David Thiselton

There were two big scratchings from the Hollywoodbets Durban July at first declaration stage, the Alec Laird-trained Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack and the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Gr 2 Gold Bracelet winner and twice Gr 1 runner up Red Palace.

A runner in last year’s July, Barbaresco, and a runner in the 2023 July, Without Question, were also scratchings and so were last year’s July consolation race (Splashout 2200) winner Cape Eagle alongside Champagne Cocktail, Bristol Hercules, La Pulga, I Salute You, My Soulmate, The Ultimate King and Kamensky.

Crack Potala Palace filly Red Palace was scratched due to a minor setback.

This setback will unfortunately see her not ready in time for either the July or the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes on the same day.

However, Kannemeyer still has a live July contender in The Real Prince, who was possibly the most eye-catching runner in the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m on the Champions Season opening day. From a wide draw he was dropped out and flew home in seemingly effortless style for a 1,35 length fourth. The connections are still undecided on his route into the July and Kannemeyer admitted he still had to prove he stayed the July 2200m trip. The Gimmethegreenlight gelding is a full-brother to Equus Champion Sprinter Gimme A Prince. He has a lot of other classy sprint-miler relatives close up of the like of his Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint-winning dam Real Princess, his full-sister the Gr 3 Diana Stakes-winning filly Gimme’s Countess and Gr 1 Cape Guineas winner William Longsword, who is a half-brother to Real Princess. However, The Real Prince’s third dam, Dancing Flower, produced champion older male stayer Kelly as well as useful stayer Flame and also the Gr 2 UAE Derby winner, the top class Victory Moon, who was unlucky in one of England’s top weight for Gr 1 events, the Coral Eclipse (one mile and two furlongs (2000m). The Real Prince has only once tried as far as a mile and that was in the Listed Jet Master Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and he won by five lengths. So that augurs well for his chances of staying further. He would be a big runner if taking his place in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge on June 7, although the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m could also be an option as that might be a better way of keeping his merit rating of 120 down for the July.

Fire Attack has a bruised foot to the extent Alec Laird did not even nominate him for the July’s biggest three-year-old pointer, the Gr 1 Daily News 2000. He said decisions about his future would only be made after his foot was right. However, he said at this rate he might not make it for any Champions Season races, including the Gr 1 Champions Cup.

He said Atticus Finch was finding a mile too far for him these days let alone the 1400m of his preparation run on Sunday, where he only got going when the race was over. Alec said this Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup-winning son of Master Of My Fate was not a good traveller so would likely run in the Jubilee over 1800m in Johannesburg as his final July preparation run and said he might then come down to KZN a week before the July to give him a chance to recover in case he did not travel well. Alec was glad to see See It Again running well in his last race as that would give Atticus Finch a weight of 57kg as things stand in the July and he felt that would give him a chance.

He said he had hoped for a better run on Sunday for Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas winner Parisian Walkway in an 1800m event at Turffontein Standside. He said he had needed the run a bit and added he was glad he had not fallen away like he did in his last run. However, he said his July participation would depend on how he went in he Gr 1 Daily News 2000 on 24 May at Hollywoodbets Greyville. 

The first supplementary stage for the July ends tomorrow and there have been no supplementary entries yet.

Graeme Hawkins

Cape Racing stages a 9-race programme on the Summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon and, dare I say it, punters may enjoy the better of exchanges throughout the day but particularly during the first half of the race meeting. Racing is set to take place under clear skies but following 43mm of rain over the weekend, the track condition is likely to be on the soft side.

Candice Bass-Robinson saddles four fillies in the opening event, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m, and riding arrangements would suggest that Electromagnetism could be the stable elect. The 2yo daughter of Gimmethegreenlight has improved with each outing and was a good second behind Una The Unicorn a month ago but her stable companion Precocious and the Vaughan Marshall-trained Inside Voice, who finished second and third behind Amen Corner on debut, are very much alive. Inside Voice appeared subsequently on 16 April when third behind the useful Match That and that form looks strong enough for the daughter of Pathfork to be considered the likely winner here.

South Of France may prove the one to beat in the second race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1200m, following her decent fourth on debut behind Match That. That formline comes under scrutiny in the previous race and should Inside Voice win the opener, that would certainly enhance the chances of South Of France. Lowveld Lily and My Dear Friend will show further progress from their respective debuts and pose the biggest threat to South Of France.

The third race and opening leg of the Place Accumulator, a Maiden Juvenile over 1400m, sets up nicely for the Vaughan Marshall-trained Sierra Sagrada. The 2yo son of One World was a good second over track and trip recently behind the older Thomas Jenkins and further improvement is very much on the cards. His stable companion Balzi Rossi is interesting as there was not much to choose between the pair when they debuted behind North Point in March. Balzi Rossi followed that up with a fair fifth behind the impressive Randolph Hearst and that may prove to be a stronger form line than that of Thomas Jenkins. Diamond Days is coming along the right way, and his winning chance cannot be underestimated.

Ruby Rex and Thingamabob should dominate the fourth race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1000m, and Rhydian looks very hard to oppose in the fifth race, a Maiden Plate over 1200m. On pure form Rhydian looks to have this race at his mercy, the only possible concern being that this will be his second run after a long break. The 3yo son of Rafeef was gelded following a promising juvenile campaign and returned after a 10-month absence to finish runner-up behind Green Planet four weeks ago.

The sixth race, an Open Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1200m, has a wide-open appearance and I fancy that Vivo Per Lei could prove an attractive each-way prospect. On the evidence of their last start, there is not much to choose between Cold Breeze and Red State and both the Adam Marcus and Ricky Maingard stables are presently in very good form. Call Me Jane is the ante-post favourite and the lightly raced 3yo daughter of Querari has shown decent potential, but she is conceding weight all round in this maiden handicap. Rosa Osiria is limited but this is not a deep race, and she could get into the mix.

The seventh race, a Class 3 Handicap over 1200m, has attracted a small but very competitive line-up. Empire State was last seen in the R5-million Big Cap over 1400m where he was not disgraced when finishing only five lengths behind All Out For Six. He reverts to a more suitable trip here and the 3yo son of Rafeef should give his supporters a good run for their money. That said, he can expect stiff opposition from the likes of Bluff On Bluff, Elusive Winter and Nordic Chief and Jackpot and Pick 6 players must consider including all of the aforementioned in their permutations. The lightly weighted She’s My Captain could be the surprise package in the race.

The eighth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1500m, is another trappy affair and an upset cannot be ruled out. Kleinzee has come good of late and the 3yo daughter of Gimmethegreenlight bids for a hat-trick here. Her most recent win, from a very wide gate, was impressive and she is unsurprisingly the early market leader. Jou Lekker Ding rates a clear threat while both Oni San and La Divina have done enough to warrant serious consideration. Hampstead Heath ran below par in her most recent outing but is capable of better and could upset the apple cart. Also, at a long price, Diamond Bomber can take a step forward and may be worth including as she made good headway last time from a hopeless position turning for home.

The ninth race, a C Stakes over 2200m, is arguably the toughest race on the card. Heliotrope is 2,5kgs better off with the consistent Kwite A King for a three-quarters off a length beating over track and trip three weeks ago which should be enough for Candice Bass-Robinson’s filly to turn the tables. Twice The Master also looks very well treated here but Vaughan Marshall’s 6yo son of Twice Over is unreliable these days and its open to question as to whether he can string two good runs together. Prime Venture and Tothemoonandback would not be surprise winners in an evenly matched contest, while the 3yo fillies, Lady Springfield and Double Dash are worthy of respect. Recent maiden winner Show Off is on the upgrade and can show further progress for Richard Fourie and the Crawford team.

RACE 1

9 INSIDE VOICE has run two very good races in succession, she travelled well last time and stayed on strongly late for third behind Match That, the form of that race has worked out well, she must have a good each way chance in this field. 7 ELECTROMAGNETISM ran a lovely race behind Una The Unicorn last time, she is improving with every run, include her into all bets. 2 PRECOCIOUS comes back to the races from a 69 day break, she finished strongly for second behind Amen Corner, there is no doubt that she will make the necessary improvement, watch her closely, she could be anything. 3 RED TAFFETY was only beaten just over six lengths on debut, she steps up in trip now to 1200m, she could sneak into the places at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 7 – 2 – 3)

RACE 2

6 SOUTH OF FRANCE ran a great race on debut behind Match That, she was only beaten just under four lengths by the winner, the form of that race has worked out well, this doesn’t look to be the strongest race on paper, she will go very close to winning here. 1 LOWVELD LILY caught the eye late on debut, she was terribly green early, and then finished powerfully to run third behind Ukuduma, she will get better with more racing, include her into all bets. 2 MY DEAR FRIEND stayed on nicely in her first start at the races, she was only beaten just over five lengths by the winner, she should be running on well late, watch her closely. 4 VIVA LA VIDA is the interesting horse in the race, she is well-bred, Jockey Gavin Lerena has been booked to ride her on debut, watch the market closely. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 1 – 2 – 4)

RACE 3

3 SIERRA SAGRADA ran a great race against older horses last time, he was still very green, from a good draw here, he should get the perfect run, he will be very hard to beat in this race. 2 DIAMOND DAYS must have a good each way chance, he made good improvement behind a smart horse last time at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, if he can build on that performance, he will be a major player in the finish. 4 BALZI ROSSI ran a fair race behind Randolph Hearst on the 21st of April, it was strong race with some high quality individuals in it, he is improving with every start, watch for a big performance from this colt. 5 MAGNUS THE GOOD finished six lengths behind his stable companion at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in his last start, the apprentice takes off 2,5kgs, he might be able to get into the Quartet if he keeps improving. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 2 – 4 – 5)

RACE 4

7 THINGAMABOB should go very close to winning here, she ended up in a good position from a wide draw at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time, she did have some interference up the straight, but the drop in trip is key for this individual, she will be right there in the finish on her best form. 6 RUBY REX ran a huge race last time behind the unbeaten Ukuduma, she travelled beautifully and looked to have the race in the bag going past the 200m mark, unfortunately she got reeled in late and had to settle for second, her form up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth is very good, she will be competitive and her chances must be respected. 3 AMERICAN ULTRA has been rested for a long time, her two runs to date have been good, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she could quite easily win a race like this. 2 FLEUR DE VILLE has been rested for 66 days, she has been well tried in the maiden ranks, she could sneak into the Quartet at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 6 – 3 – 2)

RACE 5

4 RHYDIAN was very unlucky in his last start behind Green Planet, he travelled well in his race and only managed to find a gap very late, he probably would have needed that run as well from a long break, if he has made the necessary improvement back at home, he will be tough to beat in this race. 3 KLEIN KAROO stayed on nicely for fourth in the same race as Rhydian last time, he showed good speed and only got tired very late, he should improve nicely from that performance, include him into all your Swingers, Trifectas, Exactas and Quartets. 9 BOUNDLESS LOVE finished third in the same race as Rhydian and Klein Karoo on the 16th of April, he settled midfield and was hard ridden late to get up for third behind Green Planet, he is definitely improving with racing, include him into all bets. 11 DIGBY ran a lovely race on the 14th of April, it was his first run back from a long break, he was only beaten just over two lengths by the winner, he should make major improvement, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 3 – 9 – 11)

RACE 6

4 COLD BREEZE finished like a train for third behind Angel’s Oasis on the 14th of April, she was just off the speed early and managed to do some good work late in a big field, if she can back that performance up on Tuesday afternoon, she will go very close to winning. 3 VIVO PER LEI drops back in trip to 1200m for this Open Maiden, she ran a fair race against winners last time, this is a weak race on paper, if she enjoys the drop in trip, she will be right there in the finish. 9 CALL ME JANE finished just under three lengths behind Dive Bomber on the 28th of April, it was her first run back from a long break, she has been lightly raced, watch for big improvement from this filly. 2 ROSA OSIRIA gets the blinkers fitted, she might be able to get into the places on her best form. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 3 – 9 – 2)

RACE 7

5 EMPIRE STATE was gelded on the 31st of March, he is a lovely horse packed with lots of ability, he ran a great race in the Big Cap behind All Out For Six, he won a good race over this trip in his penultimate start on the 15th of February, he will be finishing strongly and must have a good winning chance. 6 ELUSIVE WINTER is an absolute speed ball, he has been so consistent, he ran a cracker last time behind Air Raid, the form of that race has worked out well, he will be the horse they all need to fetch. 7 BLUFF ON BLUFF never runs a bad race, he has done exceptionally well for his trainer and owners involved, he will be sitting just off the speed early, and he will be doing good work late. 3 GIMMELIGHTNING needed his last run badly, he should make big improvement here, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 6 – 7 – 3)

RACE 8

7 KLEINZEE looks to be a very smart filly in the making, she has won her last two races in good fashion, she was drawn badly last time, and still managed to finish well to win a great race, she is progressive and must have a good winning chance again off this new rating of 82. 3 LA DIVINA ran a super race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 22nd of March, she was forced to work hard early from a wide draw, she showed good heart to finish second behind Fun Zone who went on to run a cracker behind Time For Love in the Listed Ladies Mile, If she gets some cheap sectionals early, she will be hard to peg back here. 4 LADY LOOK ALIKE won well on the 16th of April, she was given five points for that victory, she is very consistent, include her into the play. 2 ONI SAN ran a fair race behind My Only Weakness on the 28th of April, she probably needs to slide further in the ratings, the draw will help her here, she could run a place at best. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 3 – 4 – 2)

RACE 9

1 TWICE THE MASTER ran a great race behind Kwite A King on the 21st of April, he is gutsy, he stays well, and he has a good draw for this staying contest, everything points to him running a huge race in the lucky last. 8 HELIOTROPE moved up like a winner in the home straight last time, she travelled smoothly up the lane and just got tired very late, Jockey Sean Veale knows this filly well, she is very consistent, on her best form, she will have a good each way chance again. 10 KWITE A KING quickened up beautifully to win a good race on the 21st of April, he was given four points for that victory, and he will need to shoulder 64kgs on Tuesday, despite the negatives, he should run a good race again. 12 TOTHEMOONANDBACK could be the dark horse here at a decent price, he was a touch unlucky in the straight last time, if he gets some luck in running, he will be staying on well enough, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 8 – 10 – 12)

PLEASE NOTE!

Soccer 4 SHH:  SPORT 18 AND POOL 2 – 14 MAY 2025

Match 2 (M2): AC MILAN vs BOLOGNA. INCORRECT ORDER DISPLAY

Soccer 6 6HH: SPORT 5 AND POOL 1 – 14 MAY 2025

Match 3 (M3):
AC MILAN vs BOLOGNA. INCORRECT ORDER DISPLAY

Soccer 10 SJJ: SPORT 7 AND POOL 1 – 14 MAY 2025

Match 7 (M7):
AC MILAN vs BOLOGNA. INCORRECT ORDER DISPLAY

All results (the field) will qualify for the above match.

In terms of TAB rules, all choices (the field) will apply in determining results and payouts

David Thiselton

The Andre Nel yard look to have booked a berth in the Hollywoodbets Durban July for the consistent five-year-old Pomodoro gelding Selukwe. A further development in the July build up over the weekend was the impressive win of the East Cape’s best three-year-old My Best Shot in the Listed East Cape Derby on Friday, begging the question of whether he will be supplemented for the big race, while up at Turffontein the well regarded Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas winner Parisian Walkway disappointed when only fourth in a Pinnacle event over 1800m that was won by July 100/1 shot Navajo Nation.

Selukwe carried 54kg off a 103 merit under Serino Moodley and after being dropped out from a wide draw ran on from the back in the straight to win by a comfortable 2,20 lengths. The consistent Mike Miller-trained Narina Trogon ran on well from a handy position for second, 0,30 lengths ahead of the Justin Snaith-trained Underworld, who drifted out to 25/1 before being backed in late to 7/1. Underworld also came from a handy position, while his 11/2 chance stablemate Okavango, who started Tote favourite, ran on well for a 3,20 length fourth. Thunee Playa stayed on for fifth place. The race did not pan out at all well for the bookmakers 9/2 favourite Native Ruler, who was hampered at the start and ended too far back and never really had fresh air to aim at in the straight.

Selukwe has shortened in to 25/1 for the July with the sponsor.

Narina Trogon remains a 75/1 shot for the July, while Underworld is not a July entry, but he might go for a race like the Cup Trial next and be supplemented if winning it.

Okavango has surprisingly stayed at 20/1 for the July, despite probably needing to now either win the Cup Trial or run a big race in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000.

The same can be said for Native Ruler, who remains on 40/1.

Their stablemate Future Swing was last year’s winner of the WSB 1900 but proved in need of the run on Saturday and ran a 6,30 length eighth. He remains on 50/1 for the July. He is highly regarded and could bounce back in the Cup Trial.  

The best weighted horse in the WSB 1900 was Indian Ocean who was sent to the front by Kabelo Matsunyane and did way too much trying to get there. Piere Strydom did go close on her from the front last time and has won on her from the front, but he has also won on her coming from last and in retrospect dropping her out from a wide draw would have been a better tactic. 

Indian Ocean finished last and remains a 75/1 shot for the July, while her stablemate Infinite Wonder was never in it and remains a July 150/1 shot. Their fifth-placed stablemate Thunee Playa remains a 100/1 shot for the July. 

Madison Valley was another major disappointment in the WSB 1900, finding nothing from a handy position, and he remains on 100/1 for the July. Madison Valley’s Frank Robinson-trained stablemate Shoot The Rapids ran sixth, but is viewed more as a Gold Cup horse and remains on 100/1 for the July too.

Selukwe’s stablemate Cape Eagle had too much use made of him early and faded out, so he also remains 100/1 for the July.

The Peter Muscutt-trained I Salute You ran a fair seventh from a wide draw in the WSB 1900, but remains on 75/1 for the July. 

The Glen Kotzen-trained Holding Thumbs was one of the most backed horses on the day of the WSB 1900 as Glen Kotzen has called him one of the best he’s trained for a long time. However, as a big staying type who was widely drawn he was always up against it and he duly faded after being taken to the front. He is a 50/1 shot for the July.

Meanwhile, the Alan Greeff-trained My Best Shot became the first horse to ever land the East Cape “Triple Crown”. He won all three legs of the Sophomore Series over 1400m, 1600m and 2400m respectively and earned a R250,000 bonus. 

The Varsfontein Stud-bred Fire Away three-year-old gelding has now won nine races from 15 starts and has won three Listed events.

My Best Shot was a bit head strong going down to the start for Friday’s Listed East Cape Derby, which raised some concerns because this was the first time he was going beyond 1600m and 800m further is a considerable step up.

However, he settled well at the back of the eleven horse field.

He then scythed through the field like a hot knife through butter in the straight to win by 5,25 lengths.

He is only rated 111 and he faced opposition that were all rated 95 or below, so thoughts of the Hollywoodbets Durban July would probably require a trip to KZN to run in a race like the Cup Trial.

He has such an exhilarating turn of foot that supplementing him for the Hollywoodbets Durban July would not be over optimistic.

Parisian Walkway’s disappointing run at Turffontein yesterday opened the question whether he stays further than a mile, because it is the third time he has disappointed over further than a mile. However, he did carry topweight and if apprentice claims are ignored had to give Navajo Nation 8kg and only lost to him by four lengths.

Later, the fancied July entry Legend Of Arthur finished last in a Pinnacle race over 1400m, but it sound worse than the run actually was as he experienced traffic problem when staying on quite well over too sharp a trip.

Purple Pitcher and Atticus Finch also found the distance too sharp and needed it, but it would have been  important respective pipe opener on their route towards the July too.

Later, the July 14/1 shot Immediate Edge ran on superbly for second in the Secretariat Stakes over the too sharp 1400m despite carrying 60.5kg, while earlier in the day July 100/1 shot The Ultimate King won well first time out the maidens over 1600m.