Gold Challenge raceday – enjoy the high-class action! EL DRAQUE made eye catching headway in his latest start and looks to be now figuring out what it is all about. If not minding the drop in distance he could open his account. Highveld-based RAINBOW REWARD is lightly raced but showed up nicely in his second start and first around a bend. He has drawn well and should have every chance. Watch out for HELSINKI who came in for solid betting support on debut. He may go better after a rest. TIGER IN RED is a lot better than his last two. First-timers to consider as well.

Top Tip: RAINBOW REWARD (4)

Watch out for: HELSINKI (5)

ABERDEEN has run two good seconds in a row and the form of his last start has worked out well with there being two subsequent winners. KYOMAI finished ahead of ABERDEEN when they met and has turned other useful performances but did disappoint last time. He makes his debut for a new yard and it could be a good one. POWER STAR has finished runner-up in his last three and is knocking hard at the door. He should be right there. All of PETTEIA, NAVAJO NATION, SEATTLEGREENLIGHT and COSMIC RHYTHM can get into the money. More can improve.

Top Tip: POWER STAR (4)

Watch out for: ABERDEEN (5)

3 12:45 PM – Hollywoodbets Super League Devon Air Stakes (Listed) (2 Year-Old Fillies)

Wide-open event as many have room for improvement over the longer distance. AFRICAN FOLKLORE and SOLDIER’S EYE have each won two in a row and are obviously talented. AFRICAN FOLKLORE has won over shorter but pedigree suggests she will enjoy this. SOLDIER’S EYE has been impressive over ground but is not drawn as well. Still, must be included. KINGDOM OF GOLD won nicely on local debut and should relish the trip on her bloodline. SECRET IDENTITY is also promising but has drawn widest and has work to do. KEY ELEMENT has scope along with others – go wide.

Top Tip: KEY ELEMENT (1)

Watch out for: AFRICAN FOLKLORE (2)

4 1:20 PM – Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes (Listed) (2 Year-Olds)

GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE was strongly backed in a sprint and ran well but showed he was looking for ground when an impressive winner last time out. He has pole position and should have the run of the race. FAR HORIZON could be anything after winning on debut, beating elders, but meets stronger. ROMANCE IN ROME could be the biggest danger after he won his last two unchallenged. He relished the step up in distance. WINTER GAMES may have won by a small margin but has plenty scope to go well in a race like this. ERMELO has won two in a row and can keep improving. Many with earning potential in it.

Top Tip: GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE (1)

Watch out for: FAR HORIZON (2)

5 1:55 PM – Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial (Grade 3)

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial is always a fascinating race as many are using it to try get into the Hollywoodbets Durban July. ROCKPOOL won a Grade 3 beating a fair field and ran a cracker after a rest and gelding recently. He could take it. WINCHESTER MANSION almost won the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900, another possible ‘July’ entry point, and he could be tough to beat if building on that effort. But it doesn’t end there. SHOEMAKER and stablemate UNION SQUARE have the class to fight for the win. LITIGATION, CAPE EAGLE, QUASIFORSURE, LORD WILLIAM and FLYING BULL have claims too.

Top Tip: ROCKPOOL (1)

Watch out for: UNION SQUARE (2)

6 2:33 PM – East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes (Grade 2) (Fillies And Mares)

We’re set for a thriller. BON VIVANT is best weighted and proven over this trip but will need to show she can ply her trade at this venue. SHANTASTIC didn’t enjoy the best of passages in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas. She may prefer this trip and could shine. TIPSY TARRAGON, however, impressed from the front last time and could be tough to catch again. MARIGOLD HOTEL has beaten her before and if gets luck from a wide draw, could threaten. HUMDINGER can upset at best. MRS BROWNING, MISS COOL, HOLLYWOODBOUND, MACARA and GOING UP are not in Durban for the scenery either.

Top Tip: MRS BROWNING (5)

Watch out for: SHANTASTIC (6)

7 3:08 PM – Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge (Grade 1)

Great race! CHARLES DICKENS gets the chance to beat AL MUTHANA over 1600m. Both are leading milers of their generation but AL MUTHANA beat the youngster by a neck giving him 5kg at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and is now 3.5kg better off. CHARLES DICKENS, however, had excuses in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and now matured could take the crown. Interestingly, stablemate and another son of Trippi, TRIP OF FORTUNE, beat AL MUTHANA last time and was also a leader of his generation. Demands respect in a race filled with class. SAFE PASSAGE, COUSIN CASEY and ROYAL AUSSIE are dark horses.

Top Tip: TRIP OF FORTUNE (3)

Watch out for: CHARLES DICKENS (4)

8 3:48 PM – SABC Sport Durban Dash (3 Year-Olds)

SOUTHERN SKIES rates the form choice after having finished second to Dave The King who is up there with the best around. She is overdue and weighted to go well. MONEY HEIST may have shown the aptitude for further but on pedigree could enjoy sprinting. He has gate No 1 and did get his confidence boosted last time. SMITH AND WESSON is enjoying winning and could make it three in a row. His first win came at this venue and he has drawn well. ENSUING has a good record over this distance and won his last race with something in hand. Most are high-class which makes for a thriling contest.

Top Tip: MONEY HEIST (1)

Watch out for: SMITH AND WESSON (3)

9 4:18 PM – Comrades Marathon Association Fm 84 Handicap (F & M)

REEFWAY took a bump and came from too far back last time. That has happened previously but this looks the right race for her and she can add to her tally. OUR EMILY has been adding to her record and is now going for her sixth win in a row. She runs as if the extra 100m will pose no problem. Stablemate RUSSIAN DOLL is getting closer. She should get back into the winner’s enclosure soon but has drawn wide. SHANTA’S PRIDE came from far back to win and could have more to offer even if facing a tougher task. SHIPHOLIA has a powerful finish but will need luck having drawn widest.

Top Tip: OUR EMILY (2)

MASTER JOSH has run two good races in a row in the Cape and the form could be strong. However, he will have to take to Hollywoodbets Greyville with its right-hand turn. MAJESTIC REIGN is much better than his last performance and taking the blinkers off may do the trick. He will still need to up his game to win from a wide gate. Juveniles DOWN BY THE RIVER and GIVE US A SMILE have shown potential and could show a lot more over the longer distance. More have shown potential to earn and there are first-timers to consider as well.

Top Tip: MASTER JOSH (1)