Hollywoodbets Durban July defending champion Oriental Charm, Drill Hall Stakes winner Gladatorian and Michael Roberts’ soldier See It Again have been allotted joint top weight of 60kgs for the 5 July spectacular as the big day nears.
Oriental Charm in 2024 – can the star carry 7kgs more to repeat the feat? (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
This was the news after the weights were published for the remaining Hollywoodbets Durban July 30 entries on Tuesday 17 June.
Oriental Charm lumped 53kgs when winning the race last year, while See It Again carried 60kgs, and finished a 1,80 length fifth.
The most weight ever carried by a July winner was the 66kgs of Campanajo, when registering his second consecutive victory in 1898. A year earlier he had shouldered 65,6kgs.
First Durban July double – Campanajo (Pic – Supplied)
In 1944 Monteith won under Harry Berry, carrying 59kgs. In more recent times, Marinaresco (2017) and Do It Again (2019) both won under 60kgs.
At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest impost was the 38,5kgs carried by Nymagee who scored at 33-1 in 1904.
Margin won 12 years later under the same featherweight. Both were ridden by W Clements, obviously a decent lightweight jockey of the time.
The final field capacity again this year is 20, which includes 2 reserves.
Final declarations are due on Monday 23 June and the field of eighteen runners, with two reserves, will be revealed on Tuesday 24 June when the draw for barrier positions will also take place.
The traditional public gallops will be held at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Thursday 26 June, commencing at 07h00 and all are welcome to attend.
