Half of the eight runners accepted for the Grade 3 Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today hold entries for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. A few years back, Marinaresco nearly scooped Africa’s Greatest Race taking this quiet route through Cape Town’s wet winter. He was trained by Candice Bass when he went a place better a year later in 2017. Bass saddles Viva’s Liberte who is quietly of the same profile.

Viva’s Liberte has not had the most ideal 2026. He was gelded at the end of last year and he was asked to take a less-than-ideal stance of one run before the Lucky Fish Cape Derby over 2000m in late February. He acquitted himself well against horses who are of high ability but had far better preps when he finished three lengths behind Wish List in third. A neat effort after a freshen up saw him run an admirable race behind Jet Force in the Grade 3 Variety Club Mile at this course a month ago.

He should be peaking now. He has always given the impression that he would develop over time. He could also have a few pounds hidden away from the handicapper long-term. If he is to be taken seriously by the Hollywoodbets Durban July panel, he needs to start winning soon. There would be no better place to start. Craig Zackey is walking on water at the moment. He is carded to take the ride.

La Pulga, Otto Luyken and Tenpenny also hold entries for the 4 July showpiece. Tenpenny has been expertly placed by trainer Paddy Kruyer and he could also have some wriggle room with the handicapper. He finished ahead of Viva’s Liberte by a short head in the Variety Club Mile but he finds himself 0,5kg worse off. With that said, Tenpenny is certainly more suitable to the extra 200m on offer.

La Pulga is a real trier and he should not be too far away. He is often on the coattails of Tenpenny. Serino Moodley takes the ride for Bass. He might need to do more to show his credentials for Grade 1 level but he runs above himself and must be respected.

Peace Garland has put together two nice runs to date and she looks set to get the job done in race 1 over 1200m. She has been beaten by less than two lengths in both starts to date behind some seemingly promising two-year-olds. Richard Fourie takes the ride for Vaughan Marshall. To the eye, she might be most effective over further. She is a half-sister to Francel Ethel. She also finishes her races with a flourish. But she is going about things the right way.

Swift Serenity is a professional maiden but she is popping to win. From 11 runs, she has placed seven times including runner-up the last twice. She looks like she might have found the right field in race 2 over 1000m. She has a good, fluent stride, hopefully she can last for more than 950m which is her Achilles heel.

Signor Dante could represent some value in race 3 over 1800m. He has found some progressive three-year-olds too good in his last three runs including Future Free who runs in a Grade 3 later in the card and Note To Self who is given a chance in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. He is deceptively lightly raced with only 12 career starts under his belt and he could have a little more to offer.

Lark’s Song has finished runner-up in her last two runs and she looks set to go a place better in race 4 over 1800m. She is well related, a sister to Rainbow Lorikeet. She is also low mileage having only her seventh career start on Sunday. Andrew Fortune takes the ride for Andre Nel.

A chance is taken on Swiatek in the Listed Ladies Mile, race 5 on the card. She loves this trip with her career best coming against the brilliant Double Grand Slam over this course and distance. She has always been considered slightly better at Hollywoodbets Durbanville but she is a really tough filly who gives her best. After her triumph over Double Grand Slam, she was forced to run in races which might have been too tough for her. This is not a slam dunk but she is more than capable of seeing off her rivals.

Kalahari King has been one of the most impressive two-year-olds thus far. He runs in the Grade 3 Winter Nursery over 1200m. He looks a consummate professional when he took the above average Aquae Calidae off the bit and turned him over by 1,25 lengths. He was wise and fluent. The talk is that he would be fun to follow in a few months’ time.

Sooty comes from the in-form Paul Reeves yard and even though he makes life tough for himself, he could get his nose in front when he runs in race 8 over 1200m. His last three runs read two narrow losses and one narrow win. That is the nature of the beast. He is not the easiest to follow and have maximum faith in but he has the numbers to make a huge case for him.

Final Call is on the up and she looks a level above the opposition she is running with in race 9 over 1200m. She is getting the hang of things and the slow burn seems ready to ignite. When she won her maiden, she beat nothing of substance but she has seemingly strengthened up and gone about things the right way. Serino Moodley rides for Candice Bass.