Thirty one entries remain in the running for a gate in the R2 million Gr1 Vodacom Durban July after final supplementary and weight stage was reached today.

Final declarations for the 2200m spectacular to be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 3 July close at 11h00 on Monday 21 June.

The announcement of the final field of 18 plus 2 reserve runners, and their barrier draws, will take place on Tuesday, 22 June.

David Thiselton

The Eric Sands-trained Rainbow Bridge put himself in line for the Equus Horse Of The Year award when winning the Grade 1 weight-for-age Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday under Luke Ferraris.

Sands will be wondering how he will ever replace Ferraris when the latter leaves for his contract riding position in Hong Kong as the six-year-old Rainbow Bridge has never been in better form since being partnered by the 19-year-old. 

In five rides together they have now finished narrow seconds in both the Grade 2 WSB Greenpoint Stakes and Grade 1 WFA L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and then rattled off wins in the Grade 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes, the Grade 1 Cape Town Met and the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge.  

Seeking The Stars was expected to lead but started tardily. However, Grant van Niekerk surprisingly did not make more effort to keep Cirillo out. Instead he hung back and Seeking The Stars, not able to use his stride, raced too strongly in second.

The strapping Jet Dark, having his first run since winning the Queen’s Plate five months ago, found the box seat on the rail but was tending to over-race.

WSB Dingaans winner Catch Twentytwo managed to slot in front of him at the 900m mark, which posed a problem for Rainbow Bridge who was now left one wide without cover. 

However, Rainbow Bridge remained beautifully relaxed and sauntered up to Seeking The Stars, who had moved past Cirillo at the top of the straight.

Catch Twentytwo was posing a threat on the inside but Ferraris got to work at the 200m mark and Rainbow Bridge lengthened his stride to beat the former by a cosy 0,30 lengths.

Chimichuri Run, who had sat behind Rainbow Bridge in the running, ran on strongly to deny Seeking The Stars third place. Belgarion and Jet Dark both proved in need it, finishing fifth and sixth respectively. 

Rainbow Bridge, an Ideal World gelding owned by Mike and Norma Rattray and bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Stud, has now won eleven of his 23 starts, including five Grade 1s.

Hollywoodbets recognised their business partners in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday and the supporting features provided some thrilling finishes.

In the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m the Justin Snaith-trained Crown Towers took up his favourite front-running role and in his normal courageous fashion kept going to narrowly defeat fellow VDJ entrants Tristful and Nexus.

In the Grade 2 East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m, the Glen Kotzen-trained Caya Coco, the only horse to have ever beaten star filly Captain’s Ransom, burst through from a handy position to beat pacemaker Wisteria Walk by 1,50 lengths with the outsider Zimbaba running on well for third. 

In the Listed Cell C Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes the favourite, the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Cosmic Highway, produced a late surge under Keagan de Melo to get up by a long-head from long-time leader Party Time with Waterberry Lane in third. 

In the Listed Lighthouse Foundation Devon Air Stakes over 1400m the Sean Tarry-trained Twice The Trip ran on resolutely to keep the fast-finishing Kailene at bay and win by a quarter-of-a-length with Miss Putin staying on for third.

The Rising Sun Durban Dash was won by  the Kumaran Naidoo-trained outsider Ziva La Winter under Calvin Habib.

Andrew Harrison

Rainbow Bridge will defend his title in the 50^th renewal of the R1 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and will be out to turn the tables on Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Jet Dark.

South Africa’s joint second richest race is the final Vodacom Durban July ‘golden ticket’ event and promises to be a thriller with five big race entries lining up.

Although only nine runners are due to face starter Solly Ngcobo, there is plenty of intrigue with runners like Rainbow Bridge and Belgarion warming up for the VDJ against star miler’s whose main target will have been this race.

The Gold Challenge is the last leg of the unofficial ‘Mile’ WFA races, along with the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes.

In context, this is the more important of the three given that horses from all three of the major racing centres meet on a level playing field.

The Eric Sands-trained Rainbow Bridge fluffed his lines in last year’s VDJ but is on track to remedy that. He scorched home in the Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m, a distance seemingly short of his best, and he is out to defend his Gold Challenge title where he looks more than capable.

Jet Dark beat Rainbow Bridge in the Queen’s Plate but has not been out since barring a Greyville gallop. This has been his Champions Season target so he should be fully primed but the Justin Snaith stable has been quiet this winter season which is a concern.

In contrast, Vaughan Marshall is having a stellar Champions Season and he saddles Seeking The Stars who set a solid gallop for stable companion and joint ante-post VDJ favourite, Linebacker in the KZN Guineas. Linebacker followed up with an equally impressive win in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and just how Seeking The Stars fares here will be watched with more than just passing interest.

Belgarion has only once finished out of the money in a dozen starts and is at home over the trip. He barrelled home from last when beating Rainbow Bridge in the Gr2 Greenpoint Stakes but his current efforts have not mirrored that performance.

Needless to say, last year’s VDJ winner will be a big factor.

Catch Twentytwo was clearly second best behind Rainbow Bridge in the Drill Hall and seems unlikely to turn the tables while the balance of this small field will need to catch their better performed rivals on an off day.

There are a host of feature races on the day headed by the Gr2 East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes and the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial.

The Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial is something of a ‘last chance saloon’ for VDJ hopefuls and punters are faced with a tricky puzzle. African Night Sky has not been the same horse that he was before injury and a lengthy lay-off but he showed signs of a form return last time out. He has dropped 13 pounds in the handicap and if he can win this, his chances of making the VDJ field will be very much enhanced.

Stable companion Nexus was supplemented into the VDJ and was 13^th on the last published July log so is assured of a gate in the big one. He has not been out since January so this could be a warm-up.

Tree Tambo, Tristful and Azores are all borderline VDJ entrants and will be going hard for victory. Tree Tambo was a winner last time out having improved in blinkers and can follow up while Tristful was unlucky in the July consolation last year. He ran well below par last start but one can expect a much better showing this time around.

The Tibouchina Stakes is a difficult race with any number of runners in with chances.

Wisteria Walk was not far behind last Sunday’s Golden Horse winner Battle Force after they met and in a recent handicap, giving the winner 7.5kg. She was only three lengths off Summer Pudding in the Empress Club Stakes and is over her ideal trip.

Favorita has drawn a touch wide but made a smart local debut in the Poinsetia Stakes and the extra furlong should not trouble her. Dennis Drier sends out Free State Star who although not having the best of draws, caught the eye at her last two and should strip at her peak.

Michael Azzie saddles Wylie Wench, who although not well in at the weights, has the best of the draw and has been in good form of late and should have every chance.

David Thiselton

It is Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge day at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and the Jackpot will consist of three Graded races and a Non-Black type event so should be well supported. 

The first leg is the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m.

 Crown Towers could bounce back to his best over an ideal course and distance. This horse needs to get to the front to produce his best as he can then use his big action and he is able to keep up a good tempo all the way to the line.

Last time his chances of reaching the front were scuppered by the horse drawn inside of him, Share Holder, who had the same idea and he not surprisingly did not run to his best form.

He is drawn seven out of eight this time and none of the horses inside of him are types who will want the lead so it could pan out perfectly for him and he should make a bold bid.

Tree Tumbo is drawn well in two and should be running on strongly at a course he has won at and over a suitable trip. Tristful ran second in the Grade 2 WSB 1900 last year and off a competitive merit rating from a good draw he should go close as he this will be his third run after a layoff.

In the Grade 2 East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m, Zarina will have benefited from her last start when finishing strongly from a wide draw for fourth and she has a reversal of draw fortune with the horse who beat her by 0,30 lengths in the WSB Guineas, Freestate Star.

Wisteria Walk has class and this looks to be an ideal trip as she does have plenty of pace too. She looks to be the chief threat to Zarina.

Wylie Wench will be an interesting contender from pole position as she has pace and a kick and could well be better than her 99-merit rating.

Freestate Star ran on fluently in the WSB Guineas and can also be considered for wider permutations. Two others who warrant consideration are Zimbaba, who if producing her best is capable of mowing this field down. Rio’s Winter is drawn two and comes off a good fifth in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint and this trip should be ideal as she was runner-up in last year’s Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas. 

In the big one, The Grade 1 weight for age Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, Seeking The Stars could cause an upset. He is capable of setting a high tempo from start to finish and should be cherry-ripe. His draw of two and Grant van Niekerk aboard will help too.

Rainbow Bridge has tended to run a relatively flat race in his second run after a layoff but has found the perfect partner in Luke Ferraris and it will be no surprise to see him fetching Seeking The Stars considering his outstanding Drill Hall win over a trip short of his best.

Jet Dark is full of class and although he hasn’t run since his L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate win he did put up a fine gallop at Hollywoodbets Greyville recently.

 Belgarion proved when winning the WSB Green Point Stakes he enjoys this trip running fresh so is also one to consider.

In the Rising Sun Durban Dash over 1100m, Spyda’s Corner has a wide draw but is on the up and is capable of running on from off the pace so should be right there.

Speed Machine has class and will also be a big runner in his third run after a layoff. 

Slalom Queen is well drawn and if bouncing back to her best also has a shout having dropped to a competitive merit rating. Captain Oupie has been disappointing in his last two starts but has a fair draw and enjoys this course so can be in the shake-up. Ziva La Winter has a far draw and is one from one over this course and distance so can also be considered. 

David Thiselton

The Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Zarina is the favourite for the Grade 2 East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes at the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday but it looks to be a highly competitive field.

Master Of My Fate filly Zarina finished a 4,60 length fifth in a strong renewal of the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas and followed up by winning the Grade 3 Prix du Cap over 1400m at Kenilworth. She finished a 2,40 length fourth in he Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas and assistant trainer Trevor Brown said, “She’s well and she’s well in at the weights so she’s got a big chance.”

She was 0,30 lengths by another Master Of My Fate filly in the WSB Guineas, the Dennis Drier-trained Freestate Star, and assistant trainer Stuart Ferrie, said, “Freestate Star is well and 1400m is probably her best trip. She is working well and on her Guineas run she must have a chance.”

Glen Kotzen runs Caya Coco, the only horse to have ever beaten Captain’s Ransom, and he said, “She has been a bit unlucky. In her first KZN start she pulled up sore behind, we sorted her out and then in her next start when we thought she had a big chance in the WSB Fillies Guineas she pulled up coughing her lungs out. So it’s now her third time lucky and she’s cracked a decent draw for a change and she’s very, very well. She’s fit and there is no sign of coughing and she is very classy.” 

He also runs Point Of Sale and said, “She ran an absolute peach of a race last time ridden differently, held up for a run. She’s got a very short run in and she took off. It was a cracking run, she had to give the winner 7kg. She’s got it in her to win a big win, it’s just a matter of everything going her way. She’s got a top jock on (Gavin Lerena), so we’re very happy.”

The pole position drawn Wylie Wench broke the Vaal Classic course record over 1600m in her penultimate start when winning the Grade 3 Acacia Handicap and last time out, also over 1600m in the Listed Syringa Handicap, she was waited with for too long in the straight on the back of a slow pace and couldn’t catch the leader Way Of The World when the latter kicked well. She will be effective over this course and distance as she has good pace and a good turn of foot and might well be better than her 99 merit rating.

The classy Wisteria Walk looks ideally course and distance suited and has a fair draw of five so has a shout.

Keep The Lights on was ahead of Freestate Star when third to Princess Calla and Caya Coco in the Grade 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and followed up with a third in the Grade 3 Poinsettia Stakes over 1200m so should be cherry ripe. 

Favorita was second in the Poinsettia and being by Gimmethegreenlight out of an unraced Var mare who was a half-sister to Master Of My Fate she should get this trip. 

Hugs Accepted is well regarded and wasn’t disgraced in the WSB Guineas from a wide draw so is interesting from a fair draw of seven here having won three races from 1000m to 1200m.  

Rio’s Winter finished a 4,45 length fifth in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint and is an interesting runner here as a former Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas runner up. 

Zimbaba was a 4,10 length fifth in the Poinsettia and being by Legislate should love this course and distance so if she brings her ‘A’ game she is a dark horse.  

Love Bomb won the Grade 2 Zulu Kingdom Golden Explorer Golden Slipper over this course and distance last year but has a tough draw this time although she does have Luke Ferraris up and won her penultimate start here over 1200m carrying topweight before finishing downfield in last Sunday’s SA Fillies Sprint. 

Mount Laurel showed signs of a form return last time but also has a tough draw. 

In The Dance went close in this race two years ago but has lost her way a touch and has a tough draw.

David Thiselton

The Sharks rugby team were shown around Summerveld yesterday morning by the Hollywoodbets team and the race named in their honour, the Listed Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes over 1400m, will be one of the most intriguing events at the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge meeting at Holywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Cosmic Highway is the favourite, despite carrying topweight. He is the only horse in the field to have won two races and assistant trainer Nicolette Roscoe said, “He is a nice horse. He Had a nice run at Scottsville three weeks back ( finishing third over 1200m to Good Traveller and Irfaan’s Boy). He’s looking for a 1400 now and we’re happy with his work, he’s going very well. He is carrying a bit of weight compared to the others but we expect a nice run, he will be right there.” Kannemeyer also runs Waterberry Lane and Roscoe said, “He did nothing wrong last time, running a 1,10 length third over 1200m. He has come on nicely. It is a bit of a step up in class but he is a nice horse.” Wayne and Barbara Badenhorst run second favourite AJ’s Captain and Barbara said, “It is a competitive field but he is doing very well, we couldn’t have him in a better place, he’s fit. We’re happy with the draw of seven, we don’t want to be stuck on the rail, he need’s a nice good pace to use his action. I think he is looking for a mile, so we will run him here and in the Golden Horseshoe before deciding whether we go for the Premier’s.” Hollywoodbets have a runner in this race, the Peter Muscutt-trained Imilenzeyokoduduma, and their racing manager Anthony Delpech said, “He is a smart horse. He is a maiden running in a winners race but he is going to give a good account of himself, we think highly of him.” Glen Kotzen runs Bush Tracker and he said, “He won well last time and we supplemented him because there isn’t another race for him, but from an outside draw it is not going to be easy.” Carl Hewitson runs Purple Flame and said, “He ran a very pleasing first run the other day against winners. He battled a little bit for a clear run in the straight, he’s not without a chance, I think he could be there, he could grab a cheque in this race. The Mike Miller-trained Party Time makes most appeal of those whose connections were not spoken to, having run two seconds around the turn over 1200m where the form has worked out well and then winning by 6.50 lengths at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, also over 1200m.

David Thiselton

Tony Rivalland is set on qualifying Tristful for the Vodacom Durban July in Saturday’s Grade 3 Cup Trial at Hollywoodbets Greyville to give one of KZN’s most loyal racing patrons Mary Liley a day to remember. Liley is one of the many “oh so close but no cigar” July connections around the country as her fancied New Zealand-bred Bold Monarch was beaten just a head by Lightning Shot way back in 1977 and then in 1996 her 33/1 shot Sleek Machine failed by half-a-length to fetch a tiring London News. Rivalland said about five-year-old Trippi colt Tristful, “He looks extremely well, he has a great blood picture this week, so I am hoping for a good run. He has no excuses, he is well drawn and it’s a small field so he should be in the right place turning for home.” He continued, “Some of the horses ahead of him on the log have run so poorly you would think they are not even going to run so he will most probably sneak in anyway, but would it be in our interests to run him if he doesn’t finish in the first three and go close? If he doesn’t win you want it to be a decent second or third. Realistically, I suppose he doesn’t have any chance of winning the July but it’s nice to have a runner who is well, you never know, you might sneak into the back end of quartets and it will be nice for Mary Liley to have a runner.” Tristful was VDJ first reserve last year and finished a 0,80 length second to Sovereign Spirit in the consolation race, the Grade 3 Campanajo 2200, which proved he enjoys the course and distance. Rivalland has three other runners on Saturday and said, “Backstop (1st race) is extremely well and fit, I will be disappointed if she gets beat. I haven’t seen the final field but I don’t think there can be anything around much stronger than her among the maiden fillies at the moment.” He said Khan, who runs in the ninth and returns from a rest, was in a very good space and the blinkers go on so he was expecting a much improved race from him. Star Vega runs in the 2nd and he said although 1400m was a tad short of her best trip she loved Hollywoodbets Greyville and if not turning for home to far back had a definite chance.

Andrew Harrison

Rainbow Bridge will defend his title in the 50th renewal of the R1 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday and will be out to turn the tables on Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Jet Dark.

South Africa’s joint second richest race is the final Vodacom Durban July ‘golden ticket’ event and promises to be a thriller with five big race entries lining up.

Although only nine runners are due to face starter Solly Ngcobo, there is plenty of intrigue with runners like Rainbow Bridge and Belgarion warming up for the VDJ against star miler’s whose main target will have been this race.

The Eric Sands-trained Rainbow Bridge could not have been more impressive when winning the Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m beating Catch Twentytwo and the pair will face up again come Saturday.

Rainbow Bridge will renew his partnership with jockey Luke Ferraris who has landed a six-month contract to ride in Hong Kong from mid-September.

Jet Dark, the highest rated three-year-old in the country after his defeat of Rainbow Bridge in the Queen’s Plate, has not had an outing since that victory which may be a worry for some. Stable first-call Richard Fourie rides with Grant van Niekerk switching to Seeking The Stars.

Justin Snaith scratched Jet Dark from the original July entry but the colt is sure to be primed come Saturday.

Vaughan Marshall has had a stellar Champions Season to date and will saddle Seeking The Stars who set a solid gallop for stable companion Linebacker in the WSB KZN Guineas. He stayed on well enough for second which will make him a factor on Saturday.

Snaith also saddles last year’s VDJ winner Belgarion who missed his intended warm-up race in the Drill Hall with an abnormal blood picture. He is already assured of a place in the VDJ but this will be a testing warm-up. S’Manga Khumalo rides what will probably be his VDJ mount.

Sovereign Spirit and Cirillo are assured of a July gate while Trip To Africa is 18th on the latest VDJ log and a top showing here will push him further up the table.

Supporting features on the card are the Gr2 East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes, the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphin’s Cup Trial,  the Listed Cell C Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes and the (Non-Black Type) Rising Sun Durban Dash.

R1 000 000 1600m

1st R625000, 2nd R200000, 3rd R100000, 4th R50000, 5th R25000

Hollywoodbets GOLD CHALLENGE (Grade 1)

Weight-For-Age

WFA: 2yrs-10.5kgs 3yrs-1.5kgs

No Apprentice Allowance

1          Jet Dark                       58.5     130      A         Richard Fourie  Justin Snaith

2          Seeking The Stars         58.5     121      BA       Grant van Niekerk        Vaughan Marshall

3          Rainbow Bridge            60        134      A         Luke Ferraris    Eric Sands

4          Chimichuri Run 60        125      TBA     Raymond Danielson     Sean Tarry

5          Cirillo                           60        120      T A      Lyle Hewitson   Sean Tarry

6          Trip To Africa              60        114      BA       *Thabiso Gumede        Duncan Howells

7          Belgarion                      60        130      A         S’manga Khumalo        Justin Snaith

8          Sovereign Spirit            60        124      BA       Keagan de Melo           Candice Bass-Robinson

9          Catch Twentytwo         58.5     123      A         Gavin Lerena    Paul Peter

David Thiselton

The Paul Matchett-trained three-year-old Act Of War gelding Battle Force became the first bottom weight for 15 years to win the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Scottsville when just getting up under Craig Zackey to beat Eden Roc by 0,25 lengths and he is only the second horse in the merit rating era to win this handicap while racing under sufferance.

 The last bottom weight to win was also trained by Matchett, the Zimbabwean-bred three-year-old Muhtafal colt Let’s Rock’n Roll, who carried 50kg to victory at odds of 50/1 under Randall Simons in 2006, winning by a cosy 1,25 lengths.

However, Let’s Rock ‘N Roll had snuck into the handicap whereas Battle Force was officially 2.5kg under sufferance carrying 52kg off his 106 merit rating.

To put that in layman’s terms, if it had been a true long handicap Battle Force would have carried only 49.5kg, so was carrying 2.5kg more than he should have been.

There is a minimum weight rule in most parts of the world and in South Africa it was changed in recent times from 50kg to 52kg.    

The only previous horse in the merit rating era to have won the Golden Horse Sprint while under sufferance was the Charles Laird-trained Hinterland, who was 3kg under sufferance when carrying 50kg to victory as a three-year-old in 2002. He started at odds of 8/1 and won by the same 0,25 length margin that Battle Force did.

Battle Force is highly progressive and on Sunday proved himself ahead of the handicappers again.

He has now won his last six sprint starts, his only recent defeat being over 1400m.

He has duly been raised to a 113 merit rating.

Battle Force was initially fancied in the betting at around 8/1 but drifted all the way out to 16/1.

Pulling a shoe probably aided the betting drift.

The start was delayed for a long time by the re-shoeing process and it was eventually announced he would race unshod behind.

Owner Roy Wentzel said afterwards, “Paul, to his credit, knows the horse well and suggested he run without the shoes.”  

Nevertheless, his supporters’ confidence must have dropped to a new level of pessimism.

However, Matchett was correct and the rangy bay strode out well throughout from his Standside 16 draw and ran all the way to the line.

It was Matchett’s third Grade 1 win at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in all as he also won the Allan Robertson Championship with Brave Mary in 2017.

Zackey has to be given a lot of credit for Sunday’s win as he had to shed 5kg in a week to make the weight.

It has been a halcyon week for all of Matchett, owners Roy Wentzel and Rose Waterman-Wentzel and sire Act Of War.

Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara heroine War Of Athena had won the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 for Matchett and the Wentzels just eight days earlier.

Fittingly, Battle Force carries Roy’s colours (yellow, green maltese cross, white sleeves, gold and green quartered cap), because War Of Athena carries Rose’s colours (Pale pink, black stars and collar, white sleeves, black stars, black cap, white star).

Summerhill Stud-based sire Act Of War now has two Grade 1 winners in his first crop. He has a good 41.3% winners to runners ratio and his AEPR (average earnings per runner) of R76,997 is the highest of the top 50 sires on the SA national log.

Battle Force was another horse who “spoke to” Rose Waterman-Wentzel at the Sales. She and Roy duly purchased him for R130,000 at the KZN Yearling Sale.

Both War Of Athena and Battle Force were bred by Summerhill Stud.