Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Southwell (UK) – 4 January 2026

Alistair Cohen

There was little wrong with the way Gimmie Rules ran in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas in mid-December. He took a huge leap in class from impressing in good handicaps to the highest level in quick time, not necessarily the way trainer Dean Kannemeyer generally prepares his top horses. He takes on a good field in race 7 over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.

Gimmie Rules hold an entry for the L’Ormarins Kings Plate and for the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, both Grade 1 showpiece events. This entry suggests that Kannemeyer is going to play the long game with him and either seek out the Lucky Fish Cape Derby or KwaZulu-Natal’s Champions Season. 

His last effort was also against the Kannemeyer blueprint. Untested at feature race level, he went straight from a good level against older horses to Grade 1 level. There is no disgrace beating quality like Handsome Prince in the manner he did in his penultimate run. Behind them was now 120-rated Jet Force. He finished a 3,35-length fourth behind runaway winner, Jan Van Goyen. Craig Zackey reported that he feels “a bit thick in the wind” in the feedback video filed on Race Coast’s YouTube page. Perhaps everything came a little too soon for him. There is no doubting his class. He should have a bright future. Even this result will not define him but it will give a short-term plan some clarity.

Captain West is such a frustrating horse. There is limitless ability but he has failed to deliver. From excellent runs at a high level to similar finishes against weaker. His last run was a good effort when he was forced to make the running after an initial slow pace. He stuck around to finish less than a length behind Ardabil over this course and distance. He is 2kg better off for 0,4 lengths. That should turn the form around.

Kinda Wonderful is also worth considering even though winning comes at a premium. Her last effort was a good run behind an underdone superstar in the form of Double Grand Slam in the Summer Bowl. She finished ahead of fine rivals like Rainbow Lorikeet. With 55,5kg on her back, Kinda Wonderful should be in the mix.

Treetops put up a neat debut last month and with likely improvement, he could win race 1 over 1200m. From an in-form yard of Lucinda Woodruff, he finished 6,55 lengths behind Loving Prague over this course and distance. Woodruff is not known to get stuck into them for their debuts. Chad Little is carded to take the ride. Protector Of Peace is hinting that a win is around the corner and he must be the main danger although he seems to be exposed as a maiden.

Whirlwind has a lot of improvement to follow, and with her third career start, she could be ahead of rivals struck at their low levels. She returned from a three-month break in her last run and she never looked out of first gear when beating her stable companion, Panjandrum over 1000m at this course. James Crawford has resisted the temptation of taking on a higher grade and kept her in calm waters. She looks the horse to beat in race 2 over the same track and trip.

Sugar Daddy and Mercenary look set to fight out race 3 over 1600m. Sugar Daddy ran close-up to Give It Laldy who runs later in the card last time out and his progress from his debut to his second start is exactly what a winner would look like at their third runs. While Mercenary has slightly less impressive numbers from three runs but he did run into traffic in his last run over this course and distance behind Chance Encounter. He still finished fifth, 3,9 lengths behind. That form will be under the spotlight in the next two races.

If the race that Chance Encounter won comes up trumps, Frequent Traveller becomes hugely interesting in race 4 over 2000m. He finished second from a poor draw of No 12. That was his career best, and he made good ground over 1600m, suggesting that this extra trip will suit him ideally. He finished marginally ahead of his stable companion Fort Liam last time. They meet again. It is hard to run away from Eric Lidell who had zero luck last time when left with too much to do and flying home to finish second behind Fast And Free. All three have good winning chances.

Fast And Free has his post-maiden run in race 5 over 2500m. He could become a good prospect if all those pieces of the puzzle fit in the two preceding races. He won like a horse who will appreciate all the distance trainer Glen Kotzen can throw at him. Craig Zackey takes the ride. If he is ready straight out of the maidens, he can double the dose.

Blind Date gets the services of German rider, Rene Piecheluk in race 6 over 1600m. He has taken his time to fill out and mature, hence he might have been slightly underwhelming by not winning races since exiting the maidens. He might have found his opening to hit his groove. His last two runs have come against progressive three-year-olds Viva’s Liberte and Ireland Forever. If he does not win, he should be right in the money. Red Dawn is a useful horse but he seems held by Blind Date while Give It Laldy will be tested out of the maidens but he could be up to the task.

Supreme Fate won with a degree of ease in her last run toppling over some three-year-old fillies held in high regard. She had age and an inside draw of No 1 on her side. She finds herself over the same 1400m course and distance as her last run and she must have a chance of going back-to-back. She takes a minor rise in class and as a result, she carries less weight than she did last time. Andrew Fortune is aboard for Justin Snaith.

Anything can win race 9 over 1200m. A chance is taken on True Horizon who gets Muzi Yeni aboard for Adam Marcus. She has gone down narrowly into third and second respectively in her last two starts over this course and distance.

RACE 1

8 PROTECTOR OF PEACE      2 TREETOPS      9 THESHOWMUSTGOON     10 PERFECT IMPACT 

Preview: PROTECTOR OF PEACE (8) went close last time and is confidently selected to get it all right this time. TREETOPS (2) ran a fair race on debut and with natural improvement can get a lot closer. THESHOWMUSTGOON (9) is never far adrift the action and should be very competitive. PERFECT IMPACT (10) can be forgiven for the last run and included in the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 8-2-9-10) 

RACE 2

7 PUSHING LIMITS      6 WHIRLWIND      5 CARIBBEAN GOLD      3 COUNTRY TIME 

Preview: PUSHING LIMITS (7) is in winning form having won two out of his last three races and there is no reason why she cannot follow up. Andrew Fortune sticks with the ride. WHIRLWIND (6) obliged at the second time of asking and could end up being way better than a MR 78 – respect and include. CARIBBEAN GOLD (5) is lightly raced and has each way claims. COUNTRY TIME (3) has solid form and as usual a lively chance. (Warren Lenferna 7-6-5-3) 

RACE 3

2 MERCENARY      5 SUGAR DADDY      8 WALOYO YAMONI      7 BLIZZARDBOY 

Preview: MERCENARY (2) is lightly tried and has not been far off and with any amount of  improvement to possibly come, could be the value here – win chance. SUGAR DADDY (5) has good form, caught the eye last time and should go close. WALOYO YAMONI (8) has a bright place chance and BLIZZARDBOY (7) is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 2-5-8-7) 

RACE 4

8 ERIC LIDDELL      7 PHANTOM MAN      1 FORT LIAM      5 FREQUENT TRAVELLER 

Preview: ERIC LIDDELL (8) ran an absolute cracker last time when nearly getting it all right and could be tough to beat today. PHANTOM MAN (7) has placed twice from four starts and should win soon, but for today, has more of a place chance than a winning one. FORT LIAM (1) and FREQUENT TRAVELLER (5) are natural inclusions for trifectas and quartets. (Warren Lenferna 8-7-1-5) 

RACE 5

1 SPIRIT OF LEVANA      10 TOTHEMOONANDBACK      3 GENTLEMAN JOE      6 FAST AND FREE 

Preview: SPIRIT OF LEVANA (1) is a tad off form currently but has shown ability and talent before. Her penultimate run was fair enough to warrant her as the each way value suggestion here. She has come down in the ratings a lot. TOTHEMOONANDBACK (10) caught the eye last time, Fortune now rides and can go one better. GENTLEMAN JOE (3) is taking time for the next win but showed last time that the time is near. Bright chance. FAST AND FREE (6) is one for the shortlist. (Warren Lenferna 1-10-3-6) 

RACE 6

6 FOUDRE      5 BLIND DATE      4 UNITED FRONT      3 GIVE IT LALDY 

Preview: FOUDRE (6) won his maiden well after a rest and could end up being anything. He can be followed. BLIND DATE (5) is holding form and has each way claims. UNITED FRONT (4) ran a better race last time and can pop up – respect and include. GIVE IT LALDY (3) might have more to offer – watch. (Warren Lenferna 6-5-4-3) 

RACE 7

2 GIMMIE RULES      9 ARDABIL      4 GALLIC DREAM      5 CAPTAIN WEST 

Preview: GIMMIE RULES (2) ran well behind Jan Van Goyen last time and has solid overall form – win choice and possible banker. ARDABIL (9) got up to win a gutsy race last time and needs to be taken seriously again. GALLIC DREAM (4) has solid form and a solid chance – one for the shortlist. CAPTAIN WEST (5) can finish in the first four. (Warren Lenferna 2-9-4-5) 

RACE 8

6 KATTEKWAADKWADRAAD        10 JOU LEKKER DING       11 MIGHTY MARY     8 LA LANDONNE 

Preview: KATTEKWAADKWADRAAD (6) was narrowly beaten last time, is lightly raced and must be taken seriously for the win position. JOU LEKKER DING (10) nearly caused an upset at 50/1 last time and if confirming that sudden improvement, could earn again. MIGHTY MARY (11) is way better that her last run suggests and can place. LA LANDONNE (8) has bright claims on her good penultimate effort. (Warren Lenferna 6-10-11-8) 

RACE 9

1 MORFELIHA      2 FLYING SOUTH       13 IM THE BUZZ       11 BLACK PATH 

Preview: MORFELIHA (1) showed ability when nearly winning out the maidens and has been selected as the first choice. FLYING SOUTH (2) has each way claims. IM THE BUZZ (13) is the place value and BLACK PATH (11) always has a chance and can never be dismissed from any bets. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-13-11) 

 

Soccer13 Guaranteed Jackpot on Sunday 4 January 2026. R18 Million (if only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 16h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

Soccer10 Sunday 4 January 2026. ADD-IN R150 000. Estimated Pool: R1.5 Million. Pool Closes at 14h00.Sport 7 and Pool 1.

Soccer SCORES C/Over: R 103 557. Sunday 4 January 2026. Pool Closes at 14h30. Sport 72.

Soccer CORNERS C/Over: R 1 271. Sunday 4 January 2026. Pool Closes at 17h15. Sport 71.

David Thiselton

The 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July will be a milestone one with the prize money doubled to R10 million and with a longer handicap introduced as the topweight will be upped to 62kg and bottom weight lowered to 52kg.

It will fittingly fall on the 30th anniversary of the centenary July, which turned out to be one of the greatest of all Julys as it was won by the legendary Alec Laird-trained London News, who went on to put South African racing on the map by winning the QE II Cup in Hong Kong.

The renowned South African wildlife painter Henk Vos released his celebrated work, the Painting Of The Century, depicting a century of July winners, after the July’s centenary running.

The iconic painting now hangs in the Classic Room at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Alec Laird actually ordered one of the prints of the painting before it was completed as the print had the first of his great Uncle Syd Garrett’s five July winners on the left and the greatest of his father’s record seven July winners, Sea Cottage, was in the centre.

The right hand side just had a blank with a silhouette of a horse, because Vos did not know yet which horse he was going to paint there.

Alec, who trained out of Randjesfontein on the Highveld, related, “He hadn’t made up his mind what horse he was going to put in the last panel (the 20th panel) and he even said to me ‘I would like you to win the July because I would like to put you as the last painting.’ With about a year to go I said to him I’m not going to make it.’”

However, fate then had it that London News not only became the 14/10 favourite for the 100th running of the July, but he was also saddle cloth number 20, being the only three-year-old in the field and the bottom weight.

Piere Strydom recalled, “I remember at the traditional Friday night cocktail Henk Vos was there with his big painting and there was one spot left for the 100th winner and I can still remember saying to someone that I think my picture’s going to be up there.”

London News duly won the race and Alec, London News and Piere Strydom are now at the forefront of the famous painting’s 20th panel and the horse is fittingly carrying the no. 20 saddle cloth.

The London News story starts at the National Yearling Sale of 1994.

Alec recalled big owners Laurie and Jean Jaffee’s chief aim at that Sale was to buy a yearling by their own 1987 July winner, Bush Telegraph.

Alec recalled Harmony Forever being his number one choice at that Sale.

However, he remembered London News being “a nice horse.”

He added, “On the first day a Bush Telegraph colt called Mr Newspaperman went for about R300,000. London News looked more athletic and Jean Jaffee actually said to me, ‘What about this one?’ On the first day they didn’t get a horse, the second day they didn’t get one and the more they asked me about London News the nicer he got, because I was otherwise going to go home without a horse!”

The Jaffees managed to secure London News.

Alec recalled, “He was a light youngster and even as a three-year-old was quite light. He didn’t show immediately, but we always had the feeling that he would be a nice horse when he matured.”

In fact, London News made a particularly inauspicious debut, beaten no fewer than 16,5 lengths under Anton Marcus in a 1200m Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m at the Vaal on June 6, 1995.

However, he got better and better and when he smashed the Greyville 2000m course record, which still stands today, in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, he had won six out of eleven starts including the Dingaans and two middle distance Gr 1s.

Piere Strydom was aboard for the Daily News 2000 too.

He reflected on the 1996 July, the first of his four victories in South Africa’s greatest race, “London News was a lekker horse to ride because he had gate speed, a lot of natural speed and he would travel right up there in front and he had a good kick. But at the top of the straight (having led) I thought with a light weight let me just let the reins go a bit and get a length or two for the short straight. But he accelerated way quicker than I had expected and that’s when he made up three or four lengths on the field. Obviously it was going to tell at the end and he was stopping quite badly at the end. I heard the horses coming and I was just hoping for the line and he held on.”

Alec added, “Mike Rattray had invited me to watch in his box because it was on the line and he won by a neck but my eyes wouldn’t believe it because there was so much pressure. I wanted to see the number up!”

Alec described the emotion of being on the honour roll together with his late record-breaking seven-time July-winning father Syd.

In fact his extended family is comfortably the most prolific July-winning family in history with his grandfather Alec winning one as a jockey, his great Uncle Syd Garrett winning two as a jockey and three as a trainer, his father Syd winning a record seven as a trainer, and the cousins Dennis Drier, Alec Laird and Charles Laird each winning one July apiece – a total of 16 for the July dynasty.