The Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July is South Africa’s greatest race and headlines a feast of action at a revamped Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday July 5.

The “July” has one of it’s shortest priced favourites in recent years, the Justin Snaith-trained Eight On Eighteen. A condition of the race is that three-year-old males can not carry more than 57kgs and in a true handicap Eight On Eighteen would be carrying 59kg. He will break a weight-carrying record for a three-year-old if he does win it, but he looks to be exceptional and is still improving, so his biggest problem could be traffic as he likes to come from off the pace. Royal Victory caught the eye in the Gallops and this dual Gr 1 winner consistently runs well in his Gr 1 target races. Royal Victory will be wearing blinkers for this year’s renewal. Gladatorian has an exceptional turn of foot and on pedigree should get this trip, so he should be flying home, but hopefully gets a clear run in the straight. Oriental Charm is a courageous front-runner who will make a bold bid to defend his crown. He has fine gatespeed so his number one draw could be advantageous. On My Honour’s build up form has similarities to Oriental Charm’s build up form last year and he looks to be a classy sort who could put his best foot forward.  Madison Valley comes out well on some formlines and will be running on from off the pace from a good draw. Immediate Edge has a lot to do at the weights on official merit ratings, but he is a highly regarded three-year-old who should rise above his 108 rating and he should be staying on strongly. Selukwe caught the eye in his last win and at the Gallops and he might also be better than his 111 merit rating suggests. Atticus Finch is an honest sort who should give a good account of himself. The Real Prince is full of class and although he has a stamina doubt on pedigree he is a laid back type who could still find his usual strong finish even over this big step up in trip. However, he did not put up the best of gallops at the official Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops. Rainbow Lorikeet galloped well and the Bass family never have a bad showing in this race, so the only female runner might do better than her long odds suggest. Native Ruler is an improving three-year-old who can not be ignored over an ideal course and distance. Okavango is an up and coming three-year-old who should also give a good account of himself. My Best Shot is the most unexposed horse in the field as he has cleaned up in the lesser centre of the East Cape. However. he was beaten six lengths by On My Honour when they met over 1600m on the polytrack at Fairview. Confederate is an impressive specimen and won the Gr 1 SA Classic well over 1800m, but being a handy to front-running sort makes it difficult for him from draw 14. Pomodoro’s Jet strode out magnificently in the Gallops and has won his last two starts impressively, but he has not run since March and has not proved himself over this distance. Purple Pitcher was beaten 10,25 lengths last year from draw eight and this handy to front-running sort might find it tough from draw 12 with the likely pacemaker Oriental Charm drawn one. The first reserve Litigation came in after the scratching of See It Again on Tuesday. He is 1kg under sufferance carrying 54kg and will not find it easy to maintain his position in the straight as he does not have a renowned finishing kick and the field will be flying at him. They are selected in the order mentioned.

The Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province will be one of the races of the day, a true championship. Arch rivals Double Grand Slam and Rascova have met 12 times and the tally is 7-5 to the former, but she will not have her usual rider on, champion jockey Richard Fourie, and as she is not a straight forward ride and has a tricky draw Rascova is favoured, depite this being her second run after a layoff. Asiye Phambili is a top class sort who reverts from sprints to a mile, a trip she once recorded a hattrick over. If she can overcome her wide draw she will be in the shake up. Fatal Flaw did not fare well when taking on Double Grand Slam and Rascova, but otherwise has top class form and is reported to be in fine shape. Spumante Dolce has class and could make a bold bid from a handy position.

The Gr 2 Splashout Golden Slipper could be won by Green Diamond and Quickstepgal and Anotherdanceforme also have big chances.

The Gr 2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe could be won by the classy Malmesbury Missile. Elegantrix is a classy filly who should be involved and Aristocratic impressed with a fine turn of foot on debut. Tin Pan Alley impressed last time out too and Count Of Rouen and Tenjiku are hard to ignore.

The Gr 2 Post Merchants could be won by O’Tenikwa, who went close in a Gr 2 last time out, and Buffalo Storm Cody and topweight Willam Robertson shoud be involved. King Of The Gauls and Truth are hard to ignore.