Saturday sees the running of the 2025 Champions Season round 2 at Hollywoodbets Greyville, with the R500 000 World Sports Betting Gr3 1900 heading a competitive nine-race card.
The WSB 1900 is an important stepping stone, often for borderline candidates, to the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Okavango won his last start easily – he steps up on Saturday to book his Hollywoodbets Durban July slot (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Recent history shows that the Justin Snaith-trained winner Belgarion went on to win the July in 2020 and Brett Crawford’s 2023 runner-up Winchester Mansion also won the big one.
Last year, subsequent Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Oriental Charm was only beaten 0,30 lengths by Future Swing, who defends his title on Saturday as one of a quartet of Justin Snaith challengers.
The 5yo son of Futura was not disgraced when finishing 2,15 lengths behind Eight On Eighteen in the WSB Gr1 Cape Town Met last time. He returns from a fifteen week break and while well drawn at 6, he has not managed a win in a year.
1st R296875, 2nd R95000, 3rd R47500, 4th R23750, 5th R11875, RCIS R25000
WORLD SPORTS BETTING 1900 (Grade 3)
For all Horses
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 1 | Shoot The Rapids | 58 | 112 | A | Calvin Habib | Frank Robinson | |
| 2 | 2 | Thunee Playa | 54 | 105 | A | Jason Gates | Mano Pandaram | |
| 3 | 3 | Infinite Wonder | 54 | 102 | A | S’manga Khumalo | Mano Pandaram | |
| 4 | 4 | Narina Trogon | 54 | 106 | T Ae | Tristan Godden | Michael Miller | |
| 5 | 5 | Underworld | 56 | 108 | A | Gavin Lerena | Justin Snaith | |
| 6 | 6 | Future Swing | 60 | 117 | T A | Richard Fourie | Justin Snaith | |
| 7 | 7 | Madison Valley | 60 | 117 | BA | Craig Zackey | Frank Robinson | |
| 8 | 8 | Okavango | 52 | 96 | A | Muzi Yeni | Justin Snaith | |
| 9 | 9 | Native Ruler | 52 | 103 | A | Juan Paul v’d Merwe | Justin Snaith | |
| 10 | 10 | Holding Thumbs | 56 | 107 | BA | Sean Veale | Glen Kotzen | |
| 11 | 11 | Cape Eagle | 56 | 110 | T A | Gareth Wright | Andre Nel | |
| 12 | 12 | Indian Ocean | 53.5 | 111 | A | Kabelo Matsunyane | Mano Pandaram | |
| 13 | 13 | Selukwe | 54 | 103 | A | Serino Moodley | Andre Nel | |
| 14 | 14 | I Salute You | 52 | 103 | BA | Athandiwe Mgudlwa | Peter Muscutt | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (1,7) (2,3,12) (5,6,8,9) (11,13) | ||||||||
Future Swing’s progressive stablemate Okavango looks a perfect low-key potential July type. He hacked up last time and received plaudits from that good judge Andrew Fortune. Muzi Yeni rides him with a galloping 52kgs on Saturday.
Only a one time winner, another Snaith runner is Native Ruler who comes in off an eleven week break after running a fair race for a 5,75 length fourth in the SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby last time. He also carries 52 kgs and may well be ahead of the handicapper. An unknown quantity!
Glen Kotzen will be hoping for another good showing from his 4yo Holding Thumbs, who won his last two starts with ease.
The son of Vercingetorix set the pace in the Listed Monaco Sport Of Kings Kenilworth Cup last time. He runs well for Sean Veale and the combination merit healthy respect at a track like Hollywoodbets Greyville, which could suit him down to the ground.
