Latest news with #DailyNews2000
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Handicappers S.M.I.L.E. on July champ
The Real Prince raised five points for thrilling win. The Real Prince, right, wins the Hollywoodbets Durban July at Greyville Racecourse on Sunday. Picture: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images The Real Prince has been raised five merit points to 125 following his victory in the past weekend's Hollywoodbets Durban July at Greyville. The National Horseracing Authority issued an unusually thorough explanation of their deliberations and decisions concerning South Africa's biggest race. The NHA even used the adjective 'thrilling' to describe The Real Prince's win – though its officials are meant to be objective and dispassionate about their work. The statement used other emotive words: 'This was a notable achievement from The Real Prince, as he had previously never raced beyond 1600m and, in fact, his pre-rating of 120 was earned exclusively over shorter trips. 'In handicapping terms, The Real Prince transitioned from the miler aptitude category to the longer-distance category – and did so with a resolute win.' After all that enthusiasm, one might have expected more than five merit rating points. The NHA continued: 'To structure distance aptitude assessments, handicappers often refer to the S.M.I.L.E. acronym: S — Sprint (1000m-1300m) M — Mile (1301m-1899m) I — Intermediate (1900m-2100m) L — Long (2101m-2700m) E — Extended (2701m-and above) 'In determining the updated ratings, the handicappers unanimously selected Royal Victory, the ever-reliable fourth-place finisher, as the line horse, leaving him at a rating of 125. This approach also validated Madison Valley's performance, as the fifth-place finisher ran precisely to his mark of 115, effectively making him a second line horse. 'Eight On Eighteen, the gallant runner-up, reaffirmed his Daily News 2000 merit rating of 129 with a spirited performance. He finished narrowly behind the winner and 2.60 lengths ahead of the 125-rated Royal Victory while carrying 2kg less.' The NHA went on the explain the 'maths for Eight On Eighteen's performance'. • Base: MR 125 (Royal Victory, line horse) • +4 MR points: Margin ahead of the line horse (2.60 lengths = 4 MR points), applying the length distance factor over 2200m • –4 MR points: Weight difference as per race conditions (in receipt of 2kg) • +4 MR points: Weight-for-Age adjustment (3yold WFA allowance in July over 2200m) • Performance Rating: 129 – Final Third-placed Selukwe was the only other runner to get an MR increase, moving from 111 to 115, justified by his under-sufferance position of 2kg going into the race. All other participants maintained their prior ratings, except Purple Pitcher, whose merit rating was reduced from 122 to 121. Assessment of the other Grade 1 race on Durban July day, the Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes over 1600m for females at weight-for-age, saw winner Double Grand Slam retain her official MR of 122. 'Having performed to expectations', she was used by the handicappers as the line horse to guide assessment of the field. Runner-up Mon Petit Cherie, who finished 0.80 lengths behind, was raised from 113 to 120. Just Be Lekker, who was fourth, three lengths behind the winner, was raised from 109 to 116, 'reflecting the quality of her performance'. I Am Giant has had his rating increased from 116 to 119 following his victory in the Grade 3 Post Merchants over 1200m. King Pelles has been adjusted up from 112 to 118 following his easy victory in the Grade 3 Durban Gold Vase over 3000m. Fourth-placed Shoot The Rapids was the line horse and remains unchanged at 112. 'King Pelles delivered a performance that warranted a higher rating; however, his increase was capped at 118, in accordance with race conditions that limit adjustments to six points for winners and three points for placed runners,' explained the NHA. Grade 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200 winner Otto Luyken has been increased from 114 to 116. Due to interference affecting multiple runners in the closing stages, the handicappers assessed the race using the lowest possible route. Navajo Nation (runner-up) was selected as the line horse, retaining his rating of 104. Further increases were Johnny The Thief from 92 to 94 and Count Huhtikulu from 91 to 95. Sunday in Joburg saw Choisaanada complete a clean sweep of the inaugural Highveld Winter Series with victory in the 4Racing Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m on the Turffontein Standside track. Accordingly, his MR has been raised from 106 to 112. 'Although Choisaanada delivered a performance deserving of a higher rating, his merit was capped at 112 in accordance with the race conditions, which permit a maximum increase of six points for the winner and do not allow rating increases for placed horses,' said the handicapping team.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Jockey Grant van Niekerk seizes his shot at Durban July glory after late scratching
JOCKEY Grant van Niekerk relishing the chance to ride a less fancied Litigation in the Durban July main race. | Pexels. In a twist of fate that seems almost scripted, jockey Grant van Niekerk finds himself in the spotlight as he celebrates his 34th birthday and a chance at victory in this year's Hollywoodbets Durban July. Just days before the prestigious event, van Niekerk had lamented the fact that he did not have a ride after the announcement of the 18-horse field for the iconic race. His aspirations, however, were reignited when disappointment struck for another competitor. The ride on 'See it Again', trained by Michael Roberts, was withdrawn from the field due to an abnormal blood count, marking a significant blow to Roberts, who described the situation as a "bitter pill to swallow". This unexpected vacancy provided van Niekerk with an opportunity that few could have foreseen. He had previously expressed reluctance to benefit from another's misfortune, stating, "I did not wish to benefit from somebody else's disappointment," upon being lined up to ride one of the reserves. Just as he expressed those sentiments, the announcement came through that he had been booked to ride the first reserve, 'Litigation', trained by Sean Tarry. The timing could not be more serendipitous for van Niekerk, who now has a golden chance to add a Durban July victory to his impressive record. Despite three bittersweet second-place Durban July finishes since 2012, the determined Van Niekerk believes that this year, aboard his steed 'Litigation', he has a long shot at glory. 'It's a wonderful thing to be part of the Durban July field again,' Van Niekerk told Independent Media on Friday. 'It's come out of the blue, and for a change, I'm not riding one of the fancied horses.' His admission hints at a refreshing shift in perspective. Rather than bearing the weight of expectation from pundits and fans alike, Van Niekerk is embracing the opportunity of riding a less popular choice, contingent on the hope that a surprise outcome might await. In the field for the 129th edition of the Hollywoodbets Durban July, there are plenty of big names set to face the starter. Defending champion Oriental Charm, the Brett Crawford-trained four-year-old, returns to the site of last year's triumph beneath JP van der Merwe. Justin Snaith's superstar three-year-old Eight on Eighteen is the favourite and the biggest threat to Oriental Charm's crown. He is the red-hot favourite to lift the 2025 crown. The three-year-old superstar is a multiple Grade 1 winner. He has earned over R6 million in career stakes. He does have to contend with 57kgs. He is drawn in the middle of the field, and plenty can go wrong. However, with Richard Fourie in the irons, he has every chance of winning KZN's premier race. He cruised home in the Daily News 2000 by just under four lengths in his final prep run for this race and looks to have every chance.
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Betting guide: Favourites, form and what to expect at the Durban July
Eight of Eighteen is the favourite to take top honours at this weekend's running of the Durban July at Greyville Racecourse. In an update, See It Again has been scratched and has been replaced by reserve Litigation. All eyes will be on the three-year-old colt, trained by Justin Snaith and ridden by champion jockey Richard Fourie, as he heads into the R5 million Durban July on the back of some impressive results. Eight of Eighteen, who comes in at 14/10 to win on Saturday, came out tops at the prestigious Cape Town Met in January, and again at the SplashOut Cape Derby a month later. And for good measure, the young colt was also victorious in the Daily News 2000 in Durban. Sail The Seas, the only horse to beat Eight of Eighteen this year, will not be in Durban. Oriental Charm, the winner from last year, is expected to give Eight of Eighteen a run for his money, coming in at 11/2 to take top honours.
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Numbers add up to Eight On Eighteen for Durban July
The favourite is likely to win, but there are no certainties in the Durban July. Logic, rationality and plain common sense tell us Eight On Eighteen will win the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday 5 July. If Eight On Eighteen runs to his true ability; if he doesn't get badly hampered by other runners while navigating 2200m around Greyville; and if – as experts expect – he makes light of a relatively hefty 57kg weight against the best older horses in the country, he should win the 129th edition of South Africa's biggest horse race and justify his hot favouritism. But there are those ifs – and maybe more lurking. And some buts. Uncertainty and intrigue are the lifeblood of racing. There'll be people who tip and back other runners, yet they'll be relying not on cold, hard logic but on hunches, dreams, lucky numbers and the throwing of bones. The case for Eight On Eighteen · Of 10 starts as a two- and three-year-old, he has won five, including three Grade 1s, and has never finished out of the first three. · All three Grade 1 wins have been over 2000m, so the July's extra 200m will be no issue. His pedigree has both stamina and speed. · He won the prestigious Cape Town Met, unusually as a three-year-old in open company. · In his final prep race for the July, the Daily News 2000 at Greyville, he blew away his rivals with a jaw-dropping turn of speed in the final two furlongs. · Trainer Justin Snaith said after that race, 'The frightening thing is that there is so much still left in the tank!' After the Met and Cape Derby triumphs, months earlier, Snaith informed us that his charge then was fairly immature. · Regular jockey and reigning champion Richard Fourie recently said the colt was one of the three best horses he'd ridden. Snaith Racing's regular work rider Andrew Fortune – who has been in a few saddles in his 58 years – reckons Eight On Eighteen is nigh unbeatable. · The quality of the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July opposition might not be exactly moderate but is not exceptional. The ifs and buts: · Eight On Eighteen carried 54kg to victory against older horses in the Met. The extra 3kg raises a small question mark. The last five July winners have carried 53kg-53.5kg. · The Durban July is a notoriously rough and chaotic race, thanks to its glorious history and status. Snaith wryly notes, 'All the jockeys lose their heads from the very start and anything can happen!' · While some clever people reckon a draw in the middle of the field of 18 is ideal, others aren't convinced and believe Eight On Eighteen's No 11 gate is a tad wide and could see him shuffled back towards the rear of the field, out of the firing line, during the early frenzied charge. · A number of other runners are relatively unexposed in this elite company but will have been quietly revved up in hopes of a mighty effort – and a mighty surprise – on the big day. There is almost always a surprise or two among the top six July finishers. Other contenders The challenge is to find them. Selukwe is a late developer who has come into his own since transferring from trainer Andre Nel's Cape West Coast base to his satellite yard in KwaZulu-Natal. The five-year-old has shown superb speed down the short Greyville straight, notably in his last (and best) showing when he landed the Grade 3 Greyville 1900 by flashing past all rivals in the last stretch. Nel looks confident, as does devoted rider Serino Moodley. Draw No 6 has something to do with that. Atticus Finch won the Summer Cup on home turf at Turffontein but then lost his mojo with a trip to Cape Town for the summer season. After a break, he has shown signs of a return to form. Draw No 4 is a big help, while veteran trainer Alec Laird knows exactly what it takes to win the big one. Can Oriental Charm win again? Defending champion Oriental Charm is a tenacious front-runner and seldom delivers a sub-par performance. This year's burden of 60kg is a different proposition to the 53kg of 2024, but the four-year-old's obvious class and the magic preparatory touch of young trainer James Crawford make him impossible to ignore. Among the three-year-old contenders, Fabian Habib-trained Confederate probably carries the most credentials with a Grade 1 win in the SA Classic at Turffontein and a record of never being out of the first two in nine starts. Former dual champion jockey and current New Zealand champion Warren Kennedy has made the long flight back to his hometown to try and win his first July on Confederate. Such long-distance commitment – and perhaps a new sense of detachment – suggest Kennedy isn't one of the riders losing his head. Other young horses who fit the much-desired up-and-coming, lightly weighted July profile include Immediate Edge, On My Honour and My Best Shot – and none of them would be a completely shocking winner. The latter is very much a 'dark horse', coming from the supposed racing backwater of Eastern Cape racing, but has a very capable trainer in Alan Greeff and should not be left out of wider bet combinations. Selection for Saturday's Hollywoodbets Durban July 11 Eight On Eighteen 6 Selukwe 14 Confederate 1 Oriental Charm
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Eight On Eighteen floating to July winning post
The colt is rated tops but will get weight from all his rivals. Eight On Eighteen winning the Cape Town Met at Kenilworth earlier this year. Picture: Peter Heeger/Gallo Images The phrase 'weighted win' is guaranteed to turn any punter's head. Well, if colt Eight On Eighteen competes in the Hollywoodbets Durban July in six weeks' time, he will be weighted to win – and easily at that. The Justin Snaith-trained prodigy has been given a two-point merit rating rise for his facile victory in the past weekend's Daily News 2000 – from 127 to 129. That's a giddily high number for a three-year-old horse but is justified by three Grade 1 wins in just 10 outings, with a Grade 1 second thrown in, too. It makes him the highest rated of the 48 remaining entries for the July, with five-year-old See It Again in second position on 127. MRs are for determining imposts in handicap races, but the July isn't a pure handicap; it's a 'conditions' race, with a bit of this and a bit of that in terms of make-up. Though the race rules set the top weight at 60kg, they also limit the maximum weight for three-year-olds to 57kg. Theoretically, See It Again will lug 60kg and Eight On Eighteen will have to carry only 57kg, despite his two-point higher MR. Knowledgeable Turf Talk puts this advantage at a nett 4kg. It's 'theoretically' as the line-up for the country's biggest race is a long way from being finalised. Uncertain for July Indeed, Eight On Eighteen's connections have maintained for weeks that their star is by no means a definite July runner. He is hot property value-wise – for racing in the near future and for stud purposes in the long term – and, as Snaith stated on Saturday, the July is always a rough affair with everyone involved hell-bent on getting their names into the history books. 'Committing to the July, we've had a lot of horses go wrong in the race,' said Snaith after Saturday's Daily News 2000 at Greyville in Durban. 'It's the most interesting race in South Africa as, when the starting stalls open, the jockeys completely lose their heads and their brains. Its importance, history … there's so much at play in a race like that and you also have to think about his wellbeing. It's a decision that will be made a little later, but when you have a horse of this ability it's very hard not to go for a race like that. We will put it all in and make the call.' Many a racing fan would lay short odds on owners Nick Jonsson and Johan Rupert going for it. The two gentlemen are in the game for the thrills and there's no bigger thrill than winning a July. Durban July odds In terms of laying odds, July sponsors Hollywoodbets have chopped Eight On Eighteen's big-race ante-post odds by half – from 5-1 last week to 5-2. July defending champion and second favourite Oriental Charm has eased from 6-1 to 7-1. In adjusting merit ratings after Saturday's Daily News 2000, the handicappers made runner-up Spumante Dolce their line horse, keeping her rating at 117. Okavango, who finished third, was pushed up sharply from 105 to 120, having finished 0.25 lengths behind Spumante Dolce while conceding 2.5kg in weight. Native Ruler, who finished 0.3 lengths behind Okavango, also got a big bump: 103 to 119. Little Suzie, winner of the Tote Woolavington 2000 – also for Snaith – had her rating raised from 106 to 108.
