The meeting scheduled for Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Monday has been brought forward to this Sunday as a result of the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth meeting originally scheduled for Sunday being moved to Wednesday as a result of inclement weather.

Hollywoodbets Scottsville now host a nine-race card where punters may have to wait until the last race to cash in on what looks to be the best bet on the card. 

Mike Miller’s gelding Treaty Of Paris makes his seasonal debut in a Class 4 Handicap but looks destine for a lot better. He contested feature races last season and although not in the money he was never far back finishing four lengths back to the smart filly Elegantrix in the Gr3 Godolphin Barb and same distance back to Malmesbury Missile in the gr3 Gatecrasher Stakes.

He meets a field of well exposed older horses and it will be something of a surprise if he cannot put them to bed.

Danger, if there is one, could be Elizabedi Gold who has had one run back from the Cape and was probably in need of the outing his first back since December last year. Kwagga Blitz is down from the Highveld and is one of only two Clinton Binda runners on the day. He was runner-up over course and distance last time out and can feature again. 

In the card opener, Wengesai Masawi had his first runner as a trainer when Mfethu finished runner-up when favourite behind the promising Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Exocet. The colt has shown up well on both starts and can get Masawi off the mark in style. Holy Star has gone close over course and distance before and has placed in all four starts. He rates a big threat. Champagne Problems comes from a very much in form yard and has a strong money chance. Hollywood Heiress has been rested but does show some ability although she drops in trip. She will be ridden by Qatar-based rider Saleh Salem Al-Marri. 

In the second, Master Silvano is likely to start at cramped odds as Stuart Ferrie’s runner has been knocking at the door and looks the part. Boardwalk Breeze has has been placed in his last four wearing blinkers for Paul Lafferty and looks the biggest danger while Susurrando  makes his debut for a strong stable and is one to watch in the betting.

In the first leg of the PA,  Lightningfork has run well over course and distance and although struggling to improve this looks to be the right race for him. Flag Champ has found market support in both starts and although well beaten last time out, the opposition does look limited although many go this trip for the first time. A wide draw is a concern so it is with Clintostar who has drawn one inside. He was narrowly beaten on the poly last time out. That form has proved a little suspect but must have a strong chance in this line-up. 

Visiting Weiho Marwing can open the Pick 6 as he saddles his only runner on the day in Pepper Tree  who has made steady improvement and was narrowly beaten last run on the Turffontein Inner track. She appears to have come to hand and she faces modest opposition in the third. Harpa is also lightly raced and coming on the right way. She should make her presence felt while the year older Terminal Velocity  returns from a break but has run well on this course and if not short of a run should go close.  

The fifth is a wide open handicap but Pongola took on much stronger last time after coming off a win. He has consistent form and should feature in this company. Circle Of Grace has not won for some time but has consistent Highveld form. He is also down in class and has a good draw to help his cause. Galaxy Explorer has shown signs of coming to hand. He was much improved last run but that was on the poly. Sail To The Moon has his third run for his new stable and did show improvement last run. He has a useful 4kg claimer aboard and should be competitive. 

The sixth can see The Mask take advantage of a step up in trip with a tongue-tie as he has been showing signs of improvement. Future Saint has the best of the draw and the drop in trip and handicap rating could see him home. Mc Dazzler made his debut for Kom Naidoo and although he has been disappointing the change in routine could be to his benefit. Brave Voyager has come well at his last two. He is distance suited and has a strong chance of making the frame.

In the seventh, Dark Matter shed her maiden at third time of asking and appears to have plenty of scope. She made her debut over course and distance and should go well again. Miss Kansas has been a late starter and shed her maiden over course and distance last time out. That form has held up well so she can feature prominently. Are You Sure was also a recent maiden winner but had consistent maiden form leading up to the victory. She will have many supporters. This trio have drawn alongside each other so tactics will be interesting. 

The eighth sees a number in with chances with little separating them at the weights. Soho Star is holding form well and loves this course and distance. He gets a useful 4kg claimer aboard which could see him home again. However, Future Flo is highly consistent and down in class. Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance will add to his chances. Mister Master Starter my just have needed his last run. He has run well to stronger and if back to best he should be right there. There is nothing between Wiccan Warrior and Licence To Thrill a short head separating them when last they met over course and distance and the latter 0.5kg better off.

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RACE 1

2 MFETHU   1 HOLY STAR   9 CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS   4 HOLLYWOOD HEIRESS

Summary: Wengesai Masawi had his first runner as a trainer when MFETHU (2) finished runner-up when favourite behind the promising Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Exocet. The colt has shown up well on both starts and can get Masawl off the mark. HOLY STAR (1) has gone close over course and distance before and has placed in all four starts, He rates a big threat. CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS (9) comes from a very much in form yard and has a strong money chance. HOLLYWOOD HEIRESS (4) has been rested but does show some ability although she drops in trip. She will be ridden by Qatar-based rider Saleh Salem Al-Marri. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-9-4).

RACE 2

7 MASTER SILVANO   1 BOARDWALK BREEZE   6 SUSURRANDO   8 ROYAL SWORD

Summary: MASTER SILVANO (7) has been knocking at the door and looks the part here. BOARDWALK BREEZE (1) Has been placed in his last four wearing blinkers. He looks the biggest danger. SUSURRANDO (6) makes his debut for a strong stable and is one to watch in the betting. ROYAL SWORD (8) raced green in a fair debut at long odds but is likely to improve with the experience. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-6-8).

RACE 3

6 LIGHTNINGFORK   11 FLAG CHAMP   10 CLINTOSTAR   4 GOOD OMEN

Summary: FLAG CHAMP (11) has found market support in both starts and although well beaten last time out, the opposition does look limited although many go this trip for the first time. A wide draw is a concern so it is with CLINTOSTAR (10) who has drawn one inside. He was narrowly beaten on the poly last time out. That form has proved a little suspect but must have a strong chance in this line-up. LIGHTNINGFORK (6)  has run well over course and distance and although struggling to improve this looks to be the right race for him. GOOD OMEN (5) looks the pick of Michael Roberts’s pair and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 6-11-10-4).

RACE 4

11 PEPPER TREE   9 HARPA   3 TERMINAL VELOCITY   1 PRIVATE WORLD

Summary: PEPPER TREE (11) has made steady improvement and was narrowly beaten last run on the Turffontein Inner track. She appears to have come to hand and she faces modest opposition. HARPA (9) is also lightly raced and coming on the right way. She should make her presence felt. TERMINAL VELOCITY (3) returns from a break. She has run well on this course and if not short of a run should go close.  PRIVATE WORLD (1) jumps in trip but is bred to stay the distance and can surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 11-9-3-1).

RACE 5

3 PONGOLA   1 CIRCLE OF GRACE   2 GALAXY EXPLORER   5 SAIL TO THE MOON

Summary: Wide open. PONGOLA (3) took on much stronger last time after coming off a win. He has consistent form and should feature in this company. CIRCLE OF GRACE (1) has not won from some time but has consistent Highveld form. He is also down in class and has a good draw to help his cause. GALAXY EXPLORER (2) has shown signs of coming to hand. He was much improved last run but that was on the poly. SAIL TO THE MOON (5) has his third run for his new stable and did show improvement last run. He has a useful 4kg claimer aboard and should be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-2-5).

RACE 6

2 THE MASK   1 FUTURE SAINT   6 MC DAZZLER   5 BRAVE VOYAGER

Summary: THE MASK (2) steps up in trip with a tongue-tie and has been showing signs of improvement. FUTURE SAINT (1) has the best of the draw and the drop in trip and handicap rating could see him home. MC DAZZLER (6) has his first outing for a new stable. He has been disappointing but the change in routine could be to his benefit. BRAVE VOYAGER (5) has come well at his last two. Distance suited and has a strong chance of making the frame. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-6-5).

RACE 7

7 DARK MATTER   8 MISS KANSAS   9 ARE YOU SURE   5 PRANKSTER

Summary: DARK MATTER (7) shed her maiden at third time of asking and appears to have plenty of scope. She made her debut over course and distance and should go well again. MISS KANSAS (8) has been a late starter and shed her maiden over course and distance last time out. That form has held up well and she can feature prominently. ARE YOU SURE (9) was also a recent maiden winner but had consistent maiden form leading up to the victory. She will have many supporters. This trio have drawn alongside each other so tactics will be interesting. Stable companion PRANKSTER (5) is up in class but has come good at recent outings and with a handy weight should make her presence felt. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-9-5).

RACE 8

9 FUTURE FLO  6 SOHO STAR   5 MISTER MASTER STARTER   2 WICCAN WARRIOR

Summary: A number in with chances with little separating them at the weights. SOHO STAR (6) is holding form well and loves this course and distance. He gets a useful 4kg claimer aboard which could see him home again. FUTURE FLO (9) is highly consistent. He is down in class and Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance will add to his chances. MISTER MASTER STARTER (5) my just have needed his last run. He has run well to stronger and if back to best he should be right there. There is nothing between WICCAN WARRIOR (2) and LICENCE TO THRILL (3) a short head separating them when last they met over course and distance and the latter 0.5kg better off. (Andrew Harrison: 9-6-5-2).

RACE 9

3 TREATY OF PARIS   5 ELIZABEDI GOLD   8 KWAGGA BLITZ   2 NOW I GOT YOU

Summary: TREATY OF PARIS (3) has been contesting features of late and not far back. He looks to be a standout bet. ELIZABEDI GOLD (5) has had one run back from the Cape and was probably in need of the outing his first back since December last year. KWAGGA BLITZ (8) is down from the Highveld and is one of only two Clinton Binda runners on the day. He was runner-up over course and distance last time out and can feature again. NOW I GOT YOU (2) is holding form well and although up in class he does have a 4kg claimer aboard.  (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-8-2).

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Haydock and Leicester (UK) – 10 August 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!