UK – Goodwood will be a World Pool event from 29 to 31 July. All races will be World Pool races. World pools will be on the Win, Place, Swinger, Quinella, Exacta and Trifecta

David Thiselton

Just about every winner on World Pool Gold Cup day was a logical choice and proved that form is king and theories like “fresh horses are at an advantage in the Champions Cup” should not be given much attention.

The first two home in the Gr 1 weight for age HKJC Champions Cup, Gladatorian and The Real Prince, both ran in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and beat home five other horses, all of whom would have fitted into the “fresh” category.

Gladatorian gave Stuart Ferrie a deserved first Gr 1 victory after a perfectly timed charge by Sean Veale and he was the logical form choice in retrospect.

He had already proved he stays 1800m with an impressive win at Hollywoodbets Scottsville over 1750m.

Gladatorian only has one way of running and that is to be left alone from off the pace and produce a late charge and having drawn two in a seven horse field, as opposed to eight in a twelve horse field in the Gold Challenge, he was always likely to have less ground to make up and was also likely to get a clearer run.

Dave The King had looked ominously like the winner approaching the final turn, because unlike the Gold Challenge when boxed in he had led at a slow pace early and this had allowed him to begin his well know long run in from the 800m mark.

However, one disadvantage he had is that opposition know him well now and know that he is not going to come back to the field.

The Real Prince might have been an impressive winner of the Hollywoodbets Durban July and he was equally eye-catching in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes, but he was unexposed over this trip.

Craig Zackey kept Dave The King’s in his sights when the latter began stretching them a long way out, but the Real Prince’s acid test was going to be whether he could make an impression on Dave The King in the straight.

Meanwhile, See It Again was enjoying much more luck than he had in the race last year as he had perfect cover from Montien, who was lying one out and one back and Gladatorian was perfectly placed behind The Real Prince on the rail.

To the surprise of a few The Real Prince was soon all over Dave The King and See It Again was proving last year’s run was all wrong, because he was also all over the big horse.

Keagan de Melo used his experience of the tight racing in Hong Kong to keep The Real Prince in.

However, Dave The King had left just enough room for The Real Prince to sneak through between him and the rail.

It then became clear that The Real Prince, despite hanging outward, had the measure of See It Again.

However, Gladatorian, as usual got into top gear at the 200m mark and was making inroads.

A deft change of whip-hand by Sean Veale as close to home as the 50m mark might well have been the difference between victory and defeat as Gladatorian found an extra gear surged past the three-year-old The Real Prince to win by 0,40 lengths with See It Again a further 1,20 lengths back.

Fire Attack was another closer who relished the fast pace in the latter half of the race and he ran on strongly to be beaten just 2,35 lengths.

Dave The King was beaten 2,95 lengths into fifth.

Gladatorian boosted the champion sire Vercingetorix’s earnings to over R36 million, which is likely a new record.

In the World Pool Gold Cup King Pelles proved in the Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase last time he is not only an out and out stayer but he also has class as he turned it on superbly off the back of a slow pace to give Gareth van Zyl and S’Manga Khumalo a second Gold Cup together. He proved worthy of his 5/4 starting price on Saturday and always looked the winner of the 3200m event.

Varsfontein-based sire Master Of My Fate was sire of both Gr 1 juvenile mile winners, the Alan Greeff-trained Golden Palm and the Mike de Kock-trained Jan van Goyen ridden by Richard Fourie and Callan Murray respectively, and both impressed as horses with big futures and confirmed what their respective stables thought of them.

In the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint the Tony Peter-trained Buffalo Storm Cody gave Buffalo Bill Cody a first Gr 1 win and he defied the weights, especially according to Gr 2 Post Merchants form, but Gavin Lerena had said before the latter race he was a much better horse around the turn and he had the advantage on Saturday of a previous sighting of the course.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Princess Of Gaul gave a further boost to Vercingetorix when winning the Gr 2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante over 1200m in a thrilling finish under Craig Zackey.

The finish to the Gr 2 Follow @Worldpool on X Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m was just as thrilling and the Paul Matchett-trained Zalatoris ridden by Keagan de Melo gave Varsfontein-based champion freshman sire Erik The Red a boost and he proved his 1,35 length beating in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion over this trip at Hollywoodbets Scottsville was worthy Gr 1 form.

Candice Bass-Robinson’s Rainbow Lorikeet (Querari) was a deserved winner of Gr 2   Bet With The World Gold Bracelet over 2000m under Aldo Domeyer as she was luckless in the Gr 2 Woolavington over the same course and distance and she was another runner to have not been affected by running in the July.

Bass-Robinson’s Future (Var) proved his class in the last race over 1000m, the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Stakes with a storming finish under Domeyer to catch the favourite Outlaw King.

In the first race of the day, the Listed Michel Nairac Appreciation Stakes Darley Arabian over 1600m, the Peter Muscutt-trained I Salute You (Soqrat) looked a picture before hand and prevailed under Richard Fourie.

The day was a lesson for punters to look at form logic and to not look for the spooks that muddy the waters.

Graeme Hawkins

The R135 000 RaceCape Powered By Hollywoodbets Middle Stakes over 1200m heads a seven-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon and the back-in-form Greg Ennion could hold sway with Surge Of Power, who bounced back to winning ways last month. When Surge Of Power shed his maiden ticket in April last year, in only his second racetrack appearance, the 3yo son of Potala Palace beat the resurgent and highly rated The USA Of A, a clear indication that Ennion’s runner was above average.

But after finishing fourth behind Eight On Eighteen in the Langerman as a juvenile, Surge Of Power had his rating hiked to 103 and for the next eight months he struggled to make an impression. Then last month, off a career low mark of 82, Surge of Power returned to the winner’s enclosure and with his confidence back, and the stable in very good form, there is every chance that Surge of Power can follow up off an adjusted rating of 84, despite a rise in class.

Scottish Kiss and Gimmelightning appear the principal dangers in a small field of seven runners. Gimmelightning’s last two runs have been very encouraging, and he would not be winning out of turn. The Justin Snaith-trained 4yo must concede 6kgs to Surge Of Power but on best form, Gimmelightning could well be equal to the task. Scottish Kiss was a good second behind Boogiefied over 1400m in his most recent outing and Richard Fourie retains the ride. Silver Crown returns from a lengthy spell on the touchlines and sports blinkers for the first time in his career. On best earlier form there is little to choose between Vaughan Marshall’s runner and Gimmelightning, but Silver Crown is expected to need the run.

King’s Quest will be a popular choice in the sixth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m. The 3yo son of Querari scored a dominant win over the course and distance six weeks ago when beating Afrique very comfortably. The latter reopposes on 2kgs better terms, but King’s Quest appeared to win with something in hand, and he could confirm the form. Gran Canaria ran well below par at Hollywoodbets Scottsville at the end of May and a lot better can be expected here. The ever-consistent Master Of Paris is not without a chance of making the frame while any of Show Off, Bel Canto Dream, War Chariot or My Bestie could upset calculations.

The first of seven races, a hotly contested Juvenile Plate over 1200m, looks a match in two between Saudi Cat (Arg) and All The Rage. The former won impressively on debut when very easy to back at 10/1 and the form of that race has been franked. Gavin Lerena teams up with Vaughan Marshall and the progressive Saudi Cat could be a very good horse in the making. All The Rage has shown very useful form and is clearly well above average. He finished a close third over 1500m last time but is equally adept over 1200m and will make a bold bid for top honours. Being a seven-race card, the opening race forms the first leg of both the Bipot and the Place Accumulator.

Marshall and Lerena could also strike with Sierra Sagrada in the third race, a Maiden Plate over 1500m. The 2yo son of One World was a touch unlucky to go down behind Dricus two weeks ago and he looks set to go one better here. Red Wave presents as the immediate threat as the 2yo son of Erik The Red steps up to 1500m after finishing a good third behind the useful Three Tigers in May. If Saint Brigid stands her ground in the final race, a D Stakes over 1600m, the 4yo daughter of Master Of My Fate could have the measure of Ozark, Midway and Mela Strength.

Durban, South Africa – The countdown has begun! The 129th edition of Africa’s premier horse racing and social spectacular, the Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ), is set to take place on Saturday, 5th July 2025, at the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. As the most anticipated fixture on South Africa’s racing calendar, the event seamlessly blends world-class horse racing with high fashion, entertainment, and a memorable social experience.

Staying true to the theme of “Marvels of Mzansi,” this year’s racing extravaganza promises an iconic line-up of South African talent, featuring a diverse array of artists set to captivate all attendees throughout the day. The national anthem will be beautifully performed by one of the country’s leading songstresses – look out for the reveal in May. With these performances, the thousands of attendees expected at Hollywoodbets Greyville will have a memorable experience. Stay tuned for the full artist line-up. All ticket holders can look forward to a day filled with live entertainment that will be talked about for years to come, as this year’s HDJ celebrates Mzansi’s vibrant spirit. 

Tickets for this outstanding event are now officially on sale via Ticketpro (www.ticketpro.co.za). Priced at R230 for general admission, your ticket grants access to a day of thrilling racing action, live entertainment, fashion showcases, gourmet food experiences, and an array of engaging activations from event partners. For added convenience, onsite parking is available for R170 per vehicle.

For those seeking an elevated experience, the VIP hospitality packages provide exclusive access to luxurious enclosures, premium viewing areas, and top-tier catering. These options can be explored on the official event website (www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za). Please note that VIP hospitality packages do not include general admission tickets, which must be purchased separately via Ticketpro.

This year’s theme, “Marvels Of Mzansi”, was unveiled in late February, marking the official commencement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience, presented by Durban Fashion Fair. The fashion programme includes the much-anticipated HDJ Young Designer Award, showcasing the best up-and-coming talents from KwaZulu-Natal. The winners will share the spotlight with the HDJ Invited Designers and DFF Rising Stars at the HDJ Fashion Preview Gala, set to take place at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in late June.

Racing enthusiasts can also look forward to the announcement of the first official entrants on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. With last year’s champion, Oriental Charm, emerging as the early ante-post favourite, excitement is already building. 

Secure your tickets today and experience Africa’s greatest horse racing and social event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July!