Alistair Cohen

Trainer Eric Sands has done wonders with what many must have thought a hopeless task. Foudre spent nearly two years off the course with injury and Sands was given a chance to “see what he could do” with the exceptionally well bred son of Fire Away. He has scooped three wins in succession and even though his level of competition increases, there is no reason to think that his form will suddenly halt. He could complete a quadruple in race 7 over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today.

As his tasks become harder, his wins become more impressive. Winning a maiden after nearly two years is a huge ask and some might have imagined that his mission was accomplished. Then he stepped into handicap company when he beat Smarten Up by 0,3 lengths over this course and distance nearly two months later. On World Sports Betting Cape Town Met Day he took another big step forward against better with more weight to shoulder and he defeated United Front by a length. United Front holds an optimistic entry into the Grade 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby next Saturday. With that said, he still beat a horse held in high regard. And he beat him smartly.

Craig Zackey has done duty in those three starts and he is back aboard. Sands has mentioned that there is no way he will run when the rains arrive in Cape Town so he will either rest him through winter or head to the warm, dry Durban climate for a few months to keep his wheels spinning. For now, while Cape Town is dry, there is no reason for Foudre to go into cotton wool.

He takes on rivals who have competed at feature race level so nothing is taken lightly as he rises in class. Dawn Till Dusk is a good doer and he could get involved. He spent an extended time in KwaZulu-Natal at the end of last winter until he arrived home with two decent efforts where he was beaten 2,25 lengths and 2,8 lengths respectively behind highly regarded three-year-olds All The Rage and Roland Garros. He is useful on his day and he could get into the action.

Handsome Prince could be tested over this trip but if one likes Major Master, who is a big chance, then this son of Querari must come into the reckoning. He is 4,5kg better off for a 1,9-length deficit. Handsome Prince gets Muzi Yeni aboard. He will need the race to be run perfectly to be effective but if it does, he has solid claims.

Chasingtherainbow also has a distinct style. He loves to be switched off near last and make his effort away from the opposition towards the outside. He does have a good turn of foot and he will be effective if the race is run to suit.

Nordic Chief has consistent form but a horror draw of No 13 to overcome while Touched By Angels drops from the Grade 3 HKJC Politician Stakes over 1800m last month to a more suitable level. That trip stretches him too. He is not easy to handle with a few quirks but he clearly has no shortage of ability.

Keep tabs on Sheriff John Stone under Marco van Rensburg. The Kenyan champion makes his South African debut. He has galloped at the course. He is likely to need the run but he could fit in anywhere. He is now trained by Paddy Kruyer who has the highest win rate in the country.

Ironically, Foudre’s half brother, Ferryman sticks out as the best bet on the card in race 5 over 1400m. He was nowhere in the early part of his debut effort but he took the bit late to charge and finish a 1,25-length second behind Wave Of Glory over 1200m. This extra trip should suit. It would be a surprise if he gets beaten.

Trainer James Crawford has a strong hand in races 8, 9 and 10. Dame Of Trix ran a ripper in the Listed Windhoek Olympic Duel Stakes on World Sports Betting Met Day. That was her stiffest task to date because she had been effective in mild handicaps until then. She acquitted herself well to finish 3,25 lengths behind Babelicious in third. She is back to a good level in race 8 over 1100m and she should take some beating under Luyolo Mxothwa.

Raven Black also ran a great race on Met Day when he stepped up to 1400m and despite receiving tons of weight, he finished 0,7 lengths behind the resurgent Snow Pilot. He is back to a more favourable trip as far as his overall record is concerned in race 9 over 1200m. He has been sparingly raced through his career with 12 starts as a six-year-old. Crawford holds the opinion that he can still mix it with the best around. He will be tested by some good opposition led by Gold Giboski but he must have an outstanding chance.

Crawford is back at it in race 10 over 1200m with Whirlwind who looked the part when winning on Met Day from far back over this course and distance. That win seems to have broken her through. Jockey Richard Fourie mentioned on the World Sports Betting Met panel discussion that she had to get into a racing routine because targets have been planned. This seems like part of her process.

Races 1 and 2 are total guesswork. Race 1 is a field made of only first timers with only two reserve runners having experience, and nothing to get excited about at that. La Boheme is trained by Vaughan Marshall who is a whizz with two-year-olds. He is bred to be fast and Richard Fourie takes the ride.

Benny And Paul could be the right horse in race 2. Peter Muscutt trains and this juvenile debutant has galloped at the course a few times, impressively. Callan Murray is up. Keep an eye on the markets of both races for any clues.

Fast Train is overdue a maiden exit. He will not have it easy in race 3 over 1200m with a high number draw of No 12. He was touched off by a short head by Different World over 1000m in his last start and he has the best form on offer. Different World is held in high regard despite the fact he was returning from a long break. Added to this, retained jockey by owned Greg and Gina Bortz, JP van der Merwe has taken the ride with Zagreb for the same owners having an obvious chance.

Swift Serenity is from the same formline with Different World where she finished third. She has had her chances but she has never run below par so she would be deserving of a win. She finds a rather shallow field in race 4 over 1000m. Corne Orffer rides for Michelle Rix.

Race 6 over 1400m is a trappy contest. A chance is taken on District Master who won hos most recent start in fluent fashion when he mercifully exited the maidens at the 16^th attempt. He has always seemed short of confidence so hopefully the win came bring him on the right track. He is by no means a good thing so a few horses must be considered. The Night Ferry, Klein Karoo, Winter Pearl, Rockanrollin and Man Of Consequence are considered.

Another chance is taken on Spirit who runs in race 11 over 1200m. He runs in a race with so much muddled form and woven formlines that if this was run a few times, you would find a different result each time. He hints that he has untapped potential and the fact he is still lightly raced with the promise of slightly more to come, he could get his head in front.

 

 

Race 1

 

We open the card with a fascinating contest, barring the reserve runners who have had one run each, the field is made up of unraced babies. There is no exposed form, some will be here for the experience, others will be tuned up and ready to fire first time out, we will need to watch them closely moving down to the start, and we will need to monitor the market. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 9 – 8 – 7)

 

 

Race 2

 

Again, it’s a tough race to assess, with plenty unraced youngsters lining up and bringing that unknown factor with them. Some have already had their first outing and showed encouraging signs, running on well and gaining valuable experience. Race fitness could be absolutely crucial here, 6 FROM THE ISLAND stayed on well for fourth on debut behind World Series on the 4th of February, with natural improvement expected from this colt, he should go close to winning. 5 VIBE CHECK might be the value play in this race, even though he ran last on debut finishing just under ten lengths behind Red Spice, he ran against winners on that occasion, and he was very green, watch for big improvement from this well-bred individual. 14 LADY JEAN finished just over five lengths behind St Harry on the 13th of January, she was entitled to be green first time at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the form of that race has worked out well, she could sneak into the places at a fair price. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 5 – 14 – 4)

 

 

Race 3

 

11 ZAGREB has been rested for 88 days, he was heavily supported in the market last time when finishing just under two lengths behind Balzi Rossi, the drop in trip on Sunday is key for this individual, he will go very close to winning on his best form. 2 BIG DEAL had absolutely no luck at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 17th of January, he turned for home a long way out of his ground, and he quickened up beautifully to run second behind Behave Harris, he will be just off the speed early here, and he will be low flying late, include him into all bets. 13 VOLEGOV stayed on well for third behind Meet The King on the 17th of January, he is in good form at the moment, the drop in trip will be no problem for this gelding, he will be right there in the finish. 12 FAST TRAIN just got touched off in the finish by Different World last time, he is a young horse that is still improving with racing, the extra 200m on Sunday will help his chances, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 2 – 13 – 12)

 

 

Race 4

 

5 SWIFT SERENITY ran a great race for third with the blinkers fitted last time, she stayed on nicely in a driving finish behind Different World on the 4th of February, the blinkers stay on, this looks to be the right race for her, she will take lots of beating here. 3 LOVE HER MADLY ran a much better race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 4th of February, she got going late to finish second behind Cantona, back sprinting and the tongue tie has definitely helped this filly, if she brings her last run to the track again on Sunday, she will go close. 4 STARTING POINT improved nicely with the blinkers on last time, she was just behind Love Her Madly on that occasion, she is improving with every start, watch her closely here, she can win a race like this. 6 DELAROCHE ran a fair race for fourth behind Raffish Trend on the 21st of January, she is speedy, and she drops in trip again to 1000m, she might be able to sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 3 – 4 – 6)

 

 

Race 5

 

4 FERRYMAN must have a big winning chance in this race, he was a touch unlucky on debut when finishing second behind Wave Of Glory on the 4th of January, he will love the step up in trip on Sunday to 1400m, with natural improvement expected from this colt, he will be hard to beat. 5 GREENCHOICE has been rested and gelded, top jockey Andrew Fortune has been booked to ride this individual, he is very consistent, if he doesn’t need the run back from a small break, he will go close to winning. 3 CHARLIE BUCKET ran a fair race for fourth behind District Master on the 13th of January, he was unfortunately drawn badly on that occasion, he should have no excuses on Sunday from a good draw, include him into all bets. 2 BLIZZARDBOY finished just under three lengths behind Meet The King at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 17th of January, from a good draw, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 5 – 3 – 2)

 

 

Race 6

 

2 DISTRICT MASTER won his maiden impressively at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of January, he will be on speed from a good draw, if he gets cheap sectionals in front on Sunday, he will be hard to peg back late, include him into all bets. 9 THE NIGHT FERRY has run two good races in succession, he stayed on well for second behind Devil A Saint last time, the tongue tie has been removed for his race on Sunday, if he gets some luck in running from a wide draw, he will be competitive. 10 KLEIN KAROO quickened up smartly to win his maiden well at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 11th of February, he will be switched off early from a wide draw, and he will be eating up the ground late, watch him closely with jockey Andrew Fortune in the irons. 3 ROCKANROLLIN has been rested for 71 days, he had to fight hard to win his maiden at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of December, he is well-bred, and he should enjoy the step up in trip to 1400m. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 9 – 10 – 3)

 

 

Race 7

 

11 FOUDRE won a brilliant race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 31st of January, he was given six points for that impressive victory, even though he is up in class and he is drawn wide on Sunday, he has tremendous gate speed early, and he quickens well, there is no doubt that he can win again. 6 CHASINGTHERAINBOW ran a great race behind Roland Garros on the 10th of January, he was only beaten just over one length at the finish, but he was finishing like a train, if he settles early, he will run a big race here. 1 MAJOR MASTER is much better than his run last time, ignore that completely, he finished just over five lengths behind I Salute You on the 10th of January, he drops in trip on Sunday, and he has a good draw, he will be right there in the finish. 4 MENTE ET MANU won well last time, it was a great ride by Richard Fourie, he was given three points for that win on the 13th of December, if he doesn’t need the run back from a small break, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 6 – 1 – 4)

 

 

Race 8

 

7 SHESGOTCLASS ran a cracker behind Pink Pigeon on the 10th of January, she finished second in a close finish, now that she is better off at the weights, she must have a good winning chance in this field. 3 PINK PIGEON stayed on well for fourth behind Babelicious at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 31st of January, jockey Richard Fourie sticks with this filly, she is very consistent, include her into all bets. 6 TANNERON was a touch disappointing behind Babelicious last time, she is much better than that performance, if she gets some cover early, she will run a huge race, watch her closely here. 5 DAME OF TRIX never runs a bad race, she finished third in the same race as Pink Pigeon and Tanneron on the 31st of January, she is in a good space at the moment, there is no doubt she will be right there in the money again. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 3 – 6 – 5)

 

 

Race 9

 

6 RAVEN BLACK moved up like a winner when finishing third behind Snow Pilot on the 31st of January, he is packed with ability, if he jumps on terms on Sunday, he will go very close to winning, there is no doubt that he is the class package in this race. 12 BLACK EAGLE was extremely tough last time, he ran a great race for second behind North Point on the 4th of February, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, on his best form, he will be competitive. 3 GOLD GIBOSKI only got going very late last time, he finished third in the same race as Black Eagle on the 4th of February, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be storming home late, watch him closely. 11 THREE TIGERS is much better than his last performance, he probably just needed that run back after gelding, he is a lovely looking horse with a great action, he should run a better race on Sunday. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 12 – 3 – 11)

 

 

Race 10

 

11 WHIRLWIND quickened up beautifully to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 31st of January, again it was a top ride by jockey Richard Fourie, she was given three points for that impressive win, she is a young filly with tons of improvement still to come, she can definitely win again. 3 WANDER DUNE has been rested for 130 days, she was fancied in the market to run a big race last time, unfortunately she finished last and was beaten just over six lengths by Viva La Vida, there is no doubt she is better than that, the drop in trip on Sunday might help this filly get back to winning ways, include her into all bets. 6 MARITZBURG MEMORY might be the value play in this tricky race, she was only beaten just under three lengths by Dame Of Trix on the 13th of January, she has dropped even further in the ratings, if the gaps open at the right time for this filly, she will run a big race at a good price. 7 GIRL LIKE US never runs a bad race, she finished just over three lengths behind Dream Searcher on the 4th of February, the yard is in good form at the moment, she might be able to sneak into the places on her best form. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 3 – 6 – 7)

 

 

Race 11

 

14 GALLIC VICTOR has been rested and gelded, he finished just under three lengths behind Mente Et Manu at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of December, he is a beautiful horse with tons of ability, even though this trip of 1200m will be on the short side, he will be running on strongly late, include him into all bets. 6 WORLDLY didn’t have much luck in running last time, he finished just under three lengths behind Whirlwind on the 31st of January, he can be a bit slow out the gates, but he will be finishing fast late, watch him closely at a decent price. 8 SPIRIT must have a good each way chance in this race, he finished fourth in the same race as Worldly last time, the key could be the blinkers fitted to this gelding on Sunday, he should run a nice race. 1 AZZURRI ran third behind Whirlwind on the 31st of January, he always has a place chance at this level. (Brandon Bailey: 14 – 6 – 8 – 1)

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Chelmsford City and Lingfield (UK) – 21 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

Soccer13 Sunday 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!