Andrew Harrison

A competitive card faces punters on the poly track at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and it all starts with a tricky maiden in the card opener.

Glen Kotzen’s Summerveld satellite yard has been a little quiet of late but that could all change with Greek Heiress who showed a return to form in her local debut. She is more than likely capable of improving on that effort and should at least be in the money again. Cape form has generally held up when starting out in KZN and Taylor’s Version makes her debut for Candice Bass’ assistant Terry Fripp. She has capable Cape form and any betting support must be respected. Sail The Horizon was a distant third over a sprint last time out. Garth Puller steps her up to a mile for the first time and De Melo stays aboard. Lilting Song was a touch unlucky last run when a beaten favourite when making her poly debut and can go one better. In the opening leg of the Bi-Pot Vaans Spirit improved nicely at her second start when going this trip on the poly. She should come on from that and De Melo stays with the ride for Dennis Bosch. Future Prospect made a promising poly debut after one warm-up on her arrival from the Cape. She is still lightly raced and can surprise Saudi Sweep has been consistent but costly to follow. She has the best of the draw and the extra furlong could see her home.

The Mask can get the PA off to a good start. He has been knocking on the door of late and can finally go one better. He goes well over course and distance and should put in another bold effort. Music Is Life is at home over the trip and was a beaten favourite last run. The poly may be a concern but he is seldom far back. Veteran Ibutho has been in mustard form and is hunting the 11^th win of his career. His recent form has been over a furlong further but he should still be competitive here.  Dondoyaki hails from the Highveld yard of Fanie Bronkhorst. Her recent form has been over further but it may be telling that Muzi Yeni stays aboard after a promising penultimate showing.

Sovereign Grant faces a tough task in the first leg of the Pick 6 after running way below best in the soft and first time blinkers last time out. She is back on the poly sans blinkers and should be right there if at her best. Convocation is always thereabouts of late and was running on well with first time blinkers last start. Her last win was on the poly. She meets Buttercup Baby on the same terms as their last meeting but Wendy Whitehead’s filly has drawn wide. Kythera makes her local debut after being rested. She is lightly raced but has some useful Cape form and one to watch in the betting.

In the fifth, Magical Sky has been in good form of late and her last win was over course and distance. She has a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard against modest company. Snow Queen is still a maiden and her local debut against stronger did not go well. However, she had some promising Highveld form prior to that which could be good enough to see her home in this field.

Ms Galore is back on the poly where she recorded her maiden win. She was making late progress in her handicap debut against stronger and should have a strong chance in this line-up. Sweeter Than Honey was touched off last run and with only 50,5kg to shoulder and a top rider aboard she should be the biggest danger. Sesame was not far back when making her local debut. She is hardly ever out of the money and must have a decent chance in this line-up.

In the seventh, Banzai Pipeline is way overdue his seventh win but his consistency has been his downfall as he rating has stayed steady. However, Garth Puller may have found the right race and back on the poly he should have a strong chance in this modest line-up. Takeyourbestshot was a recent maiden winner but had consistent poly form prior to that win and should make a bold showing in this company. Mohandas looks held by Banzai Pipeline on their last meeting but is in with a shout along with Chasing Gold who takes a slight drop in class and can feature in an open handicap.

In the eighth Opera Fan was not disgraced in good Highveld company last time out. If she takes to the poly a repeat of her last effort should see her close. Danger could be Pretty Kara who was a close-up third first run out of the maidens. She is down in class and Kable Matsunyane has diched regular mount Boom for the ride while Blue Poppy found her best form last outing finishing just ahead of Pretty Kara but is now 0.5kg worse off and the inference in obvious.

The last is a tough race to end the day. Rafiki is overdue but has consistent poly form. He should go close again. Pearl In Her Crown takes on males but has shown up well in two recent Highveld races without blinkers and the switch to the poly could see her close again. Run To Rio has been dropping in the ratings and has consistent form over course and distance but may need a further reduction for another win. Quinn’s Time returns from a break and over a better trip. He could be the surprise package off of his new rating.

1

3 GREEK HEIRESS   7 LILTING SONG   5 SAIL THE HORIZON   4 TAYLOR’S VERSION

Summary: Tricky. GREEK HEIRESS (3) showed a return to form in her first in her local debut. She is more than likely to improve on that effort and should be in the money again. Cape form has generally held up when starting out in KZN and TAYLOR’S VERSION (4) makes her debut for Terry Fripp. She has capable Cape form and any betting support must be respected. SAIL THE HORIZON (5) was a distant third over a sprint last time out. Garth Puller steps her up to a mile for the first time and De Melo stays aboard. LILTING SONG (7) was a touch unlucky last run when a beaten favourite and making her poly debut. She can go one better. (Andrew Harrison: 3-7-5-4).

2

2 VAANS SPIRIT   6 FUTURE PROSPECT   1 SAUDI SWEEP   8 ANNIE’S SONG

Summary: VAANS SPIRIT (2) improved nicely at her second start when going this trip on the poly. She should come on from that and De Melo stays with the ride. FUTURE PROSPECT (6) made a promising poly debut after one warm-up on her arrival from the Cape. She is still lightly raced and can surprise SAUDI SWEEP (1) has been consistent but costly to follow. She has the best of the draw and the extra furlong could see her home. ANNIE’S SONG (8) makes her poly debut. Her recent form has been in the soft and the change of surface could bring out the best. (Andrew Harrison: 2-6-1-8).

3

6 THE MASK   5 MUSIC IS LIFE   4 IBUTHO   1 DONDOYAKI

Summary: THE MASK (6) has been knocking on the door of late and can finally go one better. He goes well over course and distance and should put in another bold effort. MUSIC IS LIFE (5) is at home over the trip and was a beaten favourite last run. The poly may be a concern but he is seldom far back. IBUTHO (4) has been in mustard form in spite of his age and is hunting the 11^th win of his career. His recent form has been over a furlong further but he should still be competitive here.  DONDOYAKI (1) hails from the Highveld yard of Fanie Bronkhorst. He recent form has been over further but it may be telling that Muzi Yeni stays aboard after a promising penultimate showing. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-4-1).

4

6 SOVEREIGN GRANT   3 CONVERCATION   4 KYTHERA   8 BUTTERCUP BABY

Summary: SOVEREIGN GRANT (6) ran way below best in the soft and first time blinkers last time out. She is back on the poly sans blinkers and should be right there. CONVOCATION (3) is always thereabouts of late and was running on well with first time blinkers last start. He last win was on the poly. She meets BUTTERCUP BABY (8) on the same terms as their last meeting but Wendy Whitehead’s filly has drawn wide. KYTHERA (4) makes her local debut and has been rested. She is lightly raced but has some useful Cape form and one to watch in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 6-3-4-8).

5

6 MAGICAL SKY   5 SNOW QUEEN   7 AUSTRIAN BEAUTY   8 QUENTASIA

Summary: MAGICAL SKY (6) has been in good form of late and her last win was over course and distance. She has a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard against modest company. SNOW QUEEN (5) is still a maiden and her local debut against stronger did not go well. However, she had some promising Highveld form prior to that which could be good enough to she her home in this field. AUSTRIAN BEAUTY (7) has shown steady form since her maiden win and has dropped further down in the ratings and could now be off a more competitive mark. QUENTASIA (8) come from a very much in form stable and is better than her recent effort. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-7-8).

6

8 MS GALORE   2 SWEETER THAN HONEY   9 SESEME   7 CHICKASAW

Summary: MS GALORE (8) is back on the poly where she recorded her maiden win. She was making late progress in her handicap debut against stronger and should have a strong chance in this line-up. SWEETER THAN HONEY (2) was touched off last run and with only 50,5kg to shoulder and a top rider aboard she should be the biggest danger. SESEME (9) was not far back when making her local debut. She is hardly ever out of the money and must have a decent chance in this line-up. CHICKASAW (7) comes with modest Highveld form but the switch to poly could see her improve. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-9-7).

7

7 BANZAI PIPELINE   8 TAKEYOURBESTSHOT   1 MOHANDAS   5 CHASING GOLD

Summary: BANZAI PIPELINE (7) is way overdue his seventh win but his consistency has been his downfall as he rating has stayed steady. However, Garth Puller may have found the right race and back on the poly he should have a strong chance in this modest line-up. TAKEYORBESTSHOT (8) was a recent maiden winner but had consistent poly form prior to that win and should make a bold showing in this company. MOHANDAS (1) looks held by Banzai Pipeline on their last meeting but is in with a shout. CHASING GOLD (5) takes a slight drop in class and can feature in an open handicap. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-1-5).

8

2 OPERA FAN   3 PRETTY KARA   6 BLUE POPPY   4 BOOM BOOM

Summary:  OPERA FAN (2) was not disgraced in good Highveld company last time out. She takes to the poly for the first time but a repeat of her last effort should see her close. PRETTY KARA (3) was a close-up third first run out of the maidens. She is down in class here and Kable Matsunyane has diched regular mount BOOM BOOM (4) for the ride. BLUE POPPY (6) found her best form last outing finishing just ahead of Pretty Kara but is now 0.5kg worse off and the inference in obvious. (Andrew Harrison: 2-3-6-4).

9

9 RAFIKI   6 PEARL IN HER CROWN   10 QUINN’S TIME   8 RUN TO RIO

Summary: Tough race to end off the day. RAFIKI (9) is overdue and has consistent poly form. He should go close again. PEARL IN HER CROWN (6) takes on males but has shown up well in two recent Highveld races without blinkers and the switch to the poly could see her close again. RUN TO RIO (8) has been dropping in the ratings. He has consistent form over course and distance but may need a further reduction for another win. QUINN’S TIME (10) returns from a break and over a better trip. He could be the surprise package off of his new rating. (Andrew Harrison: 9-6-10-8).

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Chelmsford City and Wolverhampton (UK) – 7 March 2026

Soccer4 Sunday 8 March 2026. ADD-IN R25 000. Estimated Pool: R 100 000. Pool Closes at 18h00. Sport 19 Pool 2.

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!