Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Hamilton and Kempton (UK) – 28 May 2025.

David Thiselton

The Hollywoodbets Durban July weights will be of interest this year as it will bring the question of relativity into it.

Some old timers will no doubt repeat what has been said just about every season for the last dozen years, “A three-year-old can’t carry that weight.”

They will be referring to Eight On Eighteen having to carry 57kg, which would be the highest weight a three-year-old would have ever carried to victory in the iconic race.

However, Eight On Eighteen will be the best weighted runner in the field if speaking relatively.

According to the merit ratings Eight On Eighteen will be 2kg well in.

This is due to the clause in the Hollywoodbets Durban July conditions that states a three-year-old cannot carry more than 57kg.

In a true handicap, as it stands with See It Again being the topweight carrying 60kg off a 127 merit rating, Eight On Eighteen would have to carry 59kg.

To illustrate how well he is in as things stand, he will only have to give Okavango 2,5kg and Native Ruler 3kg, despite having beaten them by 4,05 and 4,30 lengths respectively on Saturday while being ridden hands and heels and being eased up before the line.

Furthermore, he will be 1kg better off with weight for age than See It Again. In a weight for age race at that time of year over that distance he would receive 2kg from an older horse, but he will receive 3kg from See It Again. 

His stablemate Sail The Seas, if he runs, will be the second best in at the weights according to official merit ratings. He will also carry 57kg and would have to carry 58kg off his 127 merit rating had it been a true handicap. He will only be 1kg out at the weights with Eight On Eighteen.

However, some will look at the weights completely differently.

For example a case could be made for Selukwe being up with Eight On Eighteen on paper despite him having only a 111 merit rating and officially being 2kg under sufferance and 4kg out at the weights with Eight On Eighteen.

Selukwe gave Okavango 2kg and a 3,20 length beating in the Gr 3 WSB 1900.

He will now be receiving half-a-kilogram from Okavango.

As a three-year-old, Okavango would have improved by 1kg since the WSB 1900, if the weight for age scale is used as the measure.

So it could be said he will actually only be 1,5kg worse off from the WSB 1900 as opposed to 2,5kg.

However, that should still see him beating Okavango by no less than five lengths on paper, taking into account that a length over 2200m is viewed as being worth 1,7 pounds (or half-kilograms).

Eight O Eighteen, on paper after their last meeting, should beat Okavango by only 1,15 lengths, although he did win easing up so an extra length can probably be added to that.

Even if that extra length is added that still has Selukwe beating Eight On Eighteen by 2,85 lengths on the maths of this isolated bit of form comparison. 

However, the handicapping purists would also take latent ability into account and Okavango’s performance in the Daily News 2000, which was run in  an exceptional time, was clearly a better performance than his performance in the 1900, where it didn’t pan out well for him.

On the other hand Selukwe had to jump from the second widest draw in the 1900 and came from right near the back and was behind Okavango entering the straight. How well did that race pan out for him, even if he won and surely he would also have appreciated the good pace of the Daily News 2000.   

A few WSB Met runners will also be interesting on paper, with Pacaya being a good example.

He was giving Eight On Eighteen 6kg in the Met and was beaten 1,75 lengths.

He will now be receiving 1,5kg from Eight On Eighteen, which makes him 7,5kg better off.

The weight for age scale says Eight On Eighteen should have improved 4,5kg from the Met by July day.

However, that would still put Pacaya at 3kg better off so on this paper calculation Pacaya beats Eight On Eighteen by 1,75 lengths.

However, Eight On Eighteen has created the impression he has improved at a rapider rate than the weight for age scale predicts he should.

He was also said to have needed the Daily News outing and any improvement on that magnificent performance is going to see him being hard to beat, although luck in running does usually play a part in the July too.  

Andrew Harrison

Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. It is a ten-race card and Justin Snaith could hold some of the trump cards in Legal Counsel in the ninth and Goodnessgraciousme in the sixth.

Legal Counsel can round off the Pick 6 in the Middle Stakes over 1400m although it will not be a pushover, like most of the races on the card.

The three-year-old may just have needed his last run when starting favourite for The Sledgehammer at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. He boasts excellent Cape form and can make amends. Dean Kannemeyer sends out what could possibly be Legal Counsel’s biggest threat in Golden Destiny who is better than his last effort and has his third run after a break. He shows promise and should be right up there. Thisiswhatitmeans won well last run when MJ Odendaal had him back on the poly but got a six-point rise in the handicap. However, he does look capable of going back-to-back. Nelson Bay has been in good form of late and loves this trip. He has the best of the draw and should be right up there again.

Snaith saddles Goodnessgraciousme in the Middle Stakes, sixth race on the card. The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight raced against strong opposition in her KZN debut and is back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. She boasts some smart Cape form and should make her presence felt. Stuart Ferrie’s filly Jeanne Darc was possibly outclassed in the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas last run but ran a cracker in her penultimate start that earned her a hefty 16 point shunt up the handicap. She has a fair weight to shoulder but jumps from a handy gate and it will be interesting to see if the handicappers have got it right. The De Kock’s saddle Fireburst who has yet to run a bad race and showed up well on the poly last time out. She should be competitive along with Ice Rain who although having the widest draw goes well this trip and has a strong money chance. 

The first leg of the PA sees L’Ultimo having his third run after a lengthy break. He gets 4kg relief from the saddle and he loves this course and distance. Kom Naidoo sends out the experience Porfirio who has been showing signs of coming to hand again and was dropped a point in the handicap. He is back on his favourite surface. Mac Hardy is never far back and goes well over course and distance. He has a good draw and should be competitive. Gorgeous Dude was a beaten favourite last run. There should be very little between him and Mac Hardy but the latter has the better gate

Silver Platter can get the Pick 6 off to a winning start. He is a big long-striding gelding but tends to be one-paced. If given his head early he could finally keep his head in front when in matters. King Celtillus was just in need of his last run. He makes his poly debut but should still have more to come. I Am Classy  has shown some recent improvement in blinkers and the switch to the poly could suit.  Black Platina looks held by Silver Platter on their last meeting but he does show some promise and can get closer

Master Bomber heads a competitive handicap in the fifth. He was a recent maiden winner but improved in blinkers and the Western Cape form was once again to the fore. He has a handy weight and can follow up. Veteran Riccardo is seldom far back and has been dropping in the handicap. He has a big weight and a wide draw but should enjoy the refurbished poly track. Queen Amina takes on males but is useful and was narrowly beaten last run. She goes well this trip and rates a strong chance.

Griffin Park and Captain’s Pride could suffice in the seventh. Griffin Park has been much improved in blinkers. He gets a stronger rider aboard here and has a handy draw. Captain’s Pride takes on well exposed older horses. She goes well this trip and should make a race of it. Cappalino is struggling for his second win but now races off what could be a more competitive mark. His last two were improved showings. 

In the eighth, On Board may just have needed her last run. She has good local form in the soft and the poly should suit. Quentasia had her consistency rewarded last outing, winning well over course and distance. Her 4kg claiming apprentice stays with the ride and they can follow up. Copacobana has improved without a tongue-tie. She is 2.5kg better off with Quentasia on their last meeting for a 3.5 length beating and can turn the tables. Cape Capri is showing signs of coming to hand. She has a handy galloping weight and the best of the draw.

1

9 STAR IN MOTION   3 VICTOR HUGO   6 HIGHER LOVE   2 BOARDWALK BREEXE

Summary: STAR IN MOTION (9) was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out and with the experience could be difficult to peg back. VICTOR HUGO (3) has been knocking at the door for some time now. He was not far back in his local debut and can finish a lot closer this time around. HIGHER LOVE (6) has been rested but found good market support at his last run and appears to have come to hand. BOARDWALK BREEZE (2) raced green on debut and was not far back. He started at long odds that day and the experience should see him come on from a handy draw. (Andrew Harrison: 9-3-6-2).

2

6 GORGEOUS BOMB   1 MIDNIGHT HOUR   10 PAPILLON BLUE   7 CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS

Summary: GORGEOUS BOMB (6) was a touch disappointing last run when starting a short-priced favourite. She makes her poly debut and can improve on that showing. MIDNIGHT HOUR (1) has raced green in both starts but should be at her best now. She has the best of the draw. PAPILLON BLUE (10) has a wide draw but Cape form is generally a little stronger than local. CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS (7) showed up well first run for her new stable. The yard is in good form and she can build on that effort. Keep an eye on the well bred first timer BETH DUTTON (4). Andrew Harrison: 6-1-10-7)

3

6 L’ULTIMO   4 PORFIRIO   2 MAC HARDY   8 GORGEOUS DUDE

Summary: Open handicap. L’ULTIMO (6) has his third run after a lengthy break. He gets 4kg relief from the saddle and he loves this course and distance. PORFIRIO (4) has been showing signs of coming to hand again and was dropped a point in the handicap. He is back on his favourite surface. MAC HARDY (2) is never far back and goes well over course and distance. He has a good draw and should be competitive. GORGEOUS DUDE (8) was a beaten favourite last run. There should be very little between him and Mac Hardy but the latter has the better gate. (Andrew Harrison; 6-4-2-8).

4

1 SILVER PLATTER   2 KING CELTILLUS   8 I AM CLASSY  4 BLACK PLATINA

Summary: SILVER PLATTER (1) is a big long-striding gelding but tends to be one-paced. If given his head early he could finally get his head in front when in matters. KING CELTILLUS (2) was just in need of his last run. He makes his poly debut but should still have more to come. I AM CLASSY (8) has shown some recent improvement in blinkers and the switch to the poly could suit.  BLACK PLATINA (4) looks held by Silver Platter on their last meeting but he does show some promise and can get closer. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-8-4).

5

11 MASTER BOMBER   12 RICCARDO   2 QUEEN AMINA   6 EVENTIDOR

Summary: Competitive handicap. MASTER BOMBER (11) was a recent maiden winner but improved in blinkers and the Western Cape form was once again to the fore. He has a handy weight and can follow up. Veteran RICCARDO (12) is seldom far back and has been dropping in the handicap. He has a big weight and a wide draw but should enjoy the refurbished poly track. QUEEN AMINA (2) takes on males but is useful and was narrowly beaten last run. She goes well this trip and rates a strong chance. EVENTIDOR (6) had his consistency rewarded last run. He enjoyed the poly and can follow up.  (Andrew Harrison: 11-12-2-6).

6

4 GOODNESSGRACIOUSME    2 JEANNE DARC   7 FIREBURST   10 ICE RAIN

Summary: GOODNESSGRACIOUSME (4) raced against strong opposition in her KZN debut and is back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. JEANNE DARC (2) was possibly outclassed in the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas last run but ran a cracker in her penultimate start. She has a fair weight to shoulder but jumps from a handy gate. FIREBURST (7) has yet to run a back race and showed up well on the poly last time out. She should be competitive. ICE RAIN (10) has the widest draw but goes well this trip and has a strong money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-7-10).

7

2 GRIFFIN PARK   6 CAPTAIN’S PRIDE   7 CAPPALLINO   1 MASK ON

Summary: GRIFFIN PARK (2) has been much improved in blinkers. He gets a stronger rider aboard here and has a handy draw. CAPTAIN’S PRIDE (6) takes on well exposed older horses. She goes well this trip and should make a race of it. CAPPELLINO (7) is struggling for his second win but now races off what could be a more competitive mark. His last two were improved showings. MASK ON (1) is another that has come down in the ratings. He returns from a rest and if not short of a gallop he can feature in this line-up. (Andrew Harrison: 2-6-7-1).

8

3 ON BOARD   8 QUENTASIA   4 COPACABANA   1 CAPE CAPRI

Summary: ON BOARD (3) may just have needed her last run. She has good local form in the soft and the poly should suit. QUENTASIA (8) had her consistency rewarded last outing, winning well over course and distance. Her 4kg claiming apprentice stays with the ride and they can follow up. COPACABANA (4) has improved without a tongue-tie. She is 2.5kg better of with Quentasia on their last meeting for a 3.5 length beating and can turn the tables. CAPE CAPRI (1) is showing signs of coming to hand. She has a handy galloping weight and the best of the draw. (Andrew Harrison: 3-8-4-1).

9

11 LEGAL COUNSEL   5 GOLDEN DESTINY   1 NELSON BAY   7 THISISWHATITMEANS

Summary: LEGAL COUNSEL (11) may just have needed his last run when starting favourite for The Sledgehammer at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. He boasts excellent Cape form and can make amends. GOLDEN DESTINY (5) is better than his last effort and has his third run after a break. He shows promise and should be right up there. THISISWHATITMEANS (7) won well last run when back on the poly. He got a six-point raise in the handicap but looks capable again. NELSON BAY (1) has been in good form of late and loves this trip. He has the best of the draw and should be right up there again. (Andrew Harrison: 11-5-1-7).

10

1 NIGHT ROCKER   11 TERIYAKI   6 THE GLIDING FISH   8 PREEMPTIVE STRIKE

Summary: Open handicap. NIGHT ROCKER (1) showed up well on the poly when returning from a break and first time blinkers. He will much prefer the extra furlong. TERIYAKI (11) has a wide draw but has been showing promising sprint form. The step up in trip and Andrew Fortune in the irons could bring out the best. THE GLIDING FISH (6) caught the eye when just behind the placed runners last time out. He seems to prefer the poly and can surprise. PREEMPTIVE STRIKE (8) is never far back. He goes well on the poly and stays the trip. (Andrew Harrison: 1-11-6-8).

David Thiselton1

Jonathan Snaith has shared that Eight On Eighteen, on initial observations, has come of his highly impressive win in the Daily News 2000 very well indeed.

He said, “It is like he has never had a race,”

If the Lancaster Bomber colt does run in and win the Hollywoodbets Durban July he will become the only he eighth horse in history to have won both the July and the Met and he will become the first to have achieved that feat while still a three-year-old.

That would be a good accolade to have on his stud CV.

However, Jonathan countered, “I don’t think any three-year-old has won the Derby, Met, Daily News and Champions Cup in the same year.”

He added, “No decision has been made yet. His connections will evaluate how he comes out of the Daily News and make the right decision based on what is best for the horse while also considering his future breeding career.”