Andrew Harrison

The Justin Snaith-trained Eight On Eighteen is officially rated the best horse in the country and will be out to prove it today when he lines up in the 18-horse field for the Gr1 R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July.

He has a lot in his favour, but also a lot against. Because of the conditions of the race, he is well in at the weights with all of the opposition and has the added benefit of a plum draw of 11 and champion jockey Richard Fourie in the irons. Also, he was hardly out of a canter when winning the Gr1 Daily News 2000 against his own age group.

However, handicap ratings aside, he has to give lumps of weight to all of his three-year-old rivals and that will be no easy task. He carries top weight for a three-year-old male of 57kg, the highest since Abashiri lumped 59kg into 13^th place behind The Conglomerate in 2016.

Eight On Eighteen will make history should he win and become the first three-year-old in history to win the Gr1 WSB Cape Town Met and the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in the same year.

Snaith’s colt is currently the short-priced ante-post favourite but this is by no means a one-horse race.

The Real Prince has not been tested beyond a mile but Dean Kannemeyer knows what it takes to train a July winner, successful with Dynasty, Eyeofthetiger and Power King. The Real Prince has been brought along quietly and like Drill Hall Stakes winner Gladatorian, he was finishing off his race smartly beaten just over a length and is sure to peak on the day.

There has been steady ante-post support for Glen Kotzen’s gelding On My Honour who finished close-up behind Madison Valley in the Gr3 Cup Trial. He is now 0.5kg better off with Frank Robinson’s runner – many people’s fancy – and gets 4kg from Eight On Eighteen. Four kilograms is roughly equal to 16 lengths and Kotzen is of the opinion that On My Honour is not 16 lengths inferior to Eight On Eighteen so gives his charge a more than realistic chance on the day.

Under the radar this year is the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained three-year-old Immediate Edge. A winner of four of his six starts and the Gr2 Jubilee Handicap, he is rated 10.5kg inferior to Eight On Eighteen in the official handicap. Given De Kock’s record in the race, that rating could be well wide of the mark and a win here could see him campaigning on foreign shores as his handicap rating will go through the roof.

Stuart Ferrie sends out his first July runner in the hard-knocking Gladatorian. A fast-finishing third behind Dave The King and Oriental Charm in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, he goes the July 2200m trip for the first time. He did not get the best of draws at 16 but is likely to be dropped out early and as a horse with a smart turn of foot he will be charging at the leaders come the home straight.

Current second favourite is last year’s winner Oriental Charm who goes into this year’s race off an exceptional prep. He was beaten half a length by Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 WSB Cape Town Met and now meets his younger rival on 2.5kg better weight terms. In his comeback run, he was touched off a head in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m by reigning Equus Horse of the Year, Dave The King and he will enjoy the step up in trip.

Royal Victory will have his supporters as Nathan Kotzen’s charge has also had an ideal preparation. There were some concerns after his antics at the official July gallops but Kotzen explained that he is a character and once he is forced to stop, as he was by the flagman at the gallops, he takes time to make up his mind to go forward again. He finished third in the July last year behind Oriental Charm and was doing his best work late behind Dave The King in a warm-up over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time out.

Confederate is relatively lightly raced by Fabian Habib but he has won four of his nine starts and never further back than second. He won the Gr1 SA Classic beating subsequent Gr1 Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack and will be ridden by two-time South African and current New Zealand champion jockey Warren Kennedy who has made the trip to ride in the race. 

See It Again was scratched from the race on Tuesday due to an abnormal blood count leaving the way open for the first reserve, the Sean Tarry-trained Litigation who will be ridden by Grant van Niekerk. Van Niekerk has finished second three times in this race and often a reserve runner puts in a big effort at the expense of many of the fancied runners and an each-way punt may not go astray.

There are others in with realist chances. Selukwe won the WSB 1900 in fine style and has come to hand at the right time. Atticus Finch, Madison Valley and Okavango all have claims but indications are that Eight On Eighteen has what it takes and with luck in running  he is fully entitled to his place at the top of the betting boards and a place in history.

Attending the Hollywoodbets Durban July?

If you’re there to soak in the festivities and watch the thrilling competition between thoroughbreds, find your way around with the map of the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse: click the link below:

https://shorturl.at/eflep

Please Note: There will be no betting available for Greyhound Meetings on Saturday 5th July 2025, Betting will resume on Sunday 06 July 2025.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Haydock and Sandown (UK) – 4 July 2025.

1

1 HAPPY ANALIA   11 ETHEREAL VIEW   3 AVERNIAN GODDESS   5 DAFNES DAUGHTER

Summary: HAPPY ANALIA (1) is in good form and has the best of the draw. She stays the trip well and the form of her last win has been franked. ETHEREAL VIEW (11) has a wide draw to contend with but has come well in her last two. AVERNIAN GODDESS (3) ran well below form when favourite last time out. She was a winner over course and distance at her penultimate start. DAFNES DAUGHTER (5) improved last run over shorter. The blinkers come off and this trip should suit. (Andrew Harrison: 1-11-3-5).

2

2 MAGICAL VIEW   12 PINK PIGEON   6 BEVIES DELIGHT   7 THAT’S MY BABY

Summary: MAGICAL VIEW (2) has been consistent over a furlong further. She has drawn well and the blinkers go one that should sharpen her up. PINK PIGEON (12) has a wide draw to contend with but comes with solid Cape form. If Fourie can beat the draw she will be concerned. BEVIES DELIGHT (6) is not always reliable but is more than capable on her day. THAT’S MY BABY (7) suddenly found form last outing after returning from a break. She is way better than her previous form suggests. (Andrew Harrison: 2-12-6-7).

3

4 THE EQUATOR   6 LITIGATION   8 JOHNNY THE THIEF   9 FIELD MARSHAL

Summary: THE EQUATOR (4) has his first local outing. He has some fair UK form over ground and if fit and well could prove a touch too classy for this field. LITIGATION (6) was a reserve runner for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. He just needed his last run and is a big contender. JOHNNY THE THIEF (8) has been working his way up the handicap, winning four of his last five starts. He is still out at the weights but comes in with only 52kg to shoulder. FIELD MARSHAL (9) is seldom out of the money and was running on late in the Tote Derby last time out. He has a handy weight and a strong winning chance. (Andrew Harrison: 4-6-8-9).

4

3 KING PELLES   5 SHOOT THE RAPIDS   9 NEBRAAS   13 HOLDING THUMBS

Summary: KING PELLES (3) was a comfortable winner of the recent Tote Derby, finishing off strongly. He stays the trip and is in good form. SHOOT THE RAPIDS (5) was runner-up in last season’s Gold Cup and has built up nicely into this race. He will go close on his best form. It has been some time between drinks for veteran stayer NEBRAAS (9) but he is holding form and should be involved in the finish. HOLDING THUMBS (13) was out-gunned late by King Pelles in the Tote Derby but can come on from that run and is not without a chance. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-9-13).

5

10 GREEN DIAMOND   9 ANOTHEDANCEFORME   11 KEUKENHOF   8 QUICKSTEPGAL

Summary: GREEN DIAMOND (10) steps up in trip but has been a comfortable winner of her last two and should go close. The unbeaten ANOTHERDANCEFORME (9) comes with outstanding Fairview form. The extra furlong should not be an issue. KEUKENHOF (11) was a close-up fourth in a strong renewal of the Gr1 Allan Robertson. This trip will suit.   QUICKSTEPGAL (8) has won her last three, most recently over course and distance. She does meet slightly stronger but should put in another forward effort. (Andrew Harrison: 10-9-11-8).

6

2 ELEGANTRIX   5 MILITARY COMMAND   13 CHARMING CHEETAH   4 ARISTOCRATIC

Summary: ELEGANTRIX (2) is the only filly in the race but she comes with solid credentials. She won the Godolphin Barb beating subsequent Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Good For You. Before following up when second in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship. She has a plum draw and the extra furlong should suit. MILITARY COMMAND (5) was a length back to Good For You in the Gold Medallion but running on strongly. The extra will suit. CHARMING CHEETAH (13) was a length ahead of Military Command in the Medallion but has drawn wide which is a big concern. ARISTOCRATIC (4) impressed in his debut win and is one to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-13-4).

7 

11 EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN   5 THE REAL PRINCE   17 ROYAL VICTORY   1 ORIENTAL CHARM

Summary: EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (11) is out to prove himself the best horse in the country. He boasts an exceptional record and in spite of carrying 57kg he has a plum draw and without traffic he should be difficult to beat. THE REAL PRINCE (5) has yet to go the trip but is a class act and comes from a stable that has won this race three times in the past. ROYAL VICTORY (17) seldom runs a bad race and his wide draw may well be a blessing. Third last year, he has warmed up nicely and should be involved in the finish. Last year’s winner, ORIENTAL CHARM (1) has a tricky draw of one to negotiate but he likes to race handy and arrives off a perfect preparation. He is 2.5kg better off with Eight On Eighteen on their WSB Cape Town Met encounter where they were separated by less than a length. (Andrew Harrison: 11-5-17-1).

8

9 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM   6 RASCOVA   10 FATAL FLAW   7 MON PETITE CHERIE

Summary: Cracking race. DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (9) found all manner of traffic in her last start but still managed to finish close up. She will much prefer this trip. RASCOVA (6) takes on Double Grand Slam in renewed rivalry. She too found a heap of trouble in the SA Fillies Sprint and will also prefer this trip. FATAL FLAW (10) made a smart return from a break to win the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes beating the more than useful SPUMANTE DOLCE (11). The latter was no match for Eight On Eighteen in the Daily News 2000 but was far from disgraced. MON PETIT CHERIE (7) beat Spumante Dolce in the WSB Fillies Guineas by a neck and there should not be much between them again. (Andrew Harrison: 9-10-7-11).

9

10 KING OF THE GAULS   4 O’TENIKWA   5 OUTLAW KING   12 WILLIAM ROBERTSON

Summary: Wide open. KING OF THE GAULS (10) has his third run after a break. He showed good speed in the Golden Horse Sprint before stopping late for third. He should be at his peak now and has the right rider aboard. O’TENIKWA (4) was run out of it late in the Golden Horse. He has been in good form and from a handy draw should be involved again. OUTLAW KING (5) started a weak favourite in the Golden Horse but was one-paced late. He has his third run after a break and should be at his peak. WILLIAM ROBERTSON (12) has drawn wide but looking for his 16^th win. The mile was well out of his compass last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 10-4-5-12).

10

1 UNDERWORLD   9 MONEY HEIST   6 I SALUTE YOU   14 NARINA TROGON

Summary: UNDERWORLD (1) won over course and distance three starts back and has been in good form since. He has the best of the draw. MONEY HEIST (9) has not been out for nearly a year but was close-up over course and distance a year ago. He is obviously fit and well and is one to watch in the betting. I SALUTE YOU (6) had the worst of the draw last start. He is lightly raced and can do better over this shorter trip. NARINA TROGON (14) seldom runs a bad race but tends to get there a little too late. He could prefer it a furlong further but is always game. (Andrew Harrison: 1-9-6-14).

11

7 KITCHAKAL   6 RICH FOLKS HOAX   12 MAKAZOLE   13 ONE SMART COOKIE

Summary: Wide open. KITCHAKAL (7) only got a one-point raise in the handicap for his last win giving the second horse 10.5kg. He had solid form in good company prior to that and can follow up. RICH FOLKS HOAX (6) was narrowly beaten over course and distance with first time blinkers. He had a handy draw and should be thereabouts again. MAKAZOLE (12) was used as a pacemaker in the Daily News 2000. Big drop in class and has the right jockey aboard. He could be a handsome place payout. ONE SMART COOKIE (13) has won her last three but is up in class and takes in a useful field. She does have a handy galloping weight and has a strong money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 7-6-12-13).

12

5 MASTEROFTHEDESERT   1 OPEN HIGHWAY   8 DAPPER   11 ROLLO THE VIKING

Summary: MASTEROFTHEDESERT (5) made a promising local debut when jumping from a wide draw. He has a better gate here and should contest the finish. OPEN HIGHWAY (1) appeared to enjoy the step up in trip last run and does have the best of the draw. He boasts consistent Highveld form.  DAPPER (8) has his second run for his new stable. He was close-up first up and this trip will suit. ROLLO THE VIKING (11) has a tough draw but was much improved last run and can feature again. (Andrew Harrison: 5-1-8-11).