Turf Talk Newsletter – 2 July, 2026

All of the Hollywoodbets Durban July runners are subject to a  mandatory veterinarian inspection as per the press release that came out last week.

The first phase of this innovation was done on Wednesday when all of the Turffontein and Randjesfontein-based July runners were inspected.

The second phase will take place at Summerveld tomorrow (Friday).

The press release on this subject stated:

PRE-RACE VETERINARY INSPECTIONS FOR THE HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY –

RACE 7 – HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE RACECOURSE – 4 JULY 2026

The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) confirms that all horses running in the 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July will undergo mandatory pre-race veterinary inspections within 72 hours of the race.

These inspections form part of the NHA’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding equine welfare, maintaining the integrity of racing, and ensuring that all runners are fit to compete.

The inspections will be conducted by NHA veterinarians and will include a comprehensive assessment of each horse’s general health, soundness, and suitability to race.

Vee Moodley

Chief Executive

The appointed Hollywoodbets Durban July veterinarian team for the race day is as listed below and members of this team will likely be doing the inspections accompanied by a stipendiary steward.

Dr M D Bawden, Chief Veterinarian

Dr R Crosley, Senior Veterinarian

Dr G Deminey, Veterinarian

Dr E Zarate Jebeto, Veterinarian

The stipendiary steward team for race day is as below:

Mr R Hutcheson, Executive Chief Stipendiary Steward

Mr G Foxcroft (Acting Chief Stipendiary Steward)

Mr D M Anderson (Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward)

Mr L Anderson, Chief Stipendiary Steward

Mr D Moodley, Stipendiary Steward

Mrs J Naidoo, Stipendiary Steward

Mr S Randolph, Stipendiary Steward

The classy Talk To The Master has been moved to the Frikkie Greyling yard (Picture: Race Coast) 

Vee Moodley has pointed out that the interim suspension placed on licensed trained Dominic Zaki was placed on the trainer alone and not on the horses involved in the case.

Two horses were mentioned in the case that can be read here: Click here to read the press release

One of the horses is NOTABLE, who will still be able to fulfil his engagement on Hollywoodbets Durban July day as he has been moved to the yard of Yadav Singh.

Two other former Zaki-trained horses who are engaged on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, Vihaan’s Bomb and Talk To The Master, will also still take their places as they have been moved to the yard of Frikkie Greyling.

The press release about Zaki’s interim suspension was sent out on 26 June and the NHA received numerous enquries thereafter as to why the Zaki-trained horses had not been scratched from their Hollywoodbets Durban July day engagements.

However, the NHA were correct in not scratching them as the suspension was not on the horses but on the trainer.

The owners thus had the opportunity to move their horses to new yards and now still have runners on the big day.

Race Coast and Hollywoodbets have landed a coup by bringing the renowned horseracing broadcaster Nick Luck to the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Turf Talk were able to chat to him at Summerveld this morning, but first, the below is a bio on him to just sum up his skills.

Nick Luck (born June 28, 1978) is an acclaimed English sports broadcaster renowned for his coverage of horse racing.

He is a fixture on NBC Sports for U.S. Triple Crown events and serves as an anchor on Racing TV.

Luck previously presented Channel 4 Racing in the UK.

A Harrow School and King’s College London graduate, he has won the Horserace Writers’ & Photographers Association’s Broadcaster of the Year award a record nine times.

He also hosts the Luck on Sunday chat show.

The following link written in 2019 describes his entry into racing, his formative years and his rise: Click here to read how Nick Luck got into racing

Nick said on Thursday morning at Summerveld, “I have only been here for a day and a half and this is my first visit to South Africa, let alone my first visit to Summerveld or Durban, and I’m loving what I’m seeing at the moment.”

He said about the prominence of the July in the U.K., “It is something if you love racing you have always beeen aware of, but every year it falls on the same weekend as the Coral Eclipse at Sandown. I was talking to Michael Roberts earlier and I think he is the only jockey to have won both the July and the Eclipse. We were reminiscing about him winning the Eclipe on Mtoto in 1987 and he was a part of that golden age of jockeys when I was growing up, so it was lovely to see him. But anyway there has always been an awareness of the July, but I have never been able to get here until this year. So it is a belated first trip, but I am delighted to be here and it is clearly the most important and historic race on this continent, so to be here for the 130th running and working with this team is a great honour. So thank you to Devin (Heffer) and Ali (Cohen) and everybody at Hollywoodbets.”

How does Nick prepare for such a trip?

He said, “Well I try and speak to as many people as possible (before he leaves on the trip), try and meet as many of the connections as possible, try and put in calls to as many of the trainers and riders as possible and try and acquaint myself with them. Having a daily podcast helps because you need to generate content everyday and you need to build up to all of the big races internationally. It helps you get au fait with everybody you need to.”

Who does he fancy for the Hollywoodbets Durban July?

Nick said, “This year it looks to be an incredibly open renewal and the fact that it is a long handicap brings everybody into it. We did a preview program yesterday with the broadcast team for Saturday and I think on there alone there were seven or eight different opinions on who would win, which shows just how incredibly open it is. I would say by listening to everybody and to the people who are genuinely expert and not trying to go by my own half-judgement, I have narrowed it down to Note To Self, Zeitz, who has been very popular, and Mocha Blend. That seems to be the little area in the handicap where the shrewd money’s going.”

Nick has been praised by the local broadcasting team for his “incredible knowledge” on all aspects of horseracing and it will be a treat listening to this famous racing afficionado in the build up and on the big day itself.

Viva’s Liberte has been looking in tip top shape at Summerveld (Race Coast Video)

The Candice Bass-trained Viva’s Liberte (Vercingetorix) has been the most backed horse in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and not surprisingly considering how well he has been looking at Summerveld. Terry Fripp confirmed his well-being and other trainers also spoke about their Hollywoodbets Durban July day runners.

Fripp was asked to name the yard’s best runner on the day and he said it was Viva’s Liberte. He was confident the national champion jockey elect Craig Zackey would be able to settle him from draw nine.

Viva’s Liberte is at 6/1 together with Regulation, while Wish List and Note To Self remain the joint favourites at 11/2.

Louis Goosen has three runners on the day and said, “In The Amusnet Golden Slipper (over 1400m) we have Ferrari Flair, who ran third last time out in the Listed Amusnet Devon Air Stakes over 1400m. She is drawn nicely again and Serino is back up on her and I definitely think she’s got an each-way chance.”

He continued, “In the Gr 2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe we have a very, very good horse, Erik Dubois. He’s a giant and I’m not quite sure I have done enough with him, but I think he has a big career ahead of him and I think he is a definite runner and at nice long odds. He is a nice each-way bet because he’s working exceptionally well, although one of the reasons for his long odds is his wide draw.”

He concluded, “In race 12 we have Captain’s Pride, it’s very difficult because we are drawn at Clairwood but are racing at Greyville, but she’s well and she will be running on strongly.”

Garth Puller runs Imperial Power in the 2nd race over 1600m on the poly, albeit from draw 11 out of 12, and said, “He enjoys the poly and has good form. Hlengwa rides and I am expecting him to kick on strongly in the finish. It’s very competitive, but I think he could get into the quartets.”

Royal Sword is drawn eight in the same race and Garth said, “He’s also not drawn too well and he’s a horse who likes to gallop a bit big, but I am expecting a nice run from him. I always thought the mile might be stretching him, but Richard Fourie got off him last time and said don’t be scared to even go 2000m. He’s a big galloper, so I’m hoping for a nice run.”

Garth runs Mohave Prince (Captain Of All) in the Listed Premier Gateway International Handicap over 1600m and said, “He has won five out of 12 and four out of his last five starts and he is only a three-year-old. I have skipped the big races, because they would have penalised him too much. He’s won his last two over a mile, but I do think a mile is on the sharp side for him. He will prefer 1800m to 2000m. But he is in fine form and  will give a good account of himself.”

He runs Sign Of Fate (Master Of My Fate) in the last over 1200m and said, “It might be a bit on the sharp side, but she did win her last start over this trip. She’s doing very well at home and has a good chance.”

Tony Rivalland runs Magma Magic in the first race on the poly over 1600m, although he has draw eleven out of 12. He goes for a hattrick and Tony said, “His form has been very good. He has actually won three out of his last four and ran a good place in between. He’s doing exceptionally well, but all of his form is on the grass. If it was on the grass I would be confident. On the poly I’m not so sure.”

Craig Eudey spoke on behalf of the Mike Miller yard and said, “Winter Games is very, very well ahead of the Listed Premier Gateway International Handicap and is probably our best runner on the day.”

“In the Gr 2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe we have Riff Raff Boy (Chimichuri Run), who is very well, and Steamy Windows (Master Of My Fate), who is also very well and is a very nice horse but he just has the draw to contend with.”

“We have Warrior Royale in the 11th and she is very well too and we seem to have got her problem of going into the pens right at the moment.”

It is 32 years since a KZN-trained horse won the July and 34 years since a KZN-trained horse crossed the line first in the big race.

The Ricky Maingard-trained Space Walk inherited the race in 1994 after Surfing Home was demoted from 1st place to 5th place for the interference he caused to Pas de Quoi.

In 1992 the Dennis Drier-trained Spanish Galliard won the July fair and square.

There are five KZN-trained horse in this year’s race.

Stuart Ferrie has Gladatorian engaged, while Peter Muscutt has two runners, Isivivane and I Salute You, Gareth van Zyl has King Pelles and Frank Robinson has Mocha Blend.

Gladatrorian would be a fiitting  horse to break KZN’s July drought because Stuart Ferrie was the long time assistant to Dennis Drier.

Stuart said Gladatorian was in fine shape and added he liked his draw.

He said, “I’m happy with the draw of 8, better than 16 last year. If he can be halfway down the field or a little behind halfway we will be happy.”

Gladatorian is known for his terrific turn of foot and finishing speed.

Muzi Yeni rides.

Yeni has never won the July before, but has had a second, three thirds, two fourths and two fifths.

Stuart runs Town Crier in the first race over 1600m on the poly. He is four points higher for a win over course and distance last time. He was drawn in pole for the win and is drawn two now with Serino Moodley staying aboard.

Stuart said, “He’s got a nice chance.”

He runs yard favourite Capsaicin in the second race over 1600m on the poly. Stuart said this horse only knew too speeds on the training tracks, very slow and very fast. Unfortunately, he can’t be given relaxed workouts at a good pace because he just wants to take off. Whilst this is frustrating from a training perspective he compensates for it by trying his hardest in every race. From draw ten he is likely to take the lead. Stuart said he also had “a nice chance.”

The Hollywoodbets Durban July discussion panelists analysed all 12 races for the meeting and having shared the video of their July analysis in the last newsletter here is the video of the rest of the races.

It is well worth watching and should help punters’ make up their minds on a day of competitive racing.

Click here to watch the analysis of Races 1-12 

RACE 1

A very open race. INDESTRUCTABLE was improving before a poor performance on the Polytrack. He can bounce back to score if the meeting stays on the grass. The same could also be said of HERE COMES JOHNNY. He returned from a break and was a disappointment on the Polytrack last time out. He was consistent before that on the turf. GREEN POINT has been a disappointment also on the Polytrack after threatening to win a race on the grass. ROYAL DAWN makes a local debut and could be a threat. MAGNUS THE GOOD, ALESIAN BEAU, TIPSY and AMERICAN GEM are all capable of making the frame.

RACE 2

A very weak race and anything is possible. EXPLOSIVE GIFT was very unlucky not to win his penultimate start. He was a bitter disappointment last time but could bounce back to score. Jockey Richard Fourie nearly got a victory out of battling maiden NIGHT IN JAPAN last week. He is not aboard her this time around but she is a threat once again. TOTAL ERUPTION is unreliable but is also quite capable of scoring at this low level. GUTSY BABY is improving and tries further so should be a danger. LYRICS AND SONGS and AM STILL WINNING are not reliable but can make the frame.

RACE 3

BLACKBERRY BREEZE seemed to need the last run. He is threatening to win and should make a bold bid at beating these rivals. SLIVER OF SUNSHINE clearly likes the Polytrack and there is always a chance this meeting, like many of late, will been switched to that surface. DISRUPTIVE and FLASH LIGHTNING are capable of better than their last runs would suggest. PYRO EDITION showed improvement last time out and his yard remains in good form. IM THE BUZZ is threatening to score and should contest the finish.

RACE 4

MADE TO MEASURE did a couple of things wrong when unlucky not to win on local debut. He should go one better this time. BURNING DESIRE makes a local debut and could be a lively danger. WALK RIGHT IN is not reliable but has a place chance. FONT is threatening to get out the maiden ranks and must be respected once again. WITCHING HOUR and TAKEMETOTHEMOON are capable of improvement and could make the frame.

RACE 5

A competitive handicap. The two-year-old form of the Eastern Cape will be tested in this as their representative, OBSIDIAN STAR, has some decent form behind Marchland. There are, however, some in-form elders set to take her on. ONCIDIUM has improved of late and arrives for this after an easy win. CHERRY OH BABY is consistent and can earn some more money. BABETTE’S FEAST makes a local debut but would not be a surprise winner. MORFELIHA has done well in the Eastern Cape and is clearly not out of it. VOLARE E MAMBO is not well drawn but can earn some money.

RACE 6

Probably the most open looking race on the card. The better-weighted runners have been out of form lately. MAKE BELIEVE has not been reliable but could win a race of this nature although does give weight away to her rivals. MY DEAR FRIEND has some good recent form and could give jockey Kendall Minnie a very rare winner. MYSTICAL BUTTERFLY has shown improvement on the Polytrack of late and has claims. HOT SAUCE is well weighted for this but has been a disappointment of late. The same can be said of another well weighted runner, ARASHI. IONA CASTLE and NORTH STAR and two others among many more who could score.

RACE 7

An interesting but open-looking race. STARS IN HEAVEN was caught a bit out of his ground last time and could go one better this course and distance. GUY GIBSON is not an easy horse to win with but he is talented and could contest the finish. ROMAN AGENT is clearly better than his last run would suggest and is course and distance suited. JOKER MAN is consistent and does duty for Richard Fourie. BLACK EGRET is hat-trick seeking after some well backed successes. CHAMPONELLE and NELSON BAY are capable of a surprise.

RACE 8

HONORINE’S GIMMIE has shown improvement of late and should make a bold bid at victory. GREEN PLANET fought on gamely for some course and distance success and is the main threat. REAL WAR has some fair recent form and could contest the finish. Stable companion TRAVEL MASTER has not won for some time now but Richard Fourie could do it for him. BOSNAY and FREE WORLD are in good shape and could earn some money.