One of the more modestly rated of the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July entries, Bristol Hercules ran a fair race at the Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack meeting on Wednesday, but is going to have to do a bit more to find a berth in the R5 million spectacular on 5 July.
Preshalin Murugasa’s 4yo son of Lancaster Bomber came into the sixth, a mile B Stakes, having his second run after a break, and also his second for the Mike and Mat de Kock yard.
Calvin Habib keeps Sundance Kid going to ward off Bristol Hercules (Muzi Yeni) in a tight finish (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Going off a weak 4-1 favourite, Bristol Hercules was given a near perfect ride by Muzi Yeni, but found fellow topweight Sundance Kid (7-1) under Calvin Habib, in a galloping mood.
Despite running on steadily into the final 250m, Bristol Hercules was obliged to play second fiddle by a neck to Wendy Whitehead’s 5yo.
Owners Sandy and Eugene Arundel were on course to enjoy the victory.
Last weekend, fifteen big race entries stepped out.
On Saturday Justin Snaith’s duo of Sail The Seas and Eight On Eighteen dominated the WSB Gr2 Guineas, finishing first and second respectively, and now head to the Gr1 Daily News 2000 on 24 May.
Glen Kotzen’s On My Honour had every chance in the small field, and was beaten 3,65 lengths into fourth, while the scratching of Fire Attack Zeitz (elevated TC02) would not have done their individual preparation programmes many favours.
Other eyecatching displays from Hollywoodbets Durban July entries on the big afternoon included KZN hometown heroes Gladatorian and See It Again, who filled the exacta in the traditional season opener of the IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes, while Dean Kannemeyer’s The Real Prince put his hand up with a flying fourth from a wide gate.
Sean Tarry’s 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July runner-up Cousin Casey returned after a ten month break and, while running out of the Drill Hall Stakes money, pleased his trainer. In the same race, Barbaresco appeared to have been run off his feet, and failed to impress.
In the WSB Gr2 Fillies Guineas the De Kock-trained Spumante Dolce ran a cracking prep from her wide gate, to chase Ridgemont star Mon Petit Cherie home. Robbie Hill’s Regeneration did little wrong and was just over two lengths back in fifth.
Earlier on in the afternoon, Frank Robinson’s charge Mocha Blend dead-heated for third in the IOS Insider Listed East Coast Cup behind smart winner Mascherina and the lightly raced daughter of Ideal World certainly looks to have ample scope.
On Sunday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, a quartet of Hollywoodbets Durban July entries lined up in the Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes under sunny skies and in perfect conditions for racing.
First of the four home, Justin Snaith’s Mucho Dinero ran a terrific race after a 14 week break, finishing 0,20 lengths off the courageous winner Garrix.
Another Hollywoodbets Durban July entry, his stablemate Magic Verse was a further 1,50 lengths further back in fourth, while La Pulga (3,45 lengths) and Without Question (6,45 lengths) will probably have to up their respective games.
The Hollywoodbets Durban July timeline:
- First declarations close at 11h00 on Monday, 12 May.
- First supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday, 13 May
- Second declarations close at 11h00 on Monday, 9 June
- Final supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday, 17 June, on which date the weights will be published.
- Final field and draw announcement will take place on Tuesday, 24 June.
- A final field of 20 horses will be carded (18 + 2 Reserves)
- The Reserves to be scratched by 08h15 on Friday 4 July. Elimination will be at the sole and unfettered discretion of Gold Circle.
