Turf Talk Newsletter – 11 May, 2026

Isivivane is driven home by Sean Veale in Saturday’s Gr 3 WSB 1900 (Picture: Chase Liebenberg) 

The traditional Hollywoodbets Durban July pointer, the Gr 3 WSB 1900, was the highlight of the Champions Season meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday and saw the Peter Muscutt-trained Hollywood Racing-owned Isivivane bursting into the July picture under a faultless ride by Sean Veale, while an earlier Conditions Plate saw the Justin Snaith-trained Okavango beating home his stalwart stablemates Eight On Eighteen and the exciting three-year-old Note To Self.

There was no early pace in the WSB 1900 and Trust was able to get over from the widest draw to lead the ten horse field and he kept the pace sedate.

However, he picked up the pace at the 800m mark, meaning he would have been used to some extent coming up the hill towards the straight, an underestimated energy sapper.

Trust stayed on gallantly in the straight under vigorous urgings from Serino Moodley, but Isivivane, who had sat it the box seat slowly wore him down to get up late.

Regulation ran on strongly from midfield and was unlucky as he was caught wide throughout. He looks underrated at 105 and is deserving of a place in the July field, but might now have to rely on the Gr 3 Cup Trial.

Bred by Narrow Creek Stud, Isivivane is a son of Erupt (Dubawi), who won at Gr1 level over 2400m.

The winner’s dam is the three-time winning Casey Tibbs mare Rodeo Sioux, who herself won up to 2600m.

A win in the 1900 usually earns a place in the July final field, but competition will be stiff for a final feld berth this year and Isivivane’s relatively lowly merit rating might work against him as things stand, although the handicapper has a few options.

The July distance should be no problem for Isivivane, who will carry a low weight if he gets in, with the prediction being that in the worst case scenario for his Hollywood Racing owners he will carry 52,5kg as thing stand, although carrying bottom weight of 52kg is more likely.

Isivivane had a nett merit rating one point lower than both the second and third placed horses, Regulation and Trust, and carried the same weight as them under the merit rated band conditions and he beat them by 0,60 and 0,65 lengths respectively, so if either of them is used as the line horse he won’t go up by more than two points from his current 104 rating.

If The Ultimate King is used as a line horse Isivivane could get three points. The former was half-a-kg better off than Isivivane and was beaten 0,85 lengths.

Imelenziyokudusduma faced Isivivane on level terms and was beaten 1,95 lengths, so him as the line horse would mean 4 points for Isivivane and could mean one point for both Regulation and Trust.

Native Ruler was a tie 1,95 lengths fifth but was 1,5kg better off with Isivivane so him as the line horse could mean seven points for Isivivane as well as four points for both Regulation and Trust.

Native Ruler finished fifth in the WSB Met having finished sixth in last year’s July, so might be a suitable line horse.

On the other hand it was a comeback run, so he might have needed it, and The Ultimate King might in that case be a more appropriate line horse as he was fit from a 0,80 length third place finish in the Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes over 2000m having finished a 10,30 length six in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge.

If Isivivane gets seven points he will go up to 111, which will be interesting because last year’s WSB 1900 winner Selukwe ran in the July off a 111 and finished third. Furthermore, Selukwe was 2kg under sufferance carrying 54kg, whereas, as things stand, Isivivane will be in the handicap carrying 52,5kg off a 111.

Isivivane took his stakes earnings to R986 800 on Saturday, with his fifth victory (and five places) from his fifteen starts.

In the conditions plate over 1600m on the day involving a number of July horses Eight On Eighteen was the surprise early leader as Okavango was held up.

Okavango then moved around horses to take the lead while Note To Self was content to sit in fourth place in the six horse field, while Betway Summer Cup winner Mocha Blend was last.

In the straight Okavango continued to lead while Eight On Eighteen was waited with.

Note To Self was not asked any serious questions until the 200m mark by which time the bird had flown.

Mocha Blend moved up from last and let down well when asked at the 200m mark, a fine run having not been seen since her Summer Cup win more than five months ago.

Eight On Eighteen put in a bold bid after moving up well, but Okavango fought back to win by 0,30 lengths, with Note To Self beaten 0,90 lengths in third.

Mocha Blend was beaten two lengths in fourth and 102 rated Ascolon Dancer and 95 rated Down By The River were beaten 2.05 and 4,35 lengths respectively.

Andrew Fortune was questioned about his ride on Note To Self.

The stipendiary steward report stated:

Jockey A Fortune appeared before the Board and was questioned regarding his ride in this race. He explained that in this race with no early pace, he had elected to maintain a mid-field position around the turn. In addition, he explained that this gelding felt lethargic in its action and took a considerable time to begin to improve. When questioned regarding being more vigorous earlier, he explained that he had allowed NOTE TO SELF to use his extended slow action and move up in his hands, and that in his opinion he could possibly have finished slightly closer but would not have improved his placing. The Board has adjourned to review his ride and consider his explanation.

It seems unlikely the handicapper will touch any of the merit ratings in this race although Note To Self, rated 118, did run above his merit rating compared to Eight On Eighteen (129) as he would have received 8kg from him in a handicap and only received 6kg.

Isivivane was the biggest mover in the betting over the weekend, shortening from 50/1 to 25/1.

Jan Van Goyen (far side) loses nothing in defeat on Sunday at Turffontein Standside, his first run as a gelding (Via Youtube)

Jan Van Goyen made a fine comeback in his first run as a gelding when running a possibly unlucky second in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1800m at Turffontein Standside on Sunday.

The dual Gr 1-winning three-year-old’s progress had seemed to have come to a standstill after two below par runs, but as in the popular Afrikaans ditty ‘Jan Pierewiet staan stil’, his latest run proves ‘hy staan nie stil nie” (he is not standing still).

The Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained son of Master Of My Fate had looked to be on the way to big things when winning the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas full of running by an easy 2,75 lengths.

He duly started 15/10 favourite for the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate but was beaten 9,10 lengths, although he did admittedly go too fast behind the very fast pace being set by stablemate Dave The King.

However, a further blow to the status he once had as the best three-year-old male in the land was when running a 4,25 length fifth on the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic over 1800m at Turffontein Standside.

The decision was then made to geld him and he made his comeback on Sunday.

The David Nieuwenhuizen-trained Pressonregardless is an admirable long-striding sort and this Lancaster Bomber gelding was Jan Van Goyen’s market rival in the 1800m Pinnacle on Sunday.

They both carried 60kg, meaning the 118-rated Jan Van Goyen was 2,5kg worse off than weight for age with the 113-rated five-year-old gelding Pressonregardless, but they were actually facing each other on identical terms as they would have in a handicap.

Callan Murray, after jumping from draw six in the six horse field, let Jan Van Goyen stride down the back straight but tucked him in at the back of the field before reaching the first turn.

Jan van Goyen looked ominous at the top of the straight as he was still under a double handful and began moving up strongly.

However, champion jockey elect Craig Zackey showed what a deserved champion he would be by riding a brilliant tactical race in which he led from start to finish, an unusual style for Pressonregardless who usually comes from off the pace.

Zackey said afterwards, “Being a small field and knowing Jan Van Goyen’s going to need it, I said I’m doing everything different today. I’m going to go and I’m going to pick it up at the top of the straight and go out, so the whole field hits that wind together, no one’s going to hide and creep up behind me!”

Zackey took Pressonregardless all the way to the outside rail meaning anyone who was going to pass him was going to have to be exposed to the strong wind on the day.

The tactics worked well because Jan Van Goyen could not find a clear run until eventually having to switch to the inside, where he faced the brunt of the wind.

Callan Murray might have erred late by changing whip hands to his left hand as this caused Jan Van Goyen to hang rightward away from Pressonregardless, although it probably just meant the margin was less as Jan Van Goyen, who likely needed it, looked to have had enough by then.

Nevertheless, he only lost by 0,80 lengths with a few factors against him, so this smart son of Master Of My Fate looks to be back on track after two disappointing runs in the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate and the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes respectively.

The race served as a good stepping stone race for the Hollywoodbets Durban July for Jan Van Goyen, although he will likely have another run before then.

Pressonregardless is not a July entry, but last-placed Wild Intent is and can have a line drawn through his run. The former SA Derby runner up was tried in blinker but was caught one out and one back without cover and and over-raced.

The Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas winner and Gr 1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic third-placed Splittheeights has been scratched from the Hollywoodbets Durban July (JC Photos) 

There were no fewer than 19 scratchings from the Hollywoodbets Durban July at the first declaration stage on Monday (May 11).

The biggest shock scratching was the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Splittheeights, who won the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas and was an eycatching running-on third in the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic. He was set to carry bottom weight of 52kg in the July as things stood, which put him in with a strong chance.

The other two most notable scratchings were two females, the Candice Bass-trained Rainbow Lorikeet and the James Crawford-trained Reet Petite, although this might simply be due to their being the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes on the same day as the July.

The scratched horses were:

Texas Missile, Alec Laird
Bakwena,J A Janse van Vuuren
Greeting My Master, Alec Laird
The Equator (IRE), Stuart Pettigrew
Count Of Rouen, Peter Muscutt
Master Redoute, Andre Nel
Rose Woott (AUS), Andre Nel
Salani Kahle, Gareth van Zyl
Rule By Force, Joe Soma
Indian Ocean, Mano Pandaram
Thunee Playa, Mano Pandaram
Porridge Boy, Mano Pandaram
Johnny The Thief, M J Odendaal
Reet Petite, James Crawford
Errol Flynn, Joe Soma
Ladyofdistinction, Michael Roberts
Rainbow Lorikeet, Candice Bass
Splittheeights, Mike / Mathew de Kock
Great Plains, Justin Snaith

The betting with the sponsor on the 44 remaining runners is (win and place (first four) :

Anlia Etzebeth will be bringing purple star power to the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

The actress and singer is set to perform the national anthem at South Africa’s premier horse racing

event, on Saturday 4 July 2026. A hit on both screen and stage, Anlia has delivered standout live moments, including a powerful rendition of the South African anthem at Cape Town Stadium in 2022 when Springbok, Eben Etzebeth, marked his 100th test cap with a Man of the Match performance.

Anlia and Eben are both Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassadors and say they are very excited ahead of the big day. “It is always such an incredible honour to sing our National Anthem! It is even more special to get to sing it at this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July. I cannot wait!” she said.

Anlia is known to international and local TV audiences for her roles in Raised By Wolves, and the soapies, Getroud Met Rugby and Suidooster.

Eben’s rugby fans, who number in the millions, can’t get enough
of the hard-charging No. 4 and all-time most capped Springbok (141 appearances).

The power couple moved to KwaZulu-Natal from France after Eben signed with the Hollywoodbets Sharks in 2022.

Anlia will be part of a spectacular showcase at the Hollywoodbets Durban July, drawing thousands to Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on 4 July.

As the event celebrates its 130th edition, racegoers can expect a winning blend of world-class racing, high fashion, music and entertainment.

This year’s theme is “Country Allure”. It’s an invitation to designers, fashion-lovers, and racegoers to draw inspiration from our country’s dramatic, rural landscapes and the elegance of our equestrian culture.

Tickets are now on sale for general admission, picnic sites and VIP hospitality packages, and parking via Ticketpro www.ticketpro.co.za).

For more information, visit https://www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za/

ENDS

King Harald relished the trip in the Non-Black Type Betway Secretariat Stakes over 1400m at Turffontei Standside on Sunday and ran out an easy winner under Richard Fourie (JC Photos)

Cape Breeders

Varsfontein Stud’s promising young sire Erik The Red enjoyed another good result at Turffontein on Sunday.

His first-crop son King Harald showed his class when romping home to win Sunday’s Betway Secretariat Stakes (1400m).

In landing the first leg of the Highveld Winter Series, the Roy Magner trained gelding took his earnings to more than R470 000.

Under Richard Fourie, King Harald unleashed a fine turn of foot which saw the Erik The Red sired three-year-old storm home to score by nearly two and a quarter lengths.

Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Sunday’s winner races for Messrs Moor and Nydam.

King Harald, who is out of the Caesour mare Imperial State, was a R675 000 buy from the 2024 National Yearling Sale.

He has won three of 14 starts, with King Harald victorious in two of his last four outings.

His multiple graded stakes winning sire Erik The Red also has some very exciting two-year-olds this season. This group includes the G3 Ridgemont Cape Of Good Hope Nursery winner and runner up Red Spice and Roskilde, and G2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Nursery runner up Griselda. Remarkably, Red Spice has already earned more than R1.343 million in stakes.