First Entries Hollywoodbets DURBAN JULY (Grade 1)

KOMMETDIEDING heads the list of 68 entries for the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ) on Saturday 2 July 2022. Following his superb victory in last year’s HDJ, Kommetdieding scored a sensational victory in the WSB Cape Town Met (Gr1) at the end of January and is widely expected to win the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein on 30 April. Hollywoodbets have priced up the 4yo son of Elusive Fort as the early favourite for South Africa’s most famous horse racing event.

Gold Circle’s Racing Executive Raf Sheik has expressed his delight with the quality of entries received for the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July, “The response from owners and trainers across the country has been phenomenal. The 68 entries received include 13 individual Grade 1 winners as well as 3 former winners of this great race. The depth of talent amongst the early entries is most pleasing and it will be exciting to follow their progress over the next two months.”

Seeking his sixth victory in the “July”, popular Cape trainer Justin Snaith holds an entry for no fewer than 12 horses. These include Do It Again and Belgarion, both former winners of the HDJ. Belgarion, who powered home victorious in 2020 has not been seen since finishing midfield in last year’s event and his progress through Champions Season will be followed with keen interest.

Do It Again has an impressive record in the race. Following his back-to-back victories in 2018 and 2019, the 7yo son of Twice Over finished third in 2020 and a most unlucky fourth last year when severely interfered with in the home stretch. But history is against Do It Again! The last time a 7yo won the Hollywoodbets Durban July was way back in 1945 when St Seiriol landed top honours.

Snaith has two Classic winners amongst his 3yo team of entries. Guineas winner, Double Superlative, and Cape Derby winner, Pomp And Power, will be amongst the fan favourites for the 2022 renewal of the HDJ. In particular, Pomp And Power was most impressive when racing clear to land the Cape Derby at his first start beyond 1600m. Snaith has also entered South Africa’s joint top rated horse and multiple Gr 1 winner Jet Dark. He has twice won the L’Ormarins Queens Plate as well as reigning supreme in the Champions Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville at the end of last season.

Given the massive prize money on offer this year, the outcome of the HDJ could go a long way to deciding the Trainers’ Championship. Currently trailing Highveld-based Paul Peter by quite some margin, Snaith will be looking to secure the lion’s share of the R5-million purse to overhaul his in-form rival. Victory for Justin Snaith would also bring him within one winner of the great Syd Laird who holds the record with 7 “July” victories.

Paul Peter has entered 9 horses for the HDJ but it’s fair to say that most of these have much to prove if they are to make the cut for the final field of 18 runners. His highest rated runner, MK’s Pride, recently won the Gr 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m but it remains to be seen whether the talented son of Willow Magic will stretch that level of form to the HDJ distance of 2200m.

Mike de Kock last tasted HDJ success in 2011 with the 3yo filly Igugu. But that dry spell could well come to an end this year. While Al Muthana may prefer less ground, the same cannot be said for the talented staying filly Sparkling Water or his WSB SA Derby winner Aragosta. De Kock has also entered his Guineas winner, Safe Passage, and the under-the-radar 3yo Motown Magic.

Triple Tiara heroine, Rain In Holland, represents the powerful Sean Tarry and she is backed up by his Summer Cup winners Zillzaal and Flying Carpet. Tarry last won the HDJ with Heavy Metal in 2013.

In 2017 Candice Bass Robinson became the first lady trainer to win the “July” when Marinaresco carried top weight to a resounding victory. Interestingly Candice has entered Marinaresco’s full sister, Marina. Her form is solid and the course and distance should be right up her alley. Currently at 40/1 in the ante post market, Marina certainly offers some appealing value.

While Kommetdieding is the early ante post favourite, his arch rival Linebacker is the 2nd choice at 10/1. Linebacker was narrowly beaten in last year’s HDJ but on current ratings, the Vaughan Marshall-trained runner could easily turn the tables on Kommetdieding.

“It’s a great honour and privilege to have the Hollywoodbets brand associated with an iconic horseracing event that is recognised across the globe. We have already seen major interest in the ante-post betting market, and there will be some value to be found amongst the first entries. The real fun commences in a matter of weeks as Champions Season gets underway,” enthused Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications Manager, Devin Heffer.



Event-1 R5 000 000 2200m (Turf)
Hollywoodbets DURBAN JULY (Grade 1)

0 Al Muthana (AUS) Mike de Kock 122
0 Aragosta Mike de Kock 109
0 Astrix Paul Peter 112
0 Belgarion Justin Snaith 130
0 Bingwa J A Janse van Vuuren 117
0 Calibre Crest Joe Soma 80
0 Cat Daddy Glen Kotzen 106
0 Chollima Glen Kotzen 83
0 Cosmic Highway Dean Kannemeyer 110
0 Crimson King Glen Kotzen 109
0 Crown Towers (AUS) Justin Snaith 117
0 Decorated Frank Robinson 84
0 Divine Odyssey J A Janse van Vuuren 113
0 Do It Again Justin Snaith 126
0 Double Superlative Justin Snaith 125
0 FireAlley Candice Bass-Robinson 109
0 Flying Bull Paul Peter 94
0 Flying Carpet Sean Tarry 116
0 Future Prince Brett Crawford 97
0 Great Affair Paul Peter 82
0 Hoedspruit Justin Snaith 116
0 Jet Dark Justin Snaith 130
0 Johnny Hero Tyrone Zackey 110
0 Kommetdieding HWJ Crawford/M Rix 129
0 Linebacker Vaughan Marshall 126
0 Litigation Sean Tarry 99
0 Lyrical Dance Duncan Howells 95
0 Marchingontogether St John Gray 107
0 Marigold Hotel Sean Tarry 104
0 Marina Candice Bass-Robinson 118
0 Master Redoute Andre Nel 99
0 Mk's Pride Paul Peter 122
0 Motown Magic Mike de Kock 91
0 Native Tongue Justin Snaith 107
0 Naval Guard Paul Peter 83
0 Nebraas Sean Tarry 110
0 Netta Paul Peter 120
0 Never Ending Rain Glen Kotzen 104
0 One Way Traffic Justin Snaith 104
0 Origami Duncan Howells 91
0 Outofthedarkness J A Janse van Vuuren 110
0 Pacaya Justin Snaith 108
0 Paisley Park Sean Tarry 98
0 Passage Of Power Robbie Hill 86
0 Perfect Witness Candice Dawson 109
0 Pomp And Power Justin Snaith 118
0 Puerto Manzano (ARG) J A Janse van Vuuren 120
0 Rain In Holland Sean Tarry 118
0 Red Saxon Joe Soma 118
0 Reunion Paul Peter 105
0 Russian Rock Dean Kannemeyer 117
0 Safe Passage Mike de Kock 117
0 Salvator Mundi Justin Snaith 100
0 Second Base J A Janse van Vuuren 118
0 Senso Unico Vaughan Marshall 104
0 Shangani Paul Peter 108
0 Shango Sean Tarry 109
0 Silvano's Timer Dean Kannemeyer 103
0 Sovereign Spirit Ashley Fortune 116
0 Sparkling Water Mike de Kock 114
0 Sprinkles Paul Peter 110
0 Super Silvano Brett Crawford 107
0 Tristful Tony Rivalland 112
0 Warrior Justin Snaith 108
0 Waterberry Lane Dean Kannemeyer 115
0 Zapatillas Brett Crawford 111
0 Zeus Fabian Habib 108
0 Zillzaal Sean Tarry 117
(68)

Note the following horses have already qualified to run in the July 2022.

Jet Dark
Kommetdieding
Pomp and Power
Red Saxon
Aragosta
Rain In Holland

Flying Carpet (Preferential Consideration)

If you win the following races you will automatically qualify.

Premier’s Champions Challenge
Daily News 2000
Woolavington 2000
Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge

Preferential Consideration races

Cup Trial
Greyville 1900

If there are no duplicate winners, there are six more positions to fill making it thirteen with two preferential consideration. In all likelihood there are five positions that are left to fill.

Cosmic Highway camp.

New merit ratings are out.

Astrix guaranteed a run is now 122.

Sparkling Water is now a 116. If Jet Dark runs with a top weight of 60kgs then it will carry 53kgs and 53.5kgs if Kommetdieding is top weight.

Rain In Holland is 118. 52kgs after WFA allowance.

Pomp and Power, Red Saxon and Aragosta will carry the minimum of 53kgs but under sufferance if Jet Dark or Kommetdieding is top weight.

Flying Carpet is 116. 53kgs or 53.5kgs dependent on Jet Dark or Kommetdieding.

Others,

Double Superlative 125. 55.5kgs or 56kgs.

I have a question, btw I know very little about how handicapping works etc.

Is it certain already that Double Superlative will come in at minimum of 55.5 kg?

is it possible that placing or just out of the placings, but not winning, in the Guineas or Daily News will lower his ratings?

Sealegs wrote:

I have a question, btw I know very little about how handicapping works etc.

Is it certain already that Double Superlative will come in at minimum of 55.5 kg?

is it possible that placing or just out of the placings, but not winning, in the Guineas or Daily News will lower his ratings?

One can't be sure what the handicapper does - but imo chances are they would not change his rating significantly - so depending on whether Jet Dark or Kommetdieding is the top weight, DS will most likely come in at 55.5 or 56 - and that is why I prefer others :huh:

Lots of things can still change of course, but at the moment I'd be looking at backing older horses at unrealistic odds for the top 4 or top 6; imo these include Flying Carpet at 66/1 (will be carrying 7kgs less than in the Challenge), Second Base at 50/1 (6 kgs less than in the Challenge where he had a poor run - but I think the stable was not 100%. so I'm willing to put a line through that run) and my old favorite Sovereign Spirit at 80/1 (not sure what the plans are with this one, but if he does get a run, will be carrying 1kg less than last year when finishing 6th)

I hope Snaith protects the rating of Pomp And Power

What is the likely MR cut off point, above which 3yr Olds males heading into the July would carry more than the 53kg?, assuming that Jet Dark runs.

Sealegs wrote:

What is the likely MR cut off point, above which 3yr Olds males heading into the July would carry more than the 53kg?, assuming that Jet Dark runs.

As I have it, for the males, it will be a gross 120 - nett 116 - the fillies, a gross 118 (as they can carry min 52kgs) - so as it stands (if my sums are correct), all 3 yr-olds except Double Superlative and Rain in Holland will come in under sufferance