Andrew Harrison

Questioning has come a long way in his career. Always among the top echelons he earned a label of almost but not quite there. That has changed dramatically in the past four months as he has rattled off five consecutive victories culmination in a tremendous but nail-biting finish to the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday where he showed guts and ability to get the better of Legal Counsel in a no quarters asked finish with little more than a nose separating the pair at the line.

Gladatorian produced his usual strong finish to take third ahead of The Real Prince who was also running at them late.

It was a masterful training feat by Vaughan Marshall who is closing on the 40^th Gr1 success of his career. When asked about the recent improvement in Question’s form, he put it down to the horse having finally matured.

Tristan Godden rode a canny race on the rank outsider of Justin Snaith’s trio that consisted of See It Again and Eight On Eighteen. From a good draw, he sent Legal Counsel to the lead tracked by two-time Challenge winner Dave The King and Tin Pan Alley and most expected the son of Legislate to call it a day in the chase for home.

However, he kept finding and Richard Fourie on Questioning was forced to show his hand a little earlier than he would have liked. Fourie sat for a long way before making his challenge but still admitted that he had gone too early. “I came into the straight and fired him up a little too soon. I know that he’s not an ideal miler and it was a great ride from Tristan who set nice, good fractions and at one stage I thought that he was going a bit fast. But he knew what he had underneath him and I drew past him at the 300 a good half a length and then it became hard work.  I knew the line was coming and we both had our doubts. Tristan said did you get there or did I get there? Normally I’m good at splitting them but I just said I can’t tell you, it was that close.”

 Marshall admitted post-race that he was not confident of Questioning seeing out the trip. “ I had my doubts over the 1600 I must be honest. He came so close in the King’s Plate. He confound the critics there and he’s done it here. So yes I’m a little surprised but very, very elated.”

“He’s just matured and turned into a really good horse. He enjoys his work and just looks magnificent. He’s a pleasure to train.”

Given that Questioning takes this race well, his next mission will be the Gr1 Mercury Sprint and victory there could elevate him into ‘just a good horse’ but into challenging for Equus Horse of the Year.

There were a number of Hollywoodbets Durban July hopefuls on display on Saturday and if anything they muddied the waters.

Best performance came from Legal Counsel and depending on which line-horse the handicappers use, he could find himself up there with See It Again on 62 kg.

See It Again ran a lacklustre race and showed little enthusiasm in the run for the line and stable companion Eight On Eighteen faded out with Just Snaith scratching him from the July entry list yesterday morning.

Gladatorian ran his usual game race and finished like a train for third. The Real Prince was also running on to the line and it remains to be seen whether Dean Kannemeyer and Khaya Stables and also Stuart Ferrie are  tempted by the R10 million stake of the July or take the more conservative route to the Gr1 HKJC Champion Stakes WFA.

The Gr3 Cup Trial is traditionally the last chance saloon for borderline July entries and it will be back to the drawing boards for most. The grey Zeitz, not a July entry, ran on stoutly to beat July hopeful I Salute You who was giving the winner 2.5kg. Before Saturday’s race I Salute You was set to carry 53kg in the July. JP’s Palace kicked on nicely for third but was getting 7kg from I Salute You while Field Marshal may have blown his chances of a July birth.

Regulation was most disappointing although he did not get the run of the race, being caught three wide for much of the trip but lacked a finishing effort.

The Gr2 HKJC World Pool Stakes saw another bruising finish with favourite Quickstepgal and Mon Petit Cherie fighting out a head-and-head duel to the line. Mon Petit Cherie ran her heart out from her 13 draw and headed Quickstepgal, but Tienie Prinsloo’s filly was not to be denied and Keagan de Melo got Quickstepgal to rally and get her nose in front and also survive an objection.

Behind them was July hopeful Mocha Blend who missed the break but was running on stoutly over a distance well short of her best in what was a smart piece of work on her July prep.

RACE 1

A competitive looking opening event. PRINCESS OF AJIAAL showed improvement when trying the Polytrack for the first time and can win a race of this nature. ON THE OUTSIDE is unreliable but is also not out of it. REMIND ME OF YOU makes her debut and has Richard Fourie in the irons for Alan Greeff and she could be ready to score.

RACE 2

WALK RIGHT IN makes her local debut and is trying the Polytrack but could score. AMERICAN GEM needed her last run and can be a real threat on best form. ENGELANDPARK has struggled of late but could earn some minor money over this course and distance. TRULY MAGICAL has shown improvement recently and can contest the finish once again. FOCAL POINT is in good shape and is not out of it. SKIP THE LINE makes her debut but would not be a surprise winner.

RACE 3

WOMAN IN GOLD was unreliable in the Western Cape and makes her Polytrack debut, but if she is to reproduce her best form she should win. SALAGADOOLA is not reliable but is also not out of it. CAN WE START was a disappointment when stepped up in distance and could bounce back to beat these rivals over this distance. EXPLOSIVE GIFT has been in good form of late and should be a real threat. AM STILL WINNING is unreliable but might earn some money.

RACE 4

A very open race and one should go very wide in all the exotics, especially the Pick 6. ANATOLIAN SILVER is not well drawn but has held form well and could be ready for a winning turn. MAKHACHEV is in good form and not out of it. RICHARDTHEFEARLESS likes the Polytrack and is a dangerous front-runner on his day. DAS GUTE and GREEN ISLE are both coming off solid wins and must be included. SUPREME JUDGE, PAST AND PRESENT, DISRUPTIVE and SAN QUINTIN are all in good form and capable of winning.

RACE 5

SPOIL YOURSELF is often caught way out of her ground but she is capable of a storming finish and can win over this course and distance. LANA VIEW has been at the top of her game lately and is now hat-trick seeking. This distance does stretch her, though. TERMINAL VELOCITY disappointed with blinkers on last time out and they are carded to be on again, but she can score if they are removed. WELSH STARLET won some nice races earlier this season and could be a threat at this level. CHRONICLESOFNANIA, PRESERVE FOREVER and DARLING GIRL are others to consider.

RACE 6

A tough card and another open race. PORFIRIO has had a tremendous season and is quite capable of scoring again. GLOBAL ALLY is right at home over this course and distance and should fight out the finish. BRENDEN JAMES is unreliable but can make the frame. SILVONIAN remains in good shape but is taking on tougher this time. LAGUNA VERDE returned to form with a solid win and can follow up. GEORGE HANDEL is up in class but capable of a strong finish when in the right mood.

RACE 7

MORFELIHA only found one better on the day last time. She was a game winner before that and the form has worked out well. FIERY COUNTESS ran in a decent field last time out and should do better this time around. KINGS AGAIN is very consistent and also capable of winning. GENOVEFA is hat-trick seeking but this does look a tougher bunch. PRISCILLA MAISEY is not reliable but she is capable of scoring in this division. STRANGE MAGIC is in good form and is another to consider.

RACE 8

CASPERITA tried her luck unsuccessfully in better fields than this and she could bounce back to beat these rivals. OCEAN FLAME has not been beaten far in her recent starts and could earn some money. MY AMI BEACH is capable of an upset if given a strong early gallop. RED LHASA showed what she is capable of with some success last time out and might have more to offer. FREE WORLD put up a decent run last time and is well drawn so must be respected. BLACK PATH and VOORSMAAKIE could pop up into the places.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Goodwood (UK) – 7 June 2026.

Andrew Harrison

After a slow start to his riding career, apprentice Blaine Marx-Jacobson has burst onto the scene in recent months and currently heads the national Apprentice Championship. One of his early mentors was Louis Goosen and that combination came good with veteran galloper Donquerari in the B Stakes that headed the card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

A touch unlucky at his previous start when checked at a crucial stage of the race, this win was a just reward for Donquerari as Marx-Jacobson rode a patient race. Content to take a hold in the early exchanges as Vanakkam and Pop Chart set a break-neck pace up front that saw both put up the white flag early in the straight. Marx-Jacobson slipped Donquerari up the inside of his field with Connery also in contention. It was left to the three apprentices in the race to fight out the finish with Jacey Botes, reunited with his favourite mount Connery, and Anaas Mosaheb chasing home for third aboard Kalahari Roller.

Hazel Green was sent out favourite for the second but after disputing the lead for much of the race with Magical Spring, both folded quickly as apprentice Dezahn Louw, who had sat in just off the pace on Wendy Whitehead’s filly, sent Dancing In Demark for home and she waltzed into the lead to win by and extended margin with the luckless Tipperary chasing home a well beaten second.

There was a desperate finish to the first leg of the Pick 6 with Nicholas Patel getting Last Ovation up in the shadow of the post for a dead-heat. Keagan de Melo made his move on Skipper O’Malley behind the Drill Hall to quicken up the pace and it looked to be a winning move as he pinched a lead in the straight. However, Gareth van Zyl’s filly gradually ate into the lead with Skipper O’Malley crying for the line and just managing to hang on to share the spoils, with Crimson Typhoon running on stoutly for the minor money.

Visiting Thoonsil won an excellent race in the Class 4 Handicap making all the running and holding off a strong challenge from Blizzard Boy in another tight finish.

Tristan Godden set a solid gallop aboard Mano Pandaram’s gelding and was in a race of his own until the last 200m as the field change places behind him every furlong or so. Serino Moodley made an early move on The Wolf but that came to nothing as Thoonsil kept galloping and it was Blizzard Boy that came out of the pack and looked to be going on by, but Thoonsil stuck to his guns as Blizzard Boy’s challenge faltered over the last 100m.

Apprentice Girish Dookhit took a leaf out of Tristan Godden’s book and made all the running on Alyson Wright’s seven-year-old Ultra Quick in the Class 5 Apprentice Handicap. Setting comfortable early fractions the gelding lasted just long enough to hold off challenges from Mountainsofthemoon and National Dream.

Godden employed the same tactics as he had earlier on Thoonsil, making all the running on outsider Little Cracker. Jumping from the widest draw, Godden had Tony Rivalland’s gelding out in a flash and was not for the catching. Challenges came from all sides but Little Cracker kept up a relentless gallop with Lunch Money and Paratrooper unable to get on terms.

Time In Paris looked set for a major upset in the last of the day as Anaas Mosaheb took Kom Naidoo’s mare to the lead, one she fought gamely to hold to. But it was in vain as Mxolisi Mbuto, hanging on to Marx-Jacobson’s tail in the Apprentice Championship, pulled one back as he got Lucinda Woodruff’s filly to respond gamely up the inside fence to eventually wear down the pacemaker with favourite Preacher Man a well-beaten third.

David Thiselton

The Daily News 2000 meeting always has an impact on the Hollywoodbets Durban July and the reaction of the handicappers and the bookmakers to the result of the Daily News 2000 and to the Woolavington 2000 is always one of the talking points.

Owner Jonathan Bloch has only ever had one Durban July runner before and it had an interesting name, Ess Five Beaches, which was the address of a residence owned by the late great owner-breeder Graham Beck. However, Bloch now part-owns all three of the horses who are currently at the top of the July boards with the sponsor,  Star Major, Note To Self and Wish List.

It is always interesting that the bookmakers seem to prefer winners to lightly weighted horses, because of course the handicappers job is to equalize the chances of horses in a race if they were to meet again. The handicappers used the fourth-placed Viva’s Liberte as the line horse for the Daily News 2000 and raised Star Major four points to 122 and raised Happy Verse nine points to 119.

However, the sponsor shortened Star Major to  7/2, with Note To Self and Wish List now 11/2, while Happy Verse is out at 8/1 together with See It Again and Regulation.

Punters might prefer to look for horses who benefit from the raise in weights of others.

Note To Self should be cherry ripe for the July and being by stamina influence Futura out of a mare by stamina influence Judpot augurs well for the step up in trip to 2200m. Note To Self didn’t have as immediate a turn of foot as Star Major or Happy Verse and another discussion point might be whether he would benefit from blinkers. This might help him gallop resolutely from a long way out and make it into a stamina test.

Happy Verse has always been a horse who has oozed class and he is now beginning to fulfil it. The Daily News 2000 was his third run after gelding and he at last showed the class he had always promised. He can progress further as he had a nice smooth race in the Daily News and that should have brought him on, so he should be a big runner in the July. He is by Vercingetorix, who won the Daily News 2000 and a Gr 1 in Dubai over the same trip, out of a mare by stamina influence Giant’s Causeway, so he should also enjoy the July trip.

Star Major will also be a big runner. His part-owner Ravi Naidoo has preached this horse from a long time ago and he has proved to be spot on.  The Querari colt has matured into a top class horse and can follow in the footsteps of the like of Big City Life and Legislate by winning the Guineas, the Daily News and the July, although the latter pair had also both won the Cape Derby before arriving in KZN. Big City Life carried a mere 51kg in the July in an era when topweight was 58kg, while Legislate carried a record weight for a winning three-year-old of 56kg in a race where topweight was 60kg, although he did win it via the boardroom with an upheld objection whose outcome drew plenty of criticism. Star Major will, as things stand, carry 56kg too, although the topweight this year will be 62kg.

A horse who has snuck into the July picture is the Gr1 SA Classic winner Grand Empire. He was in position 20 on the first July log, but after the scratching of both Okavango and Jan Van Goyen, he could come into the all important top 18. On the negative side for Grand Empire is, although he might end up with bottom weight, how good a preparation is he going to have had by the time of the July? His final run before the July comes on Sunday at Turffontein in a 1400m Pinnacle event, so he will not have enjoyed as good a build up into the big race as the like of Happy Verse have had.

Happy Verse was in the outside looking in horses on the first log, and will likely leapfrog Grand Empire, so the latter might still be under pressure for a place in the final field.

On the other hand, Hazy Dazy, who was in 14th place on the first log, might be in trouble after seemingly being outclassed in the Daily News by the males as she was beaten 11,40 lengths into 8th. She might be dropped from the log.

Wish List has the same 117 rating as Hazy Dazy, so will carry 53,5kg in the July as things stand. Her four wins on the trot include two Gr 1s and two Gr 2s. She will easily get the July trip being a daughter of Legislate out of a Silvano mare, Wind Chill, who won the SA Oaks. There are not many horses who would fetched the pacemaker the way she did on Saturday as she had to make up a lot of ground up off a slow pace. However, the question is how much the effort took out of her. It was likely not quite the race the connections had envisaged.

Meanwhile, the next big upheaval to the betting and log positions etc happens this Saturday in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge race meeting, which not only features the Gold Challenge itself, but also the all important Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial over 1800m, which is always a big July pointer race.

Regulation will be under big pressure to win the Cup Trial. He is an 8/1 shot for the July with the sponsor, despite having been in the outside looking in horses on the first log. He will likely need to win the race to definitely force his way in and on the downside he has drawn wide in barrier ten out of 11 for Saturday’s race. If he does win it there will be more pressure on the like of borderline horses like Grand Empire.