Andrew Harrison

Punters face a tricky card on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly tomorrow and it may pay to tread carefully where the market forces may prove your best guide.

In the card opener and first leg of the Bi-Pot, Snow Queen ran well below form when making her KZN debut but was drawn wide and friendless in the market. Adam Azzie had his first winner in KZN and also in his own right as a trainer and this could be the follow-up. Predator’s Surprise was much improved last run and could finally be coming to hand and with a light weight she will be dangerous. Nebulous showed up well in her first local outing after showing some useful Cape form while Catrien has a wide draw and little Cape form to back any claims  but is likely to improve.

In the second, Harpa was not far back last run but is capable of better and although she has a big weight she is capable in this line-up. Calli Bullet has made steady improvement and is lightly raced and her best recent effort has been on the poly. Miss Danon has shown up well in two sprints after returning from a break and will appreciate the step up in trip judge on her previous showings.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Ms Galore takes on males but has been unlucky on a number of occasions and was touched off last run. Keagan de Melo should suit which is a bonus. Desert Dog has improved on the poly and although a well-beaten second last outing he should be a big runner. Light The Fire makes his poly debut and jumps in trip and is one to watch in the market.

In the fourth, The Mask is consistent and although he has a big weight he does get 4kg relief from the saddle. Master Silvano has not been too far back in two races since shedding his maiden. He is still lightly raced with some scope and gets first time blinkers. Professor Lupin started favourite last run but was touched off by L’Ultima who was rewarded for consistent recent form. Alyson Wright’s grey is 1kg better off in the handicap and can turn the tables.

The fifth is another tricky handicap but Rafiki has been touched off at his last two on the poly. He is down in class on his last run and if holding form he will be a big runner. The Gliding Fish has been making steady progress and from the best of the draw he should be a contender although his best recent form has been on the turf. Ultra Quick is never far back and loves the poly while Lou The Legend  is another that enjoys the poly and was touched off last run

Dapper is long overdue another win as he is hardly ever out of the money. He has the best of the draw over an ideal trip and could break the ice. Prince Of Troy started at long odds first run after his debut win but this extra should suit and he does look progressive. Parmenion is over his best course and distance and with a 2.5kg claimer aboard he should be competitive while Charlie Croker has a wide draw but steady Cape form. He has a fair weight but one to include in all exotics.

In the seventh, there are many in with chances in a wide open handicap but Magic Surprise is down in class and was touched off on the poly last time out. Grand Appeal was touched off late run and the drop back in trip should not be an issue. They take on a field of well exposed older horses and should run a big race. Rafa’s Boy steps up in trip but has good form on the poly and should be competitive. Alyson Wright has a host of veteran campaigners best of which may be Ibutho with his 4kg claimer aboard but stable companions Fate Of Fortune and Winter Waves are both in with chances.

Austrian Beauty could round off the day as she is quick and back over her preferred trip. She has a smart claiming apprentice aboard and should run a good race from the best of the draw. Grand Force started favourite last run but was upstaged by long-shot stable companion Axis Power. Things should turn around. Of the balance, Time In Paris has been coming on nicely and should be competitive while Trafalgar Square goes well over course and distance and can go one better in another open affair.

RACE 1

1 SNOW QUEEN   9 PREDATOR’S SURPRISE   4 NEBULOUS   12 CATRIEN

Summary: SNOW QUEEN (1) ran well below form when making her KZN debut. Drawn wide and friendless in the market she can do better here. PREDATOR’S SURPRISE (9) was much improved last run and could finally be coming to hand. She has a light weight. NEBULOUS (4) showed up well in her first local outing after showing some useful Cape form. CATRIEN (12) has a wide draw and little Cape form to back any claims  but is likely to improve. (Andrew Harrison: 1-9-4-12).

RACE 2

8 HARPA   2 CALLI BULLET   1 MISS DANON   3 PEGGY SUE SHAKE

Summary: HARPA (8) was not far back last run but is capable of better. She has a big weight but is capable in this line-up. CALI BULLET (2) has made steady improvement. She is lightly raced and her best recent effort has been on the poly. MISS DANON (1) has shown up well in two sprints after returning from a break. She should appreciate the step up in trip judge on her previous showings. PEGGY SUE SHAKE (3) showed improvement in first time blinkers and has a light weight that will help her chances. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-1-3).

RACE 3

2 MS GALORE   3 DESERT DOG   9 LIGHT THE FIRE   10 MANIKONGO

Summary: MS GALORE (2) has been unlucky on a number of occasions and was touched off last run. This rider should suit. DESERT DOG (3) has improved on the poly although a well-beaten second last outing. He will be a big runner. LIGHT THE FIRE (9) makes his poly debut and jumps in trip. He is one to watch in the market. MANIKONGO (10) gets first time blinkers and a tongue-tie and could make sudden improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 2-3-9-10).

RACE 4

6 THE MASK   2 MASTER SILVANO   1 PROFESSOR LUPIN   4 L’ULTIMA

Summary: THE MASK (6) is consistent and although he has a big weight he does get 4kg relief from the saddle. MASTER SILVANO (2) has not been too far back in two races since shedding his maiden. He is still lightly raced with some scope and gets first time blinkers. PROFESSOR LUPIN (1) started favourite last run but was touched off by L’ ULTIMA (4) who was rewarded for consistent recent form. Alyson Wright’s grey is 1kg better off in the handicap and can turn the tables. (Andrew Harrison: 6-2-1-4).

RACE 5

5 RAFIKI   1 THE GLIDING FISH   8 ULTRA QUICK   7 LOU THE LEGEND

Summary: Tricky handicap. RAFIKI (5) has been touched off at his last two on the poly. He is down in class on his last showing and if holding form well be a big runner. THE GLIDING FISH (1) has been making steady progress and from the best of the draw he should be a contender although his best recent form has been on the turf. ULRTA QUICK (8) is never far back and loves the poly. LOU THE LEGEND (7) is another that enjoys the poly and was touched off last run. (Andrew Harrison: 5-1-8-7).

RACE 6

1 DAPPER   7 PRINCE OF TROY   10 CHARLIE CROKER   9 PARMENION

Summary: DAPPER (1) is long overdue another win. He is hardly ever out of the money and with the best of the draw over an ideal trip he could break the ice. PRINCE OF TROY (7) started at long odds first run after his debut win. The extra should suit and he does look progressive. PARMENION (9) is over his best course and distance and with a 2.5kg claimer aboard he should be competitive. CHARLIE CROKER (10) has a wide draw but steady Cape form. He has a fair weight but one to include in all exotics. (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-10-9).

RACE 7

5 MAGIC SURPRISE   3 GRAND APPEAL   2 RAFA’S BOY   6 IBUTHO

Summary: Many in with chances in a wide open handicap. MAGIC SURPRISE (5) is down in class and was touched off on the poly last time out. GRAND APPEAL (3) was touched off late run and the drop back in trip should not be an issue. They take on a field of well exposed older horses and should run a big race. RAFA’S BOY (2) steps up in trip but has good form on the poly and should be competitive. Alyson Wright has a host of veteran campaigners best of which may be IBUTHO (6) with his 4kg claimer aboard.. Stable companions FATE OF FORTUNE and WINTER WAVES (8) are both in with chances. (Andrew Harrison: 5-3-2-6).

RACE 8

1 AUSTRIAN BEAUTY   3 GRAND FORCE   5 TIME IN PARIS   6 TRAFALGAR SQUARE

Summary: AUSTRIAN BEAUTY (1) is quick and back over her preferred trip. She has a smart claiming apprentice aboard and should run a good race from the best of the draw. GRAND FORCE (3) started favourite last run but upstaged by long-shot stable companion AXIS POWER (4)  Things should turn around. TIME IN PARIS (5) has been coming on nicely and should be competitive. TRAFALGAR SQUARE (6) goes well over course and distance and can go one better. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-5-6).

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.

Durban, South Africa – The countdown has begun! The 129th edition of Africa’s premier horse racing and social spectacular, the Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ), is set to take place on Saturday, 5th July 2025, at the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. As the most anticipated fixture on South Africa’s racing calendar, the event seamlessly blends world-class horse racing with high fashion, entertainment, and a memorable social experience.

Staying true to the theme of “Marvels of Mzansi,” this year’s racing extravaganza promises an iconic line-up of South African talent, featuring a diverse array of artists set to captivate all attendees throughout the day. The national anthem will be beautifully performed by one of the country’s leading songstresses – look out for the reveal in May. With these performances, the thousands of attendees expected at Hollywoodbets Greyville will have a memorable experience. Stay tuned for the full artist line-up. All ticket holders can look forward to a day filled with live entertainment that will be talked about for years to come, as this year’s HDJ celebrates Mzansi’s vibrant spirit. 

Tickets for this outstanding event are now officially on sale via Ticketpro (www.ticketpro.co.za). Priced at R230 for general admission, your ticket grants access to a day of thrilling racing action, live entertainment, fashion showcases, gourmet food experiences, and an array of engaging activations from event partners. For added convenience, onsite parking is available for R170 per vehicle.

For those seeking an elevated experience, the VIP hospitality packages provide exclusive access to luxurious enclosures, premium viewing areas, and top-tier catering. These options can be explored on the official event website (www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za). Please note that VIP hospitality packages do not include general admission tickets, which must be purchased separately via Ticketpro.

This year’s theme, “Marvels Of Mzansi”, was unveiled in late February, marking the official commencement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience, presented by Durban Fashion Fair. The fashion programme includes the much-anticipated HDJ Young Designer Award, showcasing the best up-and-coming talents from KwaZulu-Natal. The winners will share the spotlight with the HDJ Invited Designers and DFF Rising Stars at the HDJ Fashion Preview Gala, set to take place at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in late June.

Racing enthusiasts can also look forward to the announcement of the first official entrants on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. With last year’s champion, Oriental Charm, emerging as the early ante-post favourite, excitement is already building. 

Secure your tickets today and experience Africa’s greatest horse racing and social event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July!