Andrew Harrison

Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening where a close eye on the betting market could prove to be your best guide with a number of lowly handicap races on a programme that sees Glen Kotzen loaded for bear.

However, one of the better bets could come in the eighth and last where Tienie Prinsloo saddles the Argentinian import Saragossa Cat. She won two of her five starts on the Highveld although there were lapses sandwiched in between those wins. Prinsloo is a master at preparing horses that have issues and a change of environment and a switch to the poly could bring out the best. Gary Rich has two lively runners in Dawn Surprise and De Vlugge. Dawn Surprise has the best of the draw and whose last win was over course and distance. She also has a useful claimer aboard. Stable companion De Vlugge has won her last two on the poly but has jumped in the ratings. However, she gets 1.5kg relief from the saddle in the form of top class Mickaelle Michel. Wengi Masawi saddles the consistent Qhawekazi and although he has drawn wide he goes well over course and distance and should be a contender.

 The meeting kicks off with two maidens. In the first the lightly raced Prins Jaspar steps out for Andre Nel. He was much improved at just his third start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and looks the part. Kom Naidoo’s gelding Donmagoo looks the most likely threat as he was much improved in first time blinkers and first up on the poly. He has a light weight and gets 10kg from Prins Jaspar.

Glen Kotzen looks set for an eventful night that can start with Vixen’s War in the first leg of the PA. The filly was a beaten favourite last time out at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and has shown consistent form. She rates the one to beat in this field. Should she not run up to expectations Vaan Spirit should be a threat as she was outpaced over a sprint last run but is back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. Of the balance, Chaos Queen showed some improvement second time out while AMC Rose only had her first run as a four-year-old and was not too far back.

Kotzen could hold the keys with three runners in the opening leg of the Pick 6. Stable rider Chad Little partners Gimme The Truth who has been making steady improvement in cheek pieces but stable companion Wonderful Tonight is also improving and has a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard. The betting could be your best guide here. Devil’s Peak is another that appears to be coming to hand and his best recent effort has been on the poly. Fire Force is a battling maiden but has shown some recent improvement and can earn.

Kotzen saddles the filly Sesame in the fourth who was running on strongly behind the useful Master Du Rouvray last time out and has run two smart races on the poly. She can go one better. Fine Wine makes her way onto the poly but is in smart form and narrowly beaten at her last two. Prom Queen was well fancied to win her last outing but was a narrowly beaten. A repeat showing could see her home. Psyche showed up well first run out of the maidens but was a length back to Fine Wine when last they met so does look held. In an open affair, the Duncan Howells pair of Zena Rose and Ms Galore are others to consider.

The fifth is another competitive handicap but the grey Professor Lupin goes well over course and distance and has the best of the draw. Sweeper Keeper is likely to start at decent odds as he has his third run after a break for Wendy Whitehead. He has improved with each outing and has a chance. Lou The Legend has been consistent of late and goes well over course and distance while Sail To The Moon is down in class and was not far back last time out. The sixth is a tricky handicap but Ultra Quick seldom runs a bad race and is 3.5kg better off with Indecent Proposal on their last meeting. Gorgeous Dude has a light weight and goes well over course and distance while Quinn’s Time is showing signs of returning to form after a close-up third last run and has a 4kg claimer aboard.

To round off in the seventh, Masterofthedesert was a close-up second at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time out. He makes his poly debut but drops in class with a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard. Ibutho is over his best course and distance and tries for his 11^th win. He has been in the money in 50% of his races. Super Fast was not far behind the ultra-consistent Good Traveller on the poly last time out. He drops in class although he does go a furlong further. Freedom Fighter ran no race first up out of the maidens but he got a hefty rating for his maiden win and so has a big weight to shoulder. He does have the best of the draw and is another Kotzen runner to watch in the market.

RACE 1

4 PRINS JASPAR   1 DONMAGOO   7 IMPERIAL VALOR   6 OWNER OF CREATION

Summary: PRINS JASPAR (4) is lightly raced and was much improved at just his third start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He looks the part. DONMAGOO (1) was much improved in first time blinkers and first up on the poly. He has a light weight and gets 10kg from Prins Jaspar. OWNER OF CREATION (6) is better than his recent form suggests. He is back over a sprint on the poly where he has done well. IMPERIAL VALOR (7) showed some improvement second time out in a competitive maiden. Makes his poly debut and likely to improve. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-7-6).

RACE 2

6 VIXEN’S WAR   5 VAANS SPIRIT   3 CHAOS QUEEN   7 AMC ROSE

Summary:  VIXEN’S WAR (6) was a beaten favourite last time out at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. She has shown consistent form and should go close in this field. VAANS SPIRIT (5) was outpaced over a sprint last run. Back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. CHAOS QUEEN (3) showed some improvement second time out while AMC ROSE (7) only had her first run as a four-year-old and was not too far back. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-3-7).

RACE 3

5 WONDERFUL TONIGHT   4 GIMME THE TRUTH   2 DEVIL’S PEAK   3 FIRE FORCE

Summary: Glen Kotzen could hold the keys with three runners. Stable rider Chad Little partners GIMME THE TRUTH (4) who has been making steady improvement in cheek pieces. Stable companion WONDERFUL TONIGHT (5) is also improving and has a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard. DEVIL’S PEAK (2) is another that appears to be coming to hand and his best recent effort has been on the poly. FIRE FORCE (3) is a battling maiden but has shown some recent improvement and can earn. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-2-3).

RACE 4

5 SESAME   8 FINE WINE   10 PROM QUEEN   2 PSYCHE

Summary: Wide open. SESAME (5) was running on strongly behind the useful Master Du Rouvray last time out and has run two smart races on the poly. She can go one better. FINE WINE (8) makes her way onto the poly but is in smart form and narrowly beaten at her last two. PROM QUEEN (10) was a narrowly beaten favourite last start on the poly. A repeat showing could see her home. PSYCHE (2) showed up well first run out of the maidens but was a length back to Fine Wine when last they met so does look held. ZENA ROSE (3) and MS GALORE are others to consider. (Andrew Harrison: 5-8-10-2).

RACE 5

1 PROFESSOR LUPIN   5 SWEEPER KEEPER   4 LOU LOU THE LEGEND   10 SAIL TO THE MOON

Summary: Competitive handicap. PROFESSOR LUPIN (1) goes well over course and distance and has the best of the draw. SWEEPER KEEPER (5) has his third run after a break. He has improved with each outing and has a chance at possible long odds. LOU LOU THE LEGEND (4) has been consistent of late and goes well over course and distance. SAIL TO THE MOON (10) is down in class and was not far back last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-4-10).

RACE 6

3 ULTRA QUICK   8 GORGEOUS DUDE   11 QUINN’S TIME   1 INDECENT PROPOSAL

Summary: Difficult handicap. ULTRA QUICK (3) seldom runs a bad race and is 3.5kg better off with INDECENT PROPOSAL (1) on their last meeting. GOREOUS DUDE (8) has a light weight and goes well over course and distance. QUINN’S TIME (11) is showing signs of returning to form after a close-up third last run and has a 4kg claimer aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 3-8-11-1).

RACE 7

6 MASTER OF THE DESERT   7 SUPER FAST   1 FREEDOM FIGHTER   4 IBTHO

Summary: MASTEROFTHEDESERT (6) was a close-up second at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time out. He makes his poly debut but drops in class with a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard. IBUTHO (4) is over his best course and distance. He tries for his 11^th win and has been in the money in 50% of his races. SUPER FAST (7) was not far behind the ultra-consistent Good Traveller on the poly last time out. He drops in class although he does go a furlong further. FREEDOM FIGHTER (1) ran no race first up out of the maidens. He got a hefty rating for his maiden win and has a big weight but he does have the best of the draw and one to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 6-7-1-4).

RACE 8

4 SARAGOSSA CAT   1 DAWN SURPRISE   9 DE VLUGGE   11 QHAWEKAZI

Summary: SARAGOSSA CAT (4) has her first run for a new stable. She has won two of her five starts but patchy form in between. The change of environment could bring out the best. Gary Rich has two lively runners in DAWN SURPRISE (1) who has the best of the draw and whose last win was over course and distance. She has a useful claimer aboard. Stable companion DE VLUGGE (9) has won her last two on the poly. She has jumped in the ratings but gets 1.5kg relief from the saddle. QHAWEKAZI (11) has drawn wide but goes well over course and distance and should be a contender. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-9-11).

RACE 1

Watch betting on unraced runners. (5) RUNGSTEDLAND is knocking on the door and will have a massive winning chance with the experience under the belt. (2) CHATTERBOX was fancied on debut and ran well enough, she would have benefited from her debut effort and is sure to be sharper now, massive chance here. (4) KITANA’S JOY ran well at huge odds on debut and will be right there. (7) THIS OR THAT gets an eye catching jockey booking in the form of Kyle Strydom, she comes from a yard who do extremely well with juveniles and any betting support should be respected. (Devonne Govender 5-2-4-7)

RACE 2

(1) MONKEY’S WEDDING wasn’t far in his last start, he now goes over the 1600m trip which should be exactly what he’s looking for and possibly further in time. (7) MONT TREMBLANT has been well tried but is holding consistent form and another honest run is expected. (3) SIXTYZERO is holding good recent runs and should be in the mix once again. (4) BUGLE hasn’t been far in recent starts and can run into the money once again. (Devonne Govender 1-7-3-4)

RACE 3

(5) SATELLITE WORLD ran well in the last start and will be a massive contender here. (10) TOTAL ERUPTION ran a cracker in the last start at big odds. (2) PICK A POMODORO can do much better and should be included in all bets. (8) STRAIGHT RED is capable of running into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 5-10-2-8)

RACE 4

(1) INSTAWORTHY returns after a short break however has class on her side, she will be a serious contender here and needs to be respected. (2) DANISH DYNAMITE is on the up and has competed in strong company, it will be no surprise to see her go very well here. (4) HOT SAUCE gets Richard Fourie aboard which speaks volumes, she ran a cracker in the last start and will be in the firing line. (3) VIRGIN RIVER is holding solid form, her last win was very impressive and is another who can certainly challenge here. (Devonne Govender 1-2-4-3)

RACE 5

(4) MASTER MTOTO looks to be a very smart colt in the making and will be the firm first selection, he is expected to remain unbeaten here. (5) U S RANGER will be the obvious second selection based on collateral form. (1) FIRST OFFICER ran well in his last start and can be included for the placings. (2) INTO RED SPACE was very impressive on debut and could be anything here, it will be interesting to see how he goes in this contest. (Devonne Govender 4-5-1-2)

RACE 6

(6) PORFIRIO is holding solid form overall and will be the top selection here. He gets a decent enough draw and should go very close. (8) NEW MEXICO is very capable on his day and needs to be respected, he is capable of a big finish on his day and things could map out well for him. (4) NELSON BAY ran a cracker in the last start and repeat showing will see him in the firing line here. (3) BEYNAC is a horse that cannot be discounted based on his recent numerical form, he capable of much better and can pop up. (Devonne Govender 6-8-4-3)

RACE 7

(3) INGQWELE is holding excellent form and will be massive runner here. (6) GLOBETONIC was very impressive in his last win and is capable of repeating that, he will be a serious contender if things map out well for him. (7) PRINCE FLORIAN won a gutsy race in the last start and another bold run is expected. (2) TRIPPING THUNDER is capable of much better and can get involved. (Devonne Govender 3-6-7-2)

RACE 8

(5) KLEINZEE won a gutsy race in her last start and could take come beating here in this field respectfully. (11) AMANATTO hasn’t been far in recent runs and another honest run is expected. (10) SUN SPECTACULAR is capable on her day and can go into larger perms. (7) NIGHTJAR gets the claimer up but has a tough draw to negotiate, with some luck in running he can get closer. (Devonne Govender 5-11-10-7)

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Newmarket (UK) – 16 April 2026

David Thiselton

 

The Hollywoodbets Durban July first entries are on Monday the 20th of April and “July Fever” will begin building from the first entries announcement on Wednesday April 22 until the big race on July 4.

 

One of the annual questions is whether any July records will be broken.

 

Andrew Fortune could become the oldest jockey to ever win the race, with the oldest to date probably being Piere Strydom who was 50 years old when winning on the Joey Ramsden-trained The Conglomerate in 2016.

 

The record for the youngest jockey can never be broken.

 

Frank McGrath was just 12 years old when winning the July in 1922 on the J Gard-owned and trained Collet.

 

Allan “Snowy” Reid was both the last apprentice and last teenager to ride a July winner when successful on the Fred Rickaby-trained Naval Escort in 1969.

 

Both records could potentially be equalled by leading apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto.

 

Blaine Marx-Jacobson’s current momentum makes him the favourite for the apprentice title, but only one of the records is available to him as he is already 20 years old.

 

The record for the youngest trainer cannot be broken this year as David Payne was just 24 years old when sending out the great In Full Flight to win the July in 1972.

 

Payne to this day regards In Full Flight as the best he has ever trained and a coincidence is that he lives in New South Wales in Australia, because In Full Flight’s sire was called New South Wales.

 

Payne also became the youngest to ever both ride and train a July winner, having ridden the Brian Cherry-trained Chimboraa to victory in 1968.

 

He joined Syd Garrett, who rode Goldwing and Pamphlet to victory in 1919 and 1920 respectively, before training all of Full Dress (1930), Sadri II (1941) and Left Wing (1960) to win the great race.

 

Bert Abercrombie later joined that elite club as winning rider on the Ralph Rixon-trained Jamaican Music in 1976 before training Bush Telegraph to win the race in 1987.

 

Current trainers in South Africa who have won a July as a rider include Garth Puller, Michael Roberts and Robbie Hill.

 

The record for most wins as a rider can’t be challenged this year.

 

Anton Marcus is the only one to have had five July wins and the trio on four wins are no longer riding i.e. Piere Strydom, Anthony Delpech and the late Harold “Tiger” Wright.

 

Richard Fourie could join that trio as he has had three wins.

 

The record for most wins as a trainer, held by Hall Of Fame trainer Syd Laird, cannot be caught this year either.

 

Justin Snaith and Mike de Kock have both had five July wins and can join the late great Terrance Millard on six wins, although De Kock has a joint-operation these days with son Mathew.

 

Dean Kannemeyer will be going for a fifth July win and his charge The Real Prince will be out to become the seventh dual winner and sixth back-to-back winner.

 

Lady Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables owned The Real Prince and will be going for a third victory as an owner, which is well short of the record of six July wins as an owner held by Bridget Oppenheimer, three of them in partnership with her husband Harry.

 

The Oppenheimer winners as owners were Tiger Fish (1959), King Willow (1965), Principal Boy (1975), Spanish Galliard (part-owned 1992), Greys Inn (2004), Hunting Tower (2008).

 

Of those winners the Oppenheimers bred all of them except for Spanish Galliard.

 

Harry and Bridget’s daughter Mary Slack bred the 2003 winner Dynasty and owned the 2022 winner Sparkling Water, which she bred in partnership with her daughter Jessica Jell. Jessica Jell bred the 2017 winner Marinaresco.

 

So that is a total of nine July winners for the Oppenheimer family either as owners-and-breeders or as owners or breeders.

 

Mary and Jessica can add to that record this year operating under the banner of Wilgerbosdrift Stud and Mauritzfontein Stud respectively.

 

The most prolific July-winning extended family is the Laird family.

 

Alec Laird, still training today, belongs to this July-winning dynasty. He has won it once himself as a trainer with London News (1996); his grandfather, also called Alec Laird, won it once as a jockey in 1911 on Nobleman; his great-uncle Syd Garrett won it twice as a jockey and three times as a trainer as mentioned earlier in this article and he also owned all three of the winners he trained; Alec’s Hall of Fame father Syd Laird won the big race a record seven times as a trainer with (Kerason (1961), Colorado King (1963), Java Head (1966), Sea Cottage (1967), Mazarin (1971), Yataghan (1973) and Politician (1978)); Alec’s cousins Dennis Drier and Charles Laird won it once apiece as trainers with Spanish Galliard (1992) and Hunting Tower (2007) respectively. That is 16 July wins for the family dynasty in total and 18 if Dennis Drier’s father-in-law trainer John Breval is included (King Willow (1965), Principal Boy (1975)).

 

Alec could add to the dynasty’s success this year as the trainer of the like of Gr 1 winners Fire Attack and Atticus Finch.

 

The Real Prince won last year after a 62 day layoff, the longest layoff for a winning horse since Sun Tor was off for 161 days before winning the July in 1934.

 

The record in this respect is likely held by the 1929 winner Gifted as this import from England only got off the boat on January 20 and the July was his first run in the country.

 

See It Again will be having his third run in the July this year, well short of his half-brother Do It Again’s record six appearances which included two wins, one third and three fourths. Do It Again was the best performed horse at the weights in his first four Julys, second best performed in his fifth appearance and the best-performed in his final appearance. He is undoubtedly the greatest July horse in history.