Andrew Harrison

The start of South Africa’s three-month Champion Season is just a week away with the Independent on Saturday raceday kicking off the season. But there is still business at hand and punters face a testing card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday which could provide some valuable pointers to the months ahead but it will be with one eye on the weather as there is a prediction of significant rain starting today but a clear Sunday.

The card is headed by three Gr3 races, two for juveniles and the G3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes for fillies and mares, the race named in honour of Drier who was regarded as the ‘King of Scottsville’ before he retired.

The opening feature is the Gr3 TABGold Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m where Mike Miller sends out Just Reckless who ran a cracker behind the highly rated Little Ballerina in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery in a strong field. Both her wins have come over this course which is always a plus and Miller has stayed with Kabelo Matsunyane who rode her in the Nursery. Justin Snaith sends out Dark Winter who was never comfortable around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn when favourite and making her local debut. She should have benefitted from that outing and her Cape form is useful. Siberian Winter was well-fancied in the market on debut and duly obliged for Michael Roberts. The run should have brought her on a little more while Prom Queen made good improvement on her feature race debut to shed her maiden next time out. She looks to be on the up. 

In the males equivalent, the Gr3 TABGold Godolphin Barb Stakes Snaith holds a strong hand in with Impact Investor and Makazole. The former made good improvement on his debut effort and won well. He looks to be the stable elect and likely to start favourite. Miller sends out Fine One who ran a disappointing race in the Gr1 SA Nursery in soft ground but his form before that over course and distance is difficult to fault. He should be in the firing line. Louis Goosen saddles Ibhele who is well acquainted with this course and was narrowly beaten last time out. He should make a bold bid while Cymric was a runaway maiden winner last start after two forward showings. He looks to be more than useful. 

Snaith could well be in line for a feature race treble when he sends out Kwinta’s Light in the Gr3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes. Kwinta’s Light was up against some of the finest sprinters in the country in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship at her last start and she was not disgraced behind top sprinter Dyce. Her form before that to slightly weaker is hard to fault and if at her best she rates the one to beat. Asiye Phambili is back on home turf with Duncan Howells after a spell in the Cape season. Narrowly beaten in the Sceptre Stakes over 1200m, her step up in trip did not yield any rewards. She appears to race fresh and this trip on this course will suit her well. Snaith has a second string to his bow in Baltic Secret who was less than two lengths back to Kwinta’s Light in the Southern Cross Stakes at her penultimate start. She was all at sea around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn when making her local debut and that run coupled with a straight course will make her dangerous. 

In the Listed In Full Flight Handicap, a race named after one of South Africa’s champions, King Of The Gauls will be looking to build on his recent success. Tony Rivalland holds his charge in high regard and gelding appears to have had the desired effect. He has a wide draw to contend with but only has 52.5kg to shoulder. Cliff Hanger will be a threat as he has some smart Highveld form in good company and Johan Janse van Vuuren has declared first time blinkers. Raven Black is unbeaten since shedding his maiden but returns from a lengthy break. Kabelo Matsunyane has made the trip from the Highveld to stay with the ride and any betting support for Brett Crawford’s runner must be respected. Quasiforsure is a class act and has been up against stronger in the Cape. Peter Muscutt’s runner has a big weight but is effective over this trip and if not short of a gallop he will make his presence felt. 

The first is a tricky maiden. Hurricane Cat started favourite on debut but finished six lengths behind the winner. Close -up in third in the race was Izbulo that started a lengthy odds along with Cape Capri who was only a length further back. All three runners should come on from their debut efforts. Disting has shown up well in two runs in the Cape. With Richard Fourie aboard she is likely to start favourite. Add Diyarani to the mix who also put up a promising showing on debut. Judging by trainer’s comments, not much is expected of the first timers. The betting may well prove your best guide. 

The opening leg of the Place Accumulator is another competitive maiden. Flyingcool and Field Marshal met last time out with the older runner finishing a length ahead after the benefit of one outing. Well drawn, both go the turn for the first time and should be competitive. The grey Professor Lupin has been a touch disappointing but has not been far back in all five of his starts. He stays the trip and the stable is in mustard form at present which is in his favour. 

Dean Kannemeyer could hold the key to the first leg of the Pick 6. Spelling Bee was well supported in the market when making his local debut and shed his maiden in good fashion. That form has worked out quite well although he does take on a useful field in his handicap debut. Stable rider Craig Zackey puts up over-weight when he will have had the choice of the well performed stable companion Mister Master Starter who was a close-up third on the poly last time out. Nelson Bay has the best of the draw but Richard Fourie has deserted to ride stable companion The Shepherd. Nelson Bay is 2kg better off with Master Josh on the last meeting. Alyson Wrights gelding is holding form well but got a six-point hit in the handicap for his last win. 

The last is a wide open handicap but Political Party has run two cracking races over a furlong shorter and the step up in trip should suit. Mr Molony has a tough draw to contend with but has been in good form of late and can go one better. With cheek pieces back on, Jazz Festival was running on late from a tough draw last time out. Fourie picks up the ride from a much better gate. 

The wave is building towards Saturday, 6 July! Winchester Mansion and See It Again, first and second in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, head the nominations for this year’s event. First entries closed on Monday and 58 of the cream of the county’s middle-distance gallopers have been entered for a crack at the R5 million stakes purse in what is Africa’s greatest horseracing event. 

The Michael Roberts-trained See It Again, touched off in last year’s race as a three-year-old, is the highest rated of the nominations and early ante-post favourite at 7/2 with the title sponsor, Hollywoodbets. All things going well, he will be back to go one better.

Brett Crawford has again entered Winchester Mansion (10/1) who was narrowly beaten in the recent Gr1 Champions Challenge and is likely to be up against his recent nemesis, Royal Victory (7/1). Nathan Kotzen’s gelding has been a revelation since being sent over ground and is sure to be among the fancied runners for this year’s event should he be in the final field. 

 Three trainers are responsible for nearly half of the entries headed by Sean Tarry with 10, Justin Snaith eight and Mike de Kock six. 

Second highest rated of the Tarry entries is Lucky Lad (33/1), recent runner-up to Sandringham Summit in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes over the Turffontein mile but is yet to show that he stays the 2200m of the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Also among the Tarry entries is Mid Winter Wind (50/1), winner of his last four races but yet to race beyond 1400m and the R9 million yearling purchase, Celestial City (150/1), full brother to Hawwaam, who famously blew his chances by refusing to load when favourite for the July in 2019. The Tarry stable also has last year’s facile winner of the World Pool Gold Cup, Future Pearl (250/1) among his nominations. 

Justin Snaith is likely to have another strong hand in the field with the likes of Royal Aussie, Without Question (25/1) and the three-year-olds Hluhluwe (66/1) and the feisty grey The Grey King (66/1) among his nominations.

Mike de Kock is a master at getting fillies primed for the big race and the hitherto unbeaten Gimme A Nother (7/1) heads his list of nominations. De Kock opted not to try for the final leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara, the Gr2 SA Oaks over 2450m, despite two comfortable victories in the first two legs.

The Oaks was won in commanding fashion by Frances Ethel (50/1) from My Soul Mate (66/1) and Silver Sanctuary (50/1), all three among the entries. Should both Frances Ethel and Winchester Mansion make the final field, last year’s winning jockey Kabelo Matsunyane, will need to choose between Brett Crawford’s runners.

Other standouts among the De Kock entries are Oaks third Silver Sanctuary and the promising sophomore Marauding Horde (66/1) who ran up a string of three consecutive victories before coming unstuck on the SA Derby although only beaten three lengths.

One of those heading the ante-post market on the sponsor’s book is Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby winner Green With Envy (7/1). Dean Kannemeyer is no stranger to the July winner’s podium having won the race three times, his first coming with the superstar Dynasty in 2003. Green With Envy came from almost last to motor past a high-class field in the Derby and stable rider Craig Zackey will be looking forward to the ride. 

Robyn Klaasen will throw another curved ball the way of Matsunyane as he was aboard star three-year-old Purple Pitcher (16/1) who got the better of New Predator and the title chasing Richard Fourie in the Gr1 SA Derby and was also victorious in the Gr1 SA Classic where he beat hot favourite Sandringham Summit and William Iron Arm. Klaasen, who is a relatively new comer to the training ranks, has also entered Second Base (250/1) who did duty for her in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July in her first year as a trainer.

Tony Peter is having a terrific season and has entered Main Defender (25/1) and William Iron Arm (33/1). Main Defender is the second highest rated horse among the nominations behind See It Again but has yet to race beyond 1600m. However, he was an eye-catching winner of the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes beating the De Kock-trained Dave The King by over two lengths. Now with the Peters stable is former Gr1 SA Derby winner Son Of Raj (75/1) who was also a runner last year when trained by Weiho Marwing.

Fanie Bronkhorst will have his first runner in the race should SA Derby runner-up Pure Predator (33/1) make the line-up. 

See It Again and Royal Victory will no doubt head the local challenge but Michael Miller has entered recent Listed Stakes winner Narina Trogon (200/1) along with Ancient World (200/1). Gareth van Zyl has entered Imilenzeyokududuma (100/1) who races in the yellow and purple silks of the Hollywood Syndicate, and Robbie Hill, a former winner of the race as a jockey aboard El Picha for Geoff Woodruff, will have his first runner in the race should Navajo Nation (200/1) make the final field. Encouraged by his recent victory over The Grey King has prompted Peter Muscutt to add Formagear (100/1) to the entry list. 

Lorenzo Karriem has two entries in River Romeo (200/1) and Indian Ocean (250/1) with Tony Rivalland entering the filly Celtic Beauty (150/1) and MJ Odendaal the mare Danse Milord (250/1).

David Thiselton

The first big event of this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July happens tomorrow i.e. the announcement of the entries which were closed on Monday.

Years ending with the number four have always seemed to attract dramatic or significant renewals of the great race.

The first renewal ending in four was 1904 and the race was won by the biggest outsider up until then, the 33/1 shot Nymagee (Splendour), who was the first of four Australian-bred horses to have won the July. The others are Chere Amie in 1905, the great Igugu in 2011 and The Conglomerate in 2016. Nymagee was trained by W. Meredith, owned by S Brooks and ridden by W Clements. The 1904 renewal was the first to be run with the Drill Hall present. The land had been given to the trustees of the Durban Light Infantry regiment by the Durban Town Council in appreciation of their services in the Anglo Boer War and the complex was officially opened on May 24, 1904.

The 1914 renewal was run with war looming. New buildings on course included a new grandstand and offices, a Tote, a dining room below the secretary’s office and a weighing room and jockeys room in a separate building. However, a record crowd attended and the buildings, spacious for normal meetings, were quite inadequate to accommodate the crush. The race was won by the SA-bred three-year-old Rhanleigh, trained by WL Randall, owned by Sir G Farrar and ridden by R Dine. Rhanleigh Wines, which is still flourishing today, is named after the July winner.

In 1924 the winner Oriel, a British-bred five-year-old, was intermittently lame throughout his career and his trainer Ernie Ryan could often be seen in the early mornings at the track massaging his legs. It was this one of the most romantic victory’s in the history of the race as it was only due to Ryan’s exceptional care that the horse even got to the start let alone won. He was ridden by J Lievaux and owned by Messrs Deane and Hollis.

In 1934 the winner Sun Tor came in off the back of a layoff of 161 days and no horse since has come off a longer layoff to win the race. The British-bred five-year-old was trained by J Angles, owned by P Sussman and ridden by A Rugg.

In 1944 the winning jockey Harry Berry had a bad fall a few days before the race in which he broke a rib and sprained both thumbs and a wrist. He had finished second in the race in 1931 and 1934 and finally broke his duck by riding Moneith to victory, despite being in great pain. The winner was a British-bred seven-year-old trained by CB Clutterbuck and owned by A Wayne. He gave the British-based sire Montrose the first of four wins in the July, two of them being by Milesia Pride.

In 1954 Dennis Labistour trained his second July winner, three-year-old colt C’Est Si Bon, who was by the 1941 July winner Sadri II. He spoilt the hopes of many that the great King’s Pact would win, but the three-year-old filly’s welter burden of 54,5kg proved too much. Both of Labistour’s July winners were part-owned, together with himself, by writer Molly Reynolds, who later wrote a book about the July. Labistour’s other July claim to fame is he flew the aeroplane in 1931 that flew July spectators in from east London, the first known instance of people flying in to watch the big race.

 In 1964 Numeral, trained by George Azzie and ridden by Raymond Rhodes, beat Top Gallant. The latter was a half-brother to the immortal Sea Cottage. Numeral was owned by the American businessman Charles Englehard, one of the world’s biggest owners whose horses included the great English Triple Crown winner Nijinsky and also the South African legend Hawaii.

The 1974 renewal was one of the most dramatic in history because the jockey of second favourite Jamaican Music, Tom Rattley, fell off between the start and the Drill Hall. The George Azzie-trained Riboville, despite odds of 20/1, remains the easiest winner in July history, winning by 4,5 lengths from rank outsider Pedlar. Riboville gave Dennis and Peggy Mosenthal an unexpected July winner at last after years of trying, including a controversial second by their horse Radlington in 1952. They had expected to win the 1974 July with the Azzie-trained favourite Elevation, who finished fourth.

In 1984 Terrance Millard had his second of six July winners with the English imported mare Devon Air, who was spotted by still active Durban bloodstock agent Andy Williams and purchased on behalf of the Scott Brothers Des and Robin. The powerful mare gave jockey Felix Coetzee the first of three July wins.

There was controversy in 1994 when Surfing Home veered across the likely winner Pas De Quoi twice in the straight. Surfing Home crossed the line first with Pas De Quoi only fifth, but the objection was upheld and the race was awarded to the Ricky Maingard-trained Space Walk, ridden by Robbie Fradd and owned by D Cohen and Sons. Maingard was the last KZN-based trainer to win the July.        

The 2004 renewal coincided with ten years of democracy in SA and the number ten horse, Greys Inn, thus carried the South African flag on his saddle cloth. He duly won, giving trainer Mike de Kock a second of five July wins and jockey Antony Delpech a second of four July wins. Greys Inn was owned and bred by Bridget Oppenheimer, one of six July wins she had as an owner and one of five as a breeder (she owned and bred together with husband Harry until his passing in 2000).

The 2014 July was the first renewal on the narrowed track and a controversial objection saw trainer Justin Snaith landing his second of five July wins and Richard Fourie landing the first of three July victories. Legislate was the son of the great 2003 winner Dynasty and he was owned by Jack Mitchell, Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud and Gail and Dennis Evans of Newbury Racing.

The Independent on Saturday race day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 4 May will get South Africa’s Champion Season off to a cracking start judged by the quality of entries for the three feature races.

The R500 000 Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes is one of the first warm-up races for the R5 Million Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and is supported by the R500 000 Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas and the R500 000 Gr2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas. 

SplashOut Cape Derby winner Green With Envy and Highveld star, Sandringham Summit are both entered in the IOS Drill Halls Stakes but the pair have drawn wide which could see rather run in the Gr2 WSB Guineas where both have drawn better gates but will be up against recent Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner Main Defender. Should all three stand their ground in the Guineas it will make for a mouthwatering contest, a race not to be missed. 

Also nominated in the Drill Hall is former Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and L’Ormarins Queens Plate winner Al Muthana. At My Command along with former Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes winner Cousin Casey are possible July contenders. Cousin Casey lost his way a little but is now showing signs of a return to his best form.

Standout in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas is recent Gr3 Umzimkulu Stakes and Gr3 Prix Du Cap winner Double Grand Slam who put up a cracking display in both races which will have the opposition pondering their chances should Justin Snaith’s filly stand her ground. But she faces course and distance winner Mrs Geriatrix who is showing signs of returning to her best form after finishing third in the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes behind the unbeaten Gimme A Nother. Rascova was third in the Umzimkulu Stakes and second to the star mare Princess Calla in the Gr1 Majorca Stakes, when beating Double Grand Slam. She should also improve on her KZN debut. 

R 500,000 INDEPENDENT ON SATURDAY DRILL HALL STAKES (Grade 2)-1400m

Horses at Weight-For-Age + Penalties

WFA: 2yrs-11.0kgs 3yrs-2.0kgs 

5 COSMIC HIGHWAY     (5G) 58.5 121   Dean Kannemeyer    

9 GLADATORIAN        (4G) 58.5 120   Stuart Ferrie      

4 MAIN DEFENDER      (3G) 58.0 131   Tony Peter        

17 SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (3C) 58.0 123   David Nieuwenhuizen 

18 GREEN WITH ENVY    (3C) 58.0 119   Dean Kannemeyer    

15 AL MUTHANA (AUS)   (6G) 57.0 125   Ricky Maingard     

 2 ROYAL AUSSIE       (4G) 57.0 124   Justin Snaith      

 3 COUSIN CASEY       (4C) 57.0 123   Sean Tarry         

10 AT MY COMMAND      (4G) 57.0 119   Brett Crawford     

19 WATERBERRY LANE    (5G) 57.0 112   Ricky Maingard     

 6 UNZEN              (4G) 57.0 109   Robbie Sage       

 8 ITSRAININGWILLIAM  (4G) 57.0 108   Justin Snaith      

 7 TEXAS RED          (4G) 57.0 104   Robyn Klaasen      

11 HUMDINGER          (5M) 56.0 116   Mike de Kock       

14 MID WINTER WIND    (3G) 55.0 114   Sean Tarry         

12 GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE (3G) 55.0 111   Mike de Kock       

13 ZINOVI             (3C) 55.0 108   Mike de Kock       

 1 TEFLON MAN         (3C) 55.0  99   Dean Kannemeyer    

16 WHITE PEARL        (3F) 52.5 112   Mike de Kock       

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R 500,000 WORLD SPORTS BETTING FILLIES GUINEAS (Grade 2)- 1600m

For 3 year-old Fillies

5 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM  (3F) 60.0 118   Justin Snaith      

 8 MRS GERIATRIX      (3F) 60.0 115 H Sean Tarry         

 4 RASCOVA            (3F) 60.0 115   Glen Kotzen        

 1 LET’S GO NOW       (3F) 60.0 114 B Sean Tarry         

 2 WHITE PEARL        (3F) 60.0 112   Mike de Kock       

 6 MINOGUE            (3F) 60.0 102   Wendy Whitehead    

 9 SOLDIER’S EYE      (3F) 60.0  98   Weiho Marwing      

 7 SOVEREIGN GRANT    (3F) 60.0  98   Michael Miller     

 3 BOMBER GIRL        (3F) 60.0  97   Michael Miller     

12 CELTIC BEAUTY      (3F) 60.0  94   Tony Rivalland     

11 CEUTA              (3F) 60.0  81   David Nieuwenhuizen 

10 MISS PLATINA       (3F) 60.0  75   Tienie Prinsloo    

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R500 000 WORLD SPORTS BETTING GUINEAS (Grade 2)- 1600m

For 3 year-olds

5 MAIN DEFENDER      (3G) 60.0 131   Tony Peter        

 6 SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (3C) 60.0 123   David Nieuwenhuizen 

10 SNOW PILOT         (3C) 60.0 120   Justin Snaith      

 8 GREEN WITH ENVY    (3C) 60.0 119   Dean Kannemeyer    

13 LUCKY LAD          (3C) 60.0 119   Sean Tarry         

11 MID WINTER WIND    (3G) 60.0 114   Sean Tarry         

 1 ORIENTAL CHARM     (3C) 60.0 113   Brett Crawford     

 4 GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE (3G) 60.0 111   Mike de Kock       

 2 HLUHLUWE           (3G) 60.0 111   Justin Snaith      

 9 BARBARESCO         (3G) 60.0 109   J A Janse van Vuur 

 3 ZINOVI             (3C) 60.0 108   Mike de Kock       

12 NAVAJO NATION      (3G) 60.0 103   Robbie Hill        

 7 ANCIENT WORLD      (3G) 60.0  92   Michael Miller     

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