With the announcement this coming Wednesday of the first entries for the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July, and the first entries received today for the WSB Gr2 Guineas and WSB Gr2 Fillies Guineas, and the traditional season opener, the Independent on Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes, the stakes-boosted SA Champions Season is now in full stride
The countdown to the South African Champions Season has begun in earnest and after Hollywoodbets recently confirmed a stakes injection of R10,6 million for the ‘national championships’, it’s all systems go.
Main Defender – good draws give connections the options of both features (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes has attracted a first entry of 19, including Highveld champion Main Defender, whose connections will be celebrating a 4 gate on the draw sensitive circuit in the 1400m contest, and a 5 for the Guineas.
The Sandringham Summit connections will be less pleased, with their champion pulling a gate of 18, but having more luck in the Guineas.
IOS DRILL HALL STAKES (Gr2)
| 15 | Al Muthana (AUS) | Ricky Maingard | 125 | |
| 10 | At My Command | Brett Crawford | 119 | |
| 5 | Cosmic Highway | Dean Kannemeyer | 121 | |
| 3 | Cousin Casey | Sean Tarry | 123 | |
| 12 | Gimmeanotherchance | Mike de Kock | 111 | |
| 9 | Gladatorian | Stuart Ferrie | 120 | |
| 18 | Green With Envy | Dean Kannemeyer | 119 | |
| 11 | Humdinger | Mike de Kock | 116 | |
| 8 | Itsrainingwilliam | Justin Snaith | 108 | |
| 4 | Main Defender | Tony Peter | 131 | |
| 14 | Mid Winter Wind | Sean Tarry | 114 | |
| 2 | Royal Aussie | Justin Snaith | 124 | |
| 17 | Sandringham Summit | David Nieuwenhuizen | 123 | |
| 1 | Teflon Man | Dean Kannemeyer | 99 | |
| 7 | Texas Red | Robyn Klaasen | 104 | |
| 6 | Unzen | Robbie Sage | 109 | |
| 19 | Waterberry Lane | Ricky Maingard | 112 | |
| 16 | White Pearl | Mike de Kock | 112 | |
| 13 | Zinovi | Mike de Kock | 108 | |
| (19) | ||||
The WSB Guineas has drawn an entry of 13, with Sandringham Summit (draw 6) right alongside contemporary Main Defender.
Lucky Lad, SplashOut Cape Derby winner Green With Envy, and Snow Pilot add to the mix.
WORLD SPORTS BETTING GUINEAS (Gr 2)
| 7 | Ancient World | Michael Miller | 92 | |
| 9 | Barbaresco | J A Janse van Vuuren | 109 | |
| 4 | Gimmeanotherchance | Mike de Kock | 111 | |
| 8 | Green With Envy | Dean Kannemeyer | 119 | |
| 2 | Hluhluwe | Justin Snaith | 111 | |
| 13 | Lucky Lad | Sean Tarry | 119 | |
| 5 | Main Defender | Tony Peter | 131 | |
| 11 | Mid Winter Wind | Sean Tarry | 114 | |
| 12 | Navajo Nation | Robbie Hill | 103 | |
| 1 | Oriental Charm | Brett Crawford | 113 | |
| 6 | Sandringham Summit | David Nieuwenhuizen | 123 | |
| 10 | Snow Pilot | Justin Snaith | 120 | |
| 3 | Zinovi | Mike de Kock | 108 | |
| (13) | ||||
WORLD SPORTS BETTING FILLIES GUINEAS (Gr2)
| 3 | Bomber Girl | Michael Miller | 97 | |
| 12 | Celtic Beauty | Tony Rivalland | 94 | |
| 11 | Ceuta | David Nieuwenhuizen | 81 | |
| 5 | Double Grand Slam | Justin Snaith | 118 | |
| 1 | Let’s Go Now | Sean Tarry | 114 | |
| 6 | Minogue | Wendy Whitehead | 102 | |
| 10 | Miss Platina | Tienie Prinsloo | 75 | |
| 8 | Mrs Geriatrix | Sean Tarry | 115 | |
| 4 | Rascova | Glen Kotzen | 115 | |
| 9 | Soldier’s Eye | Weiho Marwing | 98 | |
| 7 | Sovereign Grant | Michael Miller | 98 | |
| 2 | White Pearl | Mike de Kock | 112 | |
| (12) | ||||
Supplementary entries for the three features close at 11h00 on Friday 26 April, with declarations due by 11h00 on Tuesday 30 April.
The annual spectacle of horseracing excellence is steeped in tradition, and reaches a heady climax with the running of Africa’s greatest horseracing event, the R5-million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, on Saturday 6 July.
