Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Aintree and Wolverhampton (UK) – 10 April 2026.
Category Archives: Racing News
Kotzen and Moodley on a roll
David Thiselton
Nathan Kotzen and owner Syd Moodley are on a roll at present having landed two features together over the weekend, a Gr 2 with Cats Pajamas in Johannesburg and a Listed exacta with Field Marshal and Shoot The Rapids in KZN, and then on Wednesday the exciting prospect Bangladesh returned from a long layoff to win easily in his second career start on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly.
Cats Pajamas was sent off at 25/2 for the Gr 2 TAB Hawaii Stakes, but Kotzen felt he had a fine chance.
He said, “He doesn’t seem to like the straight. Almost all of his runs down the straight are shocking, but if you go 1200m bend or 1400m bend he is alright. Before the race I also knew he had turned the corner. In his first run for me (in the African Holly Stakes over 1100m finishing a 5,60 length last of five) Craig (Zackey) came back and told me he wasn’t striding a hundred percent, he said he was a little bit short. I was obviously a bit disappointed when I watched the race, but I went back and thought about it and realised it wasn’t actually a bad run, 5,50 lengths off a top sprinter (William Robertson) at level weights and he was a bit scratchy, which I knew I could work on and get him better. So I just got him right and then worked him and his final gallop was exceptional. I said ‘wow’ this horse has turned the corner after seeing that gallop. His gallop was good, he was in a good space and I said ‘He’s ready for Jo’Burg’.”
He traveled up with Choice Carriers leaving at midnight on Thursday and arriving on Friday morning.
In the race the four-year-old Rafeef gelding jumped well from draw one under Richard Fourie and this enabled him to get a tow from the pacemaker Money Heist.
This augured particularly well, because the horse to beat, the favourite One Eye On Vegas, was in last place having been dropped out from a wide draw, while one of the other chief contenders, Texas Red, was caught one out and one back without cover.
In the straight Cats Pajamas had soon powered past Money Heist and although One Eye On Vegas had sliced through the rest of the field in impressive style while still on the bit he was unable to make much impression on Cats Pajamas.
The athletic bay went on to win the weight for age with penalties event by 2,10 length carrying 58kg with three-year-old One Eye On Vegas (55,5kg) next best and they were folowed by Money Heist, Main Defender and Cosmic Speed.
Nathan said, “Richard Fourie said he didn’t have to do much, the horse just pulled him through and won full of running.”
It was the sixth career win for the former Frank Robinson-trained gelding and his second career Gr 2 victory.
Nathan said the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Staks over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the first weekend of May was the obvious target for Cats Pajamas.
On Sunday the Lancaster Bomber four-year-old gelding Field Marshal was dropped out to last in the Listed WSB Sledgehammer over 1750m by Craig Zackey. He was carrying 59,5kg in the benchmark 52kg = MR92 handicap, but that did not stop him scything through the centre to win by 1,60 lengths from stablemate Shoot The Rapids (Erupt), who carried a welter 64,5kg and came from second last with an eyecatching run.
Nathan views Field Marshal as “an improving type of a horse” and hopes to qualify him for the Gr 1 R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Field Marshal was raised three points to 110 and Nathan is eyeing the Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes over 2000m on April 25 at Turffontein Standside as his next target.
The 117-rated Shoot The Rapids is one of the best stayers in the country and will likely go that route.
On Wednesday Nathan revealed that Bangladesh had suffered a continual stream of irritable minor issues, which had explained his long break of ten-and-half months.
However, he thought the Buffalo Bill Cody three-year-old would be hard to beat in the Maiden over 1200m.
He said, “Frank (Robinson) had always told me he thinks he is a nice horse and we did the gelding, which had been thought about before, and since then he has just got better and better. I thought it was the right race for him and based on his work I thought he would be hard to beat.”
Bangladesh broke well under Zackey and sat in a handy position before being switched out and winning full of running by 4,70 lengths from the consistently placed maiden Xiphos.
Nathan said he would find a handicap forBangladesh and if won that he would look for a little feature for him.
He believes he will need 1400m to a mile to be seen at his best.
Fairview Turf Friday 10 April 2026 – Comments by Devonne Govender
RACE 1
Watch betting on unraced runners. (4) OLAF THE STOUT is knocking on the door and will take some beating here. (2) FYFIELD LEGEND is capable of much better and needs to be respected. (6) RED BIRCH comes from a yard who knows how to get them ready, she gets a top rider up and that speaks volumes. (1) DIGITAL WARFARE can improve and run into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 4-2-6-1).
RACE 2
(2) MALIBU ICE ran a cracker on debut, big winning chance. (6) RUNGSTEDLAND has run well in both starts and will be a big challenger. (9) WILD STAR is capable of much better and needs respect here. (4) QUICK SKETCH can improve and get closer. (Devonne Govender 2-6-9-4).
RACE 3
Open race, play wide. (9) PRICELESS TREASURE is holding solid form and will be a huge contender. (8) ONE SUMMER is capable of better and could represent some value in this contest. (11) STONE OF SCONE has been running well recently and is another who will have a decent chance here. (3) DELAROCHE ran well in the last start and will get much closer. (Devonne Govender 9-8-11-3-5).
RACE 4
(1) ANOTHERDANCEFORME packs plenty of class and will be a banker in all bets. (2) EAST COAST GIRL is holding form and another good run is expected, place chance. (3) AUGUSTA ROSSO is another who has been running well in recent starts and should be included in trifectas. (4) ROYAL MISSY is never far back and can get into the quartet. (Devonne Govender 1-2-3-4).
RACE 5
(3) HOLLANDIA BAKKERIJ is racing extremely well and will be a serious contender so needs to be respected. (4) FLASH LIGHTNING won a gutsy race in his last start and warrants respect with Kyle Strydom aboard. (7) GOLDEN GREY is another who is very capable on his day and cannot be left out. (5) TERMINAL VELOCITY won her maiden impressively, although she took time to exit the maiden ranks the manner in which she got the job done was eye catching and she can been thrown into larger perms. (Devonne Govender 3-4-7-5-10).
RACE 6
Wide open race. (1) ABOVE THE HORIZON ran a cracker in the last start and repeat of that run will see her go close. (2) SUPREME JUDGE is capable of running a big race and will be a big challenger to the top selection. (4) WILD FIG is holding consistent form and will be a massive contender here, include in everything. (7) WORLD CHOICE is another who hasn’t been in recent runs and could have a big say. (Devonne Govender 1-2-4-7).
RACE 7
(1) CRUISE CONTROL returns after a break however packs class and should go very well here. (4) ROMAN AGENT is very capable on his day, he ran a cracker in his last start and a bold showing is expected. (2) CLIFF TOP needs to be respected in this contest, his last run is best ignored, on best form he will be a serious runner. (5) JOKER MAN hasn’t been far in recent starts and cannot be ignored with Richard Fourie aboard. (Devonne Govender 1-4-2-5).
RACE 8
Open race, play as wide as your budget allows. (10) TEEREX has been in excellent form and will be the narrow top selection in what looks to be a highly competitive contest where many runners have winning chances. (7) RHYTHM has been consistent in recent starts and warrants respect here. (13) AWAY WITH RED ran a cracker in his last start and will be a big challenger if repeating that performance. (17) BLACK PATH ran extremely well in her last start and represents value in this contest. (Devonne Govender 10-7-13-17-6-9)
RACE 9
(2) THUNDER MASTER has been racing well and will be the form choice. He was ultra-impressive when winning in his last start and will be a huge runner once again. (7) CORAL CREEK is holding consistent form and will have a big winning chance, include in all bets. (8) PEDRO hasn’t been far in recent starts and another honest run is expected. (4) BURNING MAN ran well at huge odds and could boost the quartet dividends. (Devonne Govender 2-7-8-4).
Lightning strike for Ngcobo
David Thiselton
Siboniso “Bo” Ngcobo regards his first winner, Lightning Jimmy, as the official start of his professional training career as he had operated with just a couple of horses for a whole year before that and as Lightning Jimmy won on 17 March 2024 it means by Bo’s yardstick it took him just two years and a couple of weeks to land the first stakes winner of his career.
That first stakes winner was also his first Graded winner and was also his first ever runner outside of KZN as the Clifton Stud-bred colt Better Never Ends caused a massive 40/1 upset in the Gr 2 TAB SA Nursery over 1160m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday.
Bo can add two more feathers to his cap as he became the trainer of the KZN-based stallion Declarationofpeace’s first stakes winner and he also achieved the rare feat of winning a Gr 2 with a maiden.
That is not bad for a yard that currently only boasts a string of ten horses.
The race only had four runners having cut up for the probable reason that the R3 million Race Coast Slipper to be run this Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville provided an attractive alternative for some of the better two-year-olds around.
Nevertheless, Better Never Ends seemed a bit out of his depth having had six runs for two second places and two fourths in Maiden Juvenile Plates, while he had been comfortably beaten, although without being totally disgraced, in two Futurity Plate races.
However, Bo went into the race quietly confident and revealed, “He had been starting to mature and was starting to do things right. He is a November foal and initially taking him to the track had been quite a mission. But he was starting to know what was going on.”
Bo said he would not have transported him up to the race had he not believed in his ability.
He continued, “His track work had been outstanding before we took him to Jo’Burg. I knew he had the ability, but I was just worried about his maturity, although I knew the penny had been starting to drop”
The win was particularly rewarding for more reasons than one.
Bo explained, “My son Qiniso, who has just been licensed by SAJA to ride in races, has been doing a great job with him at track and he has built up a good understanding with Better Never Ends.”
He continued, “So I was more confident than ever before going into a race, but on the other hand there was just that little bit of doubt that he would act up being at a new track and I was concerned he might spook at new surroundings.”
However, the race panned out perfectly.
The 5/10 favourite was Gimme A Vodka, who was coming off a fine 1,70 length second to the biggest talking horse in the juvenile ranks, World Attraction, a Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained One World colt who has won both of his starts in effortless fashion.
The 9/4 second favourite was the Buffalo Bill Cody colt, the Bronx Bull, who won second time out and the form of that win had worked out exceptionally well.
The 25/2 third favourite in the small field was also a maiden, the United States gelding Kudikaran, but his 3,20 length place finish in his only start was behind the exciting prospect Turn It Up, a half-brother to Gr 1 winner Proceed, although admittedly he had received 3kg from Turn It Up.
In the race on Saturday Better Never Ends had the advantage of the standside draw.
There were a few other factors which had buoyed Bo’s confidence.
Firstly, the horse was wearing second time blinkers and had run well in them first time out in a 1400m event at Hollywoodbets Greyville, finishing a 3,90 length fourth.
Secondly, Bo had run Better Never Ends often and he had always returned sound as a bell,so he had not had to do much with him at home and he knew he was a very fit horse.
Thirdly, he asked the physiotherapist Paige Janse van Rensburg, who works on his Hollywood-trained horse Eventidor, to do some work on Better Never Ends.
He said, “I noticed she had been doing very good job for Hollywood, so I asked her to do some of my horses as well. She did physio on him and put tape on him to help with his blood circulation.”
Better Never Ends jumped superbly in the race and Muzi Yeni had him nice and relaxed.
He just sat on him and would have been pleased to see Gimme A Vodka and The Bronx Bull going eyeball to eyeball in front of him and it got better as Kudikaran then tracked inward to join them.
Better Never End got a beautiful tow and was going easily through the halfway mark of the 1160m contest.
Bo said, “The moment Muzi took him to the outside rail and he started running on I knew it was race over.”
Gimme A Vodka and Kudikaran were spent forces and while The Bronx Bull rallied he clearly did not have as much in the tank as Better Never End, who surged forward to win by a comfortable 0,90 lengths.
Bo will now give him a deserved rest and then aim him at the Gr 1 Gold Medallion.
However, he feels he will get better as he goes further and thinks he will get at least a mile.
Better Never Ends is out of four-time-winning Hussonet mare Endearment, whose first four foals were all winners, including five-time winner Phaka Imali (Var), five-time-winner Acacia’s Blossom (Flower Alley) and three-time-winner Agrado (Global View).
Bo landed him at the August National Two-Year-Old Sale for R360,000 on behalf of owner Dladla Family Trust (Nom: Mr Q J Manoko).
Bo said he always placed importance in the eye of the horse and he said at the Sale Better Never End’s eye was full of intelligence.
The Dladla Family Trust also own the promising Alson Ndzilana-trained Nightshine (Rafeef), who has finished second in both of his starts to date.
Bo has had an interesting working career, first managing his father’s business then working as a fireman and as he was a qualified mechanical engineer he worked in various positions in that field “just to check it out.”
However, his love lay with horses and he had held a chairmanship in the sport of rural horseracing before deciding to join the professional circuit.
He started with Tony Rivalland on March 1, 2015 and after four years with him joined a couple of other yards to gain further experience. He worked for Nathan Kotzen for a year and then worked for Peter Muscutt for a year, before returning to Rivalland for one final year.
He then felt confident enough to start out on his own and has sure done a fine job with such limited numbers.
He has had eleven wins and 33 places and that includes getting now fewer than six wins out of the Elusive Fort gelding Eventidor, who is still competitive at the age of seven.
He hopes the Gr 2 win will help him expand to 20 to 25 horses and what is particularly exciting at present is there could soon be a father/son trainer/jockey partnership in KZN.
Soccer Updates and Carryovers – Friday 10 April, Saturday 11 April and Sunday 12 April 2026
Soccer10 Friday 10 April 2026. ADD – INN R200 000. Estimated Pool: R 2 Million. Pool Closes at 19h00. Sport 7 and Pool 1.
Score10 Friday 10 April 2026. ADD-IN R10 000. Pool Closes at 21h00. Sport 9 and Pool 1.
Soccer4 Saturday 11 April 2026. ADD – INN R25 000. Estimated Pool: R 100 000. Pool Closes at 13h30. Sport 19 Pool 1.
Soccer10 Saturday 11 April 2026. ADD- INN R200 000. Estimated Pool: R 2 Million. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 16 and Pool 1.
Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 11 April 2026. Carryover R100 000. Estimated Pool: R400 000. Pool Closes at 13h30. Sport 13 and Pool 1.
Soccer13 GUARANTEED JACKPOT Saturday 11 April 2026. R23 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 11 Pool 1.
Score6 Saturday 11 April 2026. ADD-IN R5 000. Pool Closes at 16h00. Sport 6 and Pool 1.
Soccer6 Sunday 12 April 2026. ADD-INN R75 000. Estimated Pool: R 500 000. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 4 Pool 1
Soccer10 Sunday 12 April 2026. ADD- INN R200 000. Estimated Pool: R 2 Million. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 8 and Pool 1.
Changes to the merit ratings
David Thiselton
The new merit ratings are out from the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic and the handicappers look to have largely managed to get the merit ratings back to the way they had wanted them after the TAB Gauteng Guineas.
The original line horse used for the Gauteng Guineas was Tin Pan Alley, who was rated 117, whilst the appeal panel decided a more appropriate line horse was the 108-rated Grand Empire.
However, both of those horses are now Gr 1 winners, with Grand Empire having won the SA Classic on Saturday by a short-head from Trust, and Tin Pan Alley having slammed some of the best in the country by 1,75 lengths when winning the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m.
The appeal panel’s overall rating of the race thus looked to be too low.
The handicappers have managed to use the evidence from the SA Classic, as well as other factors, to get Trust back to the merit rating they had him on after the Guineas i.e 119 and have changed the ratings of the other runners accordingly.
The ratings look to now have a realistic look to them.
Meanwhile, Tin Pan Alley has been raised ten points to 128 after his impressive Horse Chestnut Stakes victory.
Hazy Dazy remains unchanged on 117 after her cosy win in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.
The NHA press release explained all of the changes to the Gr 1 runners:
WILGERBOSDRIFT H F OPPENHEIMER HORSE CHESTNUT STAKES (GRADE 1)
Three-year-old TIN PAN ALLEY has been awarded a revised merit rating of 128, up from 117, following his emphatic victory in the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes run at weight-for-age over 1600m at Turffontein standside track on Saturday.
In assessing the race, the Handicappers identified the consistent TEXAS RED (third place) as the line horse, leaving his rating unchanged at 119.
TIN PAN ALLEY’S commanding win over 1600m on a yielding track dispelled any doubts about his aptitude for the trip. The Handicappers had already considered him suitable for the distance, having used him as the line horse in the original TAB Gauteng Guineas ratings. However, the TAB Gauteng Guineas was subsequently reduced to a level of 109 following an appeal.
The outcome of the TAB Gauteng Guineas appeal has had significant knock-on effects. The three-year-old cohort that dominated the Guineas was reduced from a level of 121 to 109. TIN PAN ALLEY, who finished fourth in that race, has now gone on to win a Grade 1 WFA event.
Effectively, based on the reduced Guineas level, his performance rating has risen from 104 to 128 in just 28 days. While the Handicappers clearly believe TIN PAN ALLEY improved in this race, the improvement would reasonably be measured from 117 to 128 based on the Handicapper’s original assessment of the Gauteng Guineas.
When rating the Guineas, the Handicappers considered the pecking order of the field, the quality of the race as a Grade 2 event, and fairness from a handicapping perspective to ensure horses would meet on proper handicap terms in future contests. The appeal outcome created distortions, including the subsequent reduction of TRUST’S rating from 119 to 108 – a decision made two runs after his Grade 2 Jackpot City Dingaans victory, which the Handicappers regard as contrary to the principles of handicapping.
TIN PAN ALLY’S performance in this WFA race highlights the strength of this year’s three-year-old crop.
No other horses received upward adjustments in this race. COSMIC SPEED’S rating was reduced slightly, from 124 to 122.
HKJC WORLD POOL SA CLASSIC (GRADE 1)
GRAND EMPIRE, winner of the Grade 1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic over 1800m, has had his official merit rating raised from 108 to 120.
The Handicappers unanimously agreed that runner-up TRUST reaffirmed the 119 performance he achieved in the Grade 2 Jackpot City Dingaans last November, where he defeated the 118-rated JAN VAN GOYEN. The Dingaans level remains the officially adopted benchmark for that race.
In the assessment of this race, the Handicappers concluded that TRUST once again performed to that same level of 119. TRUST was used to that mark and was accordingly adjusted to 119.
A collateral line of form with TIN PAN ALLY’S win in the Wilgerbosdrift H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (Grade 1) indicates that the Grade 1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic is undervalued, however, the Handicappers do not practise retrospective ratings.
Furthermore, the TRUST appeal panel concluded with the following recommendation: “Following the running of the SA Classic, the Handicappers should re-evaluate the entire three-year-old crop.”
Three additional horses received merit rating increases in this race:
- SPLITTHEEIGHTS: 109 to 116
- ONE EYE ON VEGAS: 106 to 115
- RADIO STAR: 95 to 107
WILGERBOSDRIFT SA FILLIES CLASSIC (GRADE 1)
HAZY DAZY’S official merit rating remained unchanged at 117 after she held off her rivals to win the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m. HAZY DAZY remains 3 points lower that her male counterpart GRAND EMPIRE, which is within the range of the filly’s allowance while keeping her equal to the Western Cape Leading filly WISH LIST, who is also rated 117.
The Handicappers identified LITTLEMISSMILLION as the line horse, leaving her rating unchanged at 107.
Two horses received rating increases based on their margins ahead of the line horse at level weights:
- SCARLETT HEART (third): 91 to 108
- DAISY JONES (fourth): 106 to 108
Exciting new July Handicap conditions
David Thiselton
The Hollywoodbets Durban July conditions have been finalised and the final field panellists might be in for an interesting evening before the Final Field And Barrier Draw Ceremony, whilst the three-year-olds look to be on the back foot at present.
There will be a longer handicap this year with a 10kg spread in the weights from a topweight of 62kg down to a bottom weight of 52kg.
Furthermore, it will just be a straight handicap, unlike recent July conditions in which there was a maximum and minimum weight for certain age groups and genders.
If the final field happens to have a spread that is less than 10kg, the topweight will still be 62kg. If, for example, there is a weight spread of 7kg among the entries, then the bottom weight will be 55kg.
If the topweights are scratched after the setting of the weights, then the new topweight will be dragged up to 62kg. For example if the topweight after scratchings is 60,5kg, it will be dragged up to 62kg and after the rest of the field have been dragged up the bottom weight will become 53,5kg.
The final field will not necessarily be chosen by merit rating order.
Justin Vermaak, Executive Racing and Bloodstock of Race Coast, said, “There will be a final field selection panel like before and merit rating will be a leading aspect, but the panel will also take current form and distance suitability into account etc.”
In recent years the final field panellists have not had it too tough as the field was cut up before the final field announcement, with a lot of horses being scratched due to the recognition by the connections they do not have much chance, either due to the weights not favouring them or due to them being off form – the final declaration fee could have, in those cases, been considered a waste of money.
However, with the longer handicap, there are going to be more horses who still have form chances on paper.
Looking at last year’s July for example, third-placed Selukwe was rated 111 and had to carry 54kg due to the condition that the minimum weight for an older male was 54kg. He was thus 2kg under sufferance with the 127-rated topweights, both older horses, and he was 4kg under sufferance with the officially best weighted horse, the 129 rated (nett 125-rated) Eight On Eighteen, who was set to carry 57kg despite being the highest merit rated horse in the race due to a condition that three-year-old males could not carry more than 57kg.
In last year’s race Oriental Charm carried 60kg, Eight On Eighteen carried 57kg and Selukwe carried 54kg.
Under this year’s conditions the weights for those three horses would have been: Oriental Charm 62kg, Eight On Eighteen 61kg and Selukwe 54kg. Selukwe would have been 2kg and 4kg better off with Oriental Charm and Eight On Eighteen respectively under today’s conditions.
He would have been 2kg better off with the winner The Real Prince too and, on paper, would have been beaten 0,30 lengths instead of by 2,65 lengths.
There could theoretically have been a horse who would have been even more favoured by today’s conditions than the 111-rated Selukwe example.
Using last year’s race under today’s conditions, an older horse who had been rated 107 would sneak into the handicap under today’s conditions.
A 107-rated older horse last year would have had to carry 54kg, 6kg less than the topweight, but under today’s conditions it would have only had to carry 52kg, which would be 10kg less than the 62kg topweight.
Therefore, there are theoretically going be a lot more horses standing their ground at the time of the final field selection process this year, because a lot more of them will have chances of winning on paper than would have been the case under the old conditions.
Furthermore, with stakes of R10 million up for grabs there will be less cases of horses being scratched due to the connections deeming them to be off form. They might still want to take their chances.
The difficulty for the panel will come in deciding whether a lower rated horse is deemed to have better recent form or better distance suitability than a higher rated horse.
For argument sakes let’s assume that we go back to last year and there are still many horses standing their ground until the bitter end. After the top 17 are selected, according to the last log and current form, let’s assume the next two horses are the 115-rated Madison Valley and the 120-rated The Real Prince.
The Real Prince is rated five points higher than Madison Valley, but he has never run a race beyond 1600m before.
Madison Valley on the other hand finished a close fourth in the Betway Summer Cup over 2000m and in his final run before the July he won the traditional July pointer, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m.
Which one are they going to put in the all important 18th slot?
Such a scenario is going to have much more chance of happening this year.
Although it has been said that weight avoidance tactics are going to be used this year, those who do take that route are probably going to run a bigger risk of not qualifying than ever before.
Now on to the three-year-olds.
Eight On Eighteen was held in high regard last year and came into the race 2kg well-in, according to official merit ratings, and yet he was not able to win the race.
Under today’s conditions he would have had to carry 61kg, effectively 2kg more.
So it was tough last year for a top, top three-year-old who was favoured by the old conditions.
How tough will it be for good-but-not-great three-year-olds under the new conditions, considering there is no maximum weight for them and no minimum weight for older horses?
Likewise it will be tough for females.
Furthermore, this year’s three-year-old crop are arguably overrated off their current merit ratings.
For example, Gauteng Guineas runner up Grand Empire could not win the Wolf Power 1600 against older horses when 2kg under sufferance off a 102 merit rating (effectively a 106 merit rating), yet he is now rated 120. There will be cries of “but the handicapper is clueless” when looking at that, but those who do say that are clueless themselves, because the handicapper rates a race on that race, not on past races, and Tin Pan Alley had earned his 117 rating by beating older horses and Grand Empire had then beaten him. Furthermore, Grand Empire was likely not at his peak for the Wolf Power with the Triple crown series looming.
Nevertheless, the overall impression is the current three-year-old male crop is not shining and it is questionable whether any of them have properly earned a rating of 120 or above.
It could well be an older horse July, but on the other hand there is an impressive unexposed horse like Note To Self among the three-year-olds and more such types might emerge.
The build up to this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July is going to be more intriguing than ever!
London News July centenary victory
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.
A New Era of Racing: Colossus Pools Launched on 1st December with UK Racing!
Race Coast is thrilled to announce a game changing new era for South African horse racing punters with the official launch of horse racing with Colossus Pools on Monday, 1 December 2025!
Following the successful introduction of Colossus world class sports pools, we are now bringing this innovative technology to the multi-leg racing bets. To kick off the launch, the horse racing pools will feature predetermined, high value UK race meetings, giving local punters access to massive international jackpots.
This marks a major step forward for the sport, combining the thrill of racing with modern, flexible features.
Introducing Unprecedented Control
For the first time in South African racing, you will be able to take advantage of key features that put you in control of your bet:
- Cash Out: Don’t wait until the last race! You will now receive leg-by-leg offers to Cash Out all or part of your ticket as the pool progresses. Secure a profit early or reduce your risk, giving you unprecedented control over your potential winnings.
- Syndicate Betting: Join forces with other punters to crowdfund a single, high stakes ticket. Share the cost, increase your chances of hitting the jackpot, and share the rewards with the betting community. You can become a Syndicate Captain or contribute to a ticket led by an expert.
Race Coast is committed to innovating and ensuring our horse racing proposition is the most exciting and engaging in the country.
Get Ready to Play!
Look out for the Colossus button on the www.tote.co.za website and from December 1st, toggle between Football and Horse Racing, and experience the new generation of betting.
Massive UK Jackpots, More Control, and Shared Success—get ready to elevate your racing experience!
Get Ready for a Game Changer! Introducing Colossus – Bigger Pools, More Control!
We are thrilled to announce a ground-breaking new chapter in your betting experience! We’ve partnered with Colossus Bets, a leading UK-based company, to bring you an exciting new product never before seen in the South African tote betting market.
What is Colossus Bets?
Imagine betting into massive, guaranteed prize pools, often reaching life-changing sums, with the added power of controlling your bet as the action unfolds. That’s the essence of Colossus Bets! It’s a revolutionary way to play, combining the thrill of traditional tote betting with unparalleled flexibility.
Understanding the Bet Types & Functionality:
Colossus Bets specialises in pool betting, where you bet against other players. The total money wagered is placed into a “pool”, and the prize money is shared among all winning tickets. The more people who play, the larger the potential jackpot!
Some of the Bet Types on offer
- Pick 1×2: This is a straightforward pool where you predict the result of each match – Home Win (1), Draw (X), or Away Win (2).
- Correct Score: This is a more challenging but potentially more lucrative pool, where you must predict the exact final result of each match
- Both Teams to Score: This is for fans of goals and fast paced action. Your task is to simply predict whether or not both teams will score at least one goal in a selected series of matches
Innovative Functionality
- Cash Out: This feature allows you to lock in a profit before all matches (legs) in your ticket are completed. After each leg, Colossus bets will make you an offer to buy your ticket based on its current value. You can choose to accept the guaranteed payout or stay in the game for a chance at the full jackpot.
- Syndicate Betting: Colossus Bets offers a unique way to play through Syndicate Tickets, allowing Players to team up and increase their chances of winning. Creating a Syndicate – If you have a betting strategy or consider yourself a “Pro”, you can create a Syndicate Ticket and invite other Players to contribute towards the payment of the ticket. Joining a Syndicate – Alternatively, you can join a Syndicate Ticket that another Player has already created. When you contribute to a Syndicate Ticket, you will own a share of that ticket. This share is directly proportional to the amount of money you contributed. If the Syndicate Ticket wins, you will receive a proportionate share of any returns (such as dividends or cash-out proceeds) based on your contribution. In essence, Syndicate Tickets allows Players to pool their resources, share the risk, and share the rewards!
- Guaranteed Huge Sports Pools: Colossus Bets offers guaranteed prize pools often reaching life-changing proportions. This means greater potential payouts for a winning ticket!
- Consolation Prizes: For many pools, if you narrowly miss the jackpot by getting a number of the selections correct, you can still win a share of a consolation prize. This means that you can still get a payout even if your ticket isn’t a perfect winner.
How to find the Colossus Product
To access the Colossus soccer products, simply follow these steps:
- Log in to your TOTE account on www.tote.co.za
- Once logged in, look for the “Colossus” button on the main navigation bar.
- Click the button to be taken to a new page, displaying all the available Colossus products
- Start playing!
Why is this a game changer for South Africa?
Colossus Bets is renowned for pioneering the Cash Out feature in multi-leg pool betting, Syndicate Betting, and for offering some of the largest sports jackpots globally. This partnership brings that innovation and scale directly to you, providing a fresh and exciting way to engage with your favourite sports.
We are confident that Colossus Bets will transform your betting experience, offering bigger thrills and more control than ever before.
Ready to get in on the action? The Colossus button on www.tote.co.za is your portal to this revolutionary product. Don’t miss out!
Be sure to look out for the Colossus horse racing products – Coming Soon!
