Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Plumpton (UK) – 19 April 2026.

David Thiselton

A Pinnacle Stakes race over 1600m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside today and the classy Pressonregardless looks the one to side with.

The David Nieuwenhuizen-trained five-year-old Lancaster Bomber gelding is a beautifully long-striding sort who is perfectly suited to the Standside course and he should be able to mow them down after finding a good position from a plum draw of two under leading jockey Craig Zackey. Pressonregardless is the best weighted male in the race and is only 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner, the filly Kisshoten. Chronicle King has proven class and this 114-rated Gr 2 winner comes off a good win over 1700m. He has a tricky draw of six in the seven horse field but should make a bold bid. Sunset Riot has won his last two starts over 1400m with ease and as his Captain Al dam Fragrant Miss won over this trip, so he should see it out. He has a tricky draw of five but the 1,5kg gender claim of Mickaelle Michel will help. He is officially 3kg under sufferance with Kisshoten. Musical Score is distance suited and has the class to be competitive under Keagan de Melo from a middle draw of four. Kisshoten has not been disgraced in her last two starts in a Gr 3 and a Gr 1 over course and distance against the girls, finishing a 1,40 length third and a 7,30 length fourth to the dominant winner Double Grand Slam, so from pole position and being best in at the weights, she can’t be ignored. Willy Meet Again is second best in at the weights and is a decent sort who could dictate, so she could be dangerous. The other runner Skittle Skies has a hard task at the weights.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Sendai ran a cracker last time over this trip, finishing a 1,90 length third, and has a chance in this uninspiring maiden from a middle draw of six out of 11 under Muzi Yeni.  Nebraska has run a couple of fair races over this trip category and has a chance from draw five. Winding Power has a tricky draw of eight but has the ability to earn. Cronus could earn a cheque in this line up. Brave Waam! should enjoy the step up in trip and could improve.

The second leg over 1400m is also an uninspiring maiden and Purple Rain makes plenty of appeal. She finished second in a three horse field last time, but she should relish this step up in trip and is drawn in pole with Craig Zackey up for the Sean Tarry yard. Savara’s Princess has a tricky draw but if repeating her last start she has a chance.  Master’s Rose has been thereabouts in her last couple of starts and has a fair draw. Miss River Dancer has run two fair races and on  pedigree should enjoy the step up in trip. Greenandgold has run two fair races and should be in the shake up.

In the seventh race over 2000m Scarlet O’Hara has run three good races and the form of her last run, a 7,50 length fourth to Curious Girl in the Oaks Trial, has been franked as the latter went on to win the Gr 2 SA Derby. Future Date is an honest sort who is coming into her own as a four-year-old, being by Futura, and she should be in the shake up. Free In Seattle has the ability to be right there and it should pan out well for her from draw two under Richard Fourie. Kissing Machine will enjoy stepping back to middle distances and could be a runner from pole position. Poplar Park has a 100% record in two starts over course and distance so should do well if able to overcome a wide draw under in form apprentice Blaine Marx-Jacobson.

In the eighth over 2000m Sand Script won well second time out when stepped up to 1700m and Fourie is now up. Future Gamble also enjoyed the step up in trip last time and has a chance of following up. Silver Flare should be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw. Rosy Lemon can never be ignored over this trip. Special Star should finish on top of Rosy Lemon on the form of their last meeting.

In the ninth over 1800m Real Stunner has the form and the ability to go close if able to overcome a wide draw and Richard Fourie aboard will help her cause.  Orange County is interesting over a slight step up in trip being by Flower Alley, with the detractor being she is out of a Var mare. Zip Code has the ability to earn here from a fair draw as she is capable of running on well if getting cover. Full Go is capable of being right there if able to overcome a wide draw and she is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance. Sky Pillar Rock disappointed last time but can do better.

In the third race over 1400m Impressive went close when stepped up to this trip second time out and can beat home Doesyourmotherknow, who has a very similar form line over the same distance category. These two fillies are drawn three and two respectively and should fight it out.

In the first race over 1160m Gathering Winter is the one to beat in this uninspiring field, although she does have draw one, which can be disadvantageous down the straight, so Wispinthewillow must also be considered.

In the second race over 1400m Sherriff Bill Brown ran a fair race last time and should enjoy the step up in trip, but won’t have it easy from a wide draw.  Lance Attack has shown some ability and must be considered. Sutter’s Mill is a first-timer by Fire Away out of a Western Winter mare who won second time out and this gelding would not need to be a star to finish prominently here.

RACE 1

4 GATHERING WINTER 3 WISPINTHEWILLOW 5 DAD’S DREAM 2 GOD’S COUNTRY

Preview: 4 GATHERING WINTER improved last time and can earn again with a repeat. 3 WISPINTHEWILLOW can go close if repeating her penultimate start when a narrow runner up over 1200m at Turffontein Inside. 5 DAD’S DREAM has the form to be able to earn in this line up.  2 GOD’S COUNTRY could earn in this field. (4-3-5-2)

RACE 2

6 SHERIFF BILL BROWN 1 LANCE ATTACK 7 SUTTER’S MILL 8 SNAP YOUR FINGERS

Preview: 6 SHERIFF BILL BROWN ran a fair second last time and in this line up could go one better. 1 LANCE ATTACK is capable of being a threat in this line up. 7 SUTTER’S MILL is a first-timer by Fire Away out of a Western Winter mare and would not need to be a star to finish prominently here. 8 SNAP YOUR FINGERS is by Futura out of a Gr 2 winner over 2800m so is likely to need further and to get better with age but a classy pedigree could be telling in this line up. (6-1-7-8)

RACE 3

3 IMPRESSIVE 4 ONWARD 1 DOESYOURMOTHERKNOW 5 PROPHECIES

Preview: 3 IMPRESSIVE has good form and is well drawn over an ideal trip. 4 ONWARD made a fair debut and should improve over this trip being by Malmoos out of a Silvano mare. 1 DOESYOURMOTHERKNOW finished a good second last time and over the same trip category has a chance. 5 PROPHECIES improved last time over 1600m but does have a tough draw. (3-4-1-5)

RACE 4

1 SENDAI 2 NEBRASKA 3 WINDING POWER 5 CRONUS

Preview: 1 SENDAI ran a cracker last time over this trip and has a chance if able to overcome draw six out of 11.  2 NEBRASKA has run a couple of fair races over this trip category and has a chance from draw five. 3 WINDING POWER has a tricky draw of eight but has the ability to earn. 5 CRONUS could earn a cheque in this line up. (1-2-3-5)

RACE 5

10 PURPLE RAIN 3 SAVARA’S PRINCESS  5 MASTER’S ROSE 9 MISS RIVER DANCER

Preview: 10 PURPLE RAIN ran well over 1200m second time out and from pole position should go close over a step up in trip she will relish on pedigree. 3 SAVARA’S PRINCESS has a tricky draw but if repeating her last start she has a chance.  5 MASTER’S ROSE has been thereabouts in her last couple of starts and has a fair draw. 9 MISS RIVER DANCER has run two fair races and on  pedigree should enjoy the step up in trip. (10-3-5-9)

RACE 6

2 PRESSONREGARDLESS 1 CHRONICLE KING 4 SUNSET RIOT 3 MUSICAL SCORE

Preview: 2 PRESSONREGARDLESS has plenty of ability and from a plum draw should go close. 1 CHRONICLE KING has class and over an ideal trip should be right there.  4 SUNSET RIOT has won his last two starts in fine fashion and will make a bold bid. 3 MUSICAL SCORE has the ability to be in the shake up here. (2-1-4-3)

RACE 7

8 SCARLET O’HARA 1 FUTURE DATE 2 FREE IN SEATTLE 3 KISSING MACHINE

Preview: 8 SCARLET O’HARA has run three good races and the form of her run las time has been franked so she could rise above her current merit rating. 1 FUTURE DATE is an honest sort who should be in the shake up. 2 FREE IN SEATTLE has the ability to be right there. 3 KISSING MACHINE will enjoy stepping back to middle distances and could be a runner from pole position. (8-1-2-3)

RACE 8

3 SAND SCRIPT 5 FUTURE GAMBLE 8 SILVER FLARE 2 ROSY LEMON

Preview: 3 SAND SCRIPT won well second time out when stepped up to 1700m and Fourie is now up. 5 FUTURE GAMBLE enjoyed the step up in trip last time and can follow up. 8 SILVER FLARE should be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw. 2 ROSY LEMON can never be ignored over this trip. (3-5-8-2)

RACE 9

7 REAL STUNNER 5 ORANGE COUNTY 6 ZIP CODE 11 FULL GO

Preview: 7 REAL STUNNER has the form and the ability to go close if able to overcome a wide draw. 5 ORANGE COUNTY is interesting over a slight step up in trip being by Flower Alley, with the detractor being she is out of a Var mare. 6 ZIP CODE has the ability to earn here from a fair draw. 11 FULL GO is capable of being right there if able to overcome a wide draw and she is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance. (7-5-6-11)

David Thiselton

 

The Hollywoodbets Durban July first entries are on Monday the 20th of April and “July Fever” will begin building from the first entries announcement on Wednesday April 22 until the big race on July 4.

 

One of the annual questions is whether any July records will be broken.

 

Andrew Fortune could become the oldest jockey to ever win the race, with the oldest to date probably being Piere Strydom who was 50 years old when winning on the Joey Ramsden-trained The Conglomerate in 2016.

 

The record for the youngest jockey can never be broken.

 

Frank McGrath was just 12 years old when winning the July in 1922 on the J Gard-owned and trained Collet.

 

Allan “Snowy” Reid was both the last apprentice and last teenager to ride a July winner when successful on the Fred Rickaby-trained Naval Escort in 1969.

 

Both records could potentially be equalled by leading apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto.

 

Blaine Marx-Jacobson’s current momentum makes him the favourite for the apprentice title, but only one of the records is available to him as he is already 20 years old.

 

The record for the youngest trainer cannot be broken this year as David Payne was just 24 years old when sending out the great In Full Flight to win the July in 1972.

 

Payne to this day regards In Full Flight as the best he has ever trained and a coincidence is that he lives in New South Wales in Australia, because In Full Flight’s sire was called New South Wales.

 

Payne also became the youngest to ever both ride and train a July winner, having ridden the Brian Cherry-trained Chimboraa to victory in 1968.

 

He joined Syd Garrett, who rode Goldwing and Pamphlet to victory in 1919 and 1920 respectively, before training all of Full Dress (1930), Sadri II (1941) and Left Wing (1960) to win the great race.

 

Bert Abercrombie later joined that elite club as winning rider on the Ralph Rixon-trained Jamaican Music in 1976 before training Bush Telegraph to win the race in 1987.

 

Current trainers in South Africa who have won a July as a rider include Garth Puller, Michael Roberts and Robbie Hill.

 

The record for most wins as a rider can’t be challenged this year.

 

Anton Marcus is the only one to have had five July wins and the trio on four wins are no longer riding i.e. Piere Strydom, Anthony Delpech and the late Harold “Tiger” Wright.

 

Richard Fourie could join that trio as he has had three wins.

 

The record for most wins as a trainer, held by Hall Of Fame trainer Syd Laird, cannot be caught this year either.

 

Justin Snaith and Mike de Kock have both had five July wins and can join the late great Terrance Millard on six wins, although De Kock has a joint-operation these days with son Mathew.

 

Dean Kannemeyer will be going for a fifth July win and his charge The Real Prince will be out to become the seventh dual winner and sixth back-to-back winner.

 

Lady Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables owned The Real Prince and will be going for a third victory as an owner, which is well short of the record of six July wins as an owner held by Bridget Oppenheimer, three of them in partnership with her husband Harry.

 

The Oppenheimer winners as owners were Tiger Fish (1959), King Willow (1965), Principal Boy (1975), Spanish Galliard (part-owned 1992), Greys Inn (2004), Hunting Tower (2008).

 

Of those winners the Oppenheimers bred all of them except for Spanish Galliard.

 

Harry and Bridget’s daughter Mary Slack bred the 2003 winner Dynasty and owned the 2022 winner Sparkling Water, which she bred in partnership with her daughter Jessica Jell. Jessica Jell bred the 2017 winner Marinaresco.

 

So that is a total of nine July winners for the Oppenheimer family either as owners-and-breeders or as owners or breeders.

 

Mary and Jessica can add to that record this year operating under the banner of Wilgerbosdrift Stud and Mauritzfontein Stud respectively.

 

The most prolific July-winning extended family is the Laird family.

 

Alec Laird, still training today, belongs to this July-winning dynasty. He has won it once himself as a trainer with London News (1996); his grandfather, also called Alec Laird, won it once as a jockey in 1911 on Nobleman; his great-uncle Syd Garrett won it twice as a jockey and three times as a trainer as mentioned earlier in this article and he also owned all three of the winners he trained; Alec’s Hall of Fame father Syd Laird won the big race a record seven times as a trainer with (Kerason (1961), Colorado King (1963), Java Head (1966), Sea Cottage (1967), Mazarin (1971), Yataghan (1973) and Politician (1978)); Alec’s cousins Dennis Drier and Charles Laird won it once apiece as trainers with Spanish Galliard (1992) and Hunting Tower (2007) respectively. That is 16 July wins for the family dynasty in total and 18 if Dennis Drier’s father-in-law trainer John Breval is included (King Willow (1965), Principal Boy (1975)).

 

Alec could add to the dynasty’s success this year as the trainer of the like of Gr 1 winners Fire Attack and Atticus Finch.

 

The Real Prince won last year after a 62 day layoff, the longest layoff for a winning horse since Sun Tor was off for 161 days before winning the July in 1934.

 

The record in this respect is likely held by the 1929 winner Gifted as this import from England only got off the boat on January 20 and the July was his first run in the country.

 

See It Again will be having his third run in the July this year, well short of his half-brother Do It Again’s record six appearances which included two wins, one third and three fourths. Do It Again was the best performed horse at the weights in his first four Julys, second best performed in his fifth appearance and the best-performed in his final appearance. He is undoubtedly the greatest July horse in history.

Soccer10 Sunday 19 April 2026. ADD-IN: R200 000. Estimated Pool: R2 Million. Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 14 Pool 1.