Presenter selections Champions Day Sha Tin 28 April 2024
PUBLISHED: April 26, 2024
Paul Lally: R1 4-9-12-6 R2 7-8-6-1 R3 3-1-11-2 R4 4-13-5-8 R5 1-2-3-5 R6 13-1-10-7 R7 8-1-2-9 R8 1-4-11-2 R9 13-5-8-12 R10 8-5-2-3 Best Bet R4 N4 Circuit Fiery Longshot R7 N8 Elton Barows Play Race2 QQP 6-7-8 Tom Wood: R1: 7-12-6-11 R2: 3-7-2-1 R3: 1-3-2-14 R4: 4-5-2-1 R5: 1-3-6-5 R6: 1-10-13-3 R7: 1-9-2-5 R8: 1-11-4-2 […]
Paul Lally:
R1 4-9-12-6
R2 7-8-6-1
R3 3-1-11-2
R4 4-13-5-8
R5 1-2-3-5
R6 13-1-10-7
R7 8-1-2-9
R8 1-4-11-2
R9 13-5-8-12
R10 8-5-2-3
Best Bet R4 N4 Circuit Fiery
Longshot R7 N8 Elton Barows
Play Race2 QQP 6-7-8
Tom Wood:
R1: 7-12-6-11
R2: 3-7-2-1
R3: 1-3-2-14
R4: 4-5-2-1
R5: 1-3-6-5
R6: 1-10-13-3
R7: 1-9-2-5
R8: 1-11-4-2
R9: 6-2-3-8
R10: 7-3-2-6
BEST: R4 N4 CIRCUIT FIERY (WIN)
VALUE: R6 N1 BEAUTY CRESCENT (EW)
PLAY: R10 – QQP 2,3,7
Mark McNamara:
R1 – 6.7.3.8
R2 – 7.3.2.1
R3 – 1.2.3.11
R4 – 11.4.5.1
R5 – 3.1.2.8
R6 – 13.5.1.11
R7– 1.2.9.5
R8 – 1.11.4.2
R9 – 8.6.5.3
R10 -8.2.7.5
Best Bet R6 N13 Sunlight Power
Longshot R4 N11 Mission Voice
Play All Up Win R7 1 Golden Sixty
Win R8 1 Romantic Warrior
The Hong Kong Jockey Club |
The Wave Builds for Racing’s Superstars
PUBLISHED: April 24, 2024
The wave is building towards Saturday, 6 July! Winchester Mansion and See It Again, first and second in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, head the nominations for this year’s event. First entries closed on Monday and 58 of the cream of the county’s middle-distance gallopers have been entered for a crack at the R5 million […]
The wave is building towards Saturday, 6 July! Winchester Mansion and See It Again, first and second in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, head the nominations for this year’s event. First entries closed on Monday and 58 of the cream of the county’s middle-distance gallopers have been entered for a crack at the R5 million stakes purse in what is Africa’s greatest horseracing event.
The Michael Roberts-trained See It Again, touched off in last year’s race as a three-year-old, is the highest rated of the nominations and early ante-post favourite at 7/2 with the title sponsor, Hollywoodbets. All things going well, he will be back to go one better.
Brett Crawford has again entered Winchester Mansion (10/1) who was narrowly beaten in the recent Gr1 Champions Challenge and is likely to be up against his recent nemesis, Royal Victory (7/1). Nathan Kotzen’s gelding has been a revelation since being sent over ground and is sure to be among the fancied runners for this year’s event should he be in the final field.
Three trainers are responsible for nearly half of the entries headed by Sean Tarry with 10, Justin Snaith eight and Mike de Kock six.
Second highest rated of the Tarry entries is Lucky Lad (33/1), recent runner-up to Sandringham Summit in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes over the Turffontein mile but is yet to show that he stays the 2200m of the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Also among the Tarry entries is Mid Winter Wind (50/1), winner of his last four races but yet to race beyond 1400m and the R9 million yearling purchase, Celestial City (150/1), full brother to Hawwaam, who famously blew his chances by refusing to load when favourite for the July in 2019. The Tarry stable also has last year’s facile winner of the World Pool Gold Cup, Future Pearl (250/1) among his nominations.
Justin Snaith is likely to have another strong hand in the field with the likes of Royal Aussie, Without Question (25/1) and the three-year-olds Hluhluwe (66/1) and the feisty grey The Grey King (66/1) among his nominations.
Mike de Kock is a master at getting fillies primed for the big race and the hitherto unbeaten Gimme A Nother (7/1) heads his list of nominations. De Kock opted not to try for the final leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara, the Gr2 SA Oaks over 2450m, despite two comfortable victories in the first two legs.
The Oaks was won in commanding fashion by Frances Ethel (50/1) from My Soul Mate (66/1) and Silver Sanctuary (50/1), all three among the entries. Should both Frances Ethel and Winchester Mansion make the final field, last year’s winning jockey Kabelo Matsunyane, will need to choose between Brett Crawford’s runners.
Other standouts among the De Kock entries are Oaks third Silver Sanctuary and the promising sophomore Marauding Horde (66/1) who ran up a string of three consecutive victories before coming unstuck on the SA Derby although only beaten three lengths.
One of those heading the ante-post market on the sponsor’s book is Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby winner Green With Envy (7/1). Dean Kannemeyer is no stranger to the July winner’s podium having won the race three times, his first coming with the superstar Dynasty in 2003. Green With Envy came from almost last to motor past a high-class field in the Derby and stable rider Craig Zackey will be looking forward to the ride.
Robyn Klaasen will throw another curved ball the way of Matsunyane as he was aboard star three-year-old Purple Pitcher (16/1) who got the better of New Predator and the title chasing Richard Fourie in the Gr1 SA Derby and was also victorious in the Gr1 SA Classic where he beat hot favourite Sandringham Summit and William Iron Arm. Klaasen, who is a relatively new comer to the training ranks, has also entered Second Base (250/1) who did duty for her in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July in her first year as a trainer.
Tony Peter is having a terrific season and has entered Main Defender (25/1) and William Iron Arm (33/1). Main Defender is the second highest rated horse among the nominations behind See It Again but has yet to race beyond 1600m. However, he was an eye-catching winner of the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes beating the De Kock-trained Dave The King by over two lengths. Now with the Peters stable is former Gr1 SA Derby winner Son Of Raj (75/1) who was also a runner last year when trained by Weiho Marwing.
Fanie Bronkhorst will have his first runner in the race should SA Derby runner-up Pure Predator (33/1) make the line-up.
See It Again and Royal Victory will no doubt head the local challenge but Michael Miller has entered recent Listed Stakes winner Narina Trogon (200/1) along with Ancient World (200/1). Gareth van Zyl has entered Imilenzeyokududuma (100/1) who races in the yellow and purple silks of the Hollywood Syndicate, and Robbie Hill, a former winner of the race as a jockey aboard El Picha for Geoff Woodruff, will have his first runner in the race should Navajo Nation (200/1) make the final field. Encouraged by his recent victory over The Grey King has prompted Peter Muscutt to add Formagear (100/1) to the entry list.
Lorenzo Karriem has two entries in River Romeo (200/1) and Indian Ocean (250/1) with Tony Rivalland entering the filly Celtic Beauty (150/1) and MJ Odendaal the mare Danse Milord (250/1).
Soccer & Rugby Add-In & Carryovers – Friday 26,Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 April 2024
PUBLISHED: April 24, 2024
Soccer1 on Friday, 26 April 2024, C/Over R5000, Pool Closes at 20h00, Sport 22 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 15 000. Soccer4 on Friday, 26 April 2024, ADD-IN R 25 000, Pool Closes at 19h30, Sport 18 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 100 000. Soccer10 on Friday, 26 April 2024, C/Over R100 000, […]
Soccer1 on Friday, 26 April 2024, C/Over R5000, Pool Closes at 20h00, Sport 22 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 15 000.
Soccer4 on Friday, 26 April 2024, ADD-IN R 25 000, Pool Closes at 19h30, Sport 18 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 100 000.
Soccer10 on Friday, 26 April 2024, C/Over R100 000, Pool Closes at 19h30, Sport 12 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R2 Million.
Soccer1 on Saturday, 27 April 2024, C/Over R5000, Pool Closes at 21h00, Sport 20 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 15 000.
Soccer4 on Saturday, 27 April 2024, ADD-IN R 25 000, Pool Closes at 18h30, Sport 19 and Pool 3, Estimated Pool: R 100 000.
Soccer6 on Saturday, 27 April 2024, C/Over R 50 000, Pool Closes at 13h30, Sport 2 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 500 000.
Soccer10 on Saturday, 27 April 2024, C/Over R100 000, Pool Closes at 13h30, Sport 8 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R2 Million.
Soccer ANY 13Xtra on Saturday, 27 April 2024, C/Over R 150 000, Pool Closes at 13h30, Sport 13 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 500 000.
RUGBY 8 WIN MARGIN on Saturday, 27 April 2024, C/Over R 59 943. Pool Closes at 14h00 Sport 65
Soccer1 on Sunday, 28 April 2024, C/Over R5000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 21 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 15 000.
Soccer10 on Sunday, 28 April 2024, C/Over R100 000, Pool Closes at 14h00, Sport 7 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R2 Million.
Soccer13 Guaranteed Pool: R8 Million 13 of 13 on Sunday 28 April 2024 – Pool Closes at 14h15, Sport 11 Pool 1
The significance of the number four
PUBLISHED: April 23, 2024
David Thiselton The first big event of this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July happens tomorrow i.e. the announcement of the entries which were closed on Monday. Years ending with the number four have always seemed to attract dramatic or significant renewals of the great race. The first renewal ending in four was 1904 and the race […]
David Thiselton
The first big event of this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July happens tomorrow i.e. the announcement of the entries which were closed on Monday.
Years ending with the number four have always seemed to attract dramatic or significant renewals of the great race.
The first renewal ending in four was 1904 and the race was won by the biggest outsider up until then, the 33/1 shot Nymagee (Splendour), who was the first of four Australian-bred horses to have won the July. The others are Chere Amie in 1905, the great Igugu in 2011 and The Conglomerate in 2016. Nymagee was trained by W. Meredith, owned by S Brooks and ridden by W Clements. The 1904 renewal was the first to be run with the Drill Hall present. The land had been given to the trustees of the Durban Light Infantry regiment by the Durban Town Council in appreciation of their services in the Anglo Boer War and the complex was officially opened on May 24, 1904.
The 1914 renewal was run with war looming. New buildings on course included a new grandstand and offices, a Tote, a dining room below the secretary’s office and a weighing room and jockeys room in a separate building. However, a record crowd attended and the buildings, spacious for normal meetings, were quite inadequate to accommodate the crush. The race was won by the SA-bred three-year-old Rhanleigh, trained by WL Randall, owned by Sir G Farrar and ridden by R Dine. Rhanleigh Wines, which is still flourishing today, is named after the July winner.
In 1924 the winner Oriel, a British-bred five-year-old, was intermittently lame throughout his career and his trainer Ernie Ryan could often be seen in the early mornings at the track massaging his legs. It was this one of the most romantic victory’s in the history of the race as it was only due to Ryan’s exceptional care that the horse even got to the start let alone won. He was ridden by J Lievaux and owned by Messrs Deane and Hollis.
In 1934 the winner Sun Tor came in off the back of a layoff of 161 days and no horse since has come off a longer layoff to win the race. The British-bred five-year-old was trained by J Angles, owned by P Sussman and ridden by A Rugg.
In 1944 the winning jockey Harry Berry had a bad fall a few days before the race in which he broke a rib and sprained both thumbs and a wrist. He had finished second in the race in 1931 and 1934 and finally broke his duck by riding Moneith to victory, despite being in great pain. The winner was a British-bred seven-year-old trained by CB Clutterbuck and owned by A Wayne. He gave the British-based sire Montrose the first of four wins in the July, two of them being by Milesia Pride.
In 1954 Dennis Labistour trained his second July winner, three-year-old colt C’Est Si Bon, who was by the 1941 July winner Sadri II. He spoilt the hopes of many that the great King’s Pact would win, but the three-year-old filly’s welter burden of 54,5kg proved too much. Both of Labistour’s July winners were part-owned, together with himself, by writer Molly Reynolds, who later wrote a book about the July. Labistour’s other July claim to fame is he flew the aeroplane in 1931 that flew July spectators in from east London, the first known instance of people flying in to watch the big race.
In 1964 Numeral, trained by George Azzie and ridden by Raymond Rhodes, beat Top Gallant. The latter was a half-brother to the immortal Sea Cottage. Numeral was owned by the American businessman Charles Englehard, one of the world’s biggest owners whose horses included the great English Triple Crown winner Nijinsky and also the South African legend Hawaii.
The 1974 renewal was one of the most dramatic in history because the jockey of second favourite Jamaican Music, Tom Rattley, fell off between the start and the Drill Hall. The George Azzie-trained Riboville, despite odds of 20/1, remains the easiest winner in July history, winning by 4,5 lengths from rank outsider Pedlar. Riboville gave Dennis and Peggy Mosenthal an unexpected July winner at last after years of trying, including a controversial second by their horse Radlington in 1952. They had expected to win the 1974 July with the Azzie-trained favourite Elevation, who finished fourth.
In 1984 Terrance Millard had his second of six July winners with the English imported mare Devon Air, who was spotted by still active Durban bloodstock agent Andy Williams and purchased on behalf of the Scott Brothers Des and Robin. The powerful mare gave jockey Felix Coetzee the first of three July wins.
There was controversy in 1994 when Surfing Home veered across the likely winner Pas De Quoi twice in the straight. Surfing Home crossed the line first with Pas De Quoi only fifth, but the objection was upheld and the race was awarded to the Ricky Maingard-trained Space Walk, ridden by Robbie Fradd and owned by D Cohen and Sons. Maingard was the last KZN-based trainer to win the July.
The 2004 renewal coincided with ten years of democracy in SA and the number ten horse, Greys Inn, thus carried the South African flag on his saddle cloth. He duly won, giving trainer Mike de Kock a second of five July wins and jockey Antony Delpech a second of four July wins. Greys Inn was owned and bred by Bridget Oppenheimer, one of six July wins she had as an owner and one of five as a breeder (she owned and bred together with husband Harry until his passing in 2000).
The 2014 July was the first renewal on the narrowed track and a controversial objection saw trainer Justin Snaith landing his second of five July wins and Richard Fourie landing the first of three July victories. Legislate was the son of the great 2003 winner Dynasty and he was owned by Jack Mitchell, Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud and Gail and Dennis Evans of Newbury Racing.
The Independent On Saturday race day will get Champion Season off
PUBLISHED: April 22, 2024
The Independent on Saturday race day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 4 May will get South Africa’s Champion Season off to a cracking start judged by the quality of entries for the three feature races. The R500 000 Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes is one of the first warm-up races for the R5 Million […]
The Independent on Saturday race day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 4 May will get South Africa’s Champion Season off to a cracking start judged by the quality of entries for the three feature races.
The R500 000 Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes is one of the first warm-up races for the R5 Million Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and is supported by the R500 000 Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas and the R500 000 Gr2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas.
SplashOut Cape Derby winner Green With Envy and Highveld star, Sandringham Summit are both entered in the IOS Drill Halls Stakes but the pair have drawn wide which could see rather run in the Gr2 WSB Guineas where both have drawn better gates but will be up against recent Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner Main Defender. Should all three stand their ground in the Guineas it will make for a mouthwatering contest, a race not to be missed.
Also nominated in the Drill Hall is former Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and L’Ormarins Queens Plate winner Al Muthana. At My Command along with former Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes winner Cousin Casey are possible July contenders. Cousin Casey lost his way a little but is now showing signs of a return to his best form.
Standout in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas is recent Gr3 Umzimkulu Stakes and Gr3 Prix Du Cap winner Double Grand Slam who put up a cracking display in both races which will have the opposition pondering their chances should Justin Snaith’s filly stand her ground. But she faces course and distance winner Mrs Geriatrix who is showing signs of returning to her best form after finishing third in the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes behind the unbeaten Gimme A Nother. Rascova was third in the Umzimkulu Stakes and second to the star mare Princess Calla in the Gr1 Majorca Stakes, when beating Double Grand Slam. She should also improve on her KZN debut.
R 500,000 INDEPENDENT ON SATURDAY DRILL HALL STAKES (Grade 2)-1400m
Horses at Weight-For-Age + Penalties
WFA: 2yrs-11.0kgs 3yrs-2.0kgs
5 COSMIC HIGHWAY (5G) 58.5 121 Dean Kannemeyer
9 GLADATORIAN (4G) 58.5 120 Stuart Ferrie
4 MAIN DEFENDER (3G) 58.0 131 Tony Peter
17 SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (3C) 58.0 123 David Nieuwenhuizen
18 GREEN WITH ENVY (3C) 58.0 119 Dean Kannemeyer
15 AL MUTHANA (AUS) (6G) 57.0 125 Ricky Maingard
2 ROYAL AUSSIE (4G) 57.0 124 Justin Snaith
3 COUSIN CASEY (4C) 57.0 123 Sean Tarry
10 AT MY COMMAND (4G) 57.0 119 Brett Crawford
19 WATERBERRY LANE (5G) 57.0 112 Ricky Maingard
6 UNZEN (4G) 57.0 109 Robbie Sage
8 ITSRAININGWILLIAM (4G) 57.0 108 Justin Snaith
7 TEXAS RED (4G) 57.0 104 Robyn Klaasen
11 HUMDINGER (5M) 56.0 116 Mike de Kock
14 MID WINTER WIND (3G) 55.0 114 Sean Tarry
12 GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE (3G) 55.0 111 Mike de Kock
13 ZINOVI (3C) 55.0 108 Mike de Kock
1 TEFLON MAN (3C) 55.0 99 Dean Kannemeyer
16 WHITE PEARL (3F) 52.5 112 Mike de Kock
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R 500,000 WORLD SPORTS BETTING FILLIES GUINEAS (Grade 2)- 1600m
For 3 year-old Fillies
5 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (3F) 60.0 118 Justin Snaith
8 MRS GERIATRIX (3F) 60.0 115 H Sean Tarry
4 RASCOVA (3F) 60.0 115 Glen Kotzen
1 LET’S GO NOW (3F) 60.0 114 B Sean Tarry
2 WHITE PEARL (3F) 60.0 112 Mike de Kock
6 MINOGUE (3F) 60.0 102 Wendy Whitehead
9 SOLDIER’S EYE (3F) 60.0 98 Weiho Marwing
7 SOVEREIGN GRANT (3F) 60.0 98 Michael Miller
3 BOMBER GIRL (3F) 60.0 97 Michael Miller
12 CELTIC BEAUTY (3F) 60.0 94 Tony Rivalland
11 CEUTA (3F) 60.0 81 David Nieuwenhuizen
10 MISS PLATINA (3F) 60.0 75 Tienie Prinsloo
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R500 000 WORLD SPORTS BETTING GUINEAS (Grade 2)- 1600m
For 3 year-olds
5 MAIN DEFENDER (3G) 60.0 131 Tony Peter
6 SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (3C) 60.0 123 David Nieuwenhuizen
10 SNOW PILOT (3C) 60.0 120 Justin Snaith
8 GREEN WITH ENVY (3C) 60.0 119 Dean Kannemeyer
13 LUCKY LAD (3C) 60.0 119 Sean Tarry
11 MID WINTER WIND (3G) 60.0 114 Sean Tarry
1 ORIENTAL CHARM (3C) 60.0 113 Brett Crawford
4 GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE (3G) 60.0 111 Mike de Kock
2 HLUHLUWE (3G) 60.0 111 Justin Snaith
9 BARBARESCO (3G) 60.0 109 J A Janse van Vuur
3 ZINOVI (3C) 60.0 108 Mike de Kock
12 NAVAJO NATION (3G) 60.0 103 Robbie Hill
7 ANCIENT WORLD (3G) 60.0 92 Michael Miller
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