David Thiselton

The Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops attracted a huge crowd and an upbeat one too with Bafana Bafana having lifted the spirits of the nation a couple of hours earlier.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July runners were all turned out in immaculate condition but opinions varied on which of them had put in the best gallops.

The topweight Legal Counsel got the ball rolling under Callan Murray and put in a nice relaxed gallop and stretched out nicely in the straight. Murray said the son of Legislate had “picked up sharply for a big boy” and he added he was excited going into the race.

Gladatorian was next out and stood stock still at the 1400m mark and surveyed his surrounds, which is always the sign of a horse who is full of well-being. He then let himself down beautifully throughout the gallop. Muzi Yeni described him as going so well it felt as if he was floating and said his quality was akin to “Ronaldo on the pitch”. He jumps from a better draw this year than last and has enjoyed a fine preparation. Gladatorian has to be hugely respected despite having to carry 61,5kg.

Viva’s Liberte strode out well, but the question was whether he did too much. He does tend to take a strong hold in his races and consequently draw three is perfect for him as he should find cover. If he does settle better than normal he will be a runner as he is 4kg better off with the favourite Star Major for a four length beating.

The Ultimate King worked on the Highveld and impressed with his big stride as he drew away from his companion.

I Salute You jumped from the 1400m mark with Richard Fourie up and galloped resolutely in a nice relaxed manner. He let himself down beautifully and threw his front feet out well. Zeitz is fancied by a few but I Salute You is actually weighted to beat him on the weight turnaround from the Betgames Cup Trial.

On the Highveld the favourite Star Major put up a workout over 1000m under big race rider Mickaelle Michel and picked his legs up nicely in a pleasing gallop.

Isivivane relaxed well in his gallop under big race rider Sean Veale and quickened superbly at the top of the straight. He impressed in the straight and put in a quick 400m to finish time.

Regulation, with Tristan Godden up,  strode out well throughout but didn’t give much away. Trainer Justin Snaith mentioned afterwards the breathing issues this horse has, but said he had sounded fine today.

On the Highveld Hazy Dazy stretched out well on a gallop on the sand under big race rider Trent Mayhew.

Note To Self looked to be in fine fettle and used his big action well throughout while looking nice and relaxed. His big race rider Richard Fourie said afterwards this horse was no longer a “big puppy” and was now “a proper horse who had woken up and was in the right space.” He made him a big runner at the weights, considering he had come on from the Daily News 2000 and was 2kg better off with Star Major for a three length beating.

On the Highveld Olivia’s Way strode out well on the grass under Blaine Marx-Jacobson, although she did seem to held her head slightly to the left hand side.

Minogue strode out impressively on the grass on the Highveld in what was one of the most eye-catching gallops of the day.

Native Ruler strode out well and quickened well in the straight although he did have his normal relatively high head carriage with the head held to the left hand side.

Aladdin’s Lamp caught the eye with his effortlessly big stride in a workout on the sand on the Highveld.

Wish List worked under big race rider Andrew Fortune with companion Kubu and moved well before quickening nicely at the top of the straight. Fortune said later, “She couldn’t blow out a candle and she just does it so easily.”

Zeitz worked with stable companion Ice Rain and strode out well before quickening well and putting in a good finish under big race rider Serino Moodley. Later Moodley said the striking grey was “spot on” and added he wished the race was this weekend.

The first reserve runner Choisanaada stretched out superbly in an eye-catching grass workout on the Highveld.

King Pelles was ridden by Nicolas Patel and sat behind stable companion Dubai Dude before turning it on nicely in the straight and galloping al the way to the line.

Mocha Blend put in a fine gallop with stable companion Son Of Raj and it put the cherry on the top of what looks to have been a fine preparation.

Second reserve Curious Girl was not asked to gallop having raced last Saturday.

July Fever could be felt on course and the build up from now on in to July the 4th will see it soaring in the race that grips the nation.

David Thiselton

The highest rated race at Turffontein Standside on Saturday is a MR96 Handicap over 2400m and it could be fought out by Corrupt and Bellerephon.

Corrupt has 4,70 lengths to make up on Bellerephon from their last meeting over this trip at the Vaal, but he now has his third run after a layoff and is now 3kg better off. He does have a tricky draw of five out of eight but can be dropped out in this small field as he is capable of a strong, resolute finish down the long Turffontein Standside straight.

Bellerephon ran on well last time when drawn widest of all in a seven horse field over course and distance. He didn’t have the best luck in running and can do better, so would not be a surprise winner.

One More Star is by One World and is a half-brother to Triple Crown winner Malmoos so will stay the trip and he has the advantage of Mickaelle Michel’s 1,5kg gender claim, although he does have to overcome draw eight of eight.

Those three make most appeal.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1160m Highwayman Harry has been knocking on the door and is the one to beat. Berry Lance is on the up and could be the main threat.

In the sixth race over 1400m Tracksuit Dave is in good form and from a good draw over a suitable trip should go close. Trombolines will enjoy the step up in trip but does have to overcome a wide draw. Quevano should be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw.

In the seventh over 1160m Precocious has good form and should be right there. Blizzard Snow ran a cracker last time and with a repeat will be a threat. A Bit Of Class has some class so is interesting put back over a sprint and should be running on.

In the eighth over 1160m Dad’s Dream will enjoy the drop back in trip and should go close. Play With The Wind has disappointed in her last two starts but with second time blinkers on she could bounce back. Cold Shine goes for a hattrick and off a three point higher mark could be in the shake up again.

In the ninth over 1160m Kia Kaha bounced back with a good win last time with first time cheekpieces and that might have done the trick as she has always struck as one with plenty of ability. She can follow up off a merit rating she can rise above. Pointer ran a cracker last time and with the draw bias not really noticeable down the straight anymore can go close from a low draw.

In the third race over 1160m Rendezvous In Rio is knocking hard and is the one to beat.

In the second over 1160m Perfect Sky should be right there.

In the first race the horse to beat is Gimme Some Luck who is unbeaten in two starts, including a Sales Cup, and looks to be a decent sort. Fierceness looks a decent sort too and should be right there and Catfish has a chance if he takes his place having run two days earlier.

RACE 1

FYFIELD LEGEND has been runner-up in six of his last seven starts. He deserves a winning turn and could like this longer distance. MAESTRO AZUL has been well beaten in both starts so far but can improve this course and distance. SILVA STREAKER showed improvement on the Polytrack and could be a threat to these rivals. TRICKLE CHARGE is likely to improve after a modest debut and does have Richard Fourie aboard. WEEKEND IN ASPEN makes a debut but could need this run. YOU’RE MY ANGEL is improving and might play a minor role.

RACE 2

A weak race. SATELLITE WORLD has been consistent without scoring but really does get an ideal opportunity to get a first win. TOTAL ERUPTION is unreliable but can earn some money. DEAD POETS SOCIETY has some fair recent form and could like this course and distance. STRAIGHT RED and PEEKABOO have shown some improvement and are not out of it. NIGHT IN JAPAN has shown improvement of late and could do even better for Richard Fourie. CAN WE START could improve and is also not out of it.

RACE 3

A small field but some decent sprinters. CRUISE CONTROL has won 5 from 7 over this particular course and distance so sets the standard. FAIRY KNIGHT is lethal over a bit further than this but would not be a surprise winner. ANUSCHKA’S WORLD is hat-trick seeking after some game wins and will not go down easily. CLIFF TOP has been at his very best on the Polytrack so his connections will be hoping for a switch to that surface. INSTAWORTHY and GALILEO STAR tackle tough opposition but might earn some minor money.

RACE 4

ZINOVI continues with his impressive form and has now won 6 of his last 8 starts. He was solid again on the Polytrack last time out but is just as good on the turf and should prove hard to beat. ZATARA MAGIC has ability but is returning from a break and is better over a bit further than this. LANCIAFIAMME has a victory over ZINOVI but that was on a soft track and he has a few losses to that rival as well. MR FOX showed improvement last time out and can contest the finish. BRENDAN JAMES and GLOBAL STATE need to find a few lengths to win but might earn some minor money.

RACE 5

A very open looking race and it might pay to go very wide in the Pick 6 in this leg. JOHNNY DRAMA is in good form and could be ready to score. ACTION AMERICA showed a return to form in his latest start and could have more to offer. QONDANEKUKHANYENI and IM THE BUZZ have both been consistent of late and are in with a winning chance. CHEERFUL CHARLIE B and PARDON ME are unreliable but capable of scoring. SILENT TRIGGER, MELA STRENGTH and BLACK PATH all return to the turf and could surprise.

RACE 6

Another very open race. VILA VICOSA may have needed his last two starts and should be a threat to these rivals with Muzi Yeni in the irons. CIAN THE CONQUEROR did not like the Polytrack last time out and could bounce back to score. STOKESY showed improvement last time and should have more to offer. CORAL CREEK is course and distance suited and looks the one to beat. HOODWINKED and AWAY WITH RED are others to include in large Pick 6 permutations.

RACE 7

The TAB Dahlia Plate (Listed) sees some promising juveniles. US RANGER put it all together with an impressive victory last time out. That was over this course and distance and it was the first time he has beaten rival MASTER MTOTO. Jockey Craig Zackey was aboard MASTER MTOTO for both of those wins and he did not ride him last time out so it should at least be interesting to see who gets the success this time. FIRST OFFICER is consistent but does usually finish behind both those rivals. VENTURA BOULEVARD was a wide margin winner on debut but did not repeat it when trying Group 1 company last time out.

RACE 8

A competitive last race. SLASH ‘N BURN (IRE) may have needed the experience on the Polytrack last time out. He has improved with blinkers on and could score. OVERTURE shows promise but may well be looking for further. RHYTHM is consistent and will not go down easily. RHYDIAN has looked unlucky not to have won both recent starts and should fight out the finish once again. POLICY OF TRUTH, BELCANTO DREAM and TIGER STORM all make their local debut after changing trainers and could improve. FLIGHT ENGINEER is a difficult ride but capable of earning some money.

Hollywoodbets Greyville Saturday 4 July 2026. Net Pick 6 Carryover R2 Million. Estimated Pool: R15 Million. Race 4 off at 13h40.

Hollywoodbets Greyville Saturday 4 July 2026. Net Quartet Carryover R1 Million. Estimated Pool: R10 Million. Race 7 off at 16h00.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Leicester and Newcastle (UK) – 25 June 2026.