The first entries for the 128th renewal of the R5 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July will be unveiled on Wednesday 24 April, and then the serious countdown begins in earnest to the 6 July spectacular!
Peter Muscutt’s talented Formagear (5-2) stamped his authority in scintillating fashion when winning the Sunday topliner, a Pinnacle Stakes, at Hollywoodbets Greyville, with Smanga Khumalo up in a time of 96,27 secs.
Formagear (Smanga Khumalo) charges home to beat The Grey King (Muzi Yeni) in a rousing finish (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The Snaith’s 33-10 The Grey King was always in touch and ran 1,50 lengths back, with Sundance Kid (25-2) staying on 0,60 lengths back in third.
Mucho Dinero (5-1) ran last of the field of nine, some 7,80 lengths off the winner. While the Hollywoodbets Durban July joint ante-post favourite ran a disappointing race on his KZN debut, he was clearly needed his prep run.
“Mucho Dinero was very disappointing today at his Hollywoodbets Greyville debut run, but was blowing heavily afterward and clearly needed this prep run. Justin will have plenty of work ahead of him to get him ready and back to form for the Greyville 1900. He trotted sound post race, so he’ll bounce back in his next start,” added Jonathan Snaith, who pointed out that their charge had not run since winning on L’Ormarin’s Kings Plate day, which, to be fair, is a very long break from racing.
On the flipside of the coin, Snaith said that runner-up The Grey King ran a tremendous race considering the way he fought Muzi going to post, and in the race.
Watch the replay here:
Of their third runner on the day, Snaith added that Dark Winter had raced hopelessly green first time up at Hollywoodbets Greyville and was one to follow next time out.
The Snaiths will be going for a sixth VDJ (2021) win in total and will thus be attempting to join the legendary Terrance Millard as the second-most prolific winner of the race behind seven-time winner Syd Laird.
Other likely Hollywoodbets Durban July candidates for the champion team will be Future Swing, who will be following the Greyville 1900 route into the Cup Trial and the July. Then there’s Royal Aussie and Hluhluwe, too. So plenty to work with!
Hollywoodbets Durban July timeline:
- First entries close at 11h00 on Monday 22 April – announcement is on Wednesday 24 April.
- First declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 13 May.
- First supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 14 May.
- Second declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 3 June.
- Final supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 18 June.
- Weights will be published on Tuesday 18 June.
- Final declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 24 June.
- Final Field and Draw – announcement of the Final Field and Barrier Draws will be on Tuesday 25 June.
Only 20 horses will be carded – 18 + 2 Reserves. The reserves will be scratched by 08h15 on Friday 5 July.
Elimination will be at the sole and unfettered discretion of Gold Circle.
