollywoodbets Durban July in 2020. Both Belgarion and Regulation were bred by my one of our longest standing clients, Alec and Gillian Foster (who also bred Questioning).”

Regulation has had no luck at all in his last three starts but showed his class when having nowhere to go in the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and running on powerfully for third when finally seeing daylight. He comfortably beat the like of Zeitz and Native Ruler in that race despite having been hampered. Before that he had won the Gr 3 Ownway Peninsula Handicap over 1800m and in that event he received only 1kg from Zeitz and beat him by 3,20 lengths. Furthermore, in the Gr 3 WSB 1900 in his penultimate start, Regulation was caught wide throughout, yet still managed to finish second.

However, Regulation was only in position 20 on the last Hollywoodbets Durban July log.

He might have to rely on a scratching or two to ensure a place in the final field of 18. If he is only made a reserve, he will have to rely on a late scratching or two. On the other hand, the log is just a guide and he might still get into the 18-strong final field without there being any scratchings.

Greg and Gina Bortz’s contracted rider is JP can der Merwe and as he is pencilled in to ride Regulation they might be viewing this Legislate gelding as their elect runner. They will be on tenterhooks in the build up to the Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field And Draw ceremony.

The Bortz’s won the July in 2024 with the Brett Crawford-trained Vercingetorix colt Oriental Charm, who was ridden by JP van der Merwe.

David Thiselton

Frank Robinson’s runner in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, Mocha Blend, has enjoyed a fine preparation for a race she has been targeted at from a long way out.

Mocha Blend proved her class and stamina capacity when winning the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup over the tough Turffontein Standside course back on 29 November last year.

She was next seen in a Conditions Plate over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on May 9 and she caught the eye running on late for a two length fourth behind a high profile trio, Okavango, Eight On Eighteen and Note To Self.

She then ran in the Gr 2 HKJC World Pool Tibouchina Stakes for fillies and mares over the too sharp 1400m trip of Hollywoodbets Greyville and ran on nicely, after being dropped out to the back, for a 4,55 length seventh.

Frank said, “She is doing very well. I gave her those two races just to sharpen her up and she ran on very well in both. I couldn’t be happier with her and now obviously it’s the Gallops to come. I like to give them a decent gallop and then I will go easy from there. But she is in a good space at the moment.”

The Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein homebred four-year-old filly is by stamina influence Ideal World out of a mare by stamina influence Silvano and although that mare, Mocha Special, only ever won one race and it was over 1660m, Frank said, “I think Mocha Blend would even be a big runner in the Gold Cup. She will stay all day and she’s got a bit of speed with it, which helps. She can accelerate, but she is definitely a staying filly.”

He added, “She is merit rated 117, so she is nicely weighted carrying 56,5kg. That is why I have taken the route I have over those two short trips in which she could run on … I just wanted to look after her rating.”

The weights were officially announced yesterday (Monday) and were allotted strictly according to the merit ratings of the entries (the handicapper as usual chose to not exercise the condition of the race that states: “Weights shall be framed by the Handicapper in his sole discretion and without necessarily having regard for the horses’ merit ratings …”

Mocha Blend’s merit rating is exactly the same as the two Gr 1-winning three-year-old fillies in the race, the dual Gr 1 winner Wish List as well as Hazy Dazy.

However, he felt he might have an edge over them.

He said, “Wish List, for example, is very good but she’s still a baby, so it’s going to be very hard for her, because she is only developing now. My filly is mature, so I have that advantage.”

Frank said he hoped for a draw near the middle and explained, “If you on the inside and something happens and you get left or something you end up being knocked right to the back and you can’t do much about it. Draw eight I will be happy with.”

Jockey Tristan Godden showed his big match temperament in last year’s July when riding Native Ruler to a fine sixth place at long odds.

Mocha Blend will attempt to add to the record of the most successful owning and breeding family in July history, the Oppenheimer family.

Mary Slack of Wilgerbosdrift Stud is Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer’s daughter, while Jessica Jell, who owns Mauritzfobetin Stud with husband Steven, is Mary’s daughter.

The Oppenheimer family have had six homebred July winners, have bred a further two and have part-owned one other.

So Mocha Blend would become their tenth success and their seventh homebred success in the country’s greatest race.

Soccer10 Friday 19 June 2026. ADD-IN R200 000. Estimated Pool: R1.7 Million. Pool Closes at 20h45. Sport 20 and Pool 1.

Soccer6 Saturday 20 June 2026. ADD-IN R75 000. Estimated Pool: R 400 000. Pool Closes at 19h00. Sport 6 Pool 1.

Soccer10 Saturday 20 June 2026. ADD-IN R200 000. Estimated Pool: R1.7 Million. Pool Closes at 18h30. Sport 15 and Pool 1.

Soccer13 GUARANTEED JACKPOT Saturday 20 June 2026. R17 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 18h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 20 June 2026. Carryover R100 000. Estimated Pool: R200 000. Pool Closes at 19h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1.

Soccer13 GUARANTEED JACKPOT Monday 22 June 2026. R8.7 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 18h30. Sport 11 Pool 1.

David Thiselton

The Gr 3 Lucky Fish Winter Stakes run  at Hollywoodbets Greyville over 2400m on Saturday shaped up to be a crucial Hollywoodbets Durban July qualifying race, but ultimately it is unlikely to have any impact on the final field decision-making process because it was won by Native Ruler, who was in a comfortable tenth position on the last July log, and the second placed finisher, Imilenzeyokududuma, is not a July entry.

The July entries who desperately needed to win the race to put their hands up for a berth in the final field were Shoot The Rapids, who finished third, Tenpenny, who finished fifth, Holding Thumbs, who finished seventh, and Enflame, who finished eighth. None of them were in the top 20 on the log and they willl likely have to rely on scratchings to get in.

JP Van der Merwe rides for Greg and Gina Bortz, who own both Native Ruler and Tenpenny, but as Keagan de Melo has been pencilled in as Native Ruler’s rider in the Hollywoodbets Durban July he took the ride on the latter in the Winter Stakes, who was a 5/2 shot.

Van der Merwe has been pencilled in as the Bortz-owned Regulation’s rider in the July. For the Winter Stakes he was aboard Tenpenny, who drifted out from 5/1 to 17/2.

The Nathan Kotzen-trained Shoot The Rapids was backed in to 2/1 favourite and Gavin Lerena took him to the front from draw four.

The former Gold Cup winner Redoute’s Choice broke well from pole position and sat in the box seat behind Shoot The Rapids.

The second highest rated runner in the field behind the 121-rated Native Ruler was the 119-rated 9/2 shot Holding Thumbs and he was in third place in the running, but was unfortunately caught wide.

Holding Thumbs provided nice cover for Native Ruler, while Tenpenny sat on the rail inside of Native Ruler.

Son Of Raj was caught three wide on the quarters of Native Ruler.

Imilenzeyokududuma sat behind Native Ruler, Enflame sat behind Tenpenny and the former Gold Cup winner Future Pearl was at the back.

They kept that order until the straight at a steady pace.

Shoot The Rapids attempted to kick away coming off the false rail.

However, he soon had challengers on all sides.

Master Redoute was looming large on his inside, Holding Thumbs was on his outside and Tenpenny was making his bid on the inside rail.

However, none of them were going as well as Native Ruler, who had joined Shoot The Rapids by the 200m mark, despite his head being cocked sideways and appearing to be looking at the stands.

Native Ruler was just freewheeling up until that point, but when De Melo got to work he quickly put daylight between himself and the others and won with authority.

He was eased late which allowed a running on Imilenzeyokududumu to close within 1.05 lengths and the latter was in turn a quarter-of-a-length clear of Shoot The Rapids.

Master Redoute ran a good race ahead of his likely Durban Gold Vase engagement on July day. He stayed on for a 2,60 length fourth, a neck clear of Tenpenny, who stayed on steadily without ever looking threatening.

Future Pearl ran on well late to be beaten 4,50 length into fifth, but it was not a bad preparation for the Gold Vase, considering his best career form has been at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Holding Thumbs paid the price for not having any cover and faded to be beaten five lengths.

Enflame found nothing in the straight was beaten a dozen lengths, while Son Of Raj was a spent force a long way out and was tailed off.

Native Ruler finished a somewhat unlucky 3,95 length sixth in last year’s July and proved his class in the Winter Stakes.

He was bred in partnership by Maine Chance Farms and Coolmore and was a R1 million National Yearling Sale purchase.

This was his first stakes victory.

He has now had three wins and five places from  15 starts for stakes earnings of R792 038.

The stakes win puts Vercingetorix on 18 stakes winners for the season (of 27 races), meaning he is still in with a chance of matching or bettering the record he set last season of 23 stakes winners (of 33 races).

Native Ruler will be a big runner in this year’s July as the field does not look to be as strong as it was last year. He is unlikely to be raised for his win on Saturday, because he was well in at the weights and as things stand he will carry 58,5kg in the July.

The most eyecatching performance of the rest of the meeting was by the Corne Spies-trained African Pride, who followed up from his impressive two length win at the Vaal six days earlier by winning a Class 2 Handicap over 1000m, despite jumping from draw nine. The outstanding Mickaelle Michel has ridden him in both starts. The 1,5kg gender claim she gets is proving to be a bonus rather than a necessity.

She took him into a share of a lead after a good break and kept the long-striding three-year-old Rafeef gelding going well in the straight before getting to work at the 200m mark. The 10-1 shot held on well from the 3/1 favourite Position Of Power, who was flying at the finish and 7-1 chance Circumbendibus was a neck further back in third.

African Pride is at home over 1000m, but his first of four career wins was over 1200m, so the Gr 3 Post Merchants over 1200m on July day is a possibility.