(Durban, 4 July 2026) – NOTE TO SELF stormed to victory in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Gr 1 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

In a thrilling finish before a capacity crowd and in a one-two in joint owner Nancy Hossack’s colours, NOTE TO SELF got up to touch off the filly WISH LIST, and deny 59-year-old Andrew Fortune a race that he was hoping to bookend his career. Third was rank outsider KING PELLES with VIVA’S LIBERTE in the shallow end of the purse.

Champion trainer Justin Snaith is now one short of equalling the legendary Syd Laird’s record of seven July wins when he saddled the first two past the post in the R10 Million Hollywoodbets Durban July Gr 1 at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

Fortune had high hopes as WISH LIST burst out of the pack, racing over the subway and looking to have the race in the bag. However, Richard Fourie, who had been biding his time in the pack, produced NOTE TO SELF with a telling late run down the outside of the straight.

Fortune was supremely confident before the race but in a gesture of sportsmanship, stretched out his hand to congratulate Fourie after crossing the line.

Fourie was circumspect when quizzed about his early move at the 800m mark and said, “I don’t know. I blacked out at the top of the straight. There’s no better feeling than winning it the first time, but today’s win is a great feeling. Just doing it in front of the HWB Greyville crowd is such a rush. I can’t explain the sound when everybody is shouting at you in the middle. It’s like being in a canyon. It was just a lovely race, and the win was as sweet as it can be.”

Country Allure theme produces winning fashion moments

The vibrant spirit of South African style was on full display as racegoers embraced this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July’s Country Allure theme on Saturday in the Raceday Fashion Awards presented by Durban Fashion Fair.

The Pulse Stage was transformed into a spectacular showcase of fashion as the entrants in the four race day fashion competitions faced off.

From sophisticated tailoring and contemporary silhouettes, to hand-crafted accessories and beautifully considered details, entrants expressed themselves with imaginative and striking interpretations of the theme, proving once again that the Hollywoodbets Durban July remains one of South Africa’s premier celebrations of fashion and creativity.

The annual Raceday Fashion Awards – open to the general public – attracted 150 stylish entrants, all hoping to impress the judges in the coveted categories of Most Striking Couple; Classic Racewear – Female; Classic Racewear – Male; and Exceptional Raceday Hat or Fascinator.

The Classic Female winner was Gistine Kifubula, who wore a Nqobisa Ndabeni design that epitomised classic Country Allure in deference to the official race day theme. Kifubula said she was “so grateful and amazed to have won.”

The winning couple, Larnelle Maddocks and Pamela Shabane, repeated their win from last year with regal matching outfits in bronze and ivory, designed by Brenda Warring.

Richard Tulinatbitu took first prize for Classic Male with his striking earth-toned ensemble of brown jacket with matching wide-leg trousers that blended contemporary tailoring with traditional African-inspired craftsmanship.

The winners of each category in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Raceday Fashion Experience presented by Durban Fashion Fair won R5 000 from Race Coast and Schweppes as well as a Kryolan professional make-up and full body massage vouchers. from Mangwanani. Second and third all won cash from Race Coast and Schweppes.

Young Designers showcase their talent

There were scenes of jubilation, emotional embraces and tears of happiness as Mlungisi Ndlovu from Durban University of Technology (DUT) was named winner of this year’s Young Designer Award sponsored by Metro FM.

Ndlovu captivated the judges with an incredible Nguni-inspired design. Drawing inspiration from the colours of the iconic animal, the winning garment featured the shapes and textures of the official ‘Country Allure’ theme through contemporary couture. Showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, intricate detailing and confident storytelling, the design beautifully reflected this year’s theme.

“I can’t believe it. It feels unreal. I am happy but I can’t believe this is happening. I really didn’t think I had a chance,” said Ndlovu, who stained the fabric with coffee to create the winning effect.

As the overall winner, Ndlovu will receive a fashion travel package to Johannesburg to experience SA Fashion Week 2026, courtesy of Race Coast and SA Fashion Week, R70 000 in bursary funding from the Hollywood Foundation towards existing or future studies, as well as R10 000 in cash courtesy of Race Coast and Schweppes, and a Kryolan Professional Make-Up voucher valued at R2 500.

Second place went to iGoda incubator student Dalisu Vumase who was over the moon. “I have no words,” said a clearly emotional Vumase. Hailing from Esikhawini township near Empangeni, Vumase said he had turned to fashion design as a means to create his own employment.

His strips of colour-crafted fabric, captured the Country Allure brief, combining originality, technical skill and contemporary flair.

He will receive R50 000 in bursary funding from the Hollywood Foundation, R3 000 in cash courtesy of Race Coast and Schweppes, and a Kryolan Professional Make-Up voucher valued at R2 000.

In third place, Thato Selekane’s, design featured iconic grey river beads, and was inspired by the Pedi culture. Selekane, also from Durban Institute of Technology, was overjoyed with her achievement. Her imaginative creation completed a remarkable showcase of South Africa’s emerging fashion talent.

Reflecting the outstanding quality of this year’s competition, each of the ten finalists also received R2 000 in cash, courtesy of Race Coast and Schweppes.

 

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Southwell (UK) – 5 July 2026

David Thiselton

The Gr 3 TAB Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside on Sunday and the exciting prospect Errol Flynn could make another step towards a likely Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup long-term target.

The Master Of My Fate gelding bounced back from his Gr 1 SA Classic flop, for which he had genuine excuses, with two impressive victories over 1600m in which he put daylight between himself and the opposition. He now has another chance to prove he stays this trip. He should get stamina from his sire and although his dam was by sprinter What A Winter tha latter can throw some stamina and in this case the mare’s two wins were over 1400m and 1600m respectively. He has a fair draw of five in the eight horse field and Keagan de Melo is up.

Copper Eagle ran a fine second in the Gr 3 Jubilee over 1800m and if the winner Aladdin’s Lamp does well in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, then it will enhance his chances here, although he has a tricky draw of six.

Chronicle King has some class and should stay the trip, so has a shout from draw four under Gavin Lerena.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Spirit Of Gabz is the form choice, but has a wide draw. The dangers could be Dear Doc and Snowblade, who are both well drawn.

In the fifth race over 1160m the one to beat in an uninspiring race could be Campo Formio, who wasn’t disgraced on debut behind a fair sort. WhatsdamatterwithU has been well beaten in all his starts but has faced quality opposition and has not been totally disgraced. Pole Position is a first-timer by Gimmethegreenlight out a Var mare who has produced  a couple of horses rated higher than a 100, so he could be a threat from a nice high draw.

In the sixth race over 1800m Hawkbill will enjoy the trip and is the selection in a wide open event with just six runners. Putting the whole field in the Pick 6 might be the way to go.

In the eighth race over 1160m the in-form pair Taxi To The Moon and African Pride could fight it out, with preference for the latter because he is on the up, while Taxi To Moon is likely using it as a preparation race for the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint.

In the ninth over 1400m Master Christmas is well drawn in three and should make a bold bid over a suitable trip. The fillies Kensal Green and Warning Sound, if she takes her place after running on Thursday, could be the chief dangers.

In the third race over 1400m Within Reach is the form choice. Impressive won in taking style over this trip last time and although officially having a hard task at the weights with Within Reach on their last meeting she looks to be on the up.

In the second race over 2400m Enflame has tremendous Highveld staying form and can carry topweight to victory from pole position under Gavin Lerena.

In the first over 1160m Irish Wilma can go close if able to reproduce her penultimate start.

In the tenth over 1600m the progressive War Reporter can continue on his winning ways from a plum draw.

RACE 1

WINIKA and STAR MAGNOLIA have the form and experience to be competitive and will likely fight out the finish with a repeat of their career-best last starts. IRISH WILMA and WHAT NOW MY LOVE are open to improvement and could get into the picture. Newcomer BLUE STORM RUNNER is worth a market check and won’t need to be special to make her presence felt on debut. Watch the betting!

RACE 2

ENFLAME made no impression last time in a KZN feature but will be a different proposition back on the Highveld. He is course-and-distance suited and the best-weighted runner in the race. Stablemate ETHICAL returns from a layoff but is a maturing stayer with scope to improve on her reappearance. BREEZE OVER and MO MENT get the trip well and are weighted to be competitive but both are out of sorts. EUPHRATES has no stamina doubts but his better form has come at a lower level. DECEPTION PASS is unexposed over this distance but have earning potential.

RACE 3

SECRET FATE was outrun late when a game-in-defeat 3rd over track and trip recently. She’s 3kg better off with QUEEN LEILA so is weighted to turn the tables on her last-start conqueror who will likely remain competitive under top weight. WITHIN REACH was a fast-finishing 2nd over this trip when last seen, conceding 3kg to the winner who has won both subsequent starts. She resumes from a break and should make her presence felt with improvement expected on her reappearance. Recent maiden winner IMPRESSIVE and well-related likely improver BELLFLOWER also have the means to get involved.

RACE 4

SPIRIT OF GABZ has improved in two recent Highveld outings around the bend, the latest in a minor feature over course and distance. He should play a leading role with a repeat of that performance. Maidens EXPERT WITNESS, RAFE’S ORACLE and SNOWBLADE are closely matched on the form of their 1600m meeting on the Inside track last month. They should improve to be competitive in receipt of 3kg from the selection. Well-bred newcomer HARTREE is worth a market check on debut and recently gelded DEAR DOC is another to keep an eye on.

RACE 5

Hard race to assess but the value could lie with WHATSDAMATTERWITHU on his reappearance after a break. Soundly beaten in his 3 starts, he bumped highly rated multiple winners on each occasion and is open to any amount of improvement after a subsequent gelding operation. WISH YOU WERE HERE and CAMPO FORMIO have the benefit of experience that should stand them in good stead against several unraced rivals. GLASTONBURY FIRE and PARISIENNE QUEEN warrant respect on debut, as do 2yo newcomers POLE POSITION and SPICY PLUM. Follow the betting market for clues!

RACE 6

THE EQUATOR made an encouraging return to form last time in his first start for this stable behind a Durban July contender in a course-and-distance Grade 3 event. He will have tightened up with the run and is weighted to fight out the finish. WILD INTENT is out of sorts and held on that form but has the means to pose a threat, as does distance-suited KING’S EXPRESS who gets 7.5kg from the selection. DON’T CRY FOR ME and FIRE ‘N FLAMES will appreciate stretching out to this trip so can’t be ignored.

RACE 7

ERROL FLYNN is unbeaten in 2 starts with blinkers fitted. He hit the line strongly when winning over 1600m last time and will be hard to beat over this extended trip on the evidence of that performance. COPPER EAGLE was a fast-finishing 2nd in a course-and-distance Grade 3 last time (conceding weight to the 5yo winner who runs in the Durban July) and will play another leading role with if reproducing a similar effort. GOT THE FEELING is held on from and at the weights by the selection but has earning potential. CHRONICLE KING and GOLDEN OPERATOR are untried over 1800m but warrant respect too.

RACE 8

TAXI TO THE MOON, prolific after gelding, produced another career-best effort to win a KZN Grade 2 last time. He carries a 3-point penalty for that victory but is weighted to remain competitive, even with 62kg on his back. Fillies ALMOND SEA and ONE FINE WINTER are the joint best-weighted runners in the race so have to be respected, though a bigger threat may come from hat-trick seeking 3yo AFRICAN PRIDE who is at the top of his game and open to further improvement in his peak outing. ZALATORIS, CHARMING CHEETAH, CHAPBOOK and SLINKY MAPIMPI are useful sprinters so aren’t taken lightly either.

RACE 9

MASTER CHRISTMAS bounced back to form last time in a stronger race over this distance so a repeat of that performance off an unchanged mark could suffice. Maturing WARNING SOUND, consistent 3yo KENSAL GREEN and versatile CHESTNUT BOMBER are up in the ratings after encouraging last starts but should remain competitive. DANTONFROMSANDTON may have more of a place chance than a winning one.

RACE 10

WAR REPORTER has gone from strength to strength this year after an 8-month absence, winning two of his three comeback appearances. As a lightly raced 4yo, he remains open to improvement and is probably better than rated so it could pay to follow his progress. Stablemates PRINCESS KEIRA, TOP SHELF TEDDY and UTSAAH have the form and experience at this level to be competitive. SKY PILOT hit the front 400m out on his handicap debut but was outrun late over 1700m so this shorter trip could be more to his liking. SUNSET WARRIOR, MILLENNIUM WARRIOR and returning HARUN AL RASHID can also get a look in.

David Thiselton

The Gr 3 TAB Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside on Sunday and the exciting prospect Errol Flynn could make another step towards a likely Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup long-term target.

The Master Of My Fate gelding bounced back from his Gr 1 SA Classic flop, for which he had genuine excuses, with two impressive victories over 1600m in which he put daylight between himself and the opposition. He now has another chance to prove he stays this trip. He should get stamina from his sire and although his dam was by sprinter What A Winter the latter can throw some stamina and in this case the mare’s two wins were over 1400m and 1600m respectively. He has a fair draw of five in the eight horse field and Keagan de Melo is up.

Copper Eagle ran a fine second in the Gr 3 Jubilee over 1800m and if the winner Aladdin’s Lamp does well in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, then it will enhance his chances here, although he has a tricky draw of six.

Chronicle King has some class and should stay the trip, so has a shout from draw four under Gavin Lerena.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Spirit Of Gabz is the form choice, but has a wide draw. The dangers could be Dear Doc and Snowblade, who are both well drawn.

In the fifth race over 1160m the one to beat in an uninspiring race could be Campo Formio, who wasn’t disgraced on debut behind a fair sort. WhatsdamatterwithU has been well beaten in all his starts but has faced quality opposition and has not been totally disgraced. Pole Position is a first-timer by Gimmethegreenlight out a Var mare who has produced  a couple of horses rated higher than a 100, so he could be a threat from a nice high draw.

In the sixth race over 1800m Hawkbill will enjoy the trip and is the selection in a wide open event with just six runners. Putting the whole field in the Pick 6 might be the way to go.

In the eighth race over 1160m the in-form pair Taxi To The Moon and African Pride could fight it out, with preference for the latter because he is on the up, while Taxi To Moon is likely using it as a preparation race for the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint.

In the ninth over 1400m Master Christmas is well drawn in three and should make a bold bid over a suitable trip. The fillies Kensal Green and Warning Sound, if she takes her place after running on Thursday, could be the chief dangers.

In the third race over 1400m Within Reach is the form choice. Impressive won in taking style over this trip last time and although officially having a hard task at the weights with Within Reach on their last meeting she looks to be on the up.

In the second race over 2400m Enflame has tremendous Highveld staying form and can carry topweight to victory from pole position under Gavin Lerena.

In the first over 1160m Irish Wilma can go close if able to reproduce her penultimate start.

In the tenth over 1600m the progressive War Reporter can continue on his winning ways from a plum draw.