David Thiselton

Twice South African champion jockey and New Zealand reigning champion jockey Warren Kennedy is arriving in South Africa this weekend three weeks before the Hollywoodbets Durban July and is seeking a ride in the big race.

He has apparently received offers already and will be choosing his best option.

Kennedy has never won the July before but regards his third place finish on the notoriously difficult Mike de Kock-trained 100/1 shot Forest Path in the 2009 July as one of his career best rides.

His first ride in the July was in 2004 on the unplaced 100/1 shot Cousin John.

His best finish other than his third place in 2009 was fourth on the Glen Kotzen-trained Eyes Wide Open in 2019.

Kennedy was SA champion jockey in the 2019/2020 season and the 2021/2022 season with 209 and 263 wins respectively.

Winning a championship in your home country is one thing, but to do it in a foreign country in your first full season there is an extraordinary feat and that is what Warren managed in New Zealand in a gruelling but memorable 2023/2024 season, in which he had 140 wins in 849 rides for a strike rate of one every 6.06 rides or in South Africa terminology 16.9%.

His season included a memorable seven-timer, which is a New Zealand record. 

Kennedy relocated to New Zealand in October 2022 and his seven-timer happened in a major ten-race meeting at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day 2024. It beat the previous single day record of six by Lance O’Sullivan, who was the co-trainer of three of Kennedy’s winning rides. Kennedy, who was booked on nine horses, partnered four of the first five winners of the day, which included two Gr 2 successes and he completed a hat-trick in races six, seven and eight, including the first Gr 1 race of 2024, the Railway Stakes aboard Waitak.

Kennedy was involved in an intense tussle for the title last season with the reigning champion Michael McNab. An untimely injury to the latter saw Warren ultimately pulling clear to win by 16.

The New Zealand press were high in their praise.

“To move to New Zealand as a total unknown here and win the premiership inside two years defies belief and McNab can take comfort he has conceded his title to a horseman of rare talent and drive,” wrote journalist Michael Guerin in the New Zealand Herald. “He (Kennedy) has been equal parts magnificent in the saddle, professional out of it and robotic in his determination to add the New Zealand jockey’s title to the two premierships he won in his native South Africa.”

Other records Warren set besides the seven in a day was becoming the first jockey to ever surpass NZ$5 million in stakes earnings in one New Zealand season and he might well have been the first foreign rider to win the title.

He said chasing the premiership had actually required more travel and had been just as taxing on him as it had been in South Africa.

He said towards the end of last season, “In SA you just fly into the major centres and you’re just about on course. But In New Zealand to get to some courses requires a two hour flight and a three hour drive. There are some pretty remote race courses and it’s quite a mission to get there, so it’s been very, very busy, really a lot of travelling.

Warren’s focus changed this season as his wife Barbara, former Summerveld assistant trainer to Dean Kannemeyer, took out her training license last season and he helps out as much as he can at the yard in addition to his other riding commitments.

This season Barbara has had ten wins in just 71 outings, a fine strike rate of 14.08%. She looks set to win more support at that rate.

Warren is likely to ride in meetings out here before the July, although he did not speak of that chance. 

Andrew Harrison

Punters face another testing card on the poly track at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and hopefully the gale force winds have subsided.

Alyson Wright has a basket-full of runners as she bids for the KZN Champion Trainer title. On 33 winner’s so far this season, she currently trails log leader Garth Puller by five and Gareth van Zyl by four in what will be another tight race for the championship.

That said, her runners face some difficult opposition but she can get her ship sailing in the first leg of the Bi-Pot but may first have to get past Fanie Bronkhorst’s raider Time Will Tell who has been knocking on the door for some time now. She goes well over this trip and has first time blinkers. Wright saddles three lively runners, best of which could be Captain Clever who was much improved when having his first run back after a lengthy break. He was on the poly from a wide draw and now gets 4kg relief from the saddle. Stable companion Gorgeous Bomb was a close-up second over course and distance and has yet to run a bad race. She gets the services of stable rider Athandiwe Mgudlwa. Gareth van Zyl saddles KMV Retrofit who has the widest draw but has shown up well at her last two and can feature. 

In the opening leg of the PA Cherry Oh Baby had excuses last run but has been costly to follow. She gets first time blinkers and may be worth one more chance. However, she could find herself in the shallow end of the purse again. Lemon Thyme was second best last run but was narrowly beaten at her penultimate start.  Andre Nel looks to have her primed for this. Fascination has not been too far back in her two outings to date and the step up in trip could make her a threat. 

The first leg of the Pick 6 French Flame made a promising start on the poly last time out and has improved at his last two. He gets first time blinkers and could get the better of Kitchical who has been struggling for his next win but is never far back. He is course and distance suited with a plum draw. 

The fifth is an open handicap but Azaleas For All has shown up well in her last two and was a beaten favourite last time out. Gavin Lerena is back in the saddle and this trip suits. Garry Rich saddles English Primrose who just needed her last outing. She has a light weight and is back over her optimum trip. Qondanekukhanyeni has improved with each outing of late and was touched off last run. A repeat will see her in the money while Grand Slam has the best of the draw and was not far back to stronger last time out. 

In the sixth, Numzaan has a big weight but Serino Moodley is back in the irons and he has a strong chance. Gripen was a beaten favourite in his local debut behind White Seahorse but is still a maiden. He makes his poly debut but does look good enough to go close in this company. Dawn Surprise has consistent form over shorter but may now prefer this extended trip while Viva De Janeiro  has been dropping in the handicap but has consistent Highveld form. The switch to poly could bring out the best. 

Dean Kannemeyer’s runner Uzwano was hiked six points in the handicap for his latest victory over course and distance but is lightly raced. He is possibly still under the handicappers radar and could solve the problem of the seventh.  Stable companion Gurkha took a walk in the market last run but did have a wide draw and did not get the rub of the green in the race. He can do better here. Shoefella has joint top weight and a wide draw to contend with but has done well against stronger and should feature. 

Wright will be hoping that the consistent Ultra Quick can get her closer to the log leaders. He has been consistent at recent outings on the turf and the rejuvenated poly should suit. He could be the pick of Alyson Wright’s two runners. Clinton Binda also saddles a pair with similar form. Prized Platinum has shown up well in KZN and could prove the pick although Kabelo Matsunyane stays with Mariarchi Madness. Hippocrates has a big weight but is a poly specialist and jumps from a plum gate while Fate Of Fortune comes off a lengthy break but has solid poly form and is one to watch in the market. 

In the last, Coming In Hot ran way below form at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last run after showing solid Highveld form. The switch to first time poly could bring out the best in the six-year-old. Gorgeous Guy has been close-up in all of his recent starts. He goes well this trip and the poly should suit. Super Fast goes well this trip and shows good form in blinkers. He gets on well with his apprentice rider and from a good draw he should be right there again. 

RACE 1

4 NOTHING COOLER   6 FLYING SOUTH   5 RACEWAY   3 MOSCOW MISS

Summary: NOTHING COOLER (4) raced green in a fair debut at long odds. She is likely to come on from that run and meets little of note. FLYING SOUTH (6) comes from a very much in form stable. She was a well beaten third last run but may just have needed it. MOSCOW MISS (3) finish a neck ahead of Flying South when last they met but the 4kg claimer has been replaced by Andrew Fortune. RACEWAY (5) disappointed last run after a much improved previous effort. Any market support must be respected. (Andrew Harrison: 4-6-5-3).

RACE 2

2 TIME WILL TELL   8 CAPTAIN CLEVER   1 GORGEOUS BOMB   10 KMV RETROFIT

Summary: Visiting TIME WILL TELL (2) has been knocking on the door for some time now. She goes well over this trip and has first time blinkers. Alyson Wright has three lively runners, best of which could be CAPTAIN CLEVER (8) he was much improved when having his first run back after a lengthy break. He was on the poly from a wide draw and now gets 4kg relief from the saddle. Stable companion GORGEOUS BOMB (1) was a close-up second over course and distance and has yet to run a bad race. She gets the services of stable rider Athandiwe Mgudlwa. KMV RETROFIT (10) has the widest draw but has shown up well at her last two and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-1-10).

RACE 3

6 LEMON THYME  4 CHERRY HO BABY   2 FACINATION   5 CONCORDIA

Summary: LEMON THYME (6) was second best last run but was narrowly beaten at her penultimate start.  She looks primed for this. CHERRY OH BABY (4) had excuses last run but has been costly to follow. She gets first time blinkers and may be worth one more chance. FASCINATION (2) has not been too far back in her two outings to date. The step up in trip should suit. Visiting CONCORDIA (5) has modest form to date but has found market support in the past. She gets first time blinkers and can surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-2-5).

RACE 4

3 FRENCH FLAME   2 KITCHAKAL   5 CHINABERRY   6 SAVANTRIX

Summary: FRENCH FLAME (3) made a promising start on the poly last time out and has improved at his last two. He gets first time blinkers. KITCHAKAL (2) has been struggling for his next win but is never far back. He is course and distance suited with a plum draw. CHINABERRY (5) improved last run on the poly and was not far back from a wide gate. SAVANTRIX (6) may just have needed his last run. He is back on the poly over his optimum trip. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-5-6).

RACE 5

4 AZALEAS FOR ALL   3 ENGLISH PRIMROSE   9 QONDANEKUKHANYENI   1 GRAND OCCASION

Summary: Open handicap. AZALEAS FOR ALL (4) has shown up well in her last two and was a beaten favourite last time out. Gavin Lerena is back in the saddle and this trip suits. ENGLISH PRIMROSE (3) just needed her last outing. She has a lightly weight and is back over her optimum trip. QONDANEKUKHANYENI (9) has improved with each outing of late and was touched off last run. A repeat will see her in the money. GRAND OCCASION (1) has the best of the draw and was not far back to stronger last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-9-1).

RACE 6

7 NUMZAAN   8 GRIPEN   9 DAWN SURPRISE   2 VIVA DE JANEIRO

Summary: NUMZAAN (7) has a big weight but Serino Moodley is back in the irons and he has a strong chance. GRIPEN (8) was a beaten favourite in his local debut behind White Seahorse. He is still a maiden and makes his poly debut but does look good enough to go close again. DAWN SURPRISE (9) has consistent form over shorter but may now prefer this extended trip. VIVA DE JANEIRO (2) has been dropping in the handicap but has consistent Highveld form. The switch to poly could bring out the best. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-9-2).

RACE 7

1 UZWANO    5 GURKHA   10 SHEFELLA   4 OUR LADY FATE

Summary: UZWANO (1) was hiked six points in the handicap for his latest victory over course and distance. He is lightly raced and possibly still under the handicappers radar. Stable companion GURKHA (4) took a walk in the market last run but did have a wide draw and did not get the rub of the green in the race. He can do better here. SHOEFELLA (10) has joint top weight and a wide draw to contend with but has done well against stronger and should feature. OUR LADY FATE (4) takes on males but possibly just needed her last run. She has good form on the poly and is lightly raced. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-10-4).

RACE 8 

7 ULTRA QUICK   5 PIZED PLATINUM   3 HIPPOCRATES   4 MARIACHI MADNESS

Summary: Tough handicap. ULTRA QUICK (7) has been consistent at recent outings on the turf. The rejuvenated poly should suit and he could be the pick of Alyson Wright’s runners. Clinton Binda saddles a pair, but with similar form. PRIZED PLATINUM (5) has shown up well in KZN and could prove the pick although Kabelo Matsunyane stays with MARIACHI MADNESS (4). HIPPOCRATES (3) has a big weight but is a poly specialist and jumps from a plum gate. FATE OF FORTUNE (2) comes off a lengthy break but has solid poly form. One to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 7-5-3-4).

RACE 9

5 COMING IN HOT   8 GORGEOUS GUY   2 SUPER FAST   4 PREEMPTIVE STRIKE

Summary: COMING IN HOT (5) ran way below form at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last run after showing solid Highveld form. The switch to first time poly could bring out the best in the six-year-old. GORGEOUS GUY (8) has been close-up in all of his recent starts. He goes well this trip and the poly should suit. SUPER FAST (2) goes well this trip and shows good form in blinkers. He gets on well with his apprentice rider and from a good draw he should be right there again. Veteran PREEMPTIVE STRIKE (4) is always dangerous on the poly and can feature at best. (Andrew Harrison: 5-8-2-4).

Durban – The outcome of the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday and the Grade 3 4Racing Jubilee Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein on Sunday resulted in their respective winners, Madison Valley and Immediate Edge, being promoted into the top twenty on the 2nd Hollywoodbets Durban July Log as issued by Race Coast earlier today. On My Honour who was an eye-catching third in the Cup Trial is another new introduction at 16, while the East Cape star My Best Shot, who reeled off his sixth consecutive victory at Fairview on Friday, finds himself at 17. Sail The Seas, Cousin Casey, Fiery Pegasus, Spumante Dolce, Wild Intent and Pacaya all featured when the first log was published on 14 May, but were subsequently scratched, paving the way for others to make the cut. From the first to the second log there has been very little movement in the top half of the field, with Eight On Eighteen, Oriental Charm, See It Again and Royal Victory occupying the top four positions.  At the time of yesterday’s second declarations, 29 horses remained in contention for a berth in the final field for the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday 5 July. The top twenty are listed below in order of preference, with the balance listed in alphabetical order. Final supplementary entries close on Tuesday 17 June after which the weights will be published by the National Horseracing Authority.   Final declarations fall due on Monday 23 June and the field of eighteen runners, with two reserves, will be revealed on Tuesday 24 June when the draw for barrier positions will also take place. The traditional “July” public gallops will take place at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Thursday 26 June, commencing at 07:00 and all are welcome to attend.  Hollywoodbets DURBAN JULY (Grade 1)Log as at 10 June 2025 1. EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (3C) Justin Snaith 129 2. ORIENTAL CHARM (4C) James Crawford 127 3. SEE IT AGAIN (5G) Michael Roberts 127 4. ROYAL VICTORY (5G) Nathan Kotzen 125 5. CONFEDERATE (3G) Fabian Habib 118 6. GLADATORIAN (5G) Stuart Ferrie 127 7. PURPLE PITCHER (4C) Robyn Klaasen 122 8. ATTICUS FINCH (5G) Alec Laird 121 9. SELUKWE (5G) Andre Nel 111 10. THE REAL PRINCE (4G) Dean Kannemeyer 120 11. OKAVANGO (3G) Justin Snaith 120 12. NATIVE RULER (3G) Justin Snaith 119 13. LEGEND OF ARTHUR (3C) Sean Tarry 117 14. IMMEDIATE EDGE (3G) Mike / Mathew de Kock 108 15. MADISON VALLEY (4G) Frank Robinson 115 16. ON MY HONOUR (3G) Glen Kotzen 116 17. MY BEST SHOT (3G) Alan Greeff 116 18. FUTURE SWING (5G) Justin Snaith 117 19. MUCHO DINERO (5G) Justin Snaith 115 20. POMODORO’S JET (6G) James Crawford 118 Next 9 in Alphabetical Order  BEATING WINGS (4F) Stuart Pettigrew 113  HOLDING THUMBS (4G) Glen Kotzen 107  JOY AND PEACE (4F) Alan Greeff 110  LITIGATION (6G) Sean Tarry 113  MAGIC VERSE (4G) Justin Snaith 113  RAINBOW LORIKEET (4F) Candice Bass-Robinson 111  SON OF RAJ (5G) Tony Peter 119  THE EQUATOR (IRE) (4C) Tony Peter 110  THUNEE PLAYA (4C) Mano Pandaram 104  Final Supp Entries:11:00 Tuesday 17 June 2025 Weights Published:Tuesday 17 June 2025 Final Declaration:11:00 Monday 23 June 2025 Final Field and Draw Announcement: Tuesday 24 June 2025 Gallops: Thursday 26 June 2025