David Thiselton

The Daily News 2000 meeting always has an impact on the Hollywoodbets Durban July and the reaction of the handicappers and the bookmakers to the result of the Daily News 2000 and to the Woolavington 2000 is always one of the talking points.

Owner Jonathan Bloch has only ever had one Durban July runner before and it had an interesting name, Ess Five Beaches, which was the address of a residence owned by the late great owner-breeder Graham Beck. However, Bloch now part-owns all three of the horses who are currently at the top of the July boards with the sponsor,  Star Major, Note To Self and Wish List.

It is always interesting that the bookmakers seem to prefer winners to lightly weighted horses, because of course the handicappers job is to equalize the chances of horses in a race if they were to meet again. The handicappers used the fourth-placed Viva’s Liberte as the line horse for the Daily News 2000 and raised Star Major four points to 122 and raised Happy Verse nine points to 119.

However, the sponsor shortened Star Major to  7/2, with Note To Self and Wish List now 11/2, while Happy Verse is out at 8/1 together with See It Again and Regulation.

Punters might prefer to look for horses who benefit from the raise in weights of others.

Note To Self should be cherry ripe for the July and being by stamina influence Futura out of a mare by stamina influence Judpot augurs well for the step up in trip to 2200m. Note To Self didn’t have as immediate a turn of foot as Star Major or Happy Verse and another discussion point might be whether he would benefit from blinkers. This might help him gallop resolutely from a long way out and make it into a stamina test.

Happy Verse has always been a horse who has oozed class and he is now beginning to fulfil it. The Daily News 2000 was his third run after gelding and he at last showed the class he had always promised. He can progress further as he had a nice smooth race in the Daily News and that should have brought him on, so he should be a big runner in the July. He is by Vercingetorix, who won the Daily News 2000 and a Gr 1 in Dubai over the same trip, out of a mare by stamina influence Giant’s Causeway, so he should also enjoy the July trip.

Star Major will also be a big runner. His part-owner Ravi Naidoo has preached this horse from a long time ago and he has proved to be spot on.  The Querari colt has matured into a top class horse and can follow in the footsteps of the like of Big City Life and Legislate by winning the Guineas, the Daily News and the July, although the latter pair had also both won the Cape Derby before arriving in KZN. Big City Life carried a mere 51kg in the July in an era when topweight was 58kg, while Legislate carried a record weight for a winning three-year-old of 56kg in a race where topweight was 60kg, although he did win it via the boardroom with an upheld objection whose outcome drew plenty of criticism. Star Major will, as things stand, carry 56kg too, although the topweight this year will be 62kg.

A horse who has snuck into the July picture is the Gr1 SA Classic winner Grand Empire. He was in position 20 on the first July log, but after the scratching of both Okavango and Jan Van Goyen, he could come into the all important top 18. On the negative side for Grand Empire is, although he might end up with bottom weight, how good a preparation is he going to have had by the time of the July? His final run before the July comes on Sunday at Turffontein in a 1400m Pinnacle event, so he will not have enjoyed as good a build up into the big race as the like of Happy Verse have had.

Happy Verse was in the outside looking in horses on the first log, and will likely leapfrog Grand Empire, so the latter might still be under pressure for a place in the final field.

On the other hand, Hazy Dazy, who was in 14th place on the first log, might be in trouble after seemingly being outclassed in the Daily News by the males as she was beaten 11,40 lengths into 8th. She might be dropped from the log.

Wish List has the same 117 rating as Hazy Dazy, so will carry 53,5kg in the July as things stand. Her four wins on the trot include two Gr 1s and two Gr 2s. She will easily get the July trip being a daughter of Legislate out of a Silvano mare, Wind Chill, who won the SA Oaks. There are not many horses who would fetched the pacemaker the way she did on Saturday as she had to make up a lot of ground up off a slow pace. However, the question is how much the effort took out of her. It was likely not quite the race the connections had envisaged.

Meanwhile, the next big upheaval to the betting and log positions etc happens this Saturday in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge race meeting, which not only features the Gold Challenge itself, but also the all important Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial over 1800m, which is always a big July pointer race.

Regulation will be under big pressure to win the Cup Trial. He is an 8/1 shot for the July with the sponsor, despite having been in the outside looking in horses on the first log. He will likely need to win the race to definitely force his way in and on the downside he has drawn wide in barrier ten out of 11 for Saturday’s race. If he does win it there will be more pressure on the like of borderline horses like Grand Empire.

Andrew Harrison

Punters face a competitive card on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly today but there could be some relief with two runners that stand out as possible exotic bet bankers.

The first come in the second race, where Justin Snaith saddles Hazel Green. She has some useful Cape form to back her claims and has gone well over the trip. If taking to the poly she will be hard to beat. Tienie Prinsloo’s mare Tipperary is a long-time maiden but has finished runner-up with Mickaelle Michel aboard at her last two and Prinsloo’s patience can be rewarded as the step up in trip could finally suit. Red Hot Miss takes on older runners but has shown up well in her only two starts although starting at long odds last time out. Dancing In Demark has not been too far back at her last two and a claiming apprentice will help her cause.

The second possible banker could come in the sixth, a B Stakes the highest rated race on the card over 1000m, where Dean Kannemeyer sends out Pop Chart for the first time under his care. The gelding ran a cracker behind  the highly rated Miami Mountain at Turffontein last time out and he boast some smart PE form. If taking to the poly he looks the part. Connery is likely to start at lengthy odds but has been dropping in the handicap and has his favourite apprentice aboard from a good draw. He could be the surprise package. Vaughan Marshall sends out Inside Voice who is way better than her last run but she does take on males especially as she is up against a confirmed poly specialist in United Nation  who is back over what looks to be his optimum trip. Donquerari is always game and was a touch unlucky last run when finding traffic at a crucial stage of the race.

In the card opener, Sierra Foxtrot drifted off the boards on debut but raced green and finished a creditable four lengths off the winner. She will come on lengths from that effort. The more experienced Winter Miracle finished ahead of Sierra Foxtrot and found form when back to a sprint last start and must have a chance on confirming that form. Smart Choice was disappointing after a smart previous showing and must have a strong chance on her best effort while Moon Girl showed some improvement at her second start when jumping from a wide draw. She has the best of the draw now and a handy galloping weight.

Skipper O’Mally can get the Pick 6 off to a winning start although he does take on males. She is struggling a bit for a win. however, she has run well on the poly and with a handy weight should make her presence felt especially as Takethegreenlight and Peeping Tom have been scratched.

In the fourth Syx Hotfix has started to find form again and was narrowly beaten by a useful sort last run but this is a wide open affair. The Wolf  has been knocking at the door and goes well on the poly and was a length behind Syx Hotfix last run and is 0.5kg better off. With a handy weight he should be competitive. Star Of The Future was touched off last run in some useful company and should feature in this company while World Of Our Own has been ramped up the handicap and has top weight but can still feature with De Melo back in the saddle.

The fifth is another tricky handicap but veteran National Dream has come to hand at his last two on the poly and has an accomplished apprentice aboard. Basie Raakvat has also come to hand of late in blinkers and goes very well on the poly along with Mountainsofthemoon  who found form to win last time out on the poly and was well supported in the betting. Global Movement did well from a tough draw on the poly last start and must have a decent chance in a wide open affair.

It does not get any easier towards the end of the afternoon although Gorgeous Dude has good form on the poly in the seventh. He may prefer it a furlong further but has a light weight and Muzi Yeni to help his cause. Paratrooper may just have needed his first outing in KZN but he was not far back. If taking to the poly he should be a strong contender. Louis Goosen sends out two fillies best of which may be Kali Bwana. She takes on males but is never too far back and has shown up well in her last two over course and distance. Stable companion Saudi Sweep has shown her best recent form over further but does have the best of the draw and the national leading apprentice aboard.

The last is another puzzle but One Path needed her last run on the turf and has smart form on the poly. She has a fair weight in spite of the apprentice claim but at best should be in the firing line. The strangely named filly Preacher Man took on much stronger at her last outing and although well beaten she can do better while Party Girl shed her maiden on the poly at Fairview and makes her local debut. She is lightly raced and likely to improve on her current form.

RACE 1

6 SIERRA FOXTROT   7 WINTER MIRACLE   4 SMART CHOICE   1 MOON GIRL

Preview: SIERRA FOXTROT (6) drifted off the boards on debut but raced green and finished a creditable four lengths off the winner. She will come on from that effort. WINTER MIRACLE (7) found form when back to a sprint last start and must have a chance on that showing. SMART CHOICE (4) was disappointing after a smart previous showing and must have a strong chance on her best effort. MOON GIRL (1) showed some improvement at her second start when jumping from a wide draw. She has the best of the draw now and a handy galloping weight. (Andrew Harrison: 6-7-1-4)

RACE 2

2 HAZEL GREEN   3 TIPPERARY   5 RED HOT MISS   1 DANCING IN DEMARK

Preview: HAZEL GREEN (2) has some useful Cape form to back her claims. She has gone well over the trip and if taking to the poly she will be hard to beat. TIPPERARY (3) is a long-time maiden but has finished runner-up with Michael Michel aboard and the step up in trip could finally suit. RED HOT MISS (5) takes on older runners but has shown up well in her only two starts although starting at long odds last time out. DANCING IN DEMARK (1) has not been too far back at her last two and a claiming apprentice will help her cause. (Andrew Harrison: 2-3-5-1).

RACE 3

6 SIPPER O’MALLEY   9 TAKETHREGREENLIGHT   3 PEEPING TOM   4 DIAMOND MAKER

Summary: SKIPPER O’MALLEY (6) takes on males and is struggling a bit for a win. However, she has run well on the poly and with a handy weight should make her presence felt. TAKETHEGREENLIGHT (9) is lightly raced and has shown up well in two local outings. He was second best on the poly last run but can go one better. PEEPING TOM (3) has been in good form of late but does look to be held by Takethegreenlight on their last meeting. DIAMOND MAKER (4) is a lightly raced four-year-old and steps up in trip for the first time. One to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 6-9-3-4).

RACE 4

6 SYX HOTFIX   8 THE WOLF   7 STAR OF THE FUTURE   4 WORLD OF OUR OWN

Preview:  SYX HOTFIX (6) has started to find form again and was narrowly beaten by a useful sort last run. THE WOLF (8) has been knocking at the door and goes well on the poly. He was a length behind Syx Hotfix last run and is 0.5kg better off. With a handy weight he should be competitive. STAR OF THE FUTURE (7) was touched off last run in some useful company and should feature in this company. 4 WORLD OF OUR OWN (4) has been ramped up the handicap and has top weight but can still feature with De Melo back in the saddle. QHUDE MANIKINIKI (1) was a recent maiden winner and improved in cheek pieces. Stable rider Sean Veale has opted for Syx Hotfix that may tell a story. (Andrew Harrison: 6-8-7-4).

RACE 5

8 NATIONAL DREAM   6 BASIE RAAKVAT   2 MOUNTAINSOFTHEMOON   1 GLOBAL MOVEMENT

Preview: Tricky. Veteran NATIONAL DREAM (8) has come to hand at his last two on the poly and has an accomplished apprentice aboard. BASIE RAAKVAT (6) has also come to hand of late in blinkers and goes very well on the poly. MOUNTAINSOFTHEMOON (2) found form to win last start on the poly and was well supported in the betting. GLOBAL MOVEMENT (1) did well from a tough draw on the poly last start and must have a decent chance in a wide open affair. (Andrew Harrison: 8-6-2-1).

RACE 6

2 POP CHART   5 UNITED NATION   4 INSIDE VOICE   1 CONNERY

Preview: POP CHART (2) ran a cracker behind Miami Mountain at Turffontein last time out. He boast some smart PE form and if taking to the poly he looks the part. CONNERY (1) has been dropping in the handicap and has his favourite apprentice aboard from a good draw and could be the surprise package. INSIDE VOICE (4) is way better than her last run but she does take on males. UNITED NATION (5) is a poly specialist back over what looks to be his optimum trip. DONQUERARI (3) is always game and was a touch unlucky last run when finding traffic at a crucial stage of the race. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-4-1).

RACE 7

3 GORGEOUS DUDE   8 PARATROOPER   2 KALI BWANA   1 SAUDI SWEEP

Preview: Open. GORGEOUS DUDE (3) has good form on the poly. He may prefer it a furlong further but has a light weight and Muzi Yeni to help his cause. PARATROOPER (8) may just have needed his first outing in/ KZN but he was not far back. If taking to the poly he should be a strong contender. KALI BWANA (2) takes on males but is never too far back and has shown up well in her last two over course and distance. Stable companion SAUDI SWEEP (1) has shown her best recent form over further but does have the best of the draw and a leading apprentice aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 3-8-2-1).

RACE 8

3 ONE PATH 4 PREACHER MAN   5 PARTY GIRL   8 FUTANO

Preview: ONE PATH (3) needed her last run on the turf and has smart form on the poly. She has a fair weight in spite of the apprentice claim but at best should be in the firing line. PREACHER MAN (4) took on much stronger at her last outing and although well beaten she can do better here. PARTY GIRL (5) shed her maiden on the poly at Fairview and makes her local debut. She is lightly raced and likely to improve on her current form. FUTANO (8) has improved in blinkers and goes well on the ply She has a light weight and should be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 3-4-5-8).

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Pontefract and Wolverhampton (UK) – 02 June 2026

David Thiselton

 

Summerveld trainer Stuart Ferrie only has one runner on Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge day and that is his stable star Gladatorian who was a somewhat unlucky 0,35 length third in the Gold Challenge last year and comes into the race off an equally good preparation this year.

 

The six-year-old Vercingetorix gelding had a most disappointing campaign in Cape Town, but Stuart pointed out he just did not enjoy it over there and it had been the same when he went there as a three-year-old. On that occasion he had won his pipe opener over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth when well weighted in a Progress Plate, but had then finished ten lengths back for his main target, the Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m.

 

Stuart surmised that when the tracks are different the horses have to lift their feet differently and it impacts on their race preparation.

 

The tracks at Milnerton are heavier than the ones at Summerveld.

 

Some horses actually enjoy being prepared in heavy conditions, with Gladatorian’s stable companion I Am Giant being an example.

 

Stuart likened Gladatorian’s dislike of the heavy conditions to a human being who believed he or she was fit before going for a run on the beach and finding out otherwise.

 

Gladatorian’s lack of his usual devastating turn of foot in his opening race at Holywoodbets Kenilworth, the Gr 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes over 1600m, was blamed on him being green around the turn in his first experience of a left-handed course, but nothing changed in his next two starts in the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate and the Gr 1 WSB Cape Town Met.

 

He put in decent performances in all three races, finishing a 3,25 length eleventh, a 3,95 length seventh and a 4,85 length seventh respectively, but he never put himself in with a chance of winning like he normally did. He usually creeps up before delivering a devastating kick halfway down the straight, although the kick does admittedly often come too late.

 

Wind forward to the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes on May 3 over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville and he put in a much better performance and it should bring him back to his best.

 

He won last year’s Drill Hall, but his performance this year was almost as good because he was carrying a Gr 1 penalty as the winner of last year’s Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Champions Cup over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville, where for once his kick did not come too late and was in fact perfectly timed.

 

In comparison to the Drill Hall winner Questioning, he beat him by 2,15 lengths in last year’s Drill Hall at level weights and this year lost to him by 1,60 lengths giving him 1,5kg.

 

Stuart said he would come on from the run and added he had been doing well.

 

Gladatorian enjoys coming from off the pace and from draw 8 out of 12 will have little choice but to adopt the same tactics as last year when Sean Veale dropped him out to the back of the field.

 

Last year he steadily made up the ground in the straight before giving his customary late kick at the 200m mark and was a fast finishing 0,35 length third to Dave The King and Oriental Charm.

 

He could give a repeat performance this year.

 

However, on the other hand he is now a six-year-old and without doubt faces a stronger field.

 

The Real Prince avoided the race last year in order to protect his Hollywoodbets Durban July weight and went on to win the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, which like the Gold Challenge is a weight for age mile. His presence alone makes it a stronger field this year as many viewed him as having a great chance last year if he was going to take part.

 

This year another Gr 1 wfa mile winner is also involved, Tin Pan Alley, who put in the performance of the season when winning the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes by 3,75 lengths, beating six Gr 1 winners in the process, they being Fire Attack, See It Again, Main Defender, Cosmic Speed, Atticus Finch and The Real Prince.

 

Other horses Gladatorian faces this year that were not in the race last year are the like of Questioning, who is in the form of his life and finished a shorthead second in the King’s Plate to prove his effectiveness over a mile, the reigning Equus Horse Of The Year Eight On Eighteen and the versatile Gr 1 winner Fire Attack.

 

Legal Counsel is also capable, while Main Defender is top class on his day and Jet Force is no slouch.

 

They are another three who were not in last year’s race.

 

It will be an intriguing race as always and many KZN supporters will be behind the only KZN-trained runner in the field, Gladatorian.