See It Again will be out to emulate Big City Life (2009) and Legislate (2014) as horses to have won all of the Cape Derby, the Daily News 2000 and the July in the same season. He is pictured winning the Daily News 2000 above. (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)

Hollywoodbets Durban July Records Set To Be Broken

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

It’s all systems go for the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ) at Greyville race course on Saturday and, with all Covid restrictions finally out of the way, a full house of approximately 50 000 fans is expected. And recognising the value to the local economy of Africa’s greatest sporting and social event, the City of Durban has come to the party, assuring all visitors and local racegoers that the event will be protected from any form of loadshedding.

Throw into the mix that the weather is expected to be “brilliant sunshine and a pleasant 22 degrees with very little wind”, the 2023 renewal of the HDJ is set to be “Out Of This World” and a blast for racing fans, party-goers, fashion aficionados and celebrity guests alike, many of whom will be travelling from far and wide to be in Durban on the day.

So who amongst the 18 equine stars that make up the field for the HDJ is most likely to win?

Favourite for the race is the KZN-based See It Again who is owned by Nick Jonsson of Jonssons’s Workwear fame, trained by Michael Roberts and will be ridden by veteran star Piere Strydom, who at 57 seeks to become the oldest jockey ever to win the “July”. He will also be out to equal Anton Marcus’s record of riding five July winners.

Piere has ridden more than 5500 winners throughout his career and threatened retirement about a year ago, but then See It Again fortuitously came into his life when the connections were looking for a jockey to ride the son of Twice Over in the Splashout Cape Derby earlier this year.

He took up the challenge and history now records that Strydom and See It Again, at odds of 50/1, produced a flying finish to inflict defeat on the Champion colt Charles Dickens.

With an eye on the HDJ, any thought of retirement went out the window and Piere was back in the saddle when See It Again wrapped up a perfect July preparation with a fluent win in the Daily News 2000 (Gr 1) at the end of May.

And now they are favourites to win on the biggest stage of all!

And Strydom, as already mentioned, is no stranger to winning the “July”. The most recent of his four July victories was when steering The Conglomerate to a surprise win in 2016.

As a jockey Michael “Muis” Roberts only won the “July” on one occasion and that was way back in 1997 when he was aboard the David Ferraris-trained Super Quality.

Now he seeks to become only the fourth person to both ride and train a Durban July winner – the three previous members of this very special group being Syd Garrett, David Payne and Bert Abercrombie.

When Roberts rode Super Quality to victory he was saddle cloth number 7 and, by a strange twist of fate, See It Again will also carry the number 7 saddle cloth on Saturday.

As an owner Nick Jonsson has enjoyed “July” success as a partner in Do It Again with Bernard Kantor and Nancy Hossack. Do It Again won the race in 2018 & 2019 and has been placed in all three of his subsequent appearances. On Saturday Do It Again lines up for a record-breaking sixth time and the now 8yo looked in fine form at the official gallops last Thursday. He is one of five runners in the race from the powerful Justin Snaith stable.

Snaith is attempting to win the race for a sixth time.

Gavin Lerena has been engaged to ride Do It Again while stable jockey Richard Fourie has chosen to partner Without Question, which also carries the Jonsson colours.

See It Again was bred at the Gaynor Rupert-owned Drakenstein Stud. This high quality breeding operation based in Franchshoek in the Western Cape are the breeders of seven of the eighteen horses in the race, in itself a South African record. Five of these horses will race in the blue and white silks of the Drakenstein Stud including the well fancied Winchester Mansion who is trained by Brett Crawford.

Winchester Mansion appears to have improved enormously since being gelded and was an impressive winner in the recent Cup Trial.

Safe Passage who ran third in this race last year also sports the Drakenstein colours and will be ridden by the internationally acclaimed champion jockey, Christophe Soumillon, who flies in from France the day before the big race.

With so many records up for grabs at this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July it promises to be fascinating race in which pace and tactics will play a large role in the outcome.

Dave The King, partly owned by golfing legend Gary Player, is one of the likely pacemakers and if allowed to control matters upfront, it is not inconceivable that he could go all the way.

But for See It Again, Piere Strydom, Michael Roberts and Nick Jonsson 1 July 2023 is their date with destiny. Not since the Dennis Drier-trained Spanish Galliard was victorious in 1992 have we seen a KZN-trained horse cross the line first in the July and not since the Ricky Maingard-trained Space Walk was awarded the race after an objection in 1994 has a KZN-based horse been the official winner.

Many will be hoping for KZN’s July drought to end on Saturday.

Current July prices with the sponsor Hollywoodbets:

3.57 See It Again

5.56 Winchester Mansion

7.14 Without Question

10 Safe Passage, Pacaya

12.5 Dave The King

14.29 Son Of Raj

16.67 Rain In Holland, Rascallion

20 Pomp And Power, Puerto Manzano, Do It Again

33.33 Billy Bowlegs

40 Silver Darling, Time Flies, Trip Of Fortune, Bless My Stars, Second Base

Safe Passage pictured looking in fine fettle at Summerveld on Thursday morning (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Safe Passage gets Michael’s vote to give De Kock sixth July win

David Mollett (Business Day)

Gauteng bookmaker Lance Michael believes four-year-old Safe Passage can provide trainer Mike de Kock with his sixth victory in SA’s most famous race — the R5m Hollywoodbets Durban July to be run at Greyville on Saturday.

“For me, Safe Passage ticks most of the boxes. He’s trained by a master trainer, ridden by one of the best jockeys in Christophe Soumillon and, importantly, the July razzmatazz won’t be new to him as he was here last year and ran third,” said Michael on Tuesday.

“The only slight worry is his wide draw, but Soumillon has the talent to overcome this. It’s also worth noting that Mike de Kock has said he’s not unhappy with the draw as it keeps his horse away from a possible scrum on the inside,” said Michael who is enjoying a good run with the horses he owns countrywide.

Michael names Pacaya and Rascallion — not the favourite See It Again — as the dangers to Safe Passage. “Both have enjoyed good preps.”

Asked to name his best outsider, Michael nominated Sean Tarry’s filly, Rain In Holland. “This is the right race for her this year.”

Michael has been a sponsor of the powerful Tarry stable for many years and has enjoyed considerable success with the former champion trainer. His filly, Kingdom Of Gold, won at Greyville in May and takes on 14 rivals in the fifth race — the Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper — at the Durban track on Saturday.

Winchester Mansion has been the best-backed horse since the final field was announced — now clear second favourite at 11-2 — but Michael is keen to lay the Brett Crawford runner “for the max”.

“Winchester Mansion is not well in against either Pacaya or Rascallion. I don’t believe he’s good enough to come out on top.”

Apart from Safe Passage, 10-times French champion, Soumillon, has a number of fancied mounts at the meeting including another De Kock inmate, Desert Miracle in the Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes.

This will be the third time Soumillon has partnered the filly and he was in the saddle when she won the grade 1 Majorca Stakes at Kenilworth in January. The race looks a match between the De Kock runner and Tarry’s SA Sprint winner Princess Calla.

In ante post betting, Princess Calla is the 11-10 favourite with Desert Miracle quoted at 22-10.

Tarry has booked Soumillon for Thunderstruck in the grade 2 Post Merchants, but this looks a wide open contest with Surjay, Sun Blushed and Cold Fact certain to have their supporters.

Richard Fourie will be pleased Tarry’s juvenile filly, Mrs Geriatrix, has drawn favourably in the Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper as the youngster bids to put the cherry on top of an outstanding first season.

However, it may not be a walk in the park for the favourite as October Morn’s win at Kenilworth on Saturday paid a compliment to Candice Bass-Robinson’s filly, Distant Winter. Soumillon rides Rasnova for Glen Kotzen but may have to settle for a minor placing.

Two horses named as reserves for the Durban July, Jimmy Don and Nebraas, clash in the 2,200m Splashout 2200 for which the first named will have to overcome the widest draw. Another Kotzen inmate, Lord William, could reward each-way support.

Talented female rider Rachel Venniker, who recently rode her 100th winner of the season, will partner Jimmy Don for the first time and should take a hand in the finish if overcoming the wide barrier.

Lot 62, a Boland Stud-bred Vercingetorix colt, was the sales topper at the BSA KZN Yearling Sale, knocked down to Brett Crawford for R750,000. (BSA)

Vercingetorix The Money Spinner Again At The BSA KZN Yearling Sale

Vercingetorix topped the BSA KZN Yearling Sale sires statistics with his 8 lots aggregating R3,475,000 and averaging R434,375.

He was the only sire at the Sale who progeny fetched over R500,000 three times.

Lot 62, a Boland Stud-bred Vercingetorix colt out of Jet Master mare Allez Afrique, fetched the top price of R750,000, knocked down to Brett Crawford. This colt is a half-brother to African Warrior, who won the Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m and the Gr 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes over 1100m. Allez Afrique only won once but is a half-sister to Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship winner O’Caesour. She has had five winners from seven runners and besides African Warrior has also produced the 13-time winner All Of Me.

Lot 13 was eagerly awaited being a Vercingetorix filly out of Return Flight, a twice Gr 1-winning daughter of Gimmethegreenlight who was Equus Champion Two-year-old filly. She was knocked down to Azzie Racing for R625,000.

Lot 3, a Birch Brothers-bred Vercingetorix colt out of three-time winning Captain Al mare Pirate Queen, fetched R550,000, knocked down to Kestorm Investments. He is a full-brother to Gr 1 Allan Roberston Championship winner Vernichey.

Captain Of All was sire of the second highest priced lot, a Cheveley Stud-bred colt which fetched R675,000.

Gimmethegreenlight was sire of two lots who fetched R500,000 or more and so was Danon Platina.

What A Winter and The United States also had lots who fetched R500,000 or more.

The full price list can be seen below.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL PRICE LIST

The panel of from left Athandiwe Mgudlwa, Keagan de Melo, Anthony Delpech, Justin Snaith and Mike de Kock in action.

Hollywoodbets Durban July Panel Discussions

There was a glittering cast for the Hollywoodbets televised panel discussions that included Mike de Kock, Justin Snaith, Keagan de Melo, Anthony Delpech and Athandiwe Mgudlwa, anchored by Alistair Cohen.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MAIN RACE PANEL DISCUSSION

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PANEL DISCUSSION FOR THE OTHER 11 RACES

Pacaya pictured at Summerveld on Thursday morning is rated the July dark horse by Mike Moon (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Tongue In Cheek Look At All The July Runners

Mike Moon (The Citizen)

It’s Hollywoodbets Durban July week, so it’s time to gaze into the Greyville crystal ball and weigh up the runners’ prospects.

[Warning to readers: this author might think he knows something about the gee-gees, but he has been known to occasionally be very wrong.]

Hollywoodbets Durban July field

Grade 1, R5 million, 2200m, 4pm 1 July [number & draw, horse’s name, (trainer), weight, jockey, odds with the sponsor @ 29.6.23]

1 BLESS MY STARS (Sean Tarry) 52kg Athandiwe Mgudlwa 40-1

She will need divine intervention. One of four fillies in the line-up.

2 WITHOUT QUESTION (Justin Snaith) 54.5kg Richard Fourie, 7-1

A teeny question or two, actually, but he is the choice of the form jockey, so might well be the answer we’re looking for.

3 TIME FLIES (Brett Crawford) 55kg Luy Mxothwa, 40-1

Great eachway value bet. Highly consistent filly, good draw, excellent jockey … time’s up!

4 WINCHESTER MANSION (Brett Crawford) 53kg Kabelo Matsunyane 11-2

Desirable address attracting lots of betting money. Removal of bollocks in May saw him move from a modest bungalow to the mansion of his moniker – but is it too soon for a step up to the palace?

5 BILLY BOWLEGS (Alec Laird) 53.5kg Sean Veale 33-1

Don’t be silly.

6 DO IT AGAIN (Justin Snaith) 57kg Gavin Lerena 20-1

Living legend tackles a record sixth July. Two-time champ, three times placed.

7 SEE IT AGAIN (Michael Roberts) 56.5kg Piere Strydom 7/2

Closely related to Do It Again – in blood and talent. Roberts and Strydom, icons of the game, team up. There’s something special in the air.

8 SILVER DARLING (Justin Snaith) 55kg JP van der Merwe 40-1

Not now, darling.

9 SON OF RAJ (Weiho Marwing) 53kg Muzi Yeni 14-1

Pros: crafty trainer, good jockey, light weight, decent draw. Cons: class doubts.

10 DAVE THE KING (Mike de Kock) 55.5kg Craig Zackey 25/2

Brilliant public gallop. Showing race improvement. Unexposed for a July runner but can’t be ignored.

11 PUERTO MANZANO (Johan Janse van Vuuren) 58kg Keagan de Melo 20-1

The King of Turffontein. A short Greyville straight and the usual July rough-and-tumble can catch out a big galloper.

12 PACAYA (Justin Snaith) 53kg Grant van Niekerk 10-1

Dark horse. Feathery weight and he could be peaking after gelding.

13 SECOND BASE (Robyn Klaasen) 56.5kg Chase Maujean 40-1

Not even first base.

14 SAFE PASSAGE (Mike de Kock) 58kg Christophe Soumillon 10-1

International superstar jockey flies out for a July date with last year’s third-placed finisher. Chuck in the master trainer and there’s a compelling case.

15 RASCALLION (Vaughan Marshall) 57.5kg Corne Orffer 17-1

He’s had his chances.

16 TRIP OF FORTUNE (Candice Bass-Robinson) 60kg Aldo Domeyer 40-1

Brilliant miler, but 2200m from a wide draw is a known unknown.

17 RAIN IN HOLLAND (Sean Tarry) 56.5kg S’Manga Khumalo 17-1

Triple Tiara heroine has what it takes.

18 POMP AND POWER (Justin Snaith) 58kg Bernard Fayd’Herbe 20-1

Wild thing. Calm and relaxed, a sweetie. In party mode, not so much.

Reserve runners

19 NEBRAAS

Distance too sharp.

20 JIMMY DON

Would be an upset for the ages.

Kupholiwe pictured at Summerveld on Thursday morning (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Preview: Durban Golden Horseshoe Gr2

1400m🥇

Michele Wing and the Gold Circle team compiled these trainer comments and the insightful video.

The country’s top 2-year-olds to showcase their class. Whilst support has come for the Mike de Kock-trained Gimmeanotherchance, race conditions make it competitive!

🎤Trainer / Jockey Comments

(Runners in market order)

🔹13. GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE: “He’s doing very well. He’s a nice horse with a draw to overcome. I think he’s a top class horse”, Mike de Kock.

🔹5. GUY GIBSON: “His last run at Scottsville was a very good run, running 3rd (Gold Medallion Gr1). He did get quite badly interfered with that day. On Saturday he has the services of Christophe Soumillon. He’s nicely drawn at 5. His prep has gone extremely well”, Roy Magner.

🔹7. SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT: “He’s a very promising 2-year-old colt. He’s a half-brother to Eden Roc. He’s in with a lively and competitive chance. I’m expecting a top run from him”, David Nieuwenhuizen.

🔹4. HAWKBILL: “He’s got the ability, that’s for sure. He’s very immature and he still doesn’t know how to race a hundred percent. I think he will travel here well and give a good account of himself”, Craig Zackey.

🔹6. GOLDEN TATJANA: “She’s beaten the colts twice. I dual nominated her and she drew better against the colts. If she brings her form when she beat the colts, she’ll be a runner”, Glen Kotzen.

🔹8. MAJESTIC TOUCH: “He’s a very smart horse, I just hope he doesn’t get caught out with the experience. He’s very lightly raced. In terms of ability, he’s got the class to run a very bold race”, Muzi Yeni. “We’re expecting a good run. His work has definitely improved (from winning his maiden)”, Roy Magner.

🔹14. FIRE ‘N FLAMES: “He’s in a very good space. His preparation went well. Drawn exceptionally bad. Hopefully de Kock’s horse, the 13-drawn horse can give us a good lead into the last 400. He is looking well and should contest the finish”, Kobus Roux.

🔹1.WINTER GAMES: “He come on a lot from that last run (2nd in The Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes). Perfect draw. Tristan knows him well and I see a huge run from him on Saturday”, Craig Eudey.

🔹9. KUPHOLIWE: “He did need his last run (4th in The Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes) as I eased off him after his maiden. But more particularly, in my opinion the race was run at a very pedestrian gallop early. He was drawn out deep and we elected to take a sit on him, which did really pan out in his favour. Saturday’s race will be a whole different complexion. We’ll be positive in case there’s not any genuine tempo early. If he reproduces his gallop and work in the lead-up, I think he’ll be right there”, Peter Muscutt.

🔹11.FIBONACCI: “He’s taking a huge step up and unfortunately with a ‘wide-ish’ draw. I think he’s up to it and I’m hoping he’ll run into the money. His work has been terribly good at home.

🔹12. ERMELO: “He ran an absolute cracker there (3rd in The Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes), he was absolutely flying on at the finish. He’s really improved a lot. He’s a classy individual. The draw, however, is a bit of a concern. I think he’ll be running a very good race there”, Rachel Venniker.

🔹10. CAPTAIN WARA: “He ran a very nice 2nd in the week, over 1200 (27 June 2023, Vaal, Race 2), so I think that would have been a very nice gallop for him. He’s a decent sort and I think the guys who play bigger quartets and more adventurous, add him in as he might just pop his nose in there and make it pay”, Corne Spies.

🔹2. TEEREX: “He had a run last Saturday and was a bit disappointing, but the ‘joc’ said he was hanging quite badly, so we’ve changed the bit on him. I think he’ll be looking for the step-up in trip. He could find himself in the back-end of quartets”, Kom Naidoo.

🔹3. ANDY COOGLE: “He had a gallop on Monday and took it well. He ran a decent race in his 2nd start. Kabelo Matsunyane knows him well and expecting him to run a forward race and run into the money”, Kom Naidoo.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Clyde Basel and Darryl Maree of the Weighted To Win team

4Racing Announce Weighted To Win And Betway Partnership

4Racing is delighted to announce an exclusive 12-month partnership between leading online betting and gaming company, Betway and 4RacingTV’s daily tipping show, Weighted To Win.

Broadcast daily on Channel 240 and online via 4racing.tv, Weighted To Win is 4Racing’s top rated daily tipping show. Anchored by Clyde Basel and co-hosted by form analyst Darryl Maree, Weighted To Win is focused on providing well informed horse racing analysis for horse racing across the country.

The strategic collaboration of the Weighted To Win team’s expertise with Betway’s innovative technology and resources, aims to create a unique platform combining in-depth knowledge with unparalleled betting opportunities to enhance the overall betting experience for punters and enthusiasts.

The partnership also underscores Betway’s commitment to responsible gambling practices. Both Betway and Weighted To Win are dedicated to promoting safe and enjoyable betting experiences, ensuring punters have access to the necessary tools and information to make informed decisions. Through this joint effort, the organisations will work towards creating a sustainable gambling environment that prioritises not only player success, but punter wellbeing for the overarching good of the racing industry.

Betway’s Jonathan Blumberg said, “We are extremely excited and privileged to announce the partnership with Weighted to Win. This partnership aims to provide viewers with expert insights, tips, and exclusive content to enhance their betting experience and we view this as an opportunity to innovatively demonstrate our fully-fledged offering to our ever-growing and diverse customer base. By combining Betway’s betting platform with Weighted to Win’s in-depth analysis, horse racing enthusiasts can make informed decisions and enjoy a comprehensive betting experience like never before. We remain committed to playing our part in reenergizing the horse racing industry and view this partnership as a significant milestone towards achieving this goal.”

4Racing’s CEO Fundi Sithebe added, “We are proud that Weighted to Win has developed into the ‘go to’ show for punters and it is gratifying to add the name of a globally recognised brand like Betway, who were the first to implement our tote integration. This collaboration not only serves as an extension of our existing and successful partnership, but ensures that punters truly benefit from this value added product. This will position the show for further growth, as well as strengthening our efforts to ensure the tote remains relevant and continues to grow.”

The Betway and Weighted To Win partnership kicked off on 26 June 2023, marking the beginning of a 12-month journey that will support and enhance the horse racing betting experience in South Africa. Punters and horse racing enthusiasts can look forward to a host of exciting promotions, exclusive insights and an enhanced betting experience throughout the collaboration.

Catch Weighted To Win at 18:10 on Friday, 30 July 2023 at https://www.4racing.tv/en/4racing-hp/betting-and-tipping-previews/47005/weighted-to-win for their exclusive Hollywoodbets Durban July panel discussion. Joining Clyde and Darryl in the hot seats are 4Racing Operations Manager Gabi Soma, Betway’s Jonathan Blumberg, multiple SA champion trainer Mike de Kock and 5-time July winning rider, Anton ‘Superman’ Marcus.

Tony Peter has the highest strike rate in the country and added another treble to his tally today (JC Photos).

Tony Peter Treble, Schwarz Double

Tony Peter scored a treble at Turffontein Inside today and two of them were ridden by Dennis Schwarz.

Peter has had 36 wins this season and his strike rate of 27.91% is easily the highest in the country.

Schwarz has had 50 wins at 12.29%.

Fairview Poly Fields, Friday

The July winner 50 years ago (thesouthafricanracehorse.wordpress.com)

Today’s Question

Who was the July winner 50 years ago and what double did he later convert, becoming only the second horse in history to achieve it?

Question answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Yataghan wins the 1973 July under Bertie Hayden in a blanket finish from a flying Storm Signal under Garth Puller.

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION

The Syd Laird-trained YATAGHAN became the second horse in history to do the July/Met double.

Only seven horses in history have done this double: the C-Wade-trained Hussein (1927 July/October 1927 Met), the Syd Laird-trained Yataghan (1973 July/1974 Met) the Syd Laird-trained Politician (1978 July/1978 and 1979 Met), the Alec Laird-trained London News (1996 July/1997 Met), the Mike Bass-trained Pocket Power (2008 July/2007,2008 and 2009 Met), the Mike de Kock-trained Igugu (2011 July/2012 Met) the Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix-trained Kommetdieding (2001 July/2002 Met).

Turf Talk Newsletter – 29 June, 2023