David Thiselton

Dean Kannemeyer will not have a runner in the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday, so will be unable to defend his title, but the

four-times July-winning trainer has a number of interesting runners on the day.

Dean runs Palace Of Avernia, a Vercingetorix full-sister to Gr 1 SA Classic winner Grand Empire, in the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m where she has unfortunately landed a wide draw of 13 out of 14. She led from start to finish on debut over 1200m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf from a tricky draw of nine and second time out in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville she showed plenty of resolve when running on from near the back for a commendable 4,85 length fourth. She is obviously going to relish the step up in trip on Saturday. However, the draw is the problem. Craig Zackey is up for the third time and will have to make a plan.

Dean said, “I will leave it up to Craig. You don’t want to chase from that draw and sit in the first two or three because if you are well drawn you are there for nothing, but you don’t want to drop out of your ground either, because if you are in last place the others will be skipping away when you are swinging for home. So you want to try and drop in and get lucky. It becomes a bit of a stampede in the first two furlongs of that race, it’s quite rough. Nine out of ten times you are not going to get lucky. But she is doing well and hopefully it will pan out well.”

He runs Keukenhof in the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes over 1600m and as a deep thinking racing man he might have recalled the 2021 renewal of this race, which was expected to be fought out by the top class trio Captain’s Ransom, War Of Athena and Princess Calla, but instead was won by the 75/1 shot Zarina, or the 2018 renewal, in which the 22/1 shot Redberry Lane upset the 13/20 favourite Snowdance. This year the race is expected to be won by the odds-on favourite Double Grand Slam with Quickstepgal and Mon Petite Cherie the dangers, but Keukenhof is a hard knocker who could pick up the pieces if they fluff their lines.

The 8/1 chance Keukenhof is by the United States and his dam Dawn Calling is a Gr 1 runner up over the Garden Province course and distance having finished second in the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes. Furthermore, Dawn Calling (Trippi) is a half-brother to Gr 1 SA Classic winner Confederate (Fire Away).

Keukenhof has a tricky draw of eight with Zackey up and Dean said, “She is holding her form well, she deserves her place there, she has never run a bad race in her life. She ran a great race in the WSB Fillies Guineas (0,55 length third to Wish List, whom she had actually beaten when third in the Gr 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship over 1400m) and she ran a very good race in the Woolavington 2000 the other day. We dropped her out in the Woolavington, because we didn’t know whether she was going to go the trip. She turned it on well in the straight and was following the right horse through, but she had had enough in the last 75m over the 2000m trip. Back to a mile this is more her game. Of course there is Double Grand Slam and some top fillies in the race, but she will be right there at the finish. She is drawn eight out of eleven, but she can sit up handy or come from off the pace. In her 1400m race at Hollywoodbets Greyville (Gr 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes) she sat up handy and Craig just pulled her out and she won. We just have to ride her as we find her when they come out of the gates.”

In the Gr 3 Post Merchants over 1200m Dean is drawn well with Outlaw King in barrier two and Princess Of Gaul in three.

He said, “It’s a merit-rated band handicap of sorts and Outlaw King (carries 62kg off a 122 rating) has earned his stripes and has a bit of pudding to carry. He has been a wonderful horse for the syndicate. Its never going to be easy with that weight’ but he won the Merchants at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth with 54kg and he came the next year with topweight and won it again and he then ran third in the Gr 1 wfa Cape Flying Championship. It won’t be easy, but he’s doing well and he’s well drawn.”

Stable jockey Craig Zackey rides Princess Of Gaul and Dean said, “She’s doing exceptionally well. She has proven to us her maximum trip is 1400m. Over a mile in the classics she ran up to them and then had had enough in the last 75m, so 1200m to 1400m is her game. She’s well drawn and at the weights she’s a runner. There are some very good sprinters in this race, but she ran a top race in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint and she’s won Group races over this trip and over 1400m. She won a Gr 2 over this course and distance as a two-year-old. She gets a female allowance and I think it is the right race for her. I seldom run fillies against colts, but looking at the weight structure and the draw I said I’m going to give it a go.”

Buffalo Storm Cody is well treated in this race and both Outlaw King and Princess Of Gaul are officially 5kg and 3kg under sufferance with him respectively, but on the other hand it might be a preparation outing for Buffalo Storm Cody ahead of the Mercury Sprint.

Outlaw King carries 62kg under Ant Mgudlwa and Princess Of Gaul carries 55,5kg.

In the Listed Premier Gateway Handicap over 1600m Dean runs the three-year-old Gimmethegreenlight gelding Green Gateway, who has won three out of six starts, although all three of his wins have been over 1200m.

He said, “I’ve never run him over a mile and he’s got a high rating (109), but I’m convinced he will get a mile, although of course the race will tell. But he’s a lovely horse. The first time I ran him in his KZN campaign was under lights at Hollywoodbets Greyville and he jumped out and didn’t know what to do and he was never in the race. He wasn’t enjoying it under the lights at all and that can happen to an inexperienced horse. I then ran him at Hollywoodbets Scottsville over 1200m and he won with 61,5kg on his back in a Middle Stakes event and that was a very, very good performance. He always comes from off the pace and then turns it on in the last 400m. Over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville you can’t swing for home eight lengths off them, but this is a mile and his style of running I think he will get a mile, but the race will tell. On pedigree he should also get a mile. He’s got a bit of pudding to carry, but he’s doing very well.”

Dean also runs the Gimmethegreenlight gelding The Green Glow in the first over 1600m on the poly under Craig Zackey from draw six and he has won on the poly before, so if repeating the form of his penultimate start when a narrow third over this trip on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf then he must have a chance as he is a point lower in the ratings since then after a below par effort at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time out.

David Thiselton

The South African racing industry fraternity reverberated with shock and disappointment shortly after lunchtime on Tuesday when news filtered through that the Hollywoodbets Durban July favourite Star Major had been scratched due to an elevated temperature.

This was a blow to trainer James Crawford as well as to owners Ravi Naidoo of Kalinga, Jonathan Bloch and Prakashni Pillay.

However, Ravi later looked at it philosophically and said, “I’m ambivalent about it. Part of me thinks it’s a blessing in disguise. We can chart a more purist route with our entire. If he is in outlandishly good nick, come month end, we could have a tilt at the G1 Champions Cup in open company, at weight for age. Otherwise,  like James said, we have accomplished our goal this season. We aimed for the Daily News. Mission accomplished. I feel privileged to be racing a horse of this calibre. He’s been a revelation. We must just catch our breath, recollect and refresh.”

As a Durban-born racing fan Ravi has long dreamed of winning the July and looked to have another fine opportunity with Star Major after being narrowly denied with Cousin Casey two years ago.

Jonathan Bloch still has a another chance this year as he is also part-owner of the new joint favourite Wish List.

However, it would have been a bitter blow to Star Major’s jockey Mickaelle Michel, who had an opportunity to make July history and continue a remarkable fairy tale story.

The scratching would have been greeted with different emotions in other quarters.

It means the first reserve, the Erico Verdonese-trained Choisaanada, comes into the race and gets an opportunity to prove a point as there was controversy after he was left out of the top 18 by the final field panellists.

Ironically, Rachel Venniker now steps into the plate vacated by Mickaelle Michel, because she is booked to ride Choisaanada.

Rachel has already made July history, becoming the first female to ride in the July in 2024, and she now gets the opportunity to be the first female jockey to win the iconic race.

The second reserve, the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained SA Derby winner Curious Girl, is now one step closer to getting in.

There must be another scratching before 08H15 on Friday for her to get in, although she is fancied for the Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase over 3000m and would have a very tough task at the weights in the July, being officially a whopping 6kg under sufferance. The 2200m trip of the July might also be a bit on the sharp side for her too.

The new joint favourites for the race are the Justin Snaith-trained pair Wish List and Note To Self, who are now both 5/1  with the sponsor. In fact Snaith, who has five runners in the race, now has the top three in the betting as his charge Regulation is joint 6/1 third favourite will the well-backed Viva’s Liberte.

RACE 1

An interesting race as some of these make their local debut and are trying the Polytrack. SOUNDSOFSYMPHONIES ran in two decent maiden fields in the Western Cape so would not be a surprise winner on local debut. LOVE FROM AFAR was not disgraced last week when trying the Polytrack and could go one better. GEORGE REX makes his local debut for an in-form trainer and is capable of improvement. ALLEYAH’S ROCKET is knocking on the door and is proven on this surface so must be respected. GOOD SHINE, NORSE WARRIOR and LADY OF FATE all need to do a bit more to win but might earn minor money.

RACE 2

A very open race with most of them well suited to this course and distance. STRANGE MAGIC runs prior so that run needs to be looked at but she has been holding her form well and could win a race of this nature. SWEET JULIA is better than her last two runs suggest and does well over this shorter distance. ICY LANCASTER is capable of improvement and could be a threat. WORDSWORTH is not reliable but is also not out of it. WINTERONTHEGREEN looks capable of going start to finish if allowed a soft lead. CHIEF RUNNER could be ready to spring a surprise.

RACE 3

RARE EARTH was consistent without scoring in the Western Cape and that form should be good enough at this low level. SABRAGE put in a career best performance last time out and could have more to offer. PLAYMAKER has struggled but has a place chance on best form. DEAD POETS SOCIETY has shown improvement of late and is not out of it. BUGLE is consistent but is battling to get a first victory. RUN JOHNNY RUN seems a bit better than his local debut would suggest and could make the frame.

RACE 4

KIM KAY is improving. She looked an unlucky loser of her latest start and could go one place better. GREEK HEIRESS is a long-time battling maiden but makes her local debut and would not be a surprise winner. PRICELESS TREASURE did not show her best last time out. She was very consistent before that and can contest the finish again. DEE DEE’S DELIGHT showed improvement last time out and has a place chance. SALAGADOOLA and WORLD OF DIAMONDS are not reliable but can play minor roles. TOUCH THE SWORD and GUTSY BABY are improving and must be respected.

RACE 5

HELIOTROPE was a disappointment when trying the Polytrack first time out. She certainly learnt from that experience with a solid win last time out. She picked up a penalty for that win so it should be closer this time. HOMING PIGEON ran right up to that rival last time out but failed to go past her. She might do so in this race with the change of weights. LANA VIEW continues to improve and could be third best. HAT MONTERA did not show her best last time out but can make the frame. BACK FOR MORE is not reliable but might earn some money.

RACE 6

A very open race and it might be best advised to go very wide in this leg of all the exotics, especially the Pick 6. ICED MARMALADE has not been beaten far in her recent runs and could make all this time. DAFFODIL DELIGHT runs in a better race than this on Friday 26 June so could be a threat if appearing for this race. JAPANESE GARDEN has shown improvement of late and could be ready to score. TRULY MAGICAL picked up a confidence-boosting victory last time out and could be a threat. WALTZING DOLL, GREENLIGHT DANCER and CAPE CAPRI are others that are clearly capable of scoring at this level.

RACE 7

SUSURRANDO is improving and should make a bold bid for victory in a race like this. EUGENIUS won nicely enough on local debut and the second horse was an easy winner of his next starts. EL CAPITAN was not disgraced last time out and should contest the finish. WHATEVER NEXT has not been showing his best for some time now but has a place chance. TOKYO PRINCESS makes her local debut and could improve. CAPTAIN CLEVER showed improvement last time out but is badly drawn. POWER OF TIGER seems better than a modest last performance.

RACE 8

BLUE PALACE is knocking loudly at the door and could go one better but it is a very open looking race. KAMAKAZI is unreliable but quite capable of scoring. ENDEARED quickened up nicely to win her latest start and could be a lively danger. AMANATTO had some good form before fluffing her lines last time out. WHIRLYBIRD might be better on the turf but that is not certain. QUEEN OF JAZZ likes the Polytrack and could challenge for top honours once again.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Epsom and Thirsk (UK) – 30 June 2026.

David Thiselton

 

A number of Summerveld trainers spoke about the chances of their Hollywoodbets Durban July day runners yesterday morning.

 

Tienie Prinsloo is bullish about the chances of his crack Vercingetorix three-year-old filly Quickstepgal in the Gr 1 wfa Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes over 1600m and after the below interview he stated that he believed she was going to beat the favourite Double Grand Slam.

 

He had said before that bold statement, “Everything is good with her, she is doing her best at home and I am very happy with her. Her draw of seven is a very, very nice draw in my opinion, it’s not outside and it’s not inside. I think she will have a nice jump from gate seven. The 1400m of her last win suits her down to the ground, but she did win the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas and as an older filly she might start preferring the mile. Anyway I don’t see any problem with this distance, we are just going to have to look out for Justin Snaith’s filly (Double Grand Slam).”

 

Tienie believed the right decision was made by the stipendiary stewards last time when Quickstepgal had a ding-dong duel down the straight with Mon Petite Cherie in the Gr 2 HKJC World Pool Stakes over 1400m and she kept the race after an objection against her. She will now be 3kg better off with Mon Petite Cherie, despite having beaten her by a short-head, so she should confirm the form.

 

Gareth van Zyl has King Pelles (Duke Of Marmalade) in the big one, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, and he said, “He is doing well, he has had no hiccups in his preparation. He is fit and is in a very good space and he is ready to run. His draw of 17 is actually nice as it means he will be out of the hustle and bustle that will be going on, so hopefully we don’t get trapped more than three wide. Horses have won going three wide, it is not always an excuse in a race like the July (with the probable most important factor being to get cover). I am not upset about the draw, it could have been worse if we had been in the middle and being bumped around. His gallop on Thursday was pleasing. He is not a horse who sets the track alight, he does what he needs to and he came out of it well.”

 

Gareth runs Dubai Dude (Declarationofpeace) and Place Of Practice (Vercingetorix) in the first race on the poly over 1600m and he said, “Dubai Dude put up an eye-catching gallop with King Pelles. If he had a draw we would be confident (but he is drawn 12 out of 12). If he doesn’t burn up too much gas from the draw he can definitely be involved. Place Of Pratice has the draw on his side and we are hoping that he is competitive, although first time out the maidens might be a bit tough for him.”

 

Grand Occasion (Danon Platina) ran at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday and runs six days later in Race 2 on July day over 1600m on the poly. Gareth said, “The pace was a bit slow for her on Sunday, but she has taken the race well and she might prefer the poly at the moment, so we will give it a go (in her last three runs on the poly she has had two wins and a second, so is in fine poly form and she has a good draw of four).”

 

Gareth has Imilenzeyokududuma (Dynasty) in the July consolation race, the Gr 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200, and he said, “He is in very good form, he’s racing well and he’s loving his work and just loving life. He is looking like a young horse again and I would be surprised if he doesn’t contend the finish here.”

 

Tomyris (Vercingetorix) is also running in the Magical Kingdom and Gareth said, “She raced on Sunday and there is a chance she likes this 2200m trip. If she does she can maybe earn a cheque considering her light weight.”

 

Imposing (Visionaire) has thrived in the Van Zyl yard and Gareth said ahead of his engagement in the Listed Premier Gateway International Handicap over 1600m on the turf, “He is doing very well and from a decent draw it is the right type of race for him and I make him one of the principle contenders here. His run to Zeitz last time out was a very good run (0,90 length second over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville giving the latter 1,5kg) and proved he is competitively handicapped off a 107 merit rating. He is in a good space, he is a genuine horse.”

 

Gareth runs Serengetti Sun (Legislate) in the 11th race over 1200m on the poly and said, “She’s got more to offer. Last time from a wide draw there was merit in the run, she tired late and from a good draw this time out I think she is one of the principle contenders in this event.”

 

He runs Scarlet Starlet (Erik The Red) in the last race over 1200m on the poly and he said, “She was unlucky last time out, if she jumps well (from draw two) I think she could also be a principle contender. She is a horse with more to offer.”

 

Paul Lafferty brings the talented Danon Platina three-year-old Bruh back for his first run as a gelding having last run three months ago. He had a bit of a setback after the gelding which put him a little bit behind in his work. Paul said about his chances in Race 2 over 1600m on the poly, “He is probably a little bit behind the eightball, but I am hoping he will be up there because he is a decent horse, I have always rated him.” Bruh was looking in fine fettle when cantering past on the bottom sand track. Paul emphasised for all presenters around the country to take note of that this horse’s name is pronounced the same as the word “brew”.

 

Wendy Whitehead has the talented Buttercup Baby (What A Winter) in the 11th race, a polytrack event over 1200m. She was asked to just do a light canter on the bottom sand on Monday morning as she has had plenty of racing lately, although she will do faster work on Tuesday and Thursday. She had a gleaming coat, underlining her well-being, and Wendy said, “She likes to race up in the first section and she has a good draw with Rachel Venniker up claiming the 1,5kg. She is back on the poly which she loves. She is in a great space and will go close.”

 

Wendy’s charge Sundance Kid (Master Of My Fate) runs in race 2 over 1600m on the poly and she said, “He is working very, very well. He is coming into this race fresh (last ran on April 24), but he loves to run fresh and he loves the polytrack and 1600m is his game. He is a very competitive horse, he tries hard every time, so I am hoping for a great run. He has so much gatespeed that he should be able to overcome his draw of 12 easily (under Calvin Habib).”

 

MJ Odendaal runs Johnny The Thief from pole position in the Gr 3 Magical Kingdom 2200 and he said, “He ran fourth in this race last year, despite things not going his way.. He ended up leading and he’s always been better from off the speed. He normally runs well quite fresh, so we’re coming into the race fresh (last ran on April 24). He had a proper, proper mile gallop last week Tuesday. I am not saying we are going in confident, but I’m quietly confident he will be in the money.”

 

Interestingly, Johnny The Thief sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 52kg off his 94 merit rating and last year he was 2kg under sufferance off a 92 rating.