Andrew Harrison

The battle for a place in this year’s R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July began in earnest on Wednesday with the announcement of the first 63 entries. Given the that first entry fee is a modest R2 500 there are plenty of connections willing to take their chances at this early stage.

That said, two of the early entries line up on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening, the three-year-old Count Of Rouen and Johnny The Thief although both may have to take a back seat in a competitive handicap where Dean Kannemeyer has two lively contenders in the Class 3 Handicap over 1900.

Kannemeyer sends out Continentalexpress and Uzwano. Continentalexpress is consistent but would probably be more effective over further and while Uzwano goes this trip for the first time his pedigree suggests that he should easily see it out and may be the pick of the pair with Hollywood Racing’s Sean Veale in the irons.

Peter Muscutt sends out Count Of Rouen who was in need of his last run. As a Hollywoodbets Durban July entry he will need to put in a forward showing. Go Grayson Go is the likely pacemaker. He has been caught late at his last two over 1950m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and may just last over this 50m shorter. Mohave Prince is unbeaten in two since the blinkers were added, has a handy weight helped by Rachel Venniker’s allowance.

MJ Odendaal has always held Johnny The Thief in high regard and he was running on well over a distance well short of his best last time out. Only time will tell whether his is good enough to make the July field.

Punters face a competitive field from the first race where most are first timers so the betting should prove your best guide.

The second could rest between Peace Rose and Peach Melba although Emerald Forge makes her local debut and has been expensive to follow on the Highveld where she has started favourite on numerous occasions only to disappoint but must have shown some ability.

Kiartay and Bison Warrior could suffice in the first leg of the PA. Kiartay made a smart debut before taking on winners in a feature next time out, both runs at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He has the best of the draw in his first outing for Tienie Prinsloo. Bison Warrior was run out of it late last run and the step up in trip with some experience under his girth should see him close again.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Bai Yulu made a smart debut at long odds for Mike and Mathew de Kock. She is bred to stay this trip and any improvement can see her home. Gold Gold Baby has some promising Western Cape form and meets little of note in this line-up and is the one to beat. Surprise could come in the form of Flickering Light who showed signs of coming to hand  when stepped up to 1600m last run. This trip should suit.

Tough handicaps follow. In the fifth, Tobacconist has come well at his last two and is over his ideal trip and Veale stays with the ride in preference to top weight Trois Quatre. Stuart Ferrie’s filly Hodge Podge is in cracking form and she followed up two close-up finishes behind subsequent Gr2 SA Derby winner Curious Girl with a comfortable victory over Fine Wine who has since gone on to frank that form. Of the balance I’m Invictus won well second time of asking when tried in blinkers. He has a handy weight and looks promising. Leading rider Craig Zackey takes the ride on My Boy Lollipop who has no recent form over shorter. The step up in trip and jockey booking could be a pointer.

In the seventh, Silver Salute was a comfortable winner over course and distance in her local debut. She only got a three-point raise in the handicap and can follow up. Blue Poppy was well beaten by Silver Salute when last they met but it was a below par performance from a wide draw. She should finish closer. Grand Occasion has been in mustard form of late and won well from a tricky draw when beating Blue Poppy last time out. Michaelle Michel’s 1.5kg allowance offsets her rating increase and she can confirm that result. West Side Story showed some improvement when going a mile again. She has a light weight and has an upset chance.

The eighth is a wide open handicap but Tyroconnell  has been knocking at the door of late in useful company. He has no weight on his back and gets cheek pieces again which can see him go one better. Queue Wing is a veteran with 48kg to shoulder from a good draw. Judged by jockey bookings Green Glow would look to be Kannemeyer’s second string but Serino Moodley was aboard when shedding his maiden and the gelding is way better than his last effort. Stable companion Kanaal Skater s better than his last run from a wide draw and has a winning chance on his penultimate showing while Sundance Kid has been runner-up at his last three but all have come on the poly which is a concern.

The last is another tricky handicap but Take Your Place has shown up well in two recent outings against speedy opposition. She gets a three-point relief in the handicap that should see her competitive in another wide open race. Call Of The Karoo was a beaten favourite last start when taking on stronger. She has top weight but also a stronger rider aboard. Amafort is unbeaten in two with blinkers and a useful 4kg apprentice aboard and has a hattrick chance.

RACE 1

Summary: Mostly first timers so the betting should prove your best guide. Of those that have run, Doug Campbell has one on each side of the barrier. SEI BELLA (1) gets the services of Andrew Fortune and first time cheek pieces. She has improved with every outing. WILLOW VALLI     (11) was much improved at her third run and the experience should hold her in good stead. Of the unraced runners, PALACE OF ARVERNIA (9) and DEBBY HARRY (8) strike as precocious.

RACE 2

Summary: PEACE ROSE (4) has shown ability and was not far back in her first start after a break. She should go will in this line-up. PEACH MELBA (7) was disappointing last run after a smart previous showing.  Her best runs have been in the soft. EMERALD FORGE (3) makes her local debut. She has started favourite on numerous occasions on the Highveld so must have shown some ability. TIPPERARY (2) is struggling but is seldom far back and cannot be ignored.

RACE 3

Summary: KIARTAY (1) made a smart debut before taking on winners in a feature next time out, both runs at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He has the best of the draw in his first outing for Tienie Prinsloo. BISON WARRIOR (6) was run out of it late last run and the step up in trip with some experience under his girth should see him close again. PRIZED POSSESSION (10) was well supported in the market on debut and showed up well on soft ground. He has a wide draw but likely to improve.  DOG SOLDIER (7) is a good looker. Gelded after running on ‘five legs’ on debut and can improve.

RACE 4

Summary: BAI YULU (3) made a smart debut at long odds. She is bred to stay this trip and any improvement can see her home. GOLD GOLD BABY (1) has some promising Western Cape form and meets little of note in this line-up. She is the one to beat. FLICKERING LIGHT (7) showed signs of coming to hand  when stepped up to 1600m last run. The trip should suit. CALI BULLET (11) has shown some recent improvement and has shown that she stays the trip.

RACE 5

Summary: Tricky handicap. TOBACCONIST (3) has come well at his last two and is over his ideal trip. Veale stays with the ride in preference to top weight TROIS TROIS QUATRE (13). The filly HODGEPODGE (4) is in cracking form. She followed up two close-up finishes behind subsequent Gr2 SA Derby winner Curious Girl with a comfortable victory over Fine Wine who has since gone on to frank that form. I’M INVICTUS (12) won well second time of asking when tried in blinkers. He has a handy weight and looks promising. Leading rider Craig Zackey takes the ride on MY BOY LOLLIPOP (5) who has no recent form over shorter. The step up in trip and jockey booking could be a pointer.

RACE 6

Summary: Competitive handicap. Dean Kannemeyer has two lively chances in CONTINENTALEXPRESS (3) and UZWANO (11). Continentalexpress is consistent but would probably be more effective over further. Uzwano goes this trip for the first time but his pedigree suggests that he should easily see it out. COUNT OF ROUEN (4) was in need of his last run. He is a Hollywoodbets Durban July entry and will need to put in a forward showing. GO GRAYSON GO (6) is the likely pacemaker. He has been caught late at his last two. MOHAVE ROICE (9) is unbeaten in two since the blinkers were added. He has a handy weight helped by Rachel Venniker’s allowance.

RACE 7

Summary:  SILVER SALUTE (4) was a comfortable winner over course and distance in her local debut. She only got a three-point raise in the handicap and can follow up. BLUE POPPY (1) was well beaten by Silver Salute when last they met but was a below par performance from a wide draw. She should finish closer. GRAND OCCASION (2) has been in mustard form of late and won well from a tricky draw when beating Blue Poppy last time out. Michaelle Michel’s 1.5kg allowance offsets her rating increase and she can confirm that result. WEST SIDE STORY (5) showed some improvement when going a mile again. She has a light weight and has an upset chance.

RACE 8

Summary: Wide open handicap. TYRCONNELL (3) has been knocking at the door of late in useful company. He has no weight on his back and gets cheek pieces again which can see him go one better. QUEUE WING (2) is a veteran with 48kg to shoulder from a good draw. Judged by jockey bookings GREEN GLOW (5) would look to be Dean Kannemeyer’s second string but Serino Moodley was aboard when shedding his maiden and he is way better than his last effort. Stable companion KANAAL SKATER (10) is better than his last run from a wide draw and has a winning chance on his penultimate showing. SUNDANCE KID (4) has been runner-up at his last three but all have come on the poly which is a concern.

RACE 9

Summary: Competitive handicap. TAKE YOUR PLACE (4) has shown up well in two recent outings against speedy opposition. She gets a three-point relief in the handicap that should see her competitive in another tricky race. CALL OF THE KAROO (8) was a beaten favourite last start when taking on stronger. She has top weight but also a stronger rider aboard. AMAFORT (2) is unbeaten in two with blinkers and a useful 4kg apprentice aboard. She has a hattrick chance. BLIND SPEED  (7) is back to a sprint  which may turn out to be her preferred trip.

RACE 1

A small field for this opening event. CASPERITA impressed in her debut victory. She did not repeat that when travelling to the Western Cape for her second run but can bounce back and thrash these rivals. It is her first taste of the Polytrack, however. OBSIDIAN STAR has shown promise in her two starts and beat a good filly last time out so could be the threat if there is to be one to CASPERITA. FLEET RETURN makes his debut for a trainer that has had juvenile winners. THE JUDGE was not disgraced on debut but flopped second time out.

RACE 2

A competitive-looking race as there are a number of them making their local debuts and trying the Polytrack. HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE did not show her best last time out but was not disgraced in her two starts before that and would not be a surprise winner. AURELIAN can improve on local debut and trying this surface. DELAROCHE and ENGELANDPARK are better than their last runs on the turf and are better on the Polytrack so must be respected for that. LOOKING GOOD showed improvement last time out and has a place chance. LOVELY DANCER has made the trip from the Western Cape so must be considered.

RACE 3

MAKE BELIEVE has shown promise so far and can go one place better. JET SET RUN is very speedy and was not beaten far behind some talented sprinters last time out. Trainer Alan Greeff also has a decent hand in this race. HAPPY WIVES and SWEET JULIA both like this course and distance and have claims but it is DETAILED FORECAST who has stable jockey Richard Fourie in the irons so she may well be the best. ICY LANCASTER makes her local debut but is proven on the surface and would not be a surprise winner.

RACE 4

PRICELESS TREASURE has been very consistent without winning but that victory may well happen this time around. OH MANDY is a long-time battling maiden but is capable of contesting the finish. LAUDIUM seems better than her last run and could earn some money. DEE DEE’S DELIGHT is capable of improvement on local debut and trying the Polytrack. SALAGADOOLA and MEDITERRANEANFLAME have both been good of late and can contest the finish. REFLECT is capable of improvement and must be respected.

RACE 5

WISHES AND DREAMS was beaten by a decent stable companion last time and can go one better. AVERNIAN GODDESS clearly likes this track and has a chance. ROYAL CITY GIRL is proven on the Polytrack and could contest the finish. MONTELENA is often slowly away but is well drawn and can earn some money. LADY BOMBER has had a good year and should be competitive. HAT MONTERA impressed with a good victory last time but this is a tougher lot.

RACE 6

ANATOLIAN SILVER has shown improved form of late and really does deserve a winning turn. HENRY’S HEDGE showed some improvement last time out and could earn some more money. DOWNING SEVEN seems better than the last run would suggest and could win a race of this nature. GARDEN SUN has only been modest of late but can surprise. DONNY’S BOY is in good form and can play a minor role. HOMING PIGEON is consistent and could like this longer distance. GLOBAL DRUMBEAT is in good form and must also be respected.

RACE 7

KING PRAWN is clearly talented and was not disgraced in a good field last time out and could beat these rivals. PRINCESS HANNAH likes this surface but tackles a tough lot this time around. TINTAMARRE is course-and-distance suited and is an obvious threat. STARS IN HEAVEN makes his local debut and could improve. FOREST SPY is not reliable but is also quite capable of earning some money. WAROFDYNAMITE might earn some minor money.

RACE 8

An open looking last race handicap. TEEREX has shone brightly of late and can have another win in the tank. KING VISERYS is not reliable but does have a powerful finish when in the right mood. RHYTHM was full of running in his latest win and could double up. HOSPICES DE BEAUNE and EL CAPITAN both only found one better on the day in their latest starts and are not out of it. KING RAHUL has only been modest of late but is track and trip suited.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Beverley and Southwell (UK) – 23 April 2026.

David Thiselton

 

There are 63 entries for the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July to be run on July 4 over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

 

Champion trainer Justin Snaith, who is going for a sixth July win, led the way with ten entries headed by the WSB Cape Town Met and World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge winner See It Again. He also has last year’s July runner up Eight On Eighteen in his team as well as dual Gr 1 winner Wish List, the Met runner up Legal Counsel, the exciting Lucky Fish Cape Derby runner up Note To Self as well as Okavango, Happy Verse, Native Ruler, Regulation and Great Plains. Note To Self could be the one to side with, because this big son of Futura has a fine turn of foot and as things stand will have a nice galloping weight of 54kg, presuming the 130 rated See It Again will stand his ground and be allotted top weight of 62kg.

 

The race has new conditions with the difference between this year’s and last year’s being there is a 10kg spread as opposed to a 8kg spread; there are no maximum or minimum weights for three-year-old males or for three-year-old females or for older females, and there are no minimum weights for older males.

Rather it is just a straight handicap with the normal weight for age allowances, which in the case of a 2200m race taking place in the month of July is a 2kg weight for age allowance for the three-year-olds.

Mike de Kock has also won five Julys and will now be attempting to win one as a partner of his son Mathew. They have four entries headed by Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Jan Van Goyen, Gr 2 SA Derby winner Curious Girl, Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas winner Splittheeights and the former Zimbabwean Triple Crown winner Buster Barnes. Of those Splittheeights looks to have some fine formlines and is potentially well weighted, although as things stand he is officially 2,5kg under sufferance off a 109 merit rating.

Dean Kannemeyer will be going for a fifth win in the big race, but last year’s winner The Real Prince is his sole entry.

Sean Tarry has won the July twice before and he has entered three horses, including Gr 1 SA Classic winner Grand Empire. The latter is officially 1,5kg under sufferance as things stand, an unusual occurrence for a Gr 1 winner, so he has to be considered potentially well weighted.

James Crawford now heads the yard who won the race twice in succession in 2023 and 2024 as his father Brett has relocated to Hong Kong.

James played a big part in both victories and has three entries, including the progressive pair Star Major and Reet Petite. They both have the perfect merit rating for a three-year-old as things stand, 114, because that means they come into the race with bottom weight of 52kg and they sneak into the handicap.

The other three trainers with entries who have won the race before are Alec Laird, Glen Kotzen and Candice Bass.

Laird has a big entry of six, headed by the Gr 1 winners Fire Attack and Atticus Finch. Fire Attack has had a disappointing season, but at his best he possesses a strong finish, so can’t be written off. Atticus Finch suffered epistaxis in last year’s race, but if things go well for him this former Betway Summer Cup winner has the class to be a threat, although he will have to carry a big weight of 60,5kg off his 127 rating as things stand.

Kotzen has entered the brave stayer Holding Thumbs, who will try his heart out.

Bass has three entries including the dependable Rainbow Lorikeet and the exciting three-year-old prospect Viva’s Liberte, the best of whom is unlikely to have been seen yet.

Another interesting entry is the Jackpot City Dingaans winner Trust, who was a narrow runner up in the SA Classic and he looks potentially well weighted off a mere 110 rating, which officially puts him 2kg under sufferance as things stand. He will be out to give July nearly man Larry Nestadt a first win in the big race and the other owners, Gary Player and the Lindsay Ralphs family, will also be trying to win the July for the first time.

The filly who only just missed landing the Triple Tiara, the Corne Spies-trained Hazy Dazy, is an entry.

KZN have plenty of entries headed by the Frank Robinson-trained Betway Summer Cup winner Mocha Blend, the Stuart Ferrie-trained Gr 1 Champions Cup winner Gladatorian,  the Gareth van Zyl-trained champion stayer King Pelles and his SA Derby runner up stablemate Salani Kahle, the Nathan Kotzen-trained stayer Shoot The Rapids and his improving stablemate Field Marshal, Peter Muscutt has three entries including I Salute You, Michael Roberts has entered the classy Ladyofdistinction and there are also entries from Darryl Moore and MJ Odendaal.

Devin Heffer, Hollywoodbets Brand and Communications manager, said, “It has been a privilege for us as a leading brand to be associated with this internationally acclaimed sporting event since 2022, and every year it just gets bigger and better. With the adjustment in the race conditions and a doubling of the prize money to a record new stakes pot, the first entries list is proof that the stars are aligned and  Hollywoodbets Greyville is set to live up to its label of the ‘Theatre of Champions’ on 4 July”.