Andrew Harrison

Imposing has not put a foot wrong since joining Gareth van Zyl as the six-year-old and turned in another polished performance to win the Middle Stakes that headed the seven-race card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Van Zyl was magnanimous in his praise for Imposing’s former trainer Michael Roberts and said that the horse had arrived in splendid condition, attributing the gelding’s new lease on life to a change of routine.

It was the fifth win for the yard in just six starts including the Christmas Handicap, all five with S’manga Khumalo board, but he did not have to do much more than a steering job as Imposing turned in a determined run up the straight to win as he liked.

Van Zyl expressed concerns that he may have ‘gone to the well’ once too often but his assistant and father Gavin, no slouch in his training days, convinced him that all was well.

The gelding is due a break and according to Van Zyl he’s hoping to punch a little higher come Champions Season.

It will have been drinks all round at The George, a popular watering hole with the racing fraternity in Umhlanga, as Dean Kannemeyer’s filly Back At The George took to the poly and won a smart race in the other Middle Stakes race for fillies and mares that headed the card.

It was all for the taking a furlong from home with almost the entire field aiming for a crack at the line, but Back At The George slowly got her nose in front and eventually went on to win comfortably.

Those punters who follow horses that arrive from the Western Cape were rewarded once again as Chasing Gold made short work of an admittedly shallow field in the first.

Chasing Gold had never started at odds shorter than 10-1 in her seven outings in the Cape, and mostly in triple figures, but she started favourite in the Open Maiden. Cole Dicken made good use of her light weight, making an early move on the turn as Chasing Gold skipped away from the opposition to win as she liked with Praise De La Rey bobbing in her wake.

Nicholas Patel is an under rated light weight and although Basie Raakvat was carrying in the high numbers yesterday, the dead weight proved no hinderance as MJ Odendaal’s runner arrived in the fourth. It was a surprise according to the stable, R20 a win on the tote, as the son of Flower Alley generally performs best over ground, but racing fresh he put it all together as he eventually outgunned visiting Zoom Bomber who just failed under a typically forceful Khumalo ride with Patel resorting to a couple of slaps.

Jarrett Rugg, now a hotel manager but a former trainer at Flamingo Park, always praised Patel’s work ethic and given that Patel is attached to top stables of the likes of Gareth van Zyl and Odendaal says much for his progress from the backwaters of Kimberly.

Dennis Bosch is a Gr1 winning trainer and one of the shrewdest around. Some with long memories will recall him riding a pick-up in the gallop before In Full Flight won the Durban July for David Payne. 1200m may have been on the short side for the stable stalwart Poursomesugaronme in the fifth, but Keagan de Melo rode the perfect tactical race on the mare, finishing off her run well with Lucienne on her outside keep her honest.

Anty punter in doubt of the strength of Cape form, especially in lower grade races, it was reiterated again as Umzingeli Wenyathi put them all to bed in the sixth. Syndicate rider Sean Veale possibly had the choice of rides but Clinton Binda stuck with apprentice Sifisokuhle Bungane and the 4kg claim came into play as he held off a determined challenge from Doug Campbell’s runner Magic Surprise who managed to unship his rider at his previous start.

Gary Rich is old school. He knows horses inside and out but is never one to promote himself in public so battles along without mainstream owner support and a string of moderates. But when the money is down, they seldom disappoint. Dawn Surprise came in for strong market support in the last and she landed the gamble as Rachel Venniker managed to stay aboard as the mare ducked sideways under pressure but still had enough in hand to hold off Jazz Diva and Queen Fenn to round off the day.

David Thiselton

A Graduation Plate over 1400m is the highlight of the meeting at the Vaal Classic track today and could see the three-year-old King Harald claiming a second career victory.

Gavin Lerena has jumped ship from Winds Of Change to ride King Harald who has been quite close to the like of all of Gr 2 winner Tin Pan Alley, dual Gr 1 winner Jan Van Goyen and Gr 2 winner Chronicle King in races from 1400m up to 1600m. He has a tricky draw of five out of seven and is officially 2kg under sufferance with Winds Of Change, but Gavin Lerena knows him well and he should make a bold bid. He should appreciate this step up to this trip. Winds Of Change was staying on over 1000m last time and although both of his wins were over 1160m, he did finish a 3,70 length fifth in a Grade 2 race the only time he went further than a sprint and that was over this 1400m trip. He could mow down the others in the finish from a wide draw of six out of seven. Paul Revere is way out at the weights but is drawn in pole, was 2,5kg under sufferance in the Grand Heritage when finishing just 4,50 lengths back, so could be in the shake up here.  Clever Trevor is also way under sufferance but is on the up. I’m A Fireball is third best in at the weights but in his only try at a trip beyond a sprint, in the Gr 2 Golden Horseshoe, he was well beaten, although he did have a wide draw then and has a middle draw here on this more galloping track.

In the first leg of the P6 over 2400 females are at a weight advantage under the Classified Stakes conditions and the progressive Cartagena could thus be the one to beat under Craig Zackey, who is in sublime form. She does have a tricky draw of eight but possesses a good turn of foot so can make up the ground after being dropped out. Chabal has a very wide draw but is capable over this trip and will be ridden by in form Rachel Venniker, whose 1,5kg gender allowance will help him overcome being 3kg under sufferance with the best weighted. Arlington Action is also distance suited and is only 2kg under sufferance and he did beat Chabal when they last met over this trip. Mizzen Sword might be looking for this trip having won over 1800m before. Lava Lamp is the best weighted but was fatigued last time over 3200m when tailed off, so will likely come in freshened up. Party Punch is joint second best weighted and is 2kg better off with Cartagena for a 2,70 length beating, but she will need to confirm the form.

In the second leg over 2000m Palace Attack is a half-brother to Fire Attack and having shown promise up to 1700m he should relish this step up in trip and is well drawn. Diesel’s Shadow won well last time and if reproducing it off a five point higher mark from a good draw he could be a contender. Flashy Apache is always thereabouts and has a a fair draw over a suitable trip off a competitive mark. One More Star won well over this trip last time but does have a tough draw. Titans Of War has a tricky draw but has been in fair form and has Lerena up.

In the sixth race over 1200m Rockaroundtheclock has good formlines and can score a hattrick despite a five point raise for his latest win and even then he is officially 3,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted, so he will need to improve again. Gimmethegoodlife is in good form and can go close from a good draw with Venniker up. Black Egret can never be ignored and has a fair draw. Lead The Charge is in hard-knocking form but does have a tricky draw. The filly Salenio Peninsula is the best weighted and only has to carry 52,5kg so should make a bold bid under Keagan de Melo.

In the seventh over 1200m Esquevelle is in fine form and should be right there from a fair draw. Palace Revolt ran a cracker over this trip with first time blinkers and has a shout from a fair draw. Winston’s Wonder ran well first time out the maidens over 1450m but was not only given a two point raise but has also had a short layoff and now has a tough draw.

In the ninth over 1600m Aquarius won well in the maidens and can follow up. Kensal Green beat the same horse Aquarius beat in the maidens but did not do it as convincingly. Azaleas For All has been in good form and has some good form over this shorter trip than she’s been running over recently. Open Sesame is capable of improvement but does have a tough draw. Nkwenkwezi was not herself last time so has likely been freshened up and the shorter trip could help.

In the tenth race Global Impact could be the one to beat over a suitable trip.

In the first race over 200m Samuel Sharpe should relish the step up in trip and can win this uninspiring race from pole position.

In the second over 1200m Quickfreeze was just 5,75 lengths back in second behind the promising Tintin on debut and with expected improvement could be the one to beat here.

In the third over 1200m Anahita has shown ability and might well enjoy the step down in trip but does have a tough draw. Savara’s Princess has a fair draw and comes off a close up finish over 1500m, but has finished second over this distance too before. Gimmesumluv is by Gimmethegreenlight and is a half-sister to Gr 2 winner Second Base.

Race 1

8 SAMUEL SHARPE 4 UNDERDOG 3 JABBERWOCKY 1 AFTERBURN

Preview: 8 SAMUEL SHARPE made a fair debut over 1200m and is drawn in pole over a step up in trip he should relish being by Flower Alley out of a Mambo In Seattle mare. 4 UNDERDOG has shown some ability over shorter and on pedigree should also enjoy the step up in trip although draw of seven is tricky. 3 JABBERWOCKY could earn if producing his best from a fair draw. 1 AFTERBURN has shown enough to be able earn in this uninspiring field. (David Thiselton 8-4-3-1)

Race 2

5 QUICKFREEZE 1 SKY PILOT 4 QUEVANO 2 MONKEY’S WEDDING

Preview: 5 QUICKFREEZE made a good debut behind a promising sort and is the one to beat from a fair draw. 1 SKY PILOT has 0,60 lengths to find on Quickstep but does have a tricky draw. 4 QUEVANO ran a good race last time and has a chance if able to overcome a tricky draw. MONKEY’S WEDDING has shown enough to be able to earn here from a middle draw. (David Thiselton 5-1-4-2)

Race 3

2 ANAHITA 3 SAVARA’S PRINCESS 9 GIMMESUMLUV

Preview: 2 ANAHITA has shown ability and might well enjoy the step down in trip but does have a tough draw. 3 SAVARA’S PRINCESS has a fair draw and comes off a close up finish over 1500m but has finished second over this distance too before. GIMMESUMLUV is by Gimmethegreenlight and is a half-sister to Gr 2 winner Second Base (David Thiselton 2-3-9)

Race 4

4 CARTAGENA 3 CHABAL 2 ARLINGTON ACTION 6 MIZZEN SWORD

Preview: 4 CARTAGENA is an improving stayer and has a good chance despite a five point raise for her last win and a tricky draw especially as females are favoured at the weights by Classified race conditions. 3 CHABAL is proven over this trip and is capable of better than last time when and the inform Venniker has a 1,5kg gender claim and can help overcome the wide draw. 2 ARLINGTON ACTION beat Chabal the last time they met but was behind him in an earlier race so there should not be much in it. 6 MIZZEN SWORD is capable but not to reliable and is interesting stepped up to this trip as she stays middle distances well. David Thiselton (4-3-2-6)

Race 5

7 PALACE ATTACK 2 DIESEL’S SHADOW 4 FLASHY APACHE 5 ONE MORE STAR

Preview: 7 PALACE ATTACK is a half-brother to Fire Attack and having shown promise up to 1700m he should relish this step up in trip and is well drawn. 2 DIESEL’S SHADOW won well last time and if reproducing it off a five point higher mark from a good draw he could be a contender. 4 FLASHY APACHE is always thereabouts and has a a fair draw over a suitable trip off a competitive mark. 5 ONE MORE STAR one well over this trip last time but does have a tough draw. (David Thiselton 7-2-4-5)

Race 6

7 ROCKAROUNDTHECLOCK 1 GIMMETHEGOODLIFE 2 BLACK EGRET 3 LEAD THE CHARGE

Preview: 7 ROCKAROUNDTHECLOCK has good formlines and can score a hat-trick despite a five point raise for his latest win. 1 GIMMETHEGOODLIFE is in good form and can go close from a good draw with the 1,5kg claim of in form Venniker helping. 2 BLACK EGRET can never be ignored and has a fair draw. 3 LEAD THE CHARGE is in hard-knocking form but does have a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 7-1-2-3)

Race 7

2 ESQUEVELLE 9 PALACE REVOLT 6 WINSTON’S WONDER

Preview: 2 ESQUEVELLE is in fine form and should be right there from a fair draw. 9 PALACE REVOLT ran a cracker over this trip with first time blinkers and has a shout from a fair draw. 6 WINSTON’S WONDER ran well first time out the maidens over 1450m but has had a short layoff and was given a two point raise and now has a tough draw. (David Thiselton 2-9-6)

Race 8

6 KING HARALD 1 WINDS OF CHANGE 2 PAUL REVERE 3 CLEVER TREVOR

Preview: 6 KING HARALD has some class and will enjoy this trip so can go close with Lerena, who has jumped ship from Winds Of Change, taking the ride. 1 WINDS OF CHANGE is well weighted to deliver here and strikes as one who will enjoy this trip so could mow them down from his tricky draw. 2 PAUL REVERE is distance suited and is drawn in pole over an ideal trip. 3 CLEVER TREVOR won well last time and can build on it but does have a penalty for two wins and has a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 6-1-2-3)

Race 9

6 AQUARIUS 7 KENSAL GREEN 1 AZALEAS FOR ALL 3 OPEN SESAME

Preview: 6 AQUARIUS won well in the maidens and can follow up. 7 KENSAL GREEN has similar form to Aquarius and should be right there. 1 AZALEAS FOR ALL has been in good form and tries a step down in trip. 3 OPEN SESAME is capable of improvement but does have a tough draw. (David Thiselton 6-7-1-3)

Race 10

4 GLOBAL IMPACT 7 PRINCE OF KILDARE 8 THE MIGHTIEST 9 MY LUCKY CHARM

Preview: 4 GLOBAL IMPACT should enjoy this trip and can go close. 7 PRINCE OF KILDARE has the form to be a contender. 8 THE MIGHTIEST should be in the shake up here. 9 MY LUCKY CHARM is capable of better and can’t be ignored. (David Thiselton 4-7-8-9)

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.