Andrew Harrison

Star Major put himself firmly into the picture for the R10 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July with a smashing victory in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 run at Hollywoodbets Greyville this afternoon.

In a carbon copy of his victory in the Gr2 WSB Guineas, visiting French rider Mickaelle Michel held her nerve for her first Gr1 victory as Star Major swept past his rivals chased home by Happy Verse and favourite Note To Self with pacemaker Viva’s Liberte staying on for fourth.

Trainer James Crawford joins his father Brett in training a winner of the Daily News and he could follow in his footsteps in the July, Brett having trained Winchester Mansion to victory in 2023.

Craig Zackey set a solid early pace on Viva’s Liberte with two of the more fancied runners, Note To Self and Jan Van Goyen well back in the early exchanges.

Viva’s Liberte led into the straight chased by Chronicle King whose challenge soon petered out. Crossing the subway Happy Verse was making progress under Richard Fourie while Andrew Fortune had slipped Note To Self up the inside of the pack. All this time Star Major was making up ground quickly and swept past Happy Verse  to win going away.

Note To Self was running on but lacked the finishing speed of his two rivals while disappointment was Jan Van Goyen who was never in the race and finished in the pack. He may well be a better horse over much shorter.

 The betting for the Gr2 Lucky Fish Woolavington 2000 suggested that it would be a doddle. It eventually turned into a dog fight as short-priced favourite Wish List scraped home ahead of the mare Minogue.

In a race run at no great pace, Muzi Yeni took the initiative and sent Candice and Tammy Dawson’s mare to the front, gradually stepping up the pace until he had built up a commanding lead turning for home.

Andrew Fortune was content to sit back in the pack but the warning signs were up early as Wish List was stuck behind two runners. He was eventually force to switch off their heels and run wide into the straight. Wish List appeared to be slow into gear but like all champions she gradually started to unwind and make up the leeway. She again showed a tendency to shift in under pressure with Fortune reluctant to break her stride and it was head-and-head over the final 100m with Minogue refusing to give in, in spite of Yeni losing his near side rein.

Much to many punter’s relief, the victory margin was a nose with Keukenhof coming from last for the minor money. In spite of the close finish, Fortune said that Wish List was still his choice of ride for the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Weichong Marwing is no stranger to the winner’s circle in big races, once being the regular pilot of the mighty Horse Chestnut, and although Dance King is hardly in the same league it was a win full of merit and emotion as his son Wesley steered the 20-1 outsider to an emphatic victory in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (Listed).

Out for over nine months with a knee injury, this was the younger Marwing’s first winner since returning to the saddle. From his pole position draw, Dance King had the run of the race and Marwing was able to keep close tabs on the favourite Curious Girl.

The early pace was muddling with the lead changing on a number of occasions but Curious Girl was always in the firing line and Dance King stalking her.

The first worrying signs for the favourite came as the field climbed the hill with Sean Veale beginning to niggle at Curious Girl. Given that she was under pressure that early, she did well to  stay on for third. Dance King on the other hand was full of running and went to the line with lengths to spare while Ahead Of The Facts, who was giving away lumps of weight to almost the entire field, finished off strongly from near last to take second in a run full of merit.

RACE 1

1 NADIA NERINA ran a great race on debut, with natural improvement expected from this well-bred filly, she will be hard to beat. This race is packed with some nicely bred newcomers, keep an eye on the betting trends, any market confidence could prove crucial.

RACE 2

3 WHIRLWIND quickened up like a smart filly in the making when beating her field impressively on the 1st of April, she was given five points for that good win up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, even though she tackles a stronger field here, she looks progressive and should go very close to winning again. 6 PINK PIGEON never runs a bad race, she is honest, and she tries hard, on her current form, she must have a serious each way chance. 5 BERRY’S BOOGIE won a gutsy race on the 27th of April, she was given three points for that win last time, if the conditions turn up on the soft side, she will run a massive race, watch her closely. 1 SHESGOTCLASS is much better than her last run, in hope that she bounces back to her best form, she will be competitive.

RACE 3

5 CRAZY LITTLE THING travelled like a winner when finishing third behind Vercicat on the 27th of April, the form of that race has worked out well with Lava Strike winning recently, if she brings her recent form to the races again on Sunday, she will go close to winning. 4 SWIFT SERENITY is in great form, she steps up in trip now to 1200m, on her current form, she must have a good place chance. 1 AUTUMN RUSH is much better than her recent start behind Kituba, the drop in trip might help her improve, watch her closely at a fair price. 7 LOVE HER MADLY has run three nice races in succession, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be doing some good work late.

RACE 4

4 SPARKLING SKY has run two excellent races in succession, she is a big filly with a big action, this looks to be the perfect race for her to exit the maiden ranks, she will be hard to beat from a good draw. 7 UP IN FLAMES ran a great race with the blinkers fitted last time, if she gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, she will be competitive, include her into all bets. 5 LIEFLING improved to run a much better race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 15th of April, she will love the step up in trip to 1600m. 3 GIDDY UP GRACE never runs a bad race, the blinkers have been fitted, and she steps up in trip again to 1600m, she will be right there in the finish from a neat draw.

RACE 5

1 JOU LEKKER DING has been rested for 62 days, she quickened up well to win a good race on the 30th of March, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be storming home late, watch her closely from a good draw. 3 PENTOLINA is much better than her recent run, top jockey Richard Fourie sticks with this filly, she should have no excuses from a good draw on Sunday, include her into all bets. 6 MY ONLY WEAKNESS didn’t have much luck late in running last time, she is consistent at this level, if she finds herself in a good position turning for home, she will have a nice winning chance. 9 CUTIE PATOOTIE won a super race on the 18th of April, she is still improving, if she beats the bad draw, she will make them all work for victory.

RACE 6

1 HAMPSTEAD HEATH is much better than her last run, she has dropped even further in the ratings, jockey Calvin Habib knows this mare well, in hope that she bounces back to her best form, she will go close to winning. 11 CLAIR DE LUNE has run two lovely races in succession, she is very speedy out of the gates, she will be right there in the finish again on her current form. 7 GIRL LIKE US could be the value play in this tricky race, her form is solid, if the gaps open at the right time for this individual, she will be competitive in the finish. 4 GIN PALACE needed her last run, she will enjoy the 1200m trip.

RACE 7

9 SHEZARIPPER ran a great race in the Grade 3 Winter Nursery on the 3rd of May, the yard thinks highly of this filly, with the right run in transit, she will go close to winning. 3 TAG AND RELEASE won a super race last time, he is very quick out of the gates, even though he carries top weight for this listed race on Sunday, he has lots of quality, he will try and lead them from start to finish. 4 GRAPES OF WRATH has been rested for 92 days, she quickened smartly to win a good race on debut, there is no doubt that she will love the extra 200m, she looks like a serious filly in the making. 8 REEF RUNNER powered away from his field impressively on the 16th of May, Richard Fourie sticks with this unbeaten colt, he could be anything, watch him closely here.

RACE 8

7 MEG’S LEGACY was given a terrific ride by Jockey Calvin Habib on the 1st of April, she was given four points for winning a good race last time, she looks progressive, if she brings her last run to the track again, she will go close to winning. 6 BLUE LAGOON was just touched off in a driving finish by Easy Money last time, she is in a good space, and her form is super consistent, there is no doubt that she will be right there in the finish. 13 ENTICEMENT won her maiden impressively on the 18th of April, she has a good cruising speed, if she has made further improvement at home, she can win again. 10 FOG IN FINLAND has improved with every start, she won with absolute ease on the 3rd of May, her chances must be respected in this tricky race.

RACE 9

12 STARTING POINT has been rested for 62 days, she was mighty unlucky in her last start, if she gets some cover early, and the gaps open at the right time, she will go very close to winning. 6 LOVE SHACK has been rested and changed stables on the 27th of March, she has dropped nicely in the ratings, if she doesn’t need the run badly after a small break, she will be competitive at a decent price. 7 HERITAGE RIDGE moved up well to run a good race behind Easy Money on the 3rd of May, she will be cherry ripe for this race on Sunday, include her into all bets. 11 COUNTRY TIME is in great form at the moment, Trainer Paul Reeves has done a wonderful job with this mare, she always has a money chance at this level.

Alistair Cohen

There is a fine mix of competitive, tricky races where punters should cast their nets wide and some races that look more straightforward prompting a little less budget to navigate at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday. After the action at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Saturday, the two-year-old department has taken prime discussion. The Listed Somerset 1200 has attracted a field of promising youngsters. Shezaripper is well treated at the weights and she could score an important win.

She was a candidate for the RCS Slipper last month but trainer James Crawford opted to keep her at home and target races on her doorstep. She hopefully has a long career ahead of her.

Her debut was stellar when she kept Sparkling Star at bay over 1000m at this course in February. They pulled far clear of third. Crawford handed her a gallop a few weeks before her potential trip to Durban for the Slipper but he clearly thought better of the riches and she was given a three-month layoff as a result of their decision to aim elsewhere. Her return was a good 0,75-length second behind Tag And Release over 1100m at this course. She is now 3kg better off with Tag And Release so that should give him the advantage over a horse with plenty of potential.

Mickaelle Michel is carded to take the ride. She visited Cape Town for the first time last week and went home with a winner. With an appetite and education for the course, she will have some confidence to navigate her way around.

Reef Runner was rumoured to be top drawer when he made his debut and he led with a dominant performance for a start to finish triumph. He weighs 530kg so he looked out of place with his two-year-old rivals. This is a big step forward from a shallow maiden to feature race level, but he could not have been more impressive for his three-length success. This race will not define him or his career, but a win would make him noteworthy for bigger features in a few months.

Tag And Release has to be respected by virtue of being the only feature race winner in the field. He won the Winter Nursery when he toppled Shezaripper. He is now hunted and his disadvantage at the weights is documented but it is hard to knock a confident horse with ability.

Grapes Of Wrath has been off since February but she was emphatic when she won on debut. She has more to beat. She is a half-sister to the brilliant Charles Dickens. A lot will be learned about her. A forward run would be a huge foundation for her career.

World Of Secrets showed enough improvement from her debut to her second start and she could claim race 1 over 1000m, the trip of her two runs to date. It was just natural progression halving her eight-length deficit to four lengths. Michel takes the ride for Paul Reeves. Nadia Nerina sticks out as the main threat after a fair debut when beaten by six lengths into third. Keep an eye on betting moves about the first timers.

Whirlwind is evidently climbing the divisions and she could stamp her progress in race 2 over 1200m. This will be her toughest task to date taking on class droppers like Call Me Secret, Pink Pigeon and Wild Applause but Whirlwind is lightly raced and she is establishing herself. She has a few appealing attributes like a high cruising speed and she can kick off that. This is her seventh career start and Richard Fourie (although obliged) is sweating to 54kg to take the ride.

Swift Serenity has finished runner-up in her last three starts. She is well overdue and she could finally exit the maidens in race 3 over 1200m. She has surely found the right field to beat. Her only danger is this trip. One would be more confident over 1000m because of her natural speed.

Race 4 over 1600m is a race that will not take much winning. This is a great opportunity for something battling to do the job. A chance of taken on Giddy Up Grace. She has hinted that she is better than her overall form. She hails from an in-form Candice Bass yard. Aldo Domeyer takes the ride. Her career best was over this course and distance when she was narrowly turned over by Lady Orbit.

My Only Weakness has not won for just over a year but her form has had her running just off winners. Adam Marcus has his string in good heart at the moment. She is 2,5kg better off with Cutie Patootie for a 1,6-length beating when they last met so that form should turn around. Plus, Cutie Patootie has pulled a deep draw of No 9. Calvin Habib takes the ride.

Girl Like Us is not a confident choice in race 6 over 1200m. This is one of the races on the card where just about anything can win. Again, her consistency leads one to believe that a win is just around the corner. Keagan de Melo has been riding superbly well especially over the last three months and his engagement will do no harm.

Blue Lagoon put up a pleasing post-maiden effort when she was a short head behind Easy Money over 1200m at this course. She is back over the same course and distance. She looked limited having taken six runs to win a race. She has some credit in the bank after her last run and she could be the horse to beat in race 8.

When Love Shack is given the verdict to win a race, one must be sure there are plenty of dangers. She is given the verdict in race 9 over 1000m because she drops to the minimum trip where she shows the most life. Nothing in this field is going to reach any great heights and it is the type of event that could have different results if the race was run a few times. De Melo rides for Paul Reeves who is the new trainer having relocated from Candice Bass.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Carlisle and Lingfield(UK) – 30 May 2026.