
July 5 Durban July form analysis
Last year's winner whose preparation run in the Gold Challenge was scintillating. Gets the best draw and has a huge chance of going back-to-back.
2 Madison Valley
Bounced right back to winning ways last time. He is a five-time winner and has a chance of finishing in the money.
3 On My Honour
Caught the eye last time when third to Madison Valley and has the form to be competitive. Strong place chance, but others are chosen for the win.
4 Atticus Finch
Is taking time for the next win but is packed with ability and class and needs to be respected. Expect a good effort.
5 The Real Prince
Is an interesting runner. His form is solid and if he stays the added trip, then can go very close to getting it all right. The neat draw will help. Respect and include.
6 Selukwe
Was an impressive winner of the 1,900m last time and caught the attention of many. His turn of foot is his biggest asset and if he were to win, it would be no shock at all. Good each-way claims.
7 Rainbow Lorikeet
Has solid form but others might be stronger. Others are preferred for the win, but she can certainly earn. Her run in the Woolavington 2000 was eye-catching. An outsider with a place chance.
8 Pomodoro's Jet
Has won his last three in fine fashion but against weaker and faces his toughest test to date. He gets a cozy draw but needs to raise his game to threaten here. Happy to ignore.
9 My Best Shot
Has a sparkling record from the Eastern Cape having won 10 races from 16 starts. He clearly is good and has talent but will find it tough against these. An outsider with a small place chance.
10 Immediate Edge
Interesting three-year-old who is showing huge potential for the de Kock team. He shows guts and determination in his races and could end up being anything. He is an exciting prospect and has an undeniable winning chance.
11 Eight On Eighteen
Is winning in the manner of a top horse. He is a top horse and his last victory was outstanding. The one to beat.
12 Purple Pitcher
Is taking time for the next victory and is a tad off form. He is capable of a good run but has become difficult to assess and predict. Small outside place chance at best, if things go his way.
13 Okavango
Is the each-way value in the race and has to be respected. He has acquitted himself well in some very tough races and has talent. Strong claims.
14 Confederate
Has absolutely no stamina doubts and is a big runner. His form is solid and he has a lively chance in this. Each-way chance.
15 See It Again
Is taking time to get the next win but he is packed with class and ability. He can build on his last run to Dave The King and can never be dismissed from any bets. Big run in store.
16 Gladatorian
Seems to have had a sparkling preparation coming into the Durban July and if he sees out the trip, he can be very competitive. Respect and include as the value for the places.
17 Royal Victory
Is running very well and is coming into the race off two excellent last runs. He ran a cracker last year and has a bright winning chance.
18 Native Ruler
Is never too far off the action but there are many that are selected to finish in front of him. He finished fourth behind Eight On Eighteen last time. Others are preferred.
RESERVES:
19 Litigation
Showed a form return last time but is taking a long time to win again. He would be a surprise winner if he gets into the race.
20 Son Of Raj
Is off form at the moment and will have to improve a lot on current form to feature in the finish. He is likely to be at huge odds and if he gets in, would be a shock winner. Happy to ignore.
Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
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New Paper
03-07-2025
- New Paper
July 5 Durban July form analysis
1 Oriental Charm Last year's winner whose preparation run in the Gold Challenge was scintillating. Gets the best draw and has a huge chance of going back-to-back. 2 Madison Valley Bounced right back to winning ways last time. He is a five-time winner and has a chance of finishing in the money. 3 On My Honour Caught the eye last time when third to Madison Valley and has the form to be competitive. Strong place chance, but others are chosen for the win. 4 Atticus Finch Is taking time for the next win but is packed with ability and class and needs to be respected. Expect a good effort. 5 The Real Prince Is an interesting runner. His form is solid and if he stays the added trip, then can go very close to getting it all right. The neat draw will help. Respect and include. 6 Selukwe Was an impressive winner of the 1,900m last time and caught the attention of many. His turn of foot is his biggest asset and if he were to win, it would be no shock at all. Good each-way claims. 7 Rainbow Lorikeet Has solid form but others might be stronger. Others are preferred for the win, but she can certainly earn. Her run in the Woolavington 2000 was eye-catching. An outsider with a place chance. 8 Pomodoro's Jet Has won his last three in fine fashion but against weaker and faces his toughest test to date. He gets a cozy draw but needs to raise his game to threaten here. Happy to ignore. 9 My Best Shot Has a sparkling record from the Eastern Cape having won 10 races from 16 starts. He clearly is good and has talent but will find it tough against these. An outsider with a small place chance. 10 Immediate Edge Interesting three-year-old who is showing huge potential for the de Kock team. He shows guts and determination in his races and could end up being anything. He is an exciting prospect and has an undeniable winning chance. 11 Eight On Eighteen Is winning in the manner of a top horse. He is a top horse and his last victory was outstanding. The one to beat. 12 Purple Pitcher Is taking time for the next victory and is a tad off form. He is capable of a good run but has become difficult to assess and predict. Small outside place chance at best, if things go his way. 13 Okavango Is the each-way value in the race and has to be respected. He has acquitted himself well in some very tough races and has talent. Strong claims. 14 Confederate Has absolutely no stamina doubts and is a big runner. His form is solid and he has a lively chance in this. Each-way chance. 15 See It Again Is taking time to get the next win but he is packed with class and ability. He can build on his last run to Dave The King and can never be dismissed from any bets. Big run in store. 16 Gladatorian Seems to have had a sparkling preparation coming into the Durban July and if he sees out the trip, he can be very competitive. Respect and include as the value for the places. 17 Royal Victory Is running very well and is coming into the race off two excellent last runs. He ran a cracker last year and has a bright winning chance. 18 Native Ruler Is never too far off the action but there are many that are selected to finish in front of him. He finished fourth behind Eight On Eighteen last time. Others are preferred. RESERVES: 19 Litigation Showed a form return last time but is taking a long time to win again. He would be a surprise winner if he gets into the race. 20 Son Of Raj Is off form at the moment and will have to improve a lot on current form to feature in the finish. He is likely to be at huge odds and if he gets in, would be a shock winner. Happy to ignore. Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club


New Paper
02-07-2025
- New Paper
Eight On Eighteen aims to be No.1 of 18
DURBAN Trainer Justin Snaith and owners Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert have taken the plunge. Their star colt Eight On Eighteen heads the list of 18 runners for the Grade 1 five million rand (S$360,000) Hollywoodbets Durban July to be run over 2,200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on July 5. The field announcement and barrier draw took place at a glittering function in the Hollywoodbets Greyville parade ring where Eight On Eighteen drew 11. The son of Lancaster Bomber will make history should he win and become the first three-year-old to win the Grade 1 WSB Cape Town Met (2,000m) and the Durban July in the same year. All the signs are good with current South African champion jockey Richard Fourie hunting his fourth July win and Snaith his sixth. Eight On Eighteen's victory in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 on May 24 was breathtaking as he made short work of many of the country's top three-year-olds. He was equally impressive in this year's Cape Town Met on Jan 25 when he took on and beat the country's top older horses at weight-for-age. The five-time winner has been set to carry top weight for a three-year-old male in 57kg, the highest since Abashiri lumped 59kg into 13th place behind The Conglomerate in 2016. While Eight On Eighteen is likely to start one of the shortest-priced favourites in the long history of the race, he will not be short of opposition. Current second favourite is last year's winner Oriental Charm, who goes into this year's race off an exceptional prep. The Vercingetorix five-year-old was beaten half-a-length by Eight On Eighteen in the Cape Town Met and now meets his younger rival on 5.5kg better terms. In his comeback run, he was touched off a head in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1,600m by reigning Equus Horse of the Year, Dave The King, on June 7. It would be an emotional win for James Crawford, who recently took over his father's string with Brett soon to ply his trade in Hong Kong. See It Again races in the same Jonsson pink, green and white silks as Eight On Eighteen and has his third attempt after finishing second to Winchester Mansion two years back and fifth last year behind Oriental Charm. Piere Strydom has been replaced in the irons by Raymond Danielson as Michael Roberts tries for a win as a jockey and trainer. Stuart Ferrie sends out his first July runner in the hard-knocking Gladatorian. A fast-finishing third behind Dave The King and Oriental Charm in the Gold Challenge, he tries the July 2,200m trip for the first time. Also by Vercingetorix, Gladatorian is a horse with a smart turn of foot and will be charging at the leaders come the home straight. Another one who likes to charge late is The Real Prince. Dean Kannemeyer knows what it takes to train a July winner, successful with Dynasty, Eyeothetiger and Power King. The Real Prince has been brought along quietly and is sure to peak on the day. Royal Victory will have his supporters as Nathan Kotzen's charge has also had an ideal preparation. A winner of the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup (2,000m) and the Grade 1 Champions Challenge (2,000m) at Turffontein last season, he finished third in the July last year behind Oriental Charm. He was doing his best work late behind Dave The King in a warm-up over 1,500m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last start and will strip at his peak. He has drawn 17. Highveld raiders are a little thin on the ground this year but their best chance could lie with Confederate. Relatively lightly raced by Fabian Habib, Confederate has won four of his nine starts but has never finished further back than second. The Fire Away four-year-old won the Grade 1 SA Classic (1,800m) on March 1, beating subsequent Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack and will be ridden by two-time South African and current New Zealand champion jockey Warren Kennedy who has made the trip to ride in the race. Champion trainer Mike de Kock boasts a stellar record in this race and has now joined forces with his son Mathew. They have their first July runner together in the three-year-old and recent Grade 3 Jubilee Stakes (1,800m) winner Immediate Edge. He carries bottom weight for a three-year-old male of 53kg and has won four of his six starts to-date. He has drawn alongside Eight On Eighteen in gate 10. Snaith has two other runners in the race, namely Okavango and Native Ruler while Alec Laird pins his hopes on Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch. GOLD CIRCLE


New Paper
06-06-2025
- New Paper
June 7 South Africa (Greyville) form analysis
Race 1 (1,600m) (3) BLIZZARD QUEST has found market support in both starts. He steps up to a more suitable trip. (4) LUNAR DESCENT has improved with each outing and was close-up at long odds when going a mile for the first time. (2) MATCHA MINT comes with smart Highveld form. She has a good draw and Richard Fourie. (1) BLACKJACK RANDALL goes this trip for the first time. He took on what has panned out to be a fair field over a sprint last time. Race 2 (1,600m) (7) RICH FOLKS HOAX has started a beaten favourite at his first two KZN starts. He shed his maiden over a mile blinkers are on. (5) PLUS FOUR has run two smart races for his new stable since moving up from the Cape. Stable jockey Sean Veale has plumped for the well-drawn (1) TYRCONNELL. (3) MASTER CHRISTMAS is way better than his last effort and makes the trip from the Highveld. Race 3 (1,900m) (11) AFROPOLITAN stayed on stoutly last run on the Poly. Though he has top weight, he should be competitive. (6) BOMBERS IN THE SKY only recently shed his maiden but was staying on well in his first local start over course and distance. He should turn the tables on (7) CHILL IN THE AIR who finished 0.5 length ahead of Bombers In The Sky last time. (10) AFRICAN DUSK looks held by Afropolitan on their last meeting but he is also down in class. Race 4 (1,200m) (1) VIBE SA may have needed his first run back after a three-month break. He has the best of the draws. (3) POSITION OF POWER won well on debut over this course. He looks useful and can follow up. (7) AFRICAN PRINCE was a beaten favourite in his Poly debut but was not far back. The switch to the turf could bring out the best. (6) HOPE IS POWER finished ahead of African Prince when they last met and from the widest draw. Little between these two. Race 5 (1,400m) (1) EDUCATOR was well supported in the market on debut and won comfortably. She stays the trip and has the best of the draws. (5) CAPTAINS ENVY is now 2kg better off than (3) QUICKSTEPGAL who touched him off in the Strelitzia Stakes. Mike Miller's charge can turn the tables. (4) LITTLEMISSSPLENDID went close when stepping up in trip. Race 6 (1,400m) (8) WHISPERING DEATH finished runner-up on debut and is unbeaten in two since. He looks progressive. (1) TENJIKU beat Whispering Death when shedding his maiden and followed up with another comfortable victory. (9) VIKINGS REVENGE won well at long odds on debut. He will come on from that run. (11) AVERSATOR won well over course and distance when shedding his maiden. Still can win this with natural improvement. Race 7 (1,600m) (2) DAVE THE KING made all to show that he was back to best when winning last time. He has the ideal draw and all should be chasing him come the final furlong. (5) COSMIC SPEED finished close behind Eight On Eighteen in the Group 2 WSB Guineas over course and distance. As one of the best 3YOs, he can test Dave The King. (3) SEE IT AGAIN showed signs of his best when touched off by Gladatorian in the Drill Hall Stakes. Extra 200m suits. (8) GLADATORIAN came from well back to win the Drill Hall and must certainly have a chance. Race 8 (1,400m) (9) BE MERRY stayed on gamely in the WSB Fillies Guineas and this shorter trip should suit despite wide gate. (8) CALLMEGETRIX has finished runner-up at her last three and meets Be Merry on similar terms as to when last they met. (5) GREEN SAPPHIRE was never in the hunt from her wide draw in the WSB Fillies Guineas. She won well over course and distance at her penultimate start. (1) LUCRATIVE has shown steady improvement of late and has the best of the draws. Race 9 (1,800m) (1) POMODORO'S JET steps up in trip but is unbeaten since being fitted with cheek pieces. Fair weight on his back but he will go close. (5) ON MY HONOUR was just over three lengths off Eight On Eighteen in the Group 2 WSB Guineas. He has been taking on top company in the Western Cape. (13) ZEITZ flopped in the Group 1 Cape Derby. Not seen since. He will need to win or run up close to have a chance on a run in July. (10) WILD INTENT has come well since his below-par trip to the Cape. He got a 17-point jump in the handicap for his second to Legend Of Arthur in the Gr1 SA Derby. Race 10 (1,000m) (7) AYUWI YUWI was narrowly beaten by the veteran sprinter Trafalgar Square last time. (4) TARA STAR has found form. Apprentice is replaced by Fourie. (6) GOLDEN CHANDELIER has lost her way of late but gets first-time blinkers. She can pop up at long odds. (12) MILLION VOICES resumes and is the choice of stable rider Tristan Godden. She will go close on her best form.