Turf Talk Newsletter – 9 July, 2025

Dave The King will be out to do the double-double (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King, Highveld Horse Of The Season Fire Attack and KZN dual Gr 1-winning stalwart See It Again will be the best of the “fresh” horses running in this year’s Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup and that means it is going to be a humdinger of a race.

The Champions Cup is viewed as a race which favours the horses who did not run in the Hollywoodbets Durban July i.e. the “fresh” horses, although the list of the last ten winners makes that theory refutable:

2015: Futura (ran in the July).

2016: Marinaresco (ran in the July).

2017: Sail South (fresh).

2018: Captain America (fresh).

2019: Rainbow Bridge (ran in the July).

2020: Golden Ducat (ran in the July).

2021: Jet Dark (fresh).

2022: Jet Dark (ran in the July).

2023: Princess Calla (fresh, although ran on July day in the Garden Province)

2024: Dave The King (fresh).

So the tally is 5-5 in the last ten renewals.

Dave The King does not run in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, because he does not say the trip and will be going for a double-double i.e. winning both the Gr 1 wfa Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup for two seasons in succession.

Fire Attack had some minor issues that saw him missing the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and trainer Alec Laird had his doubts he would have run in the July anyway. He made a fine comeback from a three month layoff on Sunday, only just failing to catch Choisaanada in the Gr 3 4Racing Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m, despite giving the latter 3kg.

See It Again was a late scratching from the July due to an abnormal blood count. He has finished second and third respectively in the last two renewals of the Champions Cup and should make a bold bid in his first attempt at the race as a gelding.

Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince is an entry, but Dean Kannemeyer when interviewed the day after the July felt he would be an unlikely starter .

Last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Oriental Charm was one of the eight horses who traveled to this year’s July and they filled the last eight places, but that was reportedly after most of them were loaded in rainy and freezing conditions on the Highveld. He was a narrow runner up in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and will make a bold bid if bouncing back.

The Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes winner and 0,35 length Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge third-placed Gladatorian ran in the July and is an entry in the Champions Cup.

On My Honour was one of the unluckiest horses in the Hollywoodbets Durban July as he got stuck behind a slow horse and was shuffled back, giving him too much to do in the straight. He would probably prefer this 1800m trip too.

L’Ormarins King’s Plate runner up Montien has had a most disappointing Champions Season, but at last he gets a good draw and he is interesting coming in fresh.

Rascova is one of two fillies entered, but this trip is beyond her best and she might be outgunned against the boys.

Madison Valley finished fifth in the July and has landed the same draw of two, but he is more likely to run in the Gold Cup.

The leading entry in the World Pool Gold Cup is King Pelles, who has already won three Gr 3 staying races this season.

Last year’s unlucky Gold Cup runner up Shoot The Rapids is also an eyecatching entry as is his Frank Robinson-trained stablemate Madison Valley and they have landed plum draws of two and three respectively.

Former Gold Cup winner Nebraas is entered and so is the twice runner up to King Pelles, Holding Thumbs.

The Gr 1 Mercury Sprint has a notable absentee, the three-time Gr 1-winning sprinter Gimme A Prince.

See the entries for the Champions Cup, Gold Cup and Mercury Sprint below:

Royal Victory wins the R5 million Betway Summer Cup in 2023 (JC Photos).

The Nathan Kotzen-trained five-year-old Pathfork gelding Royal Victory is one of the most consistent horses in training and as a top class race horse he looks to still possess great earnings potential.

Today a 16,5% share in him was sold on a BSA online Sale for a price of R220,000 and was purchased by Mukund Gujadhur.

The share of the late Brandon Wiese, who is a cousin of Nathan’s and was one of the orginal owners of Royal Victory, will fittingly be taken by a member of  Mauritius’ most famous racing families and Mukund will be a fine addition to Kotzen’s owner collective.

Royal Victory has earned R6,107,900 to date.

His last cheque was for running a strong-finishing fourth in Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July from draw 17 of 18, which earned him a handsome sum of R230,000.

He is not entered in the Gr 1 R1,5 million HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m on World Pool Gold Cup day and that might tell a story.

Nathan has done a fine job in keeping Royal Victory sound and enthusiastic and it is based on a program of three big races per year, the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup, the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge and the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Last year he added the Gr 1 Champions Cup to that list, but he only managed sixth place and it might not have done him any favours.

Royal Victory always has a fine chance in the R6 million Summer Cup and in the R2 million Champions Challenge, because they are races which horses from the Cape, which is the country’s strongest centre, invariably avoid.

So it could turn out to be a shrewd investment for Mukund Gujadhur.

Another interesting purchase at today’s BSA Online Sale was R351,000 for a service by Vercingetorix. His normal price is R300,000, but the record-breaking sire is impossible to get to such is his popularity and hence the bigger price at the auction.

The Sandown Stud-based stallion Soqrat not only won a Gr 1 as a two-year-old over 1600m, the Premier’s Champion Stakes, but he also won the country’s biggest sire-producing race, the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, and he won the Gr 1 weight for age HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m.

However, the Mike de Kock-trained Australian-bred colt’s likely career best performance was when as a three-year-old he finished a 0,30 length second to the great Do It Again in the Gr 1 wfa L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.

Another of his finest performances was in the Gr 1 Summer Cup over 2000m as a four-year-old when he carried topweight of 60kg and produced a flying finish, failing by half-a-length to catch the winner Zillzaal to whom he gave 7,5kg.

Soqrat is a great grandson of the great Danehill, being by the latter’s grandson Epaulette (Commands), whose five wins from 1200m to 1400m, included two Gr 1s.

Soqrat has plenty of black type in his female line and among them is the promising and highly rated Mike de Kock-trained three-year-old Immediate Edge (Vercingetorix). who is out of an unraced Commands three-parts sister to Soqrat.

Soqrat seemed to have great stallion potential, considering his proven precociouness, his classic-winning class and his good pedigree.

Indeed when Bloodstock South Africa’s chief sales inspector Alistair Gordon, a man with decades of experience as a trainer, was asked about the new sires appearing at the National Yearling Sale of 2023, he replied, “If I had to single one out it would be Soqrat. He has produced amazing quality, but we all know they still have to prove themselves on the racecourse.”

Soqrat’s five lots at that Sale fetched an average of R499,000.

At the 2024 BSA National Yearling Sale his five lots average R315,000 and at this year’s BSA National Yearling Sale his one single lot fetched R1 million.

James Armitage, owner of Sandown Stud, has lamented the lack of numbers for Soqrat.

He only had one two-year-old winner from his first crop.

However, they started firing at a fine strike rate as soon as they turned three and the numbers tell another story.

His mere 17 three-year-olds runners to date have a winners to runners percentage of 52.9%.

Among them is his first stakes winner, the Peter Muscutt-trained colt I Salute You, who won the Listed WSB Sledgehammer over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, beating Selukwe by a long head on just 1kg better terms than weight for age and of course the latter went on to win the Gr 3 WSB 1900 before finshing third in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Another good one among his three-year-olds is the Lucinda Woodruff-trained three-time winning filly Sohot Sowhat, who looks capable of stepping up to feature class.

In the East Cape the Zietsman Oosthuizen-trained Three Cheers has been a revelation on the poly since being stepped up in trip. This career four-time winner has won three races in four starts over 1900m and beyond on the poly.

Meanwhile, one of Soqrat’s second crop two-year-olds has shone.

The Peter Muscutt-trained filly Jordash won by two lengths second time out over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in February.

She ran 4,55 lengths back in the Gr 2 Splashout Golden Slipper on Hollywoodbets Durban July day and she is entered in the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes over 1600m on Gold Cup day.

Muscutt has also entered an unraced Soqrat gelding in a Gr 1 on Gold Cup day, Deandre’s Dream, who is entered in the World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes.

Soqrat looks to be an underestimated and good value sire at a cover fee of R12,000 for a live foal.

World Of Royalty impressed over 1600m today at Hollywodbets Scottsville and could be Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes bound. (Candiese Lenferna Photography). 

Two entries for the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m won over the 1600m trip at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today.

The Paul Lafferty-trained Danon Platina colt Bruh beat his own age group in a Maiden Juvenile Plate race under Muzi Yeni and later the scopey, long-striding Nathan Kotzen-trained One World colt World Of Royalty, who had plenty of ground to make up in a Maiden Plate against older horses, ran on in eyecatching style and won easing up by 1,10 lengths under Craig Zackey.

World Of Royalty’s time was 1,44 seconds quicker than Bruh’s, athough he was carrying 4kg less.

Garth Puller and Siphesihle Hlengwa had a double together at the meeting.

Chad Little also had a double.

In the national jockeys championship race, Zackey’s single winner put him on 242 wins for the season, four behind Gavin Lerena and two ahead of Richard Fourie.

Puller’s double took him to 43 wins in KZN for the season, five behind the reigning KZN champion and current championship leader Gareth van Zyl.

Andrew Harrison of Race Coast wrote the following report on today’s meeting:

Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)

Legendary jockey and trainer Garth Puller is not easily pleased when it comes to the riders that he puts on his horses but he has stayed loyal and mentored former SAJA Head Boy Siphesihle Hlengwa, known affectionally to all at Summerveld as ‘Spare’.

Unassuming and polite, Hlengwa got two home for Puller at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday.

Kanaal Skater looked to be home and dry in the third to add to Dean Kannemeyer’s Hollywoodbets Durban July victory last Saturday but was treading water late as Cardinal Chief pedaled past under Hlengwa to run him out of it with early leader Xenophon staying on for third.

Celestial Diamond found plenty of support in the market for the Gallop Form Maiden Plate, next up on the card, but Hlengwa went one better after being run out of it late last time out, to keep the favourite at bay.

Paul Matchett was not on course to lead in the well fancied Opera Fan in the card opener but may well have suffered a few heart palpitations as Calvin Habib managed to keep his charge going just long enough to hod off a rather unlucky Cassandra who came from well off the pace to be denied on the line.

It was a fine ride from Habib who had a difficult time getting his charge to the post as she stuck up at the entrance to the parade ring and had to be led past the entrance before deciding to head on to the start.

In the first leg of the PA, former Mike de Kock right-hand man Wengesai Masawi sent out his first runner from his Ashburton base and Pied Piper was far from disgraced after showing pace before tiring late. The well-backed Bruh came from off the pace, having Paul Lafferty muttering under his breath in the running, but Muzi Yeni got the well-fancied runner home ahead of Sean Tarry’s runner Master Spy, both horses held in high regard.

Royal Victory was not disgraced in defeat in last Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, coming from off the pace to finish a creditable fourth behind The Real Prince, and still the best horse in the country, Eight On Eighteen.

World Of Royalty racing in the same Pieter Victor colours yesterday and stepped up to a mile by Nathan Kotzen, the One World gelding, starting tote favourite, produced the required result under July winning rider Craig Zackey to get past 40-1 chance Carnival Park and stave off a Pick 6 ‘bomb’.

Lucinda Woodruff has paid her way with her small Champions Season raiding party and Another Dream paid her ticket when running on stoutly to hold off all challengers in the sixth. A big-striding filly, Chad Little made a winning move two furlongs out and the daughter of Futura kept rolling to hold of the late challenges from Ideal Gift and Elembee.

Well-backed Lock And Key took on male rivals in the Gallop TV B Stakes and turned in a courageous performance to hold all at bay. Under pressure from a long way out, Chad Little kept Glen Kotzen’s filly hard to her task and she responded gallantly to hold off Trois Quatre and French Trip to give Kotzen’s the 2000^th winner of his training career.

Lady Of Vix, having her second run after a four-month break, took no prisoners in rounding off the meeting. Sean Veale bounced her out of the gate and Tony Rivalland’s charge was not for the catching and never seriously in danger with Rafa’s Boy, hunting a third straight victory, never got close.

Andrew Hawkins in the Barney The Dinosaur mascot suit is escorted in the famous unofficial last race on Hollywodbets Durban July day by fellow international racing journalist Sean Trivass. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

The mascot who ran in the last race on Hollywoodbets Durban July day was actually the well known international racing journalist Andrew Hawkins.

Andrew is currently the Idol Horse Deputy Editor. Andrew’s deep passion for international racing has taken him to all corners of the world, including Hong Kong, where he was based for five years. He has worked with media outlets including the South China Morning Post, Racing Post, ANZ Bloodstock News, Sky Racing Australia and World Horse Racing, as well as for organisations including the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Victoria Racing Club. Outside of racing, he is also an Olympics and Paralympics researcher for Nine.

Andrew spotted something about this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July winner that the local journalists appear to have missed i.e The Real Prince was the first horse since the great In Full Flight in 1972 to win the July without having ever raced beyond 1600m before.

He wrote a fine report on the big race.

Read Andrew’s report on the Hollywoodbets Durban July below.

Andrew Hawkins

The Real Prince Overcomes Stamina Concerns To Land Durban July

The Real Prince Wins Durban July

Dean Kannemeyer produced a training performance only achieved before by the prolific David Payne, taking a horse beyond a mile for the first time to win Africa’s biggest race.

South African trainer Dean Kannemeyer again proved himself one of the world’s shrewd horsemen, producing The Real Prince to win the G1 Durban July (2200m) at Greyville at his first run beyond a mile – just the second horse ever to achieve the feat.

Ridden by Craig Zackey, The Real Prince edged out gallant three-year-old Eight On Eighteen to land Africa’s biggest race with lightly weighted Selukwe taking third, almost three lengths from the winner.

The Real Prince had only raced beyond 1400m once, winning the Listed Jet Master Stakes over 1600m at Kenilworth in February. By Australian-bred stallion Gimmethegreenlight, he is a brother to three-time Group 1-winning sprinter Gimme A Prince and the question over his stamina was a major talking point leading into the race.

“This had been a real team effort, planning to get him here,” Kannemeyer told Idol Horse. “First time we tried him over a mile, he won by five lengths. He had the right draw and he was able to sneak in under the radar rather than running well in the Gold Challenge and getting a bump in the handicap. It’s always a case of right time, right place when it comes to the July and that was certainly the case for him.”

The Real Prince is the just the second horse in the race’s 130-year history to win the July having not raced beyond a mile. The first was In Full Flight, who gave David Payne his first July win as a trainer in 1972 having taken the prize as a jockey in 1968.

It was a fourth July win for Kannemeyer, a second for owner Lady Christine Laidlaw and her Khaya Stables operation and a maiden success for Zackey.

Runner-up Eight On Eighteen was attempting to carry 57kg to victory – a weight with which no three-year-old had ever won. A head bob may have denied him a place in the record books, but trainer Justin Snaith is eyeing off a potential trip abroad with his colt.

“He’s achieved so much for a young horse,” Snaith said. “We’ll be careful with him and then go into the summer (in Cape Town) and have a go or look abroad. He’s certainly a type of horse that I don’t think would be out of place in certain countries – certainly something like Dubai would be top of the list – but maybe that is one for 2027.

“I’m still so proud of him and he’s a fighter. Even at the line, he was coming again – he was all heart.”

Tim Carroll (left), whose tipping columns for Hong Kong racing on the At The Races website has a big following, and Sean Trivass of Racing Ahead are two regular visitors to the Hollywoodbets Durban July. (meta picture).

Sean Trivass is an international journalist who has only missed one Hollywoodbets Durban July in the last eleven renewals and he took a look at this year’s event from a different angle.

Durban July Review: A whacky raceday that deserves a visit by The Racing Ahead Team

Sean Trivass (Racing Ahead)

8 July 2025

After two days of getting up at stupid o’clock to meet the trainers, witness the gallops, and enjoy the spectacular scenery at Summerveld Training Centre (possibly the ninth wonder of the World), race day is upon us, and I settled in at the media centre awaiting the first of 12 races.

As I like to embarrass British racing with their exorbitant course prices, my first port of call as always is the food and drink outlets (who would have guessed) to get a comparison (that’s my story and I am sticking to it) and suffice to say I am not losing any weight.

I could go through a whole menu (but won’t), but I did partake (purely for research purposes), in some mutton curry and rice (£4.50) and 6 samosas (£2), all washed down with a large beer (£1.50), so a full meal for £8.00 – less than the price of a pint at home!

Entry to the course costs less than a tenner (and remember, this is the biggest race day of the year so we are talking their version of Royal Ascot or Glorious Goodwood), and a race card will set you back £1.50 – good value even if you take into account the different costs of living, though I have to admit the queue for hot dogs (£2) was the longest all day.

The Track
On to the track and it is a busy place to be (same as home to be fair), but well signposted and with more toilets than last year (a major positive).

Cleaned up by new owners with new lighting, an enhanced parade ring and more hospitality options, the sun was shining, the fashionistas were out in force, and there was a party atmosphere that was almost contagious before the first race – and it’s going to get wilder!

I have never claimed to know the South African form (as you can imagine, the UK keeps me busy enough), and as those who read the preview will know, I relied on the far more knowledgeable Justin Snaith for my suggestions, but as I am writing this as the day goes on, I still don’t know if he was right or wrong.

I didn’t cover the first few races for that reason, but I do feel the need to add that any success here is celebrated as it should be – having a winner on this day is akin to victory at any of the major Festivals as far as their owners are concerned and I see that as a massive positive for the sport and a good thing to witness.

Fashion & Bookmakers
Enjoying all the fashion (I am a jeans and polo shirt kind of guy so I can’t pretend I understand it), it was certainly more colourful than anything you ever see at home, and equally importantly extremely popular.

I have zero favouritism towards one bookmaker or another, but I do have to say the entire day feels invigorated since Hollywoodbets took over.

Big crowds are one thing, but these guys had eagerly bought into the whole concept, we had more bars, more food trucks, more models, and more members of the public dressing to the nines, hence my need to share a few photos as even I cannot find the words to describe the insanity of some of the outfits.

Racing Action
On to the racing and those who read the preview will have seen three suggestions – and we started with the obligatory second place as he was beaten a length by rank outsider Chronicle King – possibly the story of my life!

Seriously though, it boded well for the big one with an early Snaith second, so we trooped out in anticipation, went up to the media room, and stood for the South African National Anthem after the horses went down to the start.

With a Cheltenham-like roar, the race was off, and with a lack of early pace, there were no excuses, and as they turned into the short home straight, the jockeys made their moves to mount a challenge.

Some of us started counting our winnings a long way out as Eight On Eighteen loomed up ominously to go and win his race, but just like the race before, we had to settle for second.

Runners
Dean Kannemeyer is a trainer of high repute over here and rightly so having won many of the top races including the Durban July three times before, and he did it again with one of the trainer performances of the decade with The Real Prince.

Remembering this race was over eleven furlongs, the son of Gimmethegreenlight had last been seen winning over seven furlongs, though he had already scored over a mile.

Despite some telling me Greyville is an easy track, an added three furlongs in the toughest race of the season was expected to ask plenty of questions, as was his breeding (he is a full-brother to Gimme A Prince who has won three Gr 1 races over five and six furlongs).

I don’t think anyone was ever questioning his speed, or his will to win, but the way he battled to catch Eight On Eighteen late on and then get back once more after being passed again close home, shows a lot more stamina than he was entitled to give.

There was only a neck at the line as Craig Zackey got the better of Richard Fourie in the finish, and I have to say I do wonder if my selection felt he had done enough when he got to the front the first time, but that may be sour grapes on my behalf.

More Racing Action…
With five races left to go, I only had an interest in one of them, and I was fairly confident that Double Grand Slam would finish second like the rest of them, but no – we finally had a winner, though the odds were nothing to brag about.

Sent off at the ludicrous odds of 2.05/1 (sorry everyone), the four-year-old filly was one of the easiest winners on the card, with jockey Andrew Fortune punching the air in delight well before the line, and if you backed all three selections to level stakes – you walked away with the smallest of profits – but NOT a loss!

Races 9-12 weren’t of any real interest to me but race 13 most certainly was – I mean who doesn’t cheer on a racing journalist friend dressed as Barney the Dinosaur in a race that used to see plenty of nude drunks running down the straight (mostly men), is no longer a “handicap” with fully clothed or mascots also allowed – more of an Open event I suppose.

No odds were available, and my good mate Andrew Hawkins admits he would have been an outsider regardless, but it was good fun watching him enjoying himself even if I was roped in to run beside hm shouting encouragement down the final 100 metres of the home straight while whipping up the crowd for a loud chorus of “Barney, Barney” all the way home!

Conclusions
I first came to the Durban July as a “one-off” about 11 years ago – and have only missed out once since (double booked).

It isn’t cheap to get here but after you arrive, food and drink is very affordable and the locals will make you feel welcome.

The racing is competitive and the course clean and spacious, while the fashion has to be seen to be believed.

It’s no Breeders’ Cup or Arc de Triomphe, and I won’t pretend it is, but if you are ever planning a tour of World racing, the Durban July firmly deserves its place on your shortlist and I will 100% be back – if they will have me of course.

By Sean Trivass

Night Bomber has been selected to win the seventh race. (Picture: Cape Racing).

Race 1

1 DONDOYAKI 10 WAR TALK 3 JAPANESE GARDEN 2 FIRE ON FIRE

Preview: 1 DONDOYAKI can go close if repeating her last start over 1000m, although she does have a tricky draw. 10 WAR TALK has a plum draw and has run two fair races, so should be in the shake-up. 3 JAPANESE GARDEN is usually thereabouts and should be again from a good draw. 2 FIRE ON FIRE has shown some ability and could earn in this line-up. (David Thiselton 1-10-3-2)

Race 2

6 UMZINGELI WENYATHI 5 ROMILLY 8 BLUSHING BLOOM 9 CONCORDIA

Preview: 6 UMZINGELI WENYATHI is drawn in pole and can build on his first two good efforts. 5 ROMILLY is by What A Winter out of a Trippi mare and with Gavin Lerena aboard from a plum draw he should make his presence felt. 8 BLUSHING BLOOM improved second time out and could build on that performance over a step-up in trip which should suit. 9 CONCORDIA ran well last time over 1400m and should be able to earn in this line up. (David Thiselton 6-5-8-9)

Race 3

5 MIDNIGHT MIRACLE 1 EMPRESS WU 4 LAZER LIGHT 8 WINTER BELLE

Preview: 5 MIDNIGHT MIRACLE went close last time over 1160m metres and looks to be the one to beat.1 EMPRESS WU has been knocking on the door but does have a tricky draw to overcome. 4 LAZER LIGHT is by Eric the Red out of a Listed-winning Go Deputy mare over 2000m. 8 WINTER BELLE improved last time but does have 2,25 lengths to make up on Midnight Miracle. (David Thiselton 5-1-4-8)

Race 4

1 BUMPS LAST GRIND 2 INSPECTOR JAMES 4 RINGHO 3 JET QUERARI

Preview: 1 BUMPS LAST GRIND is knocking on the door and from a good draw could get it right here. 2 INSPECTOR JAMES is usually thereabouts and can be again with Muzi Yeni up from a tricky draw. 4 RINGHO has shown enough ability to be able to earn here. 3 JET QUERARI has shown some ability and could earn a check here under a 4kg claimer. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-3)

Race 5

5 NKWENKWEZI 8 SINGLETON SAM 2 PARABELLUM 1 GREENLIGHT RACER

Preview: 5 NKWENKWEZI has a tough draw here but has been knocking hard and is distance suited. 8 SINGLETON SAM made a fair debut against a strong winner and with improvement could be in the shake-up. 2 PARABELLUM has a good draw and after a good run over 1450 metres last time could take to the step-up in trip this time.1 GREENLIGHT RACER ran an improved race last time and should be running on after being dropped out from a wide draw. (David Thiselton 5-8-2-1)

Race 6

13 STAMPEDE AHEAD 9 MERRYWEATHER 14 WITCHING HOUR 3 HOLLYWOOD MADAM

Preview: 13 STAMPEDE AHEAD made a good debut and with expected improvement could be the one to beat. 9 MERRYWEATHER has run two good races and is distance suited here and well drawn.14 WITCHING HOUR has run some fair races and on pedigree should enjoy the step-up in trip. 3 HOLLYWOOD MADAM has run a couple of fair races and could earn here despite a wide draw. (David Thiselton 14-9-14-3)

Race 7

4 NIGHT BOMBER 1 CHYAVANA 6 PENNSYLVANIA 8 FULLY LOADED

Preview: 4 NIGHT BOMBER has a tricky draw to overcome but is in good form and should be in the shake-up. 1 CHYAVANA has plenty of ability and is better than his last start so could bounce back albeit from a tricky draw. 6 PENNSYLVANIA also has a tricky draw but has the form to be involved. 8 FULLY LOADED is 1kg under sufferance but is drawn in pole and is in fine form so should earn. (David Thiselton 4-1-6-8)

Race 8

3 PLUS FOUR 1 WINGS WITHIN ME 4 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM 8 ENSUING

Preview: 3 PLUS FOUR is a talented sort who could run on after being dropped out from a wide draw. 1 WINGS WITHIN ME has a plum draw and over a suitable distance should be right there. 4 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM is in fine form but does have a tricky draw. 8 ENSUING won well last time and from pole position could overcome a 6 point raise to some extent. (David Thiselton 3-1-4-8)

What special flight did SA Airways put on from Johannesburg to Durban in 1935?

The picture gives a clue to the answer.

SA Airways put on a special excursion from Johannesburg to Durban for the Durban July Handicap in 1935. The return fare was £12.