RACE 1     

1 CASINO KING 5 OLIVE OYL 6 WALTZING DOLL 4 ZAMBEZI SUNSET

Preview: 1 CASINO KING has a plum draw and has shown some ability in the strong centre of Cape Town, so should go close under Gavin Lerena .5 OLIVE OYL is knocking hard and could be a big threat. 6 WALTZING DOLL is a full brother to the top class sprinter, Cruise Control. 4 ZAMBEZI SUNSET has been well beaten in both starts, but does have the eye-catching booking of Richard Fourie. (David Thiselton 1-5-6-4) 

RACE 2     

8 THE ROARING ROCK 7 BLIND FAITH 3 PRINCE ANTONIO 1 FLIGHT ENGINEER

Preview: 8 THE ROARING ROCK has some useful form in Cape Town and could be the one to beat. 7 BLIND FAITH has some fair form from Cape Town and could be involved, but she does have a tough draw. 3 PRINCE ANTONIO  ran an improved race last time on the poly and now has Richard Fourie up, so should go close from a plum draw. 1 FLIGHT ENGINEER has shown ability on the Highveld before and went close the last time he ran at Fairview on the turf, so he should be a runner here. (David Thiselton 8-7-3-1)

RACE 3     

6 PARDON ME 1 GENTEEL 3 GLOBAL DRUMBEAT 2 PIBE DE ORO

Preview: 6 PARDON ME can go close if repeating either of his last two starts, which were over 1,600m and 2,000m respectively. 1 GENTEEL has some fair form, but does look held by Pardon Me on a line through Golden Grey. 3 GLOBAL DRUMBEAT has fair recent form and should be in the shake-up. 2 PIBE DE ORO has shown some ability on the Highveld and could be involved here with a 4kg claimer aboard. (David Thiselton 6-1-3-2)

RACE 4     

2 HAPHAZARD 10 COLORAMA 8 TAKE YOUR TIME 7 ICE CAP

Preview: 2 HAPHAZARD has disappointed in her last two starts, but if returning to her best she could be a big runner here. 10 COLORAMA has a plum draw and should be running on strongly as usual. 8 TAKE YOUR TIME is knocking on the door, but does have a wide draw to overcome and might prefer further. 7 ICE CAP has been in fine form, but does still have to prove she appreciates 1,600m. (David Thiselton 2-10-8-7)

RACE 5     

5 ROYAL CITY GIRL 2 GREEN OKRA 6 ABOVE THE HORIZON 3 JAMBO SANA

Preview: 5 ROYAL CITY GIRL’s form has been franked and she could be the one to beat here from a plum draw. 2 GREEN OKRA won well in the maidens last time and starts handicapping off a reasonable merit rating. 6 ABOVE THE HORIZON ran well first time out the Maidens and can be there abouts if able to overcome a wide draw. 3 JAMBO SANA has the ability to be in the shake-up here. (David Thiselton 5-2-6-3)

RACE 6     

2 MR FOX 7 ROLL OF THE DICE 4 SLAINTE MHATH 5 CATCH THE TUNE

Preview: 2 MR FOX is in fine form and enjoys the poly, so could make it a hat-trick here under Richard Fourie. 7 ROLL OF THE DICE has some fair poly form and has a better draw than last time. 4 SLAINTE MHATH  is a consistent sort who is distance suited and he should be thereabouts again. 5 CATCH THE TUNE can be in the shake-up here if producing his best. (David Thiselton 2-7-4-5)

RACE 7     

1 MERCANTOUR 2 SILVER FALCON 7 MHLABENI 4 GOLDEN LINK

Preview: 1 MERCANTOUR goes for a hat-trick on the surface, but does have a tricky draw over this suitable trip. 2 SILVER FALCON has three lengths to make up on Mercantour from last time but he is now drawn in pole. 7 MHLABENI is an honest sort who could enjoy this course and distance and might surprise again. 4 GOLDEN LINK has 1.5 lengths to make up on Mercantour and is only 0.5kg worse off. (David Thiselton 1-2-7-4)

RACE 8 

2 ARTICUNO 7 MS PATTY 8 ENCHANTING LADY 1 BOMBER GIRL    

Preview: 2 ARTICUNO is knocking on the door and with Richard Fourie up he could get it right here. 7 MS PATTY disappointed last time but has an interesting switch to the poly. 8 ENCHANTING LADY is always thereabouts and has a chance here. 1 BOMBER GIRL will appreciate this slight step-down in trip. (David Thiselton 2-7-8-1)

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Perth and Southwell (UK) – 13 July 2025.

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!

Please Note: From December, Unit cost of all Soccer10 Pools closing on Wednesdays will be R3.

The R3 unit cost on Wednesdays is on a trial basis only & follows requests from many customers to increase the Soccer10 Unit.

The unit cost of Soccer10 Pools on all other days remains R2.

All systems go on 1 January 2025

Horseracing in KwaZulu-Natal took the next step to the dawn of a new era with the publication on Thursday of a revitalized racing programme and the news of the introduction of incentives and stakes adjustments that will align the province with the status quo in the Cape.

The introduction of the new-look programme and policies on the East Coast comes into play as a result of the proposed acquisition of Gold Circle by the Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings group, which now hinges on the required approval of the KZN Economic Regulatory Authority (KZNERA).

Whilst the outstanding approval of the KZNERA is critical to the transaction, and will be the final step in transferring ownership, Hollywoodbets and its appointed Chairman Designate of Gold Circle, Greg Bortz are in management and strategic decisions during the interim period, with Hollywoodbets investing funds at its own risk to ensure the continuity of horse racing in KZN, and the survival of Gold Circle.

Programme and related reading matter, click here.

Subject to the fulfillment of other outstanding conditions precedent, the deal effectively unlocks a R500 million rescue injection from Hollywoodbets, and a takeover of the sport in the holiday province, which is set to include track upgrades and other infrastructural and operational initiatives.

The new KZN programme covers the period 1 January to 28 February 2025 and introduces the stakes-boosted class racing structure to the province, while unveiling financial incentives via the RaceCoast incentive scheme with the ultimate aim of improving racehorse ownership in KZN and achieving enhanced field sizes with the knock-on vital lifeblood of increased betting turnovers.

Down South, the RaceCape incentive programme has proven a winner and has underscored the unprecedented turnaround in Cape horseracing by providing further opportunities for the local racing community and increased employment prospects for grooms and work riders, as well as raising the bar for all related and ancillary horse racing services.

“We are very excited about future plans for KZN racing,” Cape Racing Executive: Racing & Bloodstock Justin Vermaak told the Sporting Post on Thursday, as he outlined broad plans to revolutionise the appeal of the sport across the board for all stakeholders in KZN.

“We need to provide owners and trainers with an even and attractive playing field that makes them want to race. Stakes and rewards need to be meaningful. That ultimately leads to better field sizes, more exciting racing and improved betting turnovers. Punters are key to the success of the process. We are implementing a first world reform in terms of transparency when it comes to information. Items like horse weights, for example, will be published. They are, after all, a form assessment tool. Horses working at our training centres and tracks will all have easily identifiable bar-coded saddle-cloths. So, there are no secrets. If Oriental Charm or One Stripe is on track, the public will share in it,” added Vermaak, who confirmed that barrier draws after acceptance was another operational change which would be implemented on 1 January 2025.

Veteran KZN trainer Garth Puller, who attended a recent stakeholder’s meeting at Summerveld hosted by Greg Bortz, Justin Vermaak, Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets officials, enthused that he was thrilled by the news of the takeover by business-minded racing people who were brave and bold enough to step in and turn the ship around.

“This has come very late for me at my age, but it’s a lifechanger and the future is brighter than it was yesterday,” reflected a delighted Puller as he told the Sporting Post that the adjusted stakes and ‘very welcome’ incentives would boost cash-flows,  while also making it so much easier to help him and his colleagues market the basic ownership product.

“And we are getting draws after acceptances. Wonderful! I was calling for that 25 years ago at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Bigger fields mean a faster pace, means better form, means better truer results. It’s an ecosystem of positivity. It all feeds on itself,” added the horseman who is never scared to pass an opinion.

Puller said the repair of the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville was ‘definitely quite overdue and welcome news’.

“That’s our stage. The track must be safe for horse and rider, be true and competitive, and have credibility with all role-players. That’s not a negotiable.”

On the ‘abolition’ of the committee structure to facilitate decision making and policy, Puller said that he was so pleased to hear that all reasonable suggestions will be considered by management.

“Wonderful! So there are no more long-winded committees to hide behind and to dither over. How refreshing.  I believe every stakeholder in this sport in KZN needs to doff a cap to Hollywoodbets and Mr Bortz. This investment and takeover is a brave move. But we know that with the passion for horse racing of the local population in this province, we can make it work. And by putting the structures in place they are making sure we have no excuses. Let’s look forward and get on with rebuilding KZN racing. I am absolutely thrilled. This is good news,” he concluded.