Hluhluwe winning the Gr 2 Cape Punters Cup (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

The Justin Snaith yard are now bullish about all three of their Hollywoodbets Durban July runners after the scraching of Without Question this afternoon

Rachel Venniker’s dream of becoming the first woman to ride in the iconic Hollywoodbets Durban July has proved elusive with an injury just days before the race scuppering her chances two years ago and her horse being made a reserve last year.

Her fans’ hearts would have sunk today (Thursday) when learning of the scratching of her mount, the Justin Snaith-trained Nick Jonsson-owned Without Question, but they would have leapt back when learning she will not lose out because she has been given the ride on the first reserve who comes in, Hluhluwe.

Thankfully Hluhuluwe is also trained by the Snaith yard and owned by Jonsson, whose company Jonsson Workwear sponsor Rachel, and Jonathan Snaith said, “Nick was adamant that while there were many lightweight riders available, that no one deserved the ride more than Rachel. She earned the opportunity and she has many fans who would love to see her ride in the race, who will be shouting both Rachel and Hluhluwe home. What a story it would be if she won!”

Justin Snaith said in the official HDJ panel discussion that Hluhluwe’s run in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 had been intended to “prep him” into the July. So he was not at all pleased when the pacemaker decided to put the brakes on in astonishing fashion at about the 1400m mark. This caused Hluhluwe, who was near the back, to become lit up and Grant Van Niekerk was unable to hold him. Hluhluwe barged the horse on his outside aside and went to the front, but duly faded in the straight.

The hard work that had been put into Hluhluwe had thus been wasted as he ended up not making the HDJ final field.

However, he was fortunately made first reserve and he now gets a second bite at the cherry.

It has always been believed that the Trippi gelding, who is out of a Giant’s Causeway mare, needed ground.

However, his two runs over 2000m have not yielded a place yet, the other having been a disappointing 5,25 length fifth in the Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby.

So he has something to prove.

However, Jonathan Snaith sounded bullish.

He said, “Hluhluwe is under the radar and coming back to his best after gelding. He’s extremely well weighted and he most certainly shouldn’t be ignored. ”

He said about the yard’s other two runners, “Double Superlative put in a superb gallop and had he had the benefit  of another prep-run, he’d be the horse to beat. This son of Twice Over is one run short of his best, but class does often prevail. He produced an eye-catching grass gallop this week. Don’t leave him out of any bets!”

Green With Envy And Flag Man are two of five three-year-olds in the Hollywoodbets Durban July (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

In the annual debate about the Hollywoodbets Durban July being a three-year-old race or an older horse race the three-year-olds are comfortably favoured by most analysts this year.

Two bottom-weighted older horses, Belgarion and Winchester Mansion, have won the July this decade and it did seem a little bit unfair that the minimum weight for a three-year-old was the same as the minimum weight for an older horse.

So this year a change to the conditions saw the minimum weight for an older male being raised to 54kg and the minimum weight for an older female raised to 53kg.

The minimum weight for a three-year-old male and three-year-old filly remain on 53kg and 52kg respectively (incidentally, this year’s race is the first time in 45 years it has been without a female runner).

This was the first aspect which put the ball in the court of the three-year-olds this year.

In  fact had those conditions been in place last year, then theoretically the 0,25 length second-placed See It Again would have beaten the winner Winchester Mansion.

Both of those two will benefit from this year’s conditions change as See It Again carries topweight of 60kg and Winchester Mansion carries 57kg and they only have to give the bottom weighted older males 6kg and 2kg respectively, as opposed to the 7kg and 3kg the pair would have had to respectively give them under the old condition.

However, the few formlines between older horses and three-year-olds puts the race in favour of the latter.

The most glaring instant of the three-year-olds looking to be superior is when taking the collateral form of the Daily News 2000 and big races on the Highveld.

Royal Victory beat Aragosta by 3,75 lengths in the wfa Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge, Pure Predator beat Aragosta by 4,05 lengths at wfa terms in the Colorado King Stakes over 2000m, with Hotarubi just 0,75 lengths behind Pure Predator, and in the Daily News Pure Predator was beaten 5,30 lengths by Green With Envy with Hotarubi 1,65 lengths behind him. That puts Green With Envy more than five lengths ahead of Royal Victory on weight for age terms, using either Pure Predator or Hotarubi. Green With Envy is 1kg worse off than weight for age with Royal Victory in the July so theoretically that puts him about four lengths ahead of Royal Victory at the weights.

However, there are some who believe the Daily News result was not a true reflection due to the muddling pace and they might not take the above collateral form on face value.

However, another example of three-year-olds being better off is provided by Oriental Charm. He finishing just 0,30 lengths behind Future Swing in the WSB 1900 and is now 3kg better off. Oriental Charm also beat Shoemaker by 1,20 lengths in the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m and he will also be 3kg better off with that one.

The topweight See It Again is the one horse who could do it for the older horses. On formlines through Gimmeanotherchance and Cousin Casey, the three-year-olds are favoured over him too, but that is over a 1600m trip.

The formlines for See It Again over middle distances, using Without Question and Oriental Charm, also favours the three-year-olds. However, See It Again clearly did not run to his best in the WSB Met.

The weights of the five three-year-olds have worked out exceptionally and on paper they should all finish on top of each other.

The handicappers should be praised for it, but if they are it will be a first.

Green With Envy beat Oriental Charm by 3,25 lengths in the Splashout Cape Derby and has to give him 3kg; Green With Envy beat Flag Man by a head in the Daily News and has to give him half-a-kilogram; Green With Envy beat Barbaresco by 2,60 lengths in the Daily News and has to give him 2,5kg;  on a line through Pure Predator on 1800m form, Green With Envy is 3,30 lengths better than Purple Pitcher and he has to give the latter 3kg.

There are a few form anomalies which don’t fit into the above argument.

For example, Purple Pitcher was beaten 4,75 lengths in the Gr 3 Jubilee. However, Purple Pitcher was likely running fresh then in the same way he had run fresh in the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas and he performed below par on both occasions. This is particularly in light of Meridius and Son Of Raj finishing first and third in the Jubilee, as they were both many lengths behind Royal Victory in the Premiers Champions Challenge.

The three-year-olds look to be in the pound seats this year, but as they say races aren’t run on paper and those who have got older horses in the office sweepstake need not be forlorn.

Melech is capable of a strong finish and should make his presence felt in the Gr 2 Post Merchants on HDJ day (Pauline Herman Photography)

The Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m is always an exciting race to watch, with top class sprinters galloping at speed around the turn, and as it is a handicap the cavalry charge for home is often closely fought.

Cruise Control ran a cracker in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint. Jumping from draw ten he showed great natural pace and looked all over the winner 100m out. However, the tough Hollywoodbets Scottsville finishing hill got to him and he was caught by a wall of horses, ultimately finishing a 0,3 length fourth. He was only raised one point to 118 for that effort and jumps from a good draw of five. Sean Veale goes for a double in this race, having won it on Gladatorian last year. Cruise Control arrived in the Duncan Howells yard just three weeks before the Golden Horse Sprint and they said he had come on a lot from that run, so he has a fince chance over a course and distance which should suit, considering he has superb natural speed coupled with a kick.

Melech will be hoping for a good pace as he produced a flying finish in the Golden Horse to be beaten just two lengths into sixth after being outpaced early. He has a plum draw of three and Raymond Danielson replaces Serino Moodley.

Royal Aussie has the class that enabled him to run on strongly for third in the prestigious weight for age Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, but he also has the speed that saw him winning the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m. From draw two under Daniel Muscutt he is a fascinating runner.

Teflon Man is officially 5,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Golden Sickle. However, he is progressive and is capable of a flying finish as he proved last time, so he is a runner carrying just 52kg from a middle draw.

That last start was in the SABC Sport Durban Dash over 1100m and he beat the highly promising King Of The Gauls, who was unlucky to only be first reserve here as he won the Listed In Full Flight Handicap. However, the scratching of Time Fo Orchids means King Of The Gauls gets in and jumps from draw ten under Grant van Niekerk, from where he can use his early pace to get into a handy position before running on. He is 6,5kg under sufferance, but is a progressive sort who can rise above his current merit rating.

Golden Sickle has outstandingly consistent form and as the best weighted horse carrying 57,5kg from a good draw of four, she is a big runner.

However, it is never easy against the boys.

Winter Greeting is only 1kg under sufferance and is a big runner if she settles carrying 53,5kg from draw seven. She can go a bit hard which blunts her finish, but Sean Tarry is in flying form and she is hard to leave out.

At My Command only just failed in the Golden Horse when running on well from midfield, but a wide draw could be a problem here .

I Am Giant was also right there in the Golden Horse, but as a handy sort the widest draw of all is problematic.

Cafe Culture is ideally suited to 1400m, but was just 3,60 lengths back in the Gr 3 Champagne Stakes over 1200m and as one with a good turn of foot is interesting from pole position with Richard Fourie up.

Tail Of The Comet finished strongly in the Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over course and distance last year and would have a fine chance if at his best after a five month layoff.

Texas Red has fine recent form over 1400m and had good earlier form over this trip. His easy defeat of Mrs Geriatrix and On The Horizon last time over 1450m has been franked as both have come out and won.

Quasiforsure has to bounce back from a 13,40 length beating in the Golden Horse Sprint, but he won his last start over this course and distance, beating last year’s Post Merchants winner Gladatorian, and he did it from draw 12, so draw eleven should not be a problem for a horse who runs on well.

Anfield’s Rocket bounced back to form with a close second over 1160m at Turffontein last time, but this is a lot stronger and he will need to confirm that. He does have a strong finish on his day, so can handle draw 12.

It is a wide open race but Cruise Control is taken to beat Melech with Royal Aussie, King Of The Gauls, Teflon Man and Golden Sickle next best.

The Peter Muscutt-trained Down To Business has Zimbabwean owners and could give them another day to remember in the Gr 3 DSTV Gold Vase (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The Hollywoodbets Durban July day Pick 6 always attracts a big pool and is well worth taking.

The first leg three legs are always tricky as they include a staying race and two juvenile races, where the form can be thrown on its head.

In the first leg, the Gr 3 DSTV Gold Vase over 3000m, Down To Business won the Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m in fine style and was getting better the longer the race went so should stay this trip, but he does have another wide draw to contend with. Nebraas has become a bit disappointing, but at the same time has fallen to a dangerous mark. This former Gold Cup winner will have no problem staying the trip and has run well for Gavin Lerena before, including a 0.75 length fourth in the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers over 2800m. Raiseahallelujah is in fine form and proved when fourth in last year’s Gold Cup he stays the trip. One Way Traffic is in much better form this season than last and is a must included as a horse who is capable of a top class performance. Explosive Bond was a 2,75 length fifth in the Gold Bowl, well clear of Nebraas and from a good draw can be included as she can surely do better than her Lonsdale run.

In the second leg, the Gr 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer over 1400m, Gimmie’s Countess was desperately unlucky in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson over 1200m and should also enjoy this trip, so this classy filly can make amends by running on after being dropped out from draw seven. Quid Pro Quo finished like a train to win the Allan Robertson, so can be included from pole position. Little Ballerina is tempting to include due to her top class form, but she skipped the Allan Robertson because the yard did not feel she was right and she now has a wide draw in her comeback race over a trip that might stretch her.

In the third leg over 1400m Great Plains has shown he can come from a long way off them over this course and distance and might have to do so again from a tricky draw of ten. Proceed won the Gr 1 Gold Medallion over 1200m well after running on strongly and should prefer this trip, but a wide draw will mean he will likely have to pass a lot of horses after being dropped out. Truth looks to be a special horse in the making and is also a must include, although he has a tricky draw of eleven. Winds Of Change is still a maiden, but has top class form in features and from a fair draw could kick on from a handy position. Cosmic Speed ran on well from an unfavourable high draw last time so can do well from draw two over a trip which should be ideal.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July is the next leg and in this race Oriental Charm, Green With Envy, Barbaresco, Flag Man, Royal Victory, See It Again and Winchester Mansion can be included.

There will be come who will want to banker Double Grand Slam in the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes, but she has in fact never won over this trip and has two defeats to Rascova over this trip and both of those horse were defeated by Silver Sanctuary in the Gr 1 WSB Fillies Guineas over this trip. Double Grand Slam is the choice to win the race from a plum draw and as a progressive sort with a fine turn of foot, because her defeat in the WSB Fillies Guineas might have had more to do with a reluctance to go through a tight gap than a stamina factor. Silver Sanctuary and Rascova should also be included and others to consider are Asiye Phambilie, Mrs Browning and Red Palace in a more open race than it first looks.

The last leg over 1200, the Gr 2 Post Merchants, is ultra tough. Cruise Control ran a cracker in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint and has a good draw. Melech ran on strongly in eyecatching fashion in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint and has a plum draw of three. Royal Aussie is drawn well and has speed and class. Teflon Man is capable of a flying finish. Golden Sickle is ultra consistent and in fine form. Those ones are singled out die to their draws because the like of At My Command and I Am Giant have form chances but wide draws. However, the field has to be considered here as it is difficult to eliminate any of the runners.

This Pick 6 does not go thin in many legs so will be costly, but a thinner one would include only Green With Envy, Oriental Charm, Barbaresco and Flag Man in the July, Gimmie’s Countess would be a banker and Double Grand Slam, Rsacova and Silver Sanctuary could suffice in the Garden Province.

Joy And Peace is tipped to win the Walmer Handicap (Pauline Herman Photography)

Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)

Trainer Alan Greeff and his stable jockey Richard Fourie have been particularly quiet of late but they should have a decent day at Fairview on Friday.

The best of their runners appears to be filly Joy And Peace in the day’s feature, Race 7, the Walmer Handicap over 1800m on the Polytrack.

The Master Of My Fate filly was costly to her supporters earlier this season but has paid them back with three smart wins of late. She has looked better the further she has gone and is coming off a win in the East Cape Derby over 2400m.

This shorter distance is not ideal for her, but she has won twice on the Polytrack and over even shorter. Fourie also has a good winning record on Joy And Peace having ridden him seven times for four wins and a second place.

Earlier on the card September Flower, Masked Vigilante and You Win Again all look difficult to oppose.

September Flower ran well on debut and did even better in her second start. She can go one better in Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1100m, and open off the card with a winner.

Masked Vigilante was a disappointment last time out and was costly to follow in the Western Cape, but he showed a liking for the Polytrack when scoring easily in his penultimate start.

He can bounce back and take out Race 6, a MR82 Handicap over 1200m.

Filly You Win Again is unbeaten in two starts on the Polytrack and could complete the hat-trick in Race 5, a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, but there are a couple of dangers.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 5 September Flower, 4 Over The Atlantic, 2 Cape Flower, 8 Winashare

Race 2: 2 Hat Hot Hat, 4 Colonel Green, 1 King Of Queen, 3 Magic Prince

Race 3: 2 Take A Mulligan, 4 Portcullis, 6 Belle’s First Wave, 3 Petteia

Race 4: 3 William The First, 6 Bytheliteofthemoon, 7 Duke Of Orange, 5 Aquila Gold

Race 5: 4 You Win Again, 5 Kabon Kapi, 2 Red Sash, 9 Ella’s Delight

Race 6: 6 Masked Vigilante, 4 Donny Tee, 10 Purple Operator, 3 Work Of Time

Race 7: 1 Joy And Peace, 6 Gideon’s Daughter, 5 Say Yes, 3 Crimson Princess

Race 8: 5 No Place Like Home, 4 Kingdom Of Heaven, 6 Pembroke, 2 Fateful Day

BEST BET

Race 7: 1 Joy And Peace

VALUE BET

Race 2: 2 Hat Hot Hat

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 4×5

BIPOT

R162

Leg 1: 5

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4

Leg 3: 2, 4, 6

Leg 4: 3, 6, 7

Leg 5: 2, 4, 5

Leg 6: 4, 6

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4

Leg 2: 2, 4

Leg 3: 3, 6, 7

Leg 4: 4, 5

Leg 5: 4, 6

Leg 6: 1

Leg 7: 4, 5, 6

PICK 6

R960

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 2: 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 3: 2, 4, 5, 9

Leg 4: 4, 6, 10

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

JACKPOT 1

R48

Leg 1: 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 2: 2, 4, 5, 9

Leg 3: 4, 6, 10

Leg 4: 1

JACKPOT 2

R60

Leg 1: 2, 4, 5, 9

Leg 2: 4, 6, 10

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Picture: The Candice Dawson-trained Drakenstein Stud-bred One World gelding Grand Crescendo, owned by Larry Nestadt, won the last in impressive style to give Gavin Lerena a treble (JC Photos)

Gavin Lerena rode a trebe at the Vaal today.

Corne Spies and Stuart Pettigrew both sent out doubles.

Lerena is now on 155 wins for the season and he has achieved that at a strike rate of 20.03%.

Spies is on 22 wins at 7.38%.

Pettigrew is on 32 wins at 12.45%.

Teddy became one of the most influential sires of the 20th century.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT TEDDY