A total of 29 entries remain after the second declaration stage on Monday for the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July after a gamechanging three days of racing action countrywide.
Saturday was all excitement at Hollywoodbets Greyville (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
While the door is still open, with final supplementary entries closing at 11h00 on Tuesday 17 June, on which date the weights will also be published, the fight for a final considerably, with forward showings by a number of entries.
Topping the tick box was defending champion Oriental Charm who ran a great second behind Dave The King in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge on Saturday. This was his return from a four month break following a half length defeat by boom 3yo Eight On Eighteen in the WSB Cape Town Met.
Just behind him was IOS Drill Hall Stakes winner Gladatorian who finished strongly for third, with Sean Veale suggesting he was a big runner come 5 July.
Michael Roberts’ See It Again finished just outside of the quartet after having some bad luck in running.
Muzi Yeni drives Madison Valley down the middle as Underworld (Richard Fourie on outside) and July entry On My Honour (Chad Little) put the pressure on (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Other standout performances on Saturday were also delivered by Frank Robinson’s Madison Valley, who dug deep to win the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Gr3 Cup Trial in scintillating fashion under Muzi Yeni. An eyecatcher in the same race was Glen Kotzen’s On My Honour, who was some way back off a moderate pace, but turned the jets on to run a close-up third.
At Turffontein on Sunday, the Mike and Mat de Kock-trained Immediate Edge put daylight between himself and the opposition to win the 4Racing Gr3 Jubilee Stakes, and he now looks a likely runner – the only representative of the top yard in the current 29.
The Jubilee Stakes topweight Atticus Finch also demonstrated his well-being with a solid third-placed effort and Calvin Habib has already been engaged. The current big race entry list only includes two other jockey engagements at this stage – that being Muzi Yeni, who will partner Royal Victory, and Craig Zackey who will be aboard The Real Prince.
One disappointing display was that of Legend Of Arthur, who ran last in the Egoli Mile on Sunday. The Vet reported him to be uncomfortable behind after the race.
| Horse | MR | Trainer |
| Legend Of Arthur | 117 | Sean Tarry |
| Future Swing | 117 | Justin Snaith |
| Immediate Edge | 108 | Mike / Mathew de Kock |
| Purple Pitcher | 122 | Robyn Klaasen |
| Rainbow Lorikeet | 111 | Candice Bass-Robinson |
| Joy And Peace | 110 | Alan Greeff |
| Son Of Raj | 119 | Tony Peter |
| The Equator (IRE) | 110 | Tony Peter |
| Atticus Finch | 121 | Alec Laird |
| Madison Valley | 115 | Frank Robinson |
| Eight On Eighteen | 129 | Justin Snaith |
| On My Honour | 116 | Glen Kotzen |
| Magic Verse | 113 | Justin Snaith |
| Selukwe | 111 | Andre Nel |
| Confederate | 118 | Fabian Habib |
| Royal Victory | 125 | Nathan Kotzen |
| Beating Wings | 113 | Stuart Pettigrew |
| Okavango | 120 | Justin Snaith |
| Gladatorian | 127 | Stuart Ferrie |
| Litigation | 113 | Sean Tarry |
| Oriental Charm | 127 | James Crawford |
| Pomodoro’s Jet | 118 | James Crawford |
| Holding Thumbs | 107 | Glen Kotzen |
| Thunee Playa | 104 | Mano Pandaram |
| See It Again | 127 | Michael Roberts |
| Native Ruler | 119 | Justin Snaith |
| My Best Shot | 116 | Alan Greeff |
| Mucho Dinero | 115 | Justin Snaith |
| The Real Prince | 120 | Dean Kannemeyer |
- Final declarations for the Hollywoodbets Durban July close at 11h00 on Monday 23 June.
- The final field and draw announcement will take place on Tuesday 24 June.
- The Hollywoodbets Durban July public gallops are scheduled for Thursday 26 June.
- The legendary Hollywoodbets Durban July pre-party is on Thursday 3 July.
- The Hollywoodbets Durban July will be run on Saturday 5 July
