Lady Heist is Molly’s best bet on Hollywoodbets Durban July day (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
David Mollett
Royal Ascot is a hard act to follow but the famous UK meeting could provide some aid in making the Hollywoodbets Durban July a bigger success than has been the case in previous years.
With Hollywood colours tasting success overseas this year, it’s a fair guess that Hollywood’s livewire Communications and Brand manager, Devin Heffer, will have closely followed the action from the Berkshire track. He may well have asked his team if they can spot any of the actions by the Ascot management that can be used here.
At Ascot, we didn’t get horses bolting or failing pre-race tests which go a long way to infuriating racing fans here. In fact, June and July provide the best two months for racing to showcase itself as a major sport. We have the Betfred Derby at the beginning of June followed by Royal Ascot three weeks later and the Hollywoodbets Durban July in the first week of July.
So – studying the Ascot action over five days – what can be introduced to both boost – and better – our coverage of this popular event.
1. We need more time examining the horses in the parade ring and less with longwinded interviews with sponsors. Ascot had a parade ring female presenter commenting on every horse in every race.
Unlike South Africa, UK TV viewers didn’t have to listen to the ramblings of the boss of a race sponsor. If they did grab someone, it was no more than a two-three minute chat whereas – during Champions Season – interviews have often dragged on for eight or nine minutes. No one is particularly interested in learning what the selection is of a managing director of his or her race. Yes, we need to acknowledge sponsors but it can be kept short.
2. Betting updates – punters want to know the latest odds in placing their bets and Ascot had a man in the betting ring whom they crossed to frequently. On one occasion, this gentleman revealed a bet of 200k-100k (pounds) on one of Ryan Moore’s mounts and, yes, the horse won.
Cape Racing have been using Brandon Bailey for betting updates which is a good move, Hollywood’s business is betting so there should be a similar person involved at Hollywoodbets Greyville to keep punters up to date.
3. There are no post-race interviews with owners at Ascot (or elsewhere). A presenter might try and grab a word with an owner en route to the winners enclosure and then the camera shows the trophy presentation. My personal view is that owners deserve their moment in the spotlight, but the interviews need to be short and snappy. Recently, we had five members of a partnership all interviewed after a race.
Basically, it’s up to the presenter to judge the situation. And interviews with kids – spare us that.
* Turf Talk ed – the post race interviews seldon eat into live racing action and are there mainly to be viewed later online, for those who are interested, and they are a useful reference for punters and journalists among others
4. Food. On a day out like the Durban July, people making the trip to the track – some for the first time – need feeding. I know at York there are many food outlets – hamburgers, fish and chips, KFC and MacDonalds – the choice is wide spread.
Ascot has numerous bars and restaurants but – on my visit to Greyville a year ago – food outlets were scarce and it therefore makes sense to make a restaurant booking.
* Turf talk Ed – take a look at the price of food and drinks at Royal Ascot! (e.g £12 (R279 for a hotdog!)) CLICK HERE TO SEE PRICES AT ROYAL ASCOT
5. The entrance fee – I think in the region of R230 – is great value at the July for a major sporting event. On my last visit to Ascot it cost 40 pounds (R920) to park my car.
6. Security has to be on top of its game and presumably that will be the case following the abandonment of a meeting a few weeks back. In the UK, they stopped known troublemakers from leaving the country to go to the Euro 2024 championship. Interesting to know if Gold Circle has a list of those who have proved troublesome in the past.
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So – onto the big race itself – and we have all the ingredients for a “Would You Believe it” result which could be a blessing for the sponsors and other layers but leave racegoers with empty pockets.
Like many punters, I love a stab at the antepost market and – back in April – took 6-1 a place about Rachel Venniker’s mount, Without Question. Anthony Delpech might be right (“Not a horse for me”) he said at the final gallops and the suspicion is that my stake money will be in the pocket of my bookie friend, Lance Michael, come Monday morning.
Yet, I keep going back to Without Questions’ Daily News run (third beaten two lengths by See It Again) and if the gelding can reproduce that effort, he could still reach a place.
Ever since his Betway Summer Cup win, Royal Victory has been on my July shortlist and 2-1 a place looks a safe bet. It goes without saying that Muzi Yeni would like nothing more than to win this race after spending the season in the shadow of Richard Fourie.
Then – having witnessed two July triumphs for much-missed owner Chris Van Niekerk for the Sean Tarry stable – it looks as if his stayer, Future Pearl, has come good at just the right time. Possibly Messrs Anthony Delpech and Kevin Shea are correct in saying at the final gallops that the Gold Cup is more his race, but what if Grant Van Niekerk – knowing he’s on a horse with stamina – tries to steal it from the front.
The quartet is the pick of the July menu of bets – a handsome dividend is always assured. If a punter double floats two horses with the field the cost will be R288 for 10%.
So here’s my stab at this exotic bet with my hopes principally resting on Royal Victory.
1. Double float 3 (Royal Victory) and 18 (Future Pearl) with the field. R288 for 10%.
2. Double float 3 (Royal Victory) and 10 (Without Question) with the field. R288 for 10%.
Now there is a strong supporting cast on July 6 and here are my three top choices.
Best Bet: Race 10 No 2 LADY HEIST. I cannot believe that Glen Kotzen’s talented filly is 9-1 in the antepost market. Get on now.
2nd Best: Race 4 No 15 BREEZE OVER. Muzi knows the Azzie inmate well – has won on him twice – and is worth a strike at 5-1.
3rd Best: Race 3 No 9 ATTICUS FINCH. Alec Lard’s charge returned to form in the Jubilee last time and looks good each-way value at 17-2.
Bon Chance!!
