RACE 1

(4) Project Runway made a smart debut and will be a strong contender after that decent effort. (1) Fantasy Girl was 7/2 on debut and that suggests she was showing something back at home and will make improvement. (6) Thread Of Life wasn’t beaten far on debut and will get much closer. (7) True Design has experience under the belt and will get much closer. (3) Global Scene Is another who wasn’t beaten far and interestingly enough Devin Ashby stays aboard her. Many will make improvement, listen to trainer comments and use the betting as a guid. ( Devonne Govender 4-1-6-7-3)

RACE 2

(2) Listentotheocean ran well in her last start in the Cape and if transferring that form here she will be a huge runner so respect. (3) Gotcha Buzz is holding solid form and will be a strong contender. (7) Bytheliteofthemoon has been racing extremely well in recent starts and cannot be discounted. (6) Winning Grace is another who is holding solid form and will be there. This is a tricky race and many have winning chances. (Devonne Govender 2-3-7-6)

RACE 3

(4) Run For Me is holding good recent form in a tricky looking race. He drops to 1200m compared to recent starts and that could make all difference. (7) Captain Efficient has been running well and won’t be far.His overall form is good so include in all bets. (1) Petteia is capable of much better as he has shown good form earlier and should be respected with a top rider up despite the fact that the last two runs are uninspiring. (5) War Sword has been consistent and will challenge here. (10) Aquila Gold gets a strong rider up and is likely to improve. ( Devonne Govender 4-7-1-5-10)

RACE 4

(1) Alado’s Pride could represent some good value. He had a tough draw to contend with in the last start, he is a very tough horse and will make his presence felt. (3) Launch Code ran a cracker in the last start and will make the frame if repeating that effort. (8) Head Gardener was gutsy in the last start and another decent run can be expected, do note the last win was on Poly. (5) Pedro has run extremely well on the turf so warrants huge respect, he will bounce back. (4) Meetatthewindsor has the Fourie factor and must be included into the mix. (2) Heknows was an easy maiden winner and there could be plenty more to come. ( Devonne Govender 1-3-8-5-2)

RACE 5

(7) The Lady Love ran well in her last start and looks to have a strong winning chance. (6) Kilmonivaig is very capable and rated by the yard, she will be flying late. (11) Jade’s Caberneigh has been racing well and another honest run can be expected. (1) Miss Shaivi wasn’t far in the last start and will be right there if repeating that effort. ( Devonne Govender 7-6-11-1)

RACE 6

(1) Three Rocks is classy and highly regarded by the yard, she should take an absolute power of beating here and is a banker in all bets. (3) Golden Pacific is very capable and her from is good, she could be the main danger to the top selection. (5) Passchendaele won extremely well in her last start and will be right there in the mix. (4) Ancient Epic is capable of running into the trifectas and quartets. ( Devonne Govender 1-3-5-4)

RACE 7

(9) Splicethemainbrace is very smart and looks a ready-made banker. She is highly rated by the yard and should remain unbeaten. (8) Frosty Reception ran well in the last start and should run into the money. (3) Golden Rule won her maiden extremely well and won’t be far. ( Devonne Govender 9-1-8-3)

RACE 8

(7) Captain Tik Tok is in excellent form and looks to be a massive runner here. (3) Pompei Warning ran well in his last start and the 1000m trip could see him powering home. (8) Ferrando won easily in the last start but does run in MR 74 now. (6) Great Melody has a big finish on his day and will be flying. (5) Glass Shoes Is very capable so don’t discount her chances. (Devonne Govender 7-3-8-6-5)

The 128th edition of Africa’s greatest horse racing extravaganza, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, is set for 6^th July 2024. Renowned as the premier event on South Africa’s racing calendar, coveted by every equine enthusiast, it seamlessly marries haute couture and entertainment with the thunderous excitement of the track, crafting a social spectacle of unparalleled allure.

Amidst the backdrop of two years veiled in the shadow of the pandemic, the past two iterations have witnessed a triumphant resurgence, as fans once again flock to the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. This year’s rendition promises to shatter records, with an anticipated crowd of 50,000 revellers poised to converge at the venue.

Tickets are available through Ticketpro’s website (www.ticketpros.co.za) or select SPAR Payzone Kiosks nationwide. Priced at R230 for general admission, they unlock a realm of entertainment including live performances, fashion showcases, pulse-pounding racing action, access to public bars, gourmet food trucks, ample seating, and a plethora of partner activations and competitions unfolding throughout the day and into the night. Onsite parking is also on offer at R170 per vehicle.

For those seeking the pinnacle of indulgence, the event’s website (www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za) serves as a portal to a world of VIP hospitality options, complete with a detailed site map. However, entry to these exclusive enclaves will still require a general admission ticket for the event from Ticketpro.

The unveiling of the 2024 theme, “Ride The Wave,” in late March heralded the commencement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience, presented by Durban Fashion Fair. Among its highlights, the HDJ Young Designer Award, presented by Durban Fashion Fair, beckons forth the best of KwaZulu-Natal’s design protégé’s all vying for the coveted 2024 title and the chance to share the stage with the HDJ Invited Designers and the DFF Rising Stars at the annual HDJ Fashion Gala Preview Evening, hosted at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in late June.

Anticipation mounts as the first entrants for this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July are set to be unveiled on Wednesday 24 April, with last year’s runner-up, See It Again, emerging as the early ante-post favourite. Betting enthusiasts can find the full array of odds at www.hollywoodbets.net.

David Thiselton

Trainer Corne Spies’ and his son Xander have come up with a ground-breaking new way of owning horses through a monthly subscription.

Green Lightning Racing is intended to make it easier and more affordable for fans to be immediately involved in owning racehorses.

Xander, who is a qualified lawyer, can’t shake off his love for horseracing and explained in an interview on Gold Circle’s On The Box Seat, “Young people are interested in horseracing, but just don’t know how to access it and are unsure how to partake in it. So what I generally do is I invite a bunch of friends and show them what racing is about, teach them how to have a bet, teach them how to read form, take them down to the track to hear the horses running on the ground and  not far away, it’s an experience in itself and it kind of gets people hooked to the extent that they constantly ask me when can we are going racing again. So I believe if you start at grass roots level one can really rebuild and rejuvenate racing to a certain extent, but it is a multi-faceted effort and it needs to come from every part of the industry and this is one of the reasons I took on the opportunity to formulate this new concept. We began thinking how can we make racing more accessible to the general racing public, to people who are passionate about horses, who enjoy watching horses and not only enjoy the betting, but actually follow the horses as if they are sports stars and the jockeys as well to a certain extent. In SA’s past we have had horses like Wolf Power, Igugu, Horse Chestnut … people remember those horse’s names with reverence and fondness. So we thought why don’t we start an idea that is based on a sports team and that is where the logo we use comes from, it borrows from American sports teams as it stands out and becomes recognisable. So we then formed a concept called Green Lightning whereby we want to give involvement to the racing public in a way that is new and fresh and that hasn’t been tested before.”

Corne said the concept had similarities to the huge syndicates in Australia and America etc that gave an opportunity to those who could not normally afford it to be able to experience racing from an insider point of view.

However, there is one big difference.

Corne said, “With syndication you are tied into a horse. So you could be involved in a horse called Winx which could be great … but you could be involved in Meerkat, which is not that great! Green Lightning is the owner of the horses, but people can get behind the team on a subscription basis and participate and experience ownership, and the model means the horse team is being replenished all the time. Hopefully with the growth of the subscriber base, the base of the horses will grow and be replenished regularly. You will be tied in to all of these horses and there is not just one who could be a dud and then you have done your money. You can be involved for as long as you subscribe and could possibly be part of something big in SA. We have big racing teams and owners who have a lot of horses running and this concept gives the layman on the street the chance of being part of something similar.”

Xander added, “It is important to note there are several caveats to be explained. This is purely a racing team you pay to be part of. Currently we have three in the team and the amount will grow as the subscriber base grows. The subscribers will earn a point equivalent of the prize money that the horses earn. So when Zoombomber earned R20,000, that money will be allocated to a separate fund and points will be allocated to each and every subscriber to a decimal factor. On the Patreon platform there is a piece that describes how it works. The points earned can be withdrawn by the subscribers after you have reached 250 points, which is equivalent of R250. So it works the same way, in that regard, as normal ownership. However, there is never a transfer of ownership … Green Lightning is the owner and use the prize money earned to give the subscribers a service. It is almost like a club membership. That is the most simple part. The thing that might give people red flags is you can refer people. Let’s say I am a subscriber and I want to refer a friend, the service will give me a subscription referral code and I ask him or her to use that referral code when subscribing. For as long as that person is subscribed you earn 50 points per month. It is called affiliate marketing and is not multi-level marketing in any sense because that sounds like a pyramid scheme. So that could make it more attractive to people, because you are then not earning just from horses running but also from referrals.”

Subscription to Green Lightning costs just R290 per month.

It sounds like a fun way for fans to be involved and perhaps could lead to other such syndicates which could add to the health and popularity of racing. 

RACE 1

6 GORGEOUS DUDE   7 BUZZ BOMB   5 MY BOY LOLLIPOP   11 ALWAYS SHINING

Summary: GORGEOUS DUDE (6) comes from a very much inform stable and has run two promising races over the trip. He makes his poly debut. BUZZ BOMB (7) takes on older runners but has made steady improvement and his last Kenilworth effort over the trip should see him at his peak. MY BOY LOLLIPOP (5) was a close-up second on debut and steps up in trip. He also takes on older runners. ALWAYS SHINING (11) was running on nicely at his second start over course and distance. He has the worst of the draw but should make his presence felt. (Andrew Harrison: 6-7-5-11).

RACE 2

4 COPACABANA    3 CITY LIGHTS   8 EXTRACTION   2 I’M DEVINE

Summary: Tricky maiden. COPACABANA (4) made a smart debut for Dennis Bosch but that was over 1200m. Rachel Venniker stays with the ride as the filly goes a mile in the second start. Fanie Bronkhorst makes the trip from the Highveld with CITY LIGHTS (3) that does stay the trip and has improved in a tongue-tie. However, she was a well beaten second last run. EXTRACTION (8) takes on older runners but looks to be the pick of the Mike Miller quartet judged on jockey bookings. She also steps up to a mile for the first time but caught the eye when running on late in a sprint. I’M DEVINE (2) is lightly raced and does appear to have some issues. However, she does look capable on her day. (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-8-2).

RACE 3

2 RED ROSES TOO   7 THERE SHE GOES   6 CONVOCATION   1 HOT PEARL

Summary: Open handicap. RED ROSES TOO (2) is quick and was not disgraced last time out from a wide draw. Her last win was over course and distance. THERE SHE GOES (7) is drawn widest of the seven runners and makes her poly debut. She has a useful claiming apprentice up and she should feature. CONVOCATION (6) has won both starts since returning from a break. She also makes her poly debut and is useful. She took a seven point raise in the handicap for her last win but Gareth van Zyl has booked 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies. HOT PEARL (1) is difficult to catch right but has her third run after a break and has the best of the draw. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-6-1).

RACE 4

10 YAMADORI   2 LONGSWORD   3 DOWN BY THE RIVER   9 DIANI

Summary: YAMADORI (10) is way better than his last two starts and had some promising Cape form before that. He makes his poly debut but at best could have the measure of this field. LONGSWORD (2) was a comfortable winner last run on the Highveld. He got a seven-point raise in the handicap but Richard Fourie stays with the ride for Sean Tarry which is a bonus. DOWN BY THE RIVER (3) was not far back in his first run back from the Cape. He has a handy weight and can feature. DIANI (9) was running on nicely when back in blinkers and should be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 10-2-3-9).

RACE 5

2 PURPLE POWAHOUSE   7 DARK TIDE   6 STEVIE GEE   4 MAC HARDY

Summary: PURPLE POWAHOUSE (2) has been consistent and was a touch unlucky last run when bumped at the start and losing position. He loves the poly and should put in another forward showing. DARK TIDE (7) is down in class and improved in blinkers last run although he did have a light weight. As an older horse he should take to the poly. STEVIE GEE (6) was game in defeat last run and is back over what looks to be his optimum trip. He has a light weight to help his cause. MAC HARDY (4) was returning from a long break and in need of his last run. He is lightly raced and one to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-6-4).

RACE 6

7 JOSHUA HOTSNAKE   3 CERULEAN DANCER   4 ULTRA QUICK   1 KUMEMORI

Summary: JOSHUA HOTSNAKE (7) is due a change of fortune after three consecutive runner-up berths. He goes well over course and distance and should contest the finish. CERULEAN DANCER (3) takes on males but has consistent Highveld form over the trip. Muzi Yeni stays aboard as she takes to the poly for the first time. ULTRA QUICK (4) found strong market support last run and won well with first time pacifiers. He looks capable of following up.  KUMEMORI (1) shed his maiden over course and distance and is back over what looks to be his optimum trip with Richard Fourie back on board. (Andrew Harrison; 7-3-4-1).

RACE 7

6 WYATT’S CHOICE   3 BANZAI PIPELINE   2 FLAG BEARER   7 RICCARDO

Summary: WYATT’S CHOICE (6) is lightly raced and was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. The form has been franked so a repeat should see him close again. BANZAI PIPELINE (3) has been consistent and his last win came on this course. He should make a bold bid. FLAG BEARER (2) is showing signs of his best form and was not far back over the distance last time out. He should take to the poly on debut. RICCARDO (7) has improved with each run of late and just failed last time out. He must have a strong chance of making the frame. (Andrew Harrison: 6-3-2-7).

Andrew Harrison

Seven races on the poly track face punters at Hollywoodbets Greyville today with the first race a Maiden Plate over 1400m.

Alyson Wright has got this month off to a flying start as she bids for the KZN Champion Trainer title and saddles Gorgeous Dude who has run two promising races over the trip. He makes his poly debut but he looks to be in a good space. My Boy Lollipop was a close-up second at lengthy odds on debut and steps up in trip. He also takes on older runners but looks to be progressive.

The second is a tricky maiden over a mile. Copacabana made a smart debut for Dennis Bosch but that was over 1200m. Rachel Venniker stays with the ride as the filly goes a mile in the second start. There is nothing in her pedigree that suggests that she won’t stay the trip. Fanie Bronkhorst makes the trip from the Highveld with City Lights that does stay the trip and has improved in a tongue-tie. However, she was a well beaten second last run and has had many chances. Extraction takes on older runners but looks to be the pick of the Mike Miller quartet judged on jockey bookings. She also steps up to a mile for the first time but caught the eye when running on late in a sprint. 

The third is an open handicap but Red Roses Too is quick and was not disgraced last time out from a wide draw. Her last win for Stuart Ferrie was over course and distance. There She Goes is drawn widest of the seven runners and makes her poly debut but Weiho Marwing has booked a useful claiming apprentice and she should feature. Convocation has won both starts since returning from a break. She also makes her poly debut and is useful but she took a seven point raise in the handicap for her last win. Gareth van Zyl has booked 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies to counter the handicap. Hot Pearl is difficult to catch right but has her third run after a break and has the best of the draw. 

Cape-based Justin Snaith has hit the road running with his runners and Yamadori is way better than his last two starts. He had some promising Cape form before that and although he makes his poly debut, at best could have the measure of this field. Down By The River was not far back in his first run back from the Cape and has a handy weight.

In the fifth, Purple Powahouse has been consistent and was a touch unlucky last run when bumped at the start and losing position. He loves the poly and should put in another forward showing. Dark Tide is down in class and improved in blinkers last run although he did have a light weight. As an older horse he should take to the poly. Stevie Gee was game in defeat last run and is back over what looks to be his optimum trip. He has a light weight to help his cause. Mac Hardy could be the surprise package. He was returning from a long break and in need of his last run. He is lightly raced and one to watch in the market. 

In the sixth, Joshua Hotsnake is due a change of fortune after three consecutive runner-up berths. He goes well over course and distance and should contest the finish. Cerulean Dancer takes on males but has consistent Highveld form over the trip for Fanie Bronkhorst. Muzi Yeni stays aboard as she takes to the poly for the first time. Ultra Quick found strong market support last run and won well with first time pacifiers. He looks capable of following up while Kumemori shed his maiden over course and distance and is back over what looks to be his optimum trip with Fourie back on board. 

In the last, Wyatt’s Choice is lightly raced and was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. The form has been franked so a repeat should see him close again. Banzai Pipeline could be his main threat as he has been consistent and his last win came on this course. Flag Bearer is showing signs of his best form and was not far back over the distance last time out. He should take to the poly. Riccardo has improved with each run of late and just failed last time out. He must have a strong chance of making the frame.