Alistair Cohen

There have been so many times that Umfula has hinted that next time will be his time and he has failed to get across the line. He has been recently tested at a fairly high level and although he takes on a solid field in race 7 over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday, he could represent good value.

Umfula takes on some familiar foes and he comes in well at the weights with those who finished ahead of him last time. He had Dubbelosix, Blackberry Malt and Katsu behind him when Tenpenny won at this course last month. Crucially, Song To The Moon, Tenpenny and Landoftherisingsun were ahead of him and Umfula has a positive swing at the weights. 

Umfula is 0,5kg better off with Song To The Moon for just over a length. He is 3kg better off with Tenpenny for 1,3 lengths which should tilt the scales. Umfula is also 2kg better off with Landoftherisingsun for just over a length. The biggest kicker is that the last appearance was over 1800m. The extra distance should suit Umfula ideally.

His style has barely been tampered with through his career. He is a sit and stalk type. With the likelihood of pace in the race, he could have the ideal gallop to aim at. Hopefully the warm Cape Town summer does not make the track rock hard and favour those in front. Richard Fourie is carded to take the ride for James Crawford.

Landoftherisingsun has some work to do to turn that last start around but he too will appreciate the extra distance. Reverting to Hollywoodbets Durbanville should also aid his cause. His claim to fame was winning the Listed Settlers Trophy over this course and distance in September in authoritative fashion. He has not been to the course since. Andrew Fortune is declared for the ride. 

La Pulga is the horse who does not have a piece of the puzzle that fits. He is from foreign form but his numbers read fairly well. He was an entry for the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met but his rating was never going to get him into the final field. A dirty sixth would have given him a ratings headache. His last three runs have come behind progressive sorts in Major Master, Regulation and Okavango. All of those horses have either won or showed up well at feature race level. He is worth respecting if he reaches this trip.

Although Tenpenny is possibly the most improved horse in Cape Town, he has a few questions to answer over this distance. He does seem to have better tools for between 1600m and 1800m. It is worth the experiment to see if further doors open for him.

Red Wave is well overdue his exit from the maiden ranks and he looks set to drop that tag in race 1 over 1250m. His form reads far easier than anything in this event with six placed runs from eight through his career. He could be pigeonholed as a professional maiden but surely he is in the right place now. Richard Fourie rides for Justin Snaith.

Stellar Guidance gave a surprising debut by all accounts when going off at 50/1. She finished a pleasing fifth behind subsequent winner Wyze Declaration in mid December at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over 1400m. She drops to 1250 in race 2 but she looks set to find extra improvement and build from her first effort. 

Homing Pigeon is probably the most frustrating horse around. She has conspired to get herself beaten and somehow remains a maiden. Again, she sticks out as the right horse on paper when she runs in race 3 over 1800m. Andrew Fortune could the man for the job. She has to give weight away to her rivals but she has draw No 1 as a kicker to her chances. Surely this is the race that she puts everything together.

Phantom Man stands out as the best bet on the card when he runs in race 4 over 1800m. Fortune is up again. His last start was a hard-fought defeat to Waloyo Yamoni over 2000m at this course but they pulled far clear of third. Which they ought to have done with the lack of class in that race. This has attracted another shallow field. Respect is afforded to Fort Liam and Frequent Traveller.

The self-same Woloyo Yamoni is an interesting entry a race later when he lines up in race 5 over 1800m. He has a few questions to answer transferring from maiden company into a good handicap but he does have some scope against rivals who look firmly in their places. Rene Piechulek retains the ride for Snaith which would have been expected after he delivered in his last start. Woloyo Yamoni looks like he will come into his own with racing and experience and he could be ready to take another step forward.

Midway is not known to be lionhearted but he finally got a reward in his last run which he kept all challengers at bay. Perhaps that confidence will help him gain a few more wins at a lowly level that he has always hinted that he is better than. Despite his lack of wins and a few too many places, his best runs have come at this course which must give his cause a further lift. Heliotrope and Gold Index are regarded as premier threats but they are also not the most genuine around.

Winter Pearl drops in class, rises in trip to a favourable 1400m. He gets Craig Zackey aboard and he too seems to reserve slightly better runs for Hollywoodbets Durbanville. He looks very tough to beat in race 8. He has found some far better horses too good in his last three runs. Viva’s Liberte, Fox On The Run and Mauritius Kestrel had his number recently. He must be good enough to claim victory. 

RACE 1

8 KLEIN KAROO stayed on well for second behind District Master on the 13th of January, the blinkers stay on, and he drops in trip to 1250m on Wednesday, with some luck in running, he will go close to winning. 4 RED WAVE never runs a bad race, he stayed on nicely for third behind Behave Harris on the 17th of January at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, top jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride this gelding, he will be right there in the finish. 11 SKY ROCKET finished just over four lengths behind Trailfinder on the 13th of January, both his runs to date have been good, if he beats the wide draw here, he will be amongst the places. 1 ROYAL INFLUENCER has been rested and gelded, he finished just over ten lengths behind Magical Place on debut, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Wednesday, he could be a serious danger from a good draw. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 4 – 11 – 1)

RACE 2

9 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE could be some serious value here, she ran a great race behind Raffish Trend on the 21st of January, she was drawn wide on that occasion, and she still managed to finish second, she has run some of her best races at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, with no weight on her back on Wednesday, she could pop up at a big price. 1 GIMME THE POWER was doing some good work late for third behind Raffish Trend last time, the blinkers have been fitted, and she has a good draw, there should be no excuses for this filly, include her into all bets. 2 STELLAR GUIDANCE caught the eye late on debut behind Wyze Declaration on the 17th of December, she was only beaten just over three lengths at the line, with natural improvement expected on Wednesday, she definitely has a winning chance. 3 SPURIOUS ran a lovely race behind South Of France on the 17th of January, she ran fourth and was only beaten just over one length, on her best form, she could trouble them all. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 1 – 2 – 3)

RACE 3

6 LOUI’S STAR finished like a train for third behind Lark’s Song on the 13th of January, her form of late is very good, she will be switched off early, and she will come with a big finish late, watch her closely. 1 HOMING PIGEON finished second in the same race as Loui’s Star last time, she is honest, and she tries hard, from a good draw, she has a big winning chance in this field. 7 WHO IS SHE fought hard to run a nice race behind Amayah on the 21st of January, she is a young filly that will keep improving with more racing, the step up in trip to 1800m will help her chances, she can win no doubt. 8 WOMAN IN GOLD ran a shocking race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of January, she is definitely much better than that poor performance, if she bounces back to her best form, she will make the finish interesting. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 1 – 7 – 8)

RACE 4

10 FREQUENT TRAVELLER has run two excellent races in succession, he moved up well to finish second behind Eric Liddell on the 4th of January, he drops back in trip to 1800m on Wednesday, if he gets some luck in running from a wide draw, he will be hard to beat. 3 FORT LIAM ran third in the same race as Frequent Traveller last time, the blinkers stay on, and he gets a good draw, he will run a big race, include him into all bets. 2 PHANTOM MAN just missed in his last start, he ran a great race for second behind Waloyo Yamoni on the 21st of January, top jockey Andrew Fortune sticks with this gelding, he should be there amongst the places. 7 I AM SAM has been a touch disappointing in his last two starts, he was well beaten by District Master on the 13th of January at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he should love the step up in trip, and the cheek pieces have been fitted, watch for sharp improvement from this good looking colt. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 3 – 2 – 7)

RACE 5

2 KONNICHIWA was very game in his last start behind Mente Et Manu on the 13th of December, he stayed on well for second in a driving finish, he never runs a bad race, from a good draw on Wednesday, he can certainly win a race like this. 1 TWILIGHT WARRIOR quickened up nicely to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of January, he was given two points for that victory, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be running on strongly late, include him into all bets. 5 NOBLE HERO finished just under two lengths behind Twilight Warrior last time, he is in good form at the moment, he should be there amongst the places. 6 CHANCE ENCOUNTER finished just over three lengths behind Foudre on the 4th of January, the blinkers have been taken off, and he steps up in trip to 1800m, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 1 – 5 – 6)

RACE 6

3 BEAUTIFUL SIDE finished third behind Gentleman Joe on the 4th of January, she is super consistent, she drops in trip on Wednesday to 1800m, and she has a good draw, she will be right there in the finish late. 4 MIDWAY won well at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 21st of January, he was given four points for that victory, even though he carries a big weight for this D Stakes race, he can be hard to peg back if he gets cheap sectionals in front. 6 GOLD INDEX ran third behind Midway last time, he was beaten just under two lengths at the line, Richard Fourie has been booked to ride this gelding, he will be competitive. 5 HELIOTROPE has been rested for 88 days, she is consistent, and she has dropped even further in the ratings, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she could be the value horse in this tricky race. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 4 – 6 – 5)

RACE 7

4 TENPENNY quickened up like a smart horse to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of January, he was given four points for that win, he has a wonderful turn of foot, there is no doubt that he will love the step up in trip to 2000m on Wednesday, he can win again. 7 UMFULA must have a big winning chance in this field, he moved up well enough behind Tenpenny last time, jockey Richard Fourie knows this gelding well, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be storming home late, watch him closely at a fair price. 2 LA PULGA is much better than his recent start behind Okavango on the 10th of January, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, he steps up in trip now to 2000m, if he bounces back to his best form, he will be competitive. 3 SONG TO THE MOON just got touched off by Tenpenny on the 13th of January, it was great to see him back in form, if he brings that performance to the races again on Wednesday, he will make the finish very interesting. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 7 – 2 – 3)

RACE 8

6 SOOTY was heavily backed in the market on the 13th of January, he was nailed on the line by Worldly in a close finish, it was a great race to watch, he has run some good races at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in the past, this looks to be the right race for him, he will be hard to beat on his best form. 2 WINTER PEARL has run three super races in succession, he ran third behind Mauritius Kestrel on the 13th of December in his last start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, from a good draw on Wednesday, he will go close. 9 MEET THE KING won his maiden impressively at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 17th of January, it was a great ride by jockey Andrew Fortune, this is a big step up in class for him, but he looks progressive. 3 DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT bounced back to his best form to run a good third behind Worldly on the 13th of January, he absolutely loves Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he could be the value horse from a good draw. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 2 – 9 – 3)

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Kempton and Southwell (UK) – 11 February 2026.

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.