Race 1 

(8) Fire Alarm (7) Can’T Say No (6) Blueberry Blue (9) Oh My Gucci Girl  

(8) Fire Alarm made a decent debut and should go extremely well over the extended 1400m trip. (7) Can’T Say has been running well and will be right there having  experience under the belt. (6) Blueberry Blue has plenty of scope to improve after a decent enough debut. (9) Oh My Gucci Girl can finish in the money with the claiming apprentice up. (Devonne Govender 8-7-6-9)

Race 2 

(4) Havana Grey (5) Yellow Jacket (6) Bella Attrice (3) Five Star Magic

(4) Havana Grey made a smart debut and looks very tough to beat in this field. (5) Yellow Jacket is rated by the yard and should be respected, will be in the frame on overall form. (6) Bella Attrice ran well in the last start but the form of that race is questionable. (3) Five Star Magic is capable of much better and can pop up. ( Devonne Govender 4-5-6-3)

Race 3 

(3) Princess Virginie (5) Venetian Moonlight (8) My True Love (1) Cicadidae

(3) Princess Virginie ran extremely well in her last start and will take some beating here if repeating that performance. (5) Venetian Moonlight is holding form in terms of lengths, she is never far back and can get into the action. (8) My True Love has been placing consistently and won’t be far. (1) Cicadidae was disappointing in the last start but can bounce back. ( Devonne Govender 3-5-8-1)

Race 4 

(1) Aniara (2) Executor (6) Si Gioca (5) Cold Truth

(1) Aniara ran well in her last start and the form looks good so get the vote to beat this field. (2) Executor ran a much better race in her last start but can be unreliable. (6) Si Gioca is very capable and must be respected. (5) Cold Truth hasn’t been far and can pop up here. ( Devonne Govender 1-2-6-5) 

Race 5 

(6) Joyous Jubilee (10) Duke Of Orange (5) Georgie George (2) Graduation Time

(6) Joyous Jubilee won a gutsy race and can repeat that. He has a good finish and the race may just work out for him. (10) Duke Of Orange ran a gutsy race in the last start and will be a big challenger. (5) Georgie George was courageous in the last start and can deliver again. (2) Graduation Time is very capable on his day and can feature here, don’t discount his chances. ( Devonne Govender 6-10-5-2)

Race 6 

(5) Wind Sock (6) My Best Shot (8) Bennelong Point (2) Destiny’s Angel

(5) Wind Sock has been running consistently and will win very soon. (6) My Best Shot takes on older company but will have a huge winning chance with scope to progress more, his maiden win was impressive. (8) Bennelong Point is very capable and cannot be discounted. (2) Destiny’s Angel is never far back and the post maiden run was decent enough so include. 

Race 7 

(4) United Express (3) Chroniclesofnania (6) Aerial View (1)  River Queraress

(4) United Express is holding excellent form and can increase the recent unbeaten tally. She is a banker in all bets. (3) Aerial View has the ability to challenge here if bringing the “A’ game. (6) Chroniclesofnania ran a cracker in the last start and will be right there. (6) Aerial View is very capable here so respect her chances, she can challenge for the placings. (1)  River Queraress can round of the quartet. ( Devonne Govender 4-3-6-1) 

Race 8 

(3) Alado’s Pride (2) Puerto Plata (8) Harold The Duke (10) Ellis Island

(3) Alado’s Pride will love this distance, he has run well over this distance and represents value with the claiming apprentice. (2) Puerto Plata is holding top form and will be right there. (8) Harold The Duke is holding good form and must be included. (10) Ellis Island is capable on his day and can feature here. ( Devonne Govender 3-2-8-10) 

David Thiselton

The fifth race is the highest rated of a nine event meeting at Turffontein Inside today and Dreamland could claim a hattrick.

Dreamland is a superbly bred sort. He is by the late Lancaster Bomber out of Equus Champion Sprinter Val De Ra’s placed British-bred daughter Dream De Ra, who is bred in the purple. Val De Ra, who won the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint, the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint and the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship, was by European champion sprinter Var and Dream De Ra was by another European Champion Sprinter in Oasis Dream, who has produced the winners of 27 Group 1 races. So the ingredients are all there and Dreamland, after showing initial promise before going a bit off the boil, appears to be coming into his own. He is going for a hattrick here and the 1000m trip around the turn from a draw of four should suit him down to the ground because he possesses both early pace and a nice kick. He only has to overcome a merit rating raise of three points. The one question is why Gavin Lerena, who rode him to both of those last two wins, has hopped off. Lerena is the first choice rider for Laurence Wernars, but is aboard Karangetang. The latter has come down to a 99 merit rating and this is his correct trip, but he is drawn five and carries 61,5kg which will be tough for a horse who has been seen to fade late in some of his races. Dreamland could have been a better option and Richard Fourie is in that case the beneficiary. Woman Of Power has a touch of class and should start progressing so will be dangerous from pole position. Halbardier is in good form and although half-a-kilogram under sufferance he has a good draw and should be thereabouts. Wind Water is well drawn but has 1,85 lengths to make up on Karangetang and they face on the same terms. 

In the first race over 1500m In A Blue Moon is consistent and has a good opportunity here from a good draw over a suitable trip. Pike Place is a battling long-time maiden but is better than his last start and under Chamu Mabaya he could be involved. Trombettista has a tricky draw but is improving and might enjoy the step up in trip being by New Predator out of a Fort Wood mare, although the mare’s only win was over 1000m. Irish Love has shown enough to be able to earn. Oklahoma Twister jumps from pole position and should earn a cheque here.

In the second race over 1200m Cosmic Speed looks hard to oppose, having finished a close second to Fire Attack on debut and the latter went on to win the Gr 2 SA Nursery. He is drawn well and the rest of the field are uninspiring. Dance King, who finished a nine length third to the promising Buffalo Storm Cody on debut, makes most appeal of the rest. 

In the third race over 1200m Magic Secret is no great shakes but from a good draw has a chance in this uninspiring event. Together Again is also a battler but can earn here from a fair draw. Dragon Dragon ran a close second in a similar field over course and distance last time, but she now has a wide draw. The Navy Lark is drawn very wide but does have early pace so could overcome it and can be involved here. Centrefold made a fair Highveld debut and has a chance here.

In the fourth race over 1200m And Action ran a cracker over this trip around the turn in his penultimate start under Kabelo Matsunyane, who is now back aboard. From draw three he should be able to lead like he did in that race. Gold Agent has been knocking on the door for a long time, but usually finds one or two too good. However, he has pole position and will be a threat in this line up. His Lordship has shown some promise and from draw two should be in the shake up. Two-year-old Waheed made a fair debut and the form has been franked with two winners coming out of that race. However, he is up against older horses and has a tricky draw. Bad Medicine finished a nine length second on debut to Buffalo Storm Cody, but is capable of improvement.

In the sixth race over 1600m Magical Flight went close last time to a decent sort over 1400m and enjoys this trip too, so can go close from a good draw. Kissing Machine has a tricky draw but looks to have scope for more improvement over this ideal trip. Work Of Time was on top of Magical Flight last time but now has a tough draw. Cape Lights has some fair form but is also drawn wide. Just Be Nice is drawn in pole and that could help her get home over a trip that might stretch her a little.

In the seventh race over 1450m MK’S Dreams is well regarded and has a plum draw over an ideal trip. He is better than his last run where he might have gone for home too soon after being dropped out from a wide draw. This looks to be an easier field. Max The Otter went close the last time he tried this trip and he has a fair draw. Bob’s Your Uncle has a fair draw and is off a competitive mark over a suitable trip. Arividicio sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and could earn. The Playboy Bomber won an uninspiring maiden well and represents an in form yard so could play a part off a 78 merit rating.

In the last race over 1450m Houston is talented and although not ultra reliable is distance suited and has a fair draw. Funky Music is capable over this trip and has an easier task than in his recent races so could represent good value. Bloomington is always capable of popping up, but does have a tricky draw. Pocket Watch is hard to ignore despite a tricky draw as he should start progressing. Just Nuisance has disappointed in his last two but this is an easier task, although he does have a tough draw.

The wave is building towards Saturday, 6 July! Winchester Mansion and See It Again, first and second in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, head the nominations for this year’s event. First entries closed on Monday and 58 of the cream of the county’s middle-distance gallopers have been entered for a crack at the R5 million stakes purse in what is Africa’s greatest horseracing event. 

The Michael Roberts-trained See It Again, touched off in last year’s race as a three-year-old, is the highest rated of the nominations and early ante-post favourite at 7/2 with the title sponsor, Hollywoodbets. All things going well, he will be back to go one better.

Brett Crawford has again entered Winchester Mansion (10/1) who was narrowly beaten in the recent Gr1 Champions Challenge and is likely to be up against his recent nemesis, Royal Victory (7/1). Nathan Kotzen’s gelding has been a revelation since being sent over ground and is sure to be among the fancied runners for this year’s event should he be in the final field. 

 Three trainers are responsible for nearly half of the entries headed by Sean Tarry with 10, Justin Snaith eight and Mike de Kock six. 

Second highest rated of the Tarry entries is Lucky Lad (33/1), recent runner-up to Sandringham Summit in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes over the Turffontein mile but is yet to show that he stays the 2200m of the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Also among the Tarry entries is Mid Winter Wind (50/1), winner of his last four races but yet to race beyond 1400m and the R9 million yearling purchase, Celestial City (150/1), full brother to Hawwaam, who famously blew his chances by refusing to load when favourite for the July in 2019. The Tarry stable also has last year’s facile winner of the World Pool Gold Cup, Future Pearl (250/1) among his nominations. 

Justin Snaith is likely to have another strong hand in the field with the likes of Royal Aussie, Without Question (25/1) and the three-year-olds Hluhluwe (66/1) and the feisty grey The Grey King (66/1) among his nominations.

Mike de Kock is a master at getting fillies primed for the big race and the hitherto unbeaten Gimme A Nother (7/1) heads his list of nominations. De Kock opted not to try for the final leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara, the Gr2 SA Oaks over 2450m, despite two comfortable victories in the first two legs.

The Oaks was won in commanding fashion by Frances Ethel (50/1) from My Soul Mate (66/1) and Silver Sanctuary (50/1), all three among the entries. Should both Frances Ethel and Winchester Mansion make the final field, last year’s winning jockey Kabelo Matsunyane, will need to choose between Brett Crawford’s runners.

Other standouts among the De Kock entries are Oaks third Silver Sanctuary and the promising sophomore Marauding Horde (66/1) who ran up a string of three consecutive victories before coming unstuck on the SA Derby although only beaten three lengths.

One of those heading the ante-post market on the sponsor’s book is Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby winner Green With Envy (7/1). Dean Kannemeyer is no stranger to the July winner’s podium having won the race three times, his first coming with the superstar Dynasty in 2003. Green With Envy came from almost last to motor past a high-class field in the Derby and stable rider Craig Zackey will be looking forward to the ride. 

Robyn Klaasen will throw another curved ball the way of Matsunyane as he was aboard star three-year-old Purple Pitcher (16/1) who got the better of New Predator and the title chasing Richard Fourie in the Gr1 SA Derby and was also victorious in the Gr1 SA Classic where he beat hot favourite Sandringham Summit and William Iron Arm. Klaasen, who is a relatively new comer to the training ranks, has also entered Second Base (250/1) who did duty for her in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July in her first year as a trainer.

Tony Peter is having a terrific season and has entered Main Defender (25/1) and William Iron Arm (33/1). Main Defender is the second highest rated horse among the nominations behind See It Again but has yet to race beyond 1600m. However, he was an eye-catching winner of the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes beating the De Kock-trained Dave The King by over two lengths. Now with the Peters stable is former Gr1 SA Derby winner Son Of Raj (75/1) who was also a runner last year when trained by Weiho Marwing.

Fanie Bronkhorst will have his first runner in the race should SA Derby runner-up Pure Predator (33/1) make the line-up. 

See It Again and Royal Victory will no doubt head the local challenge but Michael Miller has entered recent Listed Stakes winner Narina Trogon (200/1) along with Ancient World (200/1). Gareth van Zyl has entered Imilenzeyokududuma (100/1) who races in the yellow and purple silks of the Hollywood Syndicate, and Robbie Hill, a former winner of the race as a jockey aboard El Picha for Geoff Woodruff, will have his first runner in the race should Navajo Nation (200/1) make the final field. Encouraged by his recent victory over The Grey King has prompted Peter Muscutt to add Formagear (100/1) to the entry list. 

Lorenzo Karriem has two entries in River Romeo (200/1) and Indian Ocean (250/1) with Tony Rivalland entering the filly Celtic Beauty (150/1) and MJ Odendaal the mare Danse Milord (250/1).

Soccer10 on Friday, 26 February 2024, C/Over R100 000, Pool Closes at 20h30, Sport 7 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 2 Million.

Soccer1 on Saturday, 27 April 2024, C/Over R5000, Pool Closes at 21h00, Sport 20 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 15 000.

Soccer4 on Saturday, 27 April  2024, ADD-IN R 25 000, Pool Closes at 20h45, Sport 19 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 100 000.

Soccer ANY 13Xtra on Saturday, 27 April 2024, C/Over R 150 000, Pool Closes at 13h30, Sport 13 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 500 000.

RUGBY 8 WIN MARGIN on Saturday, 27 April  2024, C/Over R 59 943. Pool Closes at 14h00 Sport 65

David Thiselton

The first big event of this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July happens tomorrow i.e. the announcement of the entries which were closed on Monday.

Years ending with the number four have always seemed to attract dramatic or significant renewals of the great race.

The first renewal ending in four was 1904 and the race was won by the biggest outsider up until then, the 33/1 shot Nymagee (Splendour), who was the first of four Australian-bred horses to have won the July. The others are Chere Amie in 1905, the great Igugu in 2011 and The Conglomerate in 2016. Nymagee was trained by W. Meredith, owned by S Brooks and ridden by W Clements. The 1904 renewal was the first to be run with the Drill Hall present. The land had been given to the trustees of the Durban Light Infantry regiment by the Durban Town Council in appreciation of their services in the Anglo Boer War and the complex was officially opened on May 24, 1904.

The 1914 renewal was run with war looming. New buildings on course included a new grandstand and offices, a Tote, a dining room below the secretary’s office and a weighing room and jockeys room in a separate building. However, a record crowd attended and the buildings, spacious for normal meetings, were quite inadequate to accommodate the crush. The race was won by the SA-bred three-year-old Rhanleigh, trained by WL Randall, owned by Sir G Farrar and ridden by R Dine. Rhanleigh Wines, which is still flourishing today, is named after the July winner.

In 1924 the winner Oriel, a British-bred five-year-old, was intermittently lame throughout his career and his trainer Ernie Ryan could often be seen in the early mornings at the track massaging his legs. It was this one of the most romantic victory’s in the history of the race as it was only due to Ryan’s exceptional care that the horse even got to the start let alone won. He was ridden by J Lievaux and owned by Messrs Deane and Hollis.

In 1934 the winner Sun Tor came in off the back of a layoff of 161 days and no horse since has come off a longer layoff to win the race. The British-bred five-year-old was trained by J Angles, owned by P Sussman and ridden by A Rugg.

In 1944 the winning jockey Harry Berry had a bad fall a few days before the race in which he broke a rib and sprained both thumbs and a wrist. He had finished second in the race in 1931 and 1934 and finally broke his duck by riding Moneith to victory, despite being in great pain. The winner was a British-bred seven-year-old trained by CB Clutterbuck and owned by A Wayne. He gave the British-based sire Montrose the first of four wins in the July, two of them being by Milesia Pride.

In 1954 Dennis Labistour trained his second July winner, three-year-old colt C’Est Si Bon, who was by the 1941 July winner Sadri II. He spoilt the hopes of many that the great King’s Pact would win, but the three-year-old filly’s welter burden of 54,5kg proved too much. Both of Labistour’s July winners were part-owned, together with himself, by writer Molly Reynolds, who later wrote a book about the July. Labistour’s other July claim to fame is he flew the aeroplane in 1931 that flew July spectators in from east London, the first known instance of people flying in to watch the big race.

 In 1964 Numeral, trained by George Azzie and ridden by Raymond Rhodes, beat Top Gallant. The latter was a half-brother to the immortal Sea Cottage. Numeral was owned by the American businessman Charles Englehard, one of the world’s biggest owners whose horses included the great English Triple Crown winner Nijinsky and also the South African legend Hawaii.

The 1974 renewal was one of the most dramatic in history because the jockey of second favourite Jamaican Music, Tom Rattley, fell off between the start and the Drill Hall. The George Azzie-trained Riboville, despite odds of 20/1, remains the easiest winner in July history, winning by 4,5 lengths from rank outsider Pedlar. Riboville gave Dennis and Peggy Mosenthal an unexpected July winner at last after years of trying, including a controversial second by their horse Radlington in 1952. They had expected to win the 1974 July with the Azzie-trained favourite Elevation, who finished fourth.

In 1984 Terrance Millard had his second of six July winners with the English imported mare Devon Air, who was spotted by still active Durban bloodstock agent Andy Williams and purchased on behalf of the Scott Brothers Des and Robin. The powerful mare gave jockey Felix Coetzee the first of three July wins.

There was controversy in 1994 when Surfing Home veered across the likely winner Pas De Quoi twice in the straight. Surfing Home crossed the line first with Pas De Quoi only fifth, but the objection was upheld and the race was awarded to the Ricky Maingard-trained Space Walk, ridden by Robbie Fradd and owned by D Cohen and Sons. Maingard was the last KZN-based trainer to win the July.        

The 2004 renewal coincided with ten years of democracy in SA and the number ten horse, Greys Inn, thus carried the South African flag on his saddle cloth. He duly won, giving trainer Mike de Kock a second of five July wins and jockey Antony Delpech a second of four July wins. Greys Inn was owned and bred by Bridget Oppenheimer, one of six July wins she had as an owner and one of five as a breeder (she owned and bred together with husband Harry until his passing in 2000).

The 2014 July was the first renewal on the narrowed track and a controversial objection saw trainer Justin Snaith landing his second of five July wins and Richard Fourie landing the first of three July victories. Legislate was the son of the great 2003 winner Dynasty and he was owned by Jack Mitchell, Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud and Gail and Dennis Evans of Newbury Racing.