Race 1

MOANA improved significantly to run out a wide-margin winner stepped up to this trip last time and even under top weight will be hard to beat on the evidence of that performance. WINTER VOICE was a similarly impressive winner of her last start over track and trip and can trouble the selection from whom she receives 3.5kg. Newcomer SAVVY TRIUMPH is worth a market check on debut and has to be respected if attracting betting support. (Brendan Gaillard 1-2-7-9)

 

Race 2

WHAT A WARRIOR was a good 2nd in a minor feature over 1400m last time and sets the standard on his earlier form over this distance. TROJAN HORSE ran on well to finish an eye-catching 3rd on debut over 1400m and could, with the benefit of that experience, improve to pose a threat in receipt of 3kg. Newcomer RED SANGRIA is bred to be useful so betting support would speak volumes of his chances on debut. Experienced LONE HORIZON, as well as likely improvers DISDAIN and UNCLE BOB, complete the shortlist. (Brendan Gaillard 2-7-1-5)

 

Race 3

Consistent KNOWMORE was returning from a layoff when finishing 2nd over track and trip last time, so he should strip fitter and improve to play a leading role. Youngster DUKE OF LORRAINE caught the eye with a fast-finishing 4th on debut (1400m) and with natural improvement could have the edge from a favourable inside gate. HIGHWAY CODE, COVER CHARGE and STEEL PIER have the form and experience to also make their presence felt. Recently gelded MIDNIGHT SHOW is another to consider on his reappearance. (Brendan Gaillard 4-1-5-3)

 

Race 4

KORCULA ran on from a hopeless position to finish a close-up 3rd over 1400m in her first outing for the Fanie Bronkhorst stable and on the evidence of that performance this extended trip should be more to her liking. FLYING WORLD, runner-up in consecutive (both) starts over 1600m, would not be winning out of turn. Highveld newcomer NICCI’S LAW, LIFE AND LETTERS and BE ALL YOU CAN BE can also get into the picture. However, a bigger threat is likely to come from well-bred 2yo FEAST OF BERRIES who was 2nd over course and distance last time out. POLLY PLUMMER is another with earning potential. (Brendan Gaillard 1-6-2-5)

 

Race 5

INSTANT ATTRACTION beat male opposition over 2000m at a higher level before finishing 3rd under a penalty last time over track and trip from the widest draw, so a repeat of that performance dropped into this grade off an unchanged mark could suffice. APOSTROPHE, KISS OF FIRE and PARTY PUNCH are held on that form but weighted to pose more of a threat on these terms. HOPSCOTCH caught the eye last time when tried in this headgear configuration and could get into the mix if building on that improvement. ITSNOWORNEVER and BOLD ACTION are others capable of getting involved. (Brendan Gaillard 3-1-11-2)

 

Race 6

ROBERT BROWNING has maintained form and consistency at a higher level off his current mark, and a repeat of his latest (3rd) course-and-distance performance could see him return to winning ways. APACHE SON, KUDZU, EIGER SANCTION and IDEAL SUMMER are held on that form but have the means to trouble the selection. PRINCE OF KILDARE, PAGE BOY and hattrick-seeking BOUNDLESS LOVE have better form over shorter distances but warrant respect stretching out to this trip. (Brendan Gaillard 3-9-5-6)

 

Race 7

HEATH HOUSE faced older rivals for the first time in his last start and passed that test with flying colours. This step up in class demands more of him but with less weight to shoulder he will be hard to peg back. Consistent KARATE KID, rejuvenated LEAD THE CHARGE and best-weighted POBLANO have the form and experience to trouble the youngster, while ESPINOZA and UMZINGELI WENYATHI also have the means to get involved in receipt of weight from the selection. (Brendan Gaillard 4-1-3-2)

 

Race 8

THE BRONX BULL takes on older rivals for the first time but is ideallly drawn and sets the standard on the strength of his 2yo form, which includes a last-start 4th at Grade 1 level. ANTONIO GAUDI and TURBO POWER are hard-knockers with solid form credentials at this level so won’t go down without a fight. WILD AS THE WIND and TRIP OF FAITH are unexposed 3YOs who could improve to also have a say in the outcome. HEMISPHERE and ONE TIGER complete the shortlist. (Brendan Gaillard 5-2-6-4)

 

Race 9

FOSTINOVO blotted his copybook last time in KZN but a subsequent break and return to the Highveld would have served him well. He is course-and-distance suited so is taken atone on his reappearance, even under top weight. SATYAGRAHA and recent course-and-distance winner LEGENDARY could make their presence felt but have wide draws to negotiate, so a bigger threat will likely come from consistent hard-knocker UNSOLVED RIDDLE. The latter’s form, draw and rider allowance should see him play a leading role. HAT’S MAMBO and HEAVENLY GOOD also have earning potential. (Brendan Gaillard 1-5-4-8)

David Thiselton

 

The Gr 3 Post Merchants will be one of the most interesting races on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, but the conditions of the race mean the highest rated horses are ostensibly slung in.

 

The highest rated horse in the land, the 132-rated twice Gr 1-winning sprinter Buffalo Storm Cody, is thus very well in at the weights, and second best in is Dave The King, who is the most interesting runner, followed by Tenango and Princess Of Gaul, who are joint third best in.

 

The race has merit-rated band conditions with one key difference.

 

Usually the horses that are higher rated than the highest band are allotted half-a-kilogram for every point they are above that highest band.

 

However, the highest band in this case reads “122 or more … 62kg”.

 

That band would normally read 122 to 126 and under the normal rules for merit-rated band events Buffalo Storm Cody would be carrying 65kg as he is six points higher than the top rating of the highest band. So, he is ostensibly 3kg well in carrying 62kg.

 

Dave The King would normally be carrying 63kg, but carries 62kg, so is 1kg better off than normal, but is 2kg under sufferance with Buffalo Storm Cody.

 

Tenango is merit rated 126, so he is top of what the band would normally be, but is officially 3kg under sufferance with Buffalo Storm Cody.

 

Equally well treated with the latter is the crack filly Princess Of Gaul, who is 114-rated but gets a 2,5kg gender allowance.

 

The worry about Buffalo Storm Cody is that he might be using it as a preparation for the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint, which he appeared to do last year because last year he only ran a 1,65 length fourth in this race carrying 56kg, meaning he was 5,5kg better off than weight for age with the highest rated runner, and he then came out and won the weight for age Mercury Sprint over the same course and distance by 1,60 lengths. Interestingly he jumped from draw 9 in the Mercury, the same draw he has in this year’s Post Merchants. This horse does appear at his best around the turn. Richard Fourie up is a bonus.

 

Dave The King is interesting, because although his best form is over a mile and middle distances he went at a blistering gallop in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate. It was a ridiculous pace, but he displayed his speed around the turn in that race as he went through the first 400m in a time just 1,7 seconds slower than the pacemaker and the winner of the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship over 1000m. He has had four starts over 1200m in his career and won three of them easily and his only loss was when returning from a layoff and having a seasonal reappearance preparation run and running just 2,65 lengths behind former Post Merchants winner, the now 127-rated Gladatorian. Dave The King has drawn seven which should give him room to go to the front if quick enough and the latter is actually a concern, because of course leading over 1200m is a different ball game to leading over 1600m.

 

Tenango ran a good 1,95 length seventh in the Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint, where he carried topweight. That should have brought him on for this race and he has a plum draw of five. Keagan de Melo is contracted to part-owner Laurence Wernars and takes the ride here having not ridden him in the Golden Horse. He will likely be all out to win this race as the Mercury will be a lot tougher, although he did show his class and course and distance suitability by finishing a fine second in the latter race last year, despite jumping from draw 13. Tenango looks to be a massive runner.

 

Princess Of Gaul is also a big runner carrying just 55,5kg and jumping from draw three under Craig Zackey. She won the Gr 2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante over course and distance last year in just her second career start. Last time out she showed he class over this trip by finishing just 2,60 lengths behind Asiye Phambili and Double Grand Slam in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint. If the latter pair were in the Merchants they would likely be the two favourites so with Princess Of Gaul beaten by that margin under weight for age conditions and now being 4kg better off than weight for age conditions with the first three mentioned she should also be a massive runner.

 

Cafe Culture is a former winner of this race, but is officially 4kg under sufferance with Buffalo Storm Cody and has a tough draw of 13, but he should be kicking on if managing to find cover in a handy position.

 

One of the joint topweights is the 122-rated Outlaw King, who is thus officially 5kg under sufferance with Buffalo Storm Cody. However, he is ultra courageous and often defies the official weights, as he did when a 1.05 length third in the Cape Flying. His last run in the Golden Horse is best ignored as he stumbled at the start.

 

Cats Pajamas is also rated 122 and has a fine course and distance record and was just a 1,75 length fourth in the Mercury last year. However, he has the widest draw of all.

 

Speedman is rated only 105 and carrying 54kg is officially 6kg under sufferance with Buffalo Storm Cody, but he is an up and coming sort who could prove better than rated, so he is the dark horse.

 

One Eye On Vegas was third in the Golden Horse and finds himself officially 4,5kg under sufferance with Buffalo Storm Cody, but he is a progressive sort with speed and class so should be running on from draw 11.

 

Jet Force is also a classy sort who could surprise dropped down in trip. He is 4,5kg under sufferance with Buffalo, but is well drawn.

 

Jerusalema Rain beat Buffalo Storm Cody by a neck in the Gr 2 Senor Santa over 1160m, but is now 4kg worse off.

 

The ones mentioned are the ones who make the most appeal and the selection is Buffalo Storm Cody to beat Tenango with Princess Of Gaul, Speedman and Jet Force next best.

Race 8 New start time: 15h55

Race 9 New start time: 16h30

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Wolverhamptom (UK) and Curragh (World Pool) (IRE) – 28 June 2026

(Durban, 27 June 2026) – Creativity took centre stage at Westown Square on Friday evening as the Hollywoodbets Durban July Preview Fashion Show transformed the retail development into a celebration of style, imagination, and unmistakable South African flair.

Surrounded by paved walkways, flower installations and open skies within the shopping centre’s hub of artisanal creativity, shoppers, families, young children and fashion enthusiasts gathered in an atmosphere perfectly suited to this year’s enchanting theme of ‘Country Allure’.

Against this relaxed countryside-inspired backdrop, rustic elegance met contemporary couture as the Hollywoodbets Durban July’s full range of official fashion elements were presented together for the first time in spectacular style.

“It is the first time the public get to see the three tiers of fashion at the Hollywoodbets Durban July all on one stage: The Young Designer Award presented by Metro FM; the Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars; and the six Invited Designers,” said Race Coast Head of Marketing, Major Events and Broadcast, Steve Marshall.

“It is a visualisation of the ‘Country Allure’ theme and acts as an inspiration for the public to see how the professionals have interpreted the theme. We hope that everyone turns out on Saturday, 4 July with their own interpretation,” he added.

From rebellious country chic to breathtaking tributes to South Africa’s landscapes, cultures and traditions, every collection offered a fresh interpretation of ‘Country Allure’. Rich textures, hand-crafted detail, earthy tones, intricate beadwork and dramatic silhouettes celebrated both the untamed beauty of the countryside and the sophistication that has become synonymous with Africa’s greatest horse racing and fashion event.

Drawing inspiration from South Africa’s vibrant tapestry of cultures, tribes and landscapes, designers also explored more theatrical and unexpected elements, reminding audiences that the country’s diversity remains one of its greatest creative strengths.

Durban Fashion Fair Co-ordinator Derrick Mhlongo said: “Tonight we communicate to all sectors of our consumers, from our sponsors to our audience. It is a family event where kids get to look up to designers and be inspired. Moms, dads and grannies are all here enjoying the experience. While they may not be able to attend race day, this provides them with the opportunity to see and feel what fashion is all about.

The fashion element of the Hollywoodbets Durban July is an igniter. Everyone thinks about what they are going to wear when they go to the races. As a result, we need to acknowledge the role played by fashion in this event, starting with the designers, the models, the make-up artists, hairstylists and producers. When these elements all come together, the lifestyle and the Hollywoodbets Durban July comes alive.”

Referring to the role played by the Hollywood Foundation, Marketing Manager Vuyisile Ngobese explained that the organisation was founded in 2021 as an NPO aimed at creating meaningful pathways for designers in South Africa, ultimately helping to revive the clothing and textile industry in the province.

“Tonight at the Hollywoodbets Preview Fashion Gala, apart from being a platform for the Young Designers and the established Invited Designers, it is also a chance to showcase the nine emerging designers who are part of the Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars. They were selected last year, and the Hollywood Foundation was part of that selection. They will receive a share of R300 000 worth of equipment that will assist them in establishing sustainable businesses,” said Ngobese.

“Over the past five years that we have partnered with the Hollywoodbets Durban July, we are now able to see the fruits of this partnership. Many of those participating tonight started off as Young Designers and have gone on to become Rising Stars – or, like former Durban Fashion Fair Rising Star Kwenzi Nkomo from Indoni Fashion House, who, through the support of the Hollywood Foundation, is one of the Invited Designers,” Ngobese added.

As the countdown to Africa’s most prestigious horse racing and fashion spectacle gathers pace, anticipation is reaching a crescendo. On Saturday, 4 July, Greyville Racecourse will once again become the stage where bold fashion, world-class racing, and unforgettable entertainment collide.

General admission entrance tickets are on sale via Ticketpro.

All the event and racing information is available on https://www.racecoast.co.za/hollywoodbets-durban-july/.