The premier SA Champions Season weight-for-age mile, the Gr1 Gold Challenge has been a star platform for champions over the decades.
The 2020 renewal of the magic mile at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday 28 June will be sponsored by South Africa’s leading bookmaker, Hollywoodbets, for the first time.
The honour roll of this genuine test of speed, class and courage is littered with Vodacom Durban July winners from Dancer’s Daughter and Pocket Power, to Big City Life, Legislate and last year’s dual champion, Do It Again.
Dancer’s Daughter wins the 2008 Gold Challenge
SA Horses Of The Year, including Cape-based star Winter Solstice and international Gr1 winning miler Variety Club, have demonstrated their class and power when lifting the prestigious Gold Challenge trophy.
The 2020 renewal at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Theatre Of Champions again showcases a typically high quality entry of serious aspirants to Vodacom Durban July glory.
Do It Again wins the 2019 Gold Challenge (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Can reigning SA Horse Of The Year Do It Again set himself up for a historic third Vodacom Durban July title by achieving a rare Gold Challenge double?
Will 2019 Gold Challenge third-placer Rainbow Bridge, winner of the Gr1 Champions Cup at the end of last season, turn the tables on Do It Again and set up a once-in-a-lifetime showdown in the July a month later?
SA Champion trainer Sean Tarry saddles 2019 Gold Challenge runner-up Cirillo. He last won the race in 2007 with Successful Bidder and has had to be content with second cheques four times in the past five years. That’s an ominous indicator!
Legislate wins the 2015 Gold Challenge
Equus Champion Older Filly/Mare Dancewiththedevil struck a blow for the fairer sex in 2011 when winning the Gold Challenge. Candice Bass-Robinson has entered the dual Gr1 Majorca Stakes winner Clouds Unfold in Sunday’s clash. Can the Drakenstein champion be the bright rose amongst the thorns?
Here is the entry list for the 2020 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge:
Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge
| 11 | Chimichuri Run | Sean Tarry | 126 | |
| 12 | Cirillo | Sean Tarry | 127 | |
| 5 | Clouds Unfold | Candice Bass-Robinson | 126 | |
| 8 | Do It Again | Justin Snaith | 135 | |
| 3 | Frosted Gold (NZ) | Mike de Kock | 112 | |
| 6 | Ikigai | Sean Tarry | 118 | |
| 7 | It’s My Turn | Dean Kannemeyer | 118 | |
| 4 | Matador Man | Sean Tarry | 115 | |
| 10 | Rainbow Bridge | Eric Sands | 134 | |
| 1 | Roy Had Enough (AUS) | Frank Robinson | 115 | |
| 9 | Twist Of Fate | Adam Marcus | 129 | |
| 2 | Vardy | Adam Marcus | 134 | |
| (12) | ||||
Devin Heffer, Brand and Communications Manager for Hollywoodbets, says that this race is another feather in the cap for the bookmaker.
“Being able to sponsor a race of this magnitude is something we are incredibly excited about. Seeing the Vodacom Durban July contenders in Rainbow Bridge, Vardy, and Do It Again battle it out over the mile, will truly show who is poised to announce themselves as the number 1 contender in this year’s racing spectacle.”
“This is also Hollywoodbets’ first ever Grade 1 race sponsorship, and a milestone in our company’s history.”
“Hollywoodbets has invested heavily in horse racing in KZN, with the sponsorship of both Hollywoodbets Greyville and Scottsville Racecourses, the Grooms’ Initiative, and the Back On Track Challenge – encompassing trainers, jockeys, racehorses, grooms, apprentices and of course the punters. Being able to collaborate with Gold Circle on these projects and sponsorships have allowed us to make a positive impact on racing in the province, and we look forward to continuing our support in the months to come.”
Gold Circle’s Events and Marketing Executive Steve Marshall said that it was both a privilege and pleasure to welcome a leading industry brand to one of their foremost SA Champions Season features.
The Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge ante-post betting market can be found at www.hollywoodbets.net
