Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Ayr, Windsor (UK) and Killarney (Ireland) – 14 July 2025.

Andrew Harrison

Thisiswhatitmeans has grown an extra leg since taking to the rejuvenated Hollywoodbets Greyville poly as he trotted up in the New Turf Carriers Class 3 over 1400m yesterday. This was his fourth win on the bounce on the surface, making light of his 62.5kg and a wide draw as Marco van Rensburg had  little more to do than a steering job.

Making the field as a reserve runner after the defection of Voldemort, the son of What A Winter was never in trouble and cruised to a comfortable victory chased home by a well-beaten Rosh Kedesh and rank outsider Few Dollars More.

The well-backed Mexican Pete hit the front briefly but was soon under pressure and faded tamely.

It was the second winner on the day for MJ Odendaal, nattily dressed in his red jacket and tie and always good value in the post-race interview egged on by presenter Paul Lafferty.

It was also the second win in a row for Hollywood Racing who had scored with El Rey Viene in the previous race.

The fact that Peter Muscutt had debutant Deandre’s Dream penciled for the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes at month’s end should have given some indication as to his chances in the card opener. He duly obliged but under a driving ride from Serino Moodley, just holding off late efforts from Clintostar and The Centurion. The colt was plenty green in the race and more can be expected but the Gr1 may be a bridge too far at this stage. 

Future Variety and Winds Of Change last met in the Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint, neither making much impression on the winner Tenango, however, Candice Bass-Robinson’s charge was five lengths ahead of Winds Of Change  and that form was confirmed as Future Variety gave Sean Veale an armchair ride.

The race was over as a contest crossing the subway as Veale let out a little rein and Future Variety sped away to put daylight between himself and pacemaker Bourbon Warrior with Winds Of Change finishing a tame fourth.

The filly Clickbait finished with a rattle under Callan Murray for MJ Odendaal in the first leg of the PA, getting the better of Simbine who was running on smartly after being squeezed out at the start.  Clickbait, (12-1) jumped sideways also inconveniencing favourite Holy Star who struggled into third but saved many a PA ticket.

Gavin Lerena, seven winner’s clear of reigning champion Richard Fourie in the race for the jockey’s title at the start of the meeting, added number eight as he rode a confident race on the Mano Pandaram-trained Line In The Sky in the opening leg of the Pick 6. Coming from well off the pace, Line In The Sky quickened smartly to get home ahead  of rank outsider Capricious Miss  and favourite Valli Gal who kept going for third.

The race was not without incident as the saddled slipped badly on Fantasy League  who took Austrian Beauty and Run For Peace with her to the outside rail at about the 800m mark.

Takeyourbestshot had two improved races under his girth since arriving from the Highveld and Van Rensburg tried his best to go one better in the fifth, trying to make all the running. He stacked the field up before the home straight before making a dash for home but replacement rider Sean Veale aboard Spectacular, always had Takeyourbestshot in his sights in spite of being well back early.

Glen Kotzen’s runner quickly reeled in the leader crossing the subway and the race was over in a matter of strides with Takeyourbestshot staying on for second ahead of Fine Wine.

Record High put paid to many Pick 6 hopefuls in the sixth as Wendy Whitehead’s gelding arrived at 40-1 under Cole Dicken who makes the best of his limited chances. Favourite Numzaan was in contention hallway up the straight but the tank was empty as Record High challenged up the inside and Palermo, under replacement rider Nicholas Patel also threatening. This pair pulled clear with Record High always going the better finishing ahead of  White Seahorse who battled home for third.

Duncan Howells was starting think he was always destined for the second box but Sean Veale, hunting his third winner on the day, rode an exceptional race on El Rey Viene to break the curse in the seventh.

Draw 10 out of 11, Veale was quickly over from his outside gate and up with the pace. It was tough going up the straight as first Porfirio refused to throw in the towel and then Mohandas finishing like a train but just too late and again showcasing the Western Cape form as he was having his first outing for Yogas Govender. 

Veale, Odendaal and Hollywood Racing rounded off the Pick 6 with Lou Lou The Legend. Veale with his fourth winner, Odendaal with his third of the afternoon and Hollywood Racing with their third in a row. Jumping from the widest gate, Veale got the best out of his mount up the outside of the field to reel in stable companion One Irish Rover on the fence to give Odendaal a one-two.

Lerena rounded off the meeting nine-clear of Fourie as he rode a bold race on Papillon Blu with Piet Botha’s filly notching her third win on the trot, another taking to the synthetic surface.

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)

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.