New off times for Fairview.

Race 7 – 16:05
Race 8  – 16:45

Race 1: Preview: DAFFODIL DELIGHT (1) won with authority on debut and seems a very talented filly. She is confidently selected to remain unbeaten after this. ROCK ME MAMA (6) ran a fair race first time out and is sure to progress and be able to get way closer. SABOTEUR (8) has scope to build on fair debut and can be given serious place claims and MARCHLAND (3) could do well on debut – watch the market trends as race time looms. (Warren Lenferna 1-6-8-3)

Race 2: Preview: BUFFALO BILL (1) can set off a very good day for the Tara Laing yard – they have some exciting runners today. This gelding has run eight times for four wins and four places – he is confidently selected to reel off the hat trick. POMP IT UP (3) can be expected to provide plenty of cheek to the first choice. His Cape Town form is solid. ROYAL KINGDOM (2) has done very little wrong and is clearly loaded with ability – strong each way claims. SILVA CITY (5) should be in the shake up. (Warren Lenferna 1-3-2-5)

Race 3: Preview: SUSURRANDO (3) has had two runs thus far in the Eastern Cape and looks cherry ripe for a winning one. BUGLE (4) is having his eleventh bite at the cherry at getting it all right but should do so soon. Big chance. KHICHDI (6) has a place chance and MAKAJIMA (7) can go very close in his local debut – respect and include in all bets. (Warren Lenferna 3-4-6-7)

Race 4: Preview: CHAMPAGNE BLAZE (3) has never been too far adrift the winners in Cape Town and this should see him very competitive in his Eastern Cape debut and is therefore the firm winning selection. KENTUCKY LASSIE (2) can be forgiven for the last effort and judged on attractive earlier form – each way chance. LANA VIEW (4) and WITCHING HOUR (5) are natural inclusions for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 3-2-4-5)

Race 5: Preview: ZINOVI (1) does have an awkward draw to contend with but we will leave that to big race rider Richard Fourie to handle for us! LANCIAFIAMME (9) is proving an ultra-consistent gelding who is one that can never be ignored. He starts form the best gate and must be followed. GET IMPRESSED (6) ran an absolute cracker when nearly beating Kinda Wonderful in Cape Town last time and is a serious contender here. ZATARA MAGIC (2) returns to home base and can-do way better than he did last time behind Ahead Of The Facts. (Warren Lenferna 1-9-2-6)

Race 6: Preview: GUY GIBSON (2) has solid form, nearly beat Fairy Knight last time and has serious winning claims. ANUSCHKA’S WORLD (1) gets valuable weight off his back and should be in the firing line – strong each way chance. ROMAN AGENT (4) showed guts and determination to win last time and can follow up – big runner. GOLDEN PAVILION (8) is a must for trifectas and quartets. (Warren Lenferna 2-1-4-8)

Race 7: Preview: SYMPHONY IN WHITE (1) is taking time for the next victory but in saying that has posted some exceptional efforts in top quality company. She is the narrow first choice in a very competitive race. Stable mate, OCTOBER FEST (10) has been knocking loudly at the door and can provide plenty cheek all the way home. Serious chance. WILD APPLAUSE (8) is one for the shortlist and can never be ignored from any bets – big runner and PRINCESS HANNAH (5) is the place value selection. (Warren Lenferna 1-10-8-5)

Race 8: Preview: LADY BOMBER (1) is winning impressively and her last victory was her best by far and based on that alone, could be hard to beat while in search of the hat trick. ROYAL MISSY (6) has won two out of her last three and should be a massive contender again for top honors. DESERT CLOUD (7) is holding form and should earn again – strong each way chance. BACK FOR MORE (2) has strong claims too in a competitive end to the days racing. (Warren Lenferna 1-6-7-2)

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Ffos Las ,Southwell (UK) and Dundalk (IRE) –20 February 2026

Soccer 6 : SCC V3 P1 – 19 February 2026

Match 1 (M1): DEFENSIA Y JUSTICIA vs  CA BELGRANO. Kick Off Change to 20-Feb-26 .

Match 3 (M3): INDEP RIVADAVIA vs  CA INDEPENDIENTE. Kick Off Change to 21-Feb-26. 

Pool will be resulted  on 22 February 2026

 

Soccer 10 : SKK V2 – 25 OCTOBER 2025

Match 9 (M9): DEFENSIA Y JUSTICIA vs  CA BELGRANO. Kick Off Change to 20-Feb-26. 

Match 10 (M10): INDEP RIVADAVIA vs  CA INDEPENDIENTE. Kick Off Change to 21-Feb-26. 

Pool will be resulted  on 22 February 2026

Soccer10 Friday 20 February 2026. Carryover R200 000. Estimated Pool: R1.9 Million. Pool Closes at 19h00. Sport 20 and Pool 1.

Soccer6 Saturday 21 February 2026. Carryover R75 000. Estimated Pool: R 400 000. Pool Closes at 19h30. Sport 1 Pool 1.

Soccer10 Saturday 21 February 2026. Carryover R200 000. Estimated Pool: R1.9 Million. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 14 and Pool 1.

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 21 February 2026. Carryover R150 000. Estimated Pool: R450 000. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1.

Soccer13 GUARANTEED JACKPOT Saturday 21 February 2026. R17.5 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 16h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

Soccer SCORES Carryover R 826. Saturday 21 February 2026. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport V72

Soccer CORNERS Carryover R 1 126. Saturday 21 February 2026. Pool Closes at 16h30. Sport V71

Soccer SCORE10 Carryover R 10 000. Saturday 21 February 2026. Pool Closes at 17h00. Sport 9 and Pool 1.

Soccer10 Friday 20 February 2026. ADD-IN R200 000. Estimated Pool: R1.9 Million. Pool Closes at 19h00.Sport 20 and Pool 1.

Soccer6 Saturday 21 February 2026. ADD-IN R75 000. Estimated Pool: R 400 000. Pool Closes at 19h30. Sport 1 Pool 1.

Soccer10 Saturday 21 February 2026. ADD-IN: R200 000. Estimated Pool: R1.9 Million. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 14 Pool 1.

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 21 February 2026. ADD-INN: R150 000. Estimated Pool: R450 000. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1.

 

Soccer13 GUARANTEED JACKPOT Saturday February 2026. R17.5 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 16h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

 

Soccer SCORES Carryover R 826. Saturday 21 February 2026. Pool Closes at 15h00.

 

Soccer CORNERS Carryover R 1 126. Saturday 21 February 2026. Pool Closes at 16h30.

Soccer13 Saturday 22 February 2026 Carryover R6 427 606  R11 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 11 Pool 1.

David Thiselton

 

The Hollywoodbets Durban July conditions have been finalised and the final field panellists might be in for an interesting evening before the Final Field And Barrier Draw Ceremony, whilst the three-year-olds look to be on the back foot at present.

 

There will be a longer handicap this year with a 10kg spread in the weights from a topweight of 62kg down to a bottom weight of 52kg.

 

Furthermore, it will just be a straight handicap, unlike recent July conditions in which there was a maximum and minimum weight for certain age groups and genders.

 

If the final field happens to have a spread that is less than 10kg, the topweight will still be 62kg. If, for example, there is a weight spread of 7kg among the entries, then the bottom weight will be 55kg.

 

If the topweights are scratched after the setting of the weights, then the new topweight will be dragged up to 62kg. For example if the topweight after scratchings is 60,5kg, it will be dragged up to 62kg and after the rest of the field have been dragged up the bottom weight will become 53,5kg.

 

The final field will not necessarily be chosen by merit rating order.

 

Justin Vermaak, Executive Racing and Bloodstock of Race Coast, said, “There will be a final field selection panel like before and merit rating will be a leading aspect, but the panel will also take current form and distance suitability into account etc.”

 

In recent years the final field panellists have not had it too tough as the field was cut up before the final field announcement, with a lot of horses being scratched due to the recognition by the connections they do not have much chance, either due to the weights not favouring them or due to them being off form – the final declaration fee could have, in those cases, been considered a waste of money.

 

However, with the longer handicap, there are going to be more horses who still have form chances on paper.

 

Looking at last year’s July for example, third-placed Selukwe was rated 111 and had to carry 54kg due to the condition that the minimum weight for an older male was 54kg. He was thus 2kg under sufferance with the 127-rated topweights, both older horses, and he was 4kg under sufferance with the officially best weighted horse, the 129 rated (nett 125-rated) Eight On Eighteen, who was set to carry 57kg despite being the highest merit rated horse in the race due to a condition that three-year-old males could not carry more than 57kg.

 

In last year’s race Oriental Charm carried 60kg, Eight On Eighteen carried 57kg and Selukwe carried 54kg.

 

Under this year’s conditions the weights for those three horses would have been: Oriental Charm 62kg, Eight On Eighteen 61kg and Selukwe 54kg. Selukwe would have been 2kg and 4kg better off with Oriental Charm and Eight On Eighteen respectively under today’s conditions.

 

He would have been 2kg better off with the winner The Real Prince too and, on paper, would have been beaten 0,30 lengths instead of by 2,65 lengths.

 

There could theoretically have been a horse who would have been even more favoured by today’s conditions than the 111-rated Selukwe example.

 

Using last year’s race under today’s conditions, an older horse who had been rated 107 would sneak into the handicap under today’s conditions.

 

A 107-rated older horse last year would have had to carry 54kg, 6kg less than the topweight, but under today’s conditions it would have only had to carry 52kg, which would be 10kg less than the 62kg topweight.

 

Therefore, there are theoretically going be a lot more horses standing their ground at the time of the final field selection process this year, because a lot more of them will have chances of winning on paper than would have been the case under the old conditions.

 

Furthermore, with stakes of R10 million up for grabs there will be less cases of horses being scratched due to the  connections deeming them to be off form. They might still want to take their chances.

 

The difficulty for the panel will come in deciding whether a lower rated horse is deemed to have better recent form or better distance suitability than a higher rated horse.

 

For argument sakes let’s assume that we go back to last year and there are still many horses standing their ground until the bitter end. After the top 17 are selected, according to the last log and current form, let’s assume the next two horses are the 115-rated Madison Valley and the 120-rated The Real Prince.

 

The Real Prince is rated five points higher than Madison Valley, but he has never run a race beyond 1600m before.

 

Madison Valley on the other hand finished a close fourth in the Betway Summer Cup over 2000m and in his final run before the July he won the traditional July pointer, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m.

 

Which one are they going to put in the all important 18th slot?

 

Such a scenario is going to have much more chance of happening this year.

 

Although it has been said that weight avoidance tactics are going to be used this year, those who do take that route are probably going to run a bigger risk of not qualifying than ever before.

 

Now on to the three-year-olds.

 

Eight On Eighteen was held in high regard last year and came into the race 2kg well-in, according to official merit ratings, and yet he was not able to win the race.

 

Under today’s conditions he would have had to carry 61kg, effectively 2kg more.

 

So it was tough last year for a top, top three-year-old who was favoured by the old conditions.

 

How tough will it be for good-but-not-great three-year-olds under the new conditions, considering there is no maximum weight for them and no minimum weight for older horses?

 

Likewise it will be tough for females.

 

Furthermore, this year’s three-year-old crop are arguably overrated off their current merit ratings.

 

For example, Gauteng Guineas runner up Grand Empire could not win the Wolf Power 1600 against older horses when 2kg under sufferance off a 102 merit rating (effectively a 106 merit rating), yet he is now rated 120. There will be cries of “but the handicapper is clueless” when looking at that, but those who do say that are clueless themselves, because the handicapper rates a race on that race, not on past races, and Tin Pan Alley had earned his 117 rating by beating older horses and Grand Empire had then beaten him. Furthermore, Grand Empire was likely not at his peak for the Wolf Power with the Triple crown series looming.

 

Nevertheless, the overall impression is the current three-year-old male crop is not shining and it is questionable whether any of them have properly earned a rating of 120 or above.

 

It could well be an older horse July, but on the other hand there is an impressive unexposed horse like Note To Self among the three-year-olds and more such types might emerge.

 

The build up to this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July is going to be more intriguing than ever!