Latest news with #EightOnEighteen
New Paper
5 hours ago
- Sport
- 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
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Oriental Charm ready to fire at Durban July
Last year's Durban July champion is stronger and better than last year Oriental Charm will be looking at completing a Durban July double and according to Tim Woodruff, assistant trainer to James Crawford, he is more than capable of achieving that goal. The Grade 1 race will be run over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday and the Crawford yard are following a familiar routine as they look for a third successive victory in South Africa's premier race. James' father Brett engineered the last two victories, with Winchester Mansion in 2023 and Oriental Charm last year, and all the preparation took place at their Randjesfontein yard on the Highveld, which was administered by James. This year Brett is preparing to train in Hong Kong, James is operating the yard from their Cape Town base, and Woodruff is running the show at Randjesfontein. James, however, is keeping a keen eye on the goings-on in Joburg. 'He is either on the phone every day or he is up here overseeing everything,' said Woodruff on Tuesday. ALSO READ: Litigation is ready for Durban July call up, says Tarry Woodruff, son of former multiple champion trainer Geoff Woodruff, had been out of racing for a while but admits he is glad to be back again. 'I tried a few other things which I wasn't really good at. Being away from it made me realise how much I missed working with horses.' What he is sure about is that Oriental Charm is putting in some excellent work at home. 'He's very good. I haven't worked with a horse that gives you so much confidence. 'He works himself hard at track every day. He does it hard, and if anything moves up to challenge him he fights back. 'He just shines every day. 'If he can reproduce last year's run with his form now, he will be hard to beat.' ALSO READ: Numbers add up to Eight On Eighteen for Durban July Oriental Charm will jump from the No. 1 draw, which some pundits feel is a concern in a big field with 18 runners. 'I don't see it as a problem,' added Woodruff. 'He has so much gate speed so he will get out well and will have the smoothest trip hugging the rail. ' If he is in front I don't see anybody getting past him.' While Woodruff was not part of the team last year, he does feel Oriental Charm has improved since that victory and he will be strong enough to carry the additional 7kg this year. 'Most horses develop as three- and four-year-olds and reach their peaks as a five-year-old, so he has to be better. His races after the July indicate that.' Since then, the son of Vercingetorix has won the Green Point Stakes, finished second behind Eight On Eighteen in the WSB Cape Met and then had an ideal warm-up when almost dethroning Dave The King in the Grade 1 Independent On Saturday Gold Challenge. He will have one more run after this, the Grade 1 Champions up over 1800m, and then will be off to stud. ALSO READ: What Durban July gallop poll revealed The stable also has a second runner in the Durban July and that is Pomodoro's Jet, who is unbeaten since fitted with cheekpieces. 'He is well,' said Woodruff, 'but his prep didn't go that well. He went off his food, possibly a virus, and had to be scratched from his last run. We're trying our best to get him ready despite missing that race.' Current betting
The South African
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Durban July 2025: Full Guide with Race Predictions & Betting Tips
The Hollywoodbets Durban July 2025 returns on 5 July with top contenders, style competitions, and betting tips that could make your day. The Hollywoodbets Durban July 2025 is South Africa's most celebrated horse racing event, attracting over 50,000 racegoers for a day of thrilling competition and cultural celebration. Taking place at the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, this Grade 1 handicap race will see 18 of the country's top thoroughbreds battle it out for a R5 million grand prize over a 2200m stretch. While the action on the track is world-class, the Durban July is a full-scale experience. The event features dazzling fashion shows, vibrant marquee villages, and a celebration of local flair under the official theme: 'Marvels of Mzansi.' The fashion competitions, like the Best-Dressed Marquee, create a runway as dazzling as the racetrack itself, celebrating local designers and attracting celebrities from across the country. We've crunched the latest odds and form data to bring you the most promising picks. Based on expert analysis, here are our top tips for race day: 💥 NAP Pick: Eight On Eighteen (7/4) Trained by Justin Snaith and ridden by Richard Fourie, this contender is in peak form. His 57kg weight and barrier 11 draw give him room to close strong. 🔒 NB Pick: Oriental Charm (5/1) Last year's winner returns under trainer James Crawford. His experience at Greyville and proven class make him a reliable bet for at least a podium finish. 🎯 Outsider to Watch: On My Honour (40/1) If you're after a long-shot with big payout potential, keep an eye on Glen Kotzen's gelding. His stamina could be a game-changer if the pace is fast. 🔢 Suggested Bets: For a calculated approach, consider an Exacta with Eight On Eighteen to win and Oriental Charm to place second. For a shot at a bigger payout, a Trifecta box including these two and On My Honour is a strong value bet. You can explore these exciting options and check the latest odds on Hollywoodbets. Betting is part of the fun, but always bet responsibly. Set a budget before you start and stick to it. Platforms like Hollywoodbets offer deposit limits and self-exclusion tools to help you stay in control. If you or someone you know needs support, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation is there for you. As the title sponsor, Hollywoodbets offers one of the most comprehensive and exciting platforms for enjoying the race. New users can register now to explore the markets and take advantage of welcome offers specifically tailored for the Durban July. Experience the pinnacle of South African racing directly with the brand that makes it all happen. This article was written by: Tim Mirroman Tim Mirroman is a leading racing analyst and content strategist, specialising in South Africa's premier sporting events. His data-first approach to predictions has been featured in several sports betting publications. Tim is dedicated to providing bettors with clear, actionable insights to enhance their betting strategy for major events like the Durban July.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Durban July tops bumper sports betting weekend
The Boks are also in action on Saturday, while the Fifa Club World Cup is nearing its conclusion in the US. Get ready for a super sporting weekend — to kick off the super sporting month of July. For anyone who likes a spot of betting on 'The Game', it is a bonanza of action with a multitude of profit possibilities across a variety of sporting codes. The iconic Durban July at Greyville on Saturday afternoon tops the bill. Africa's most famous and popular horse race is an annual showpiece that 'stops a nation' and even has millions of non-racing fans and one-a-year bettors trying their luck. It will be the 129th running of the historic race, a Grade 1 event over 2200m with R5-million in prize money for successful owners. For punters, the money is even better. The Pick 6 exotic bet alone is likely to amass a pool of R15-million – entry for which can be accessed via the Betway website or the TAB site. The July is also a designated World Pool event, with punters around the globe betting into single, co-mingled Tote pools and building enormous pots for wagers such as Win, Exacta, Swinger and Quinella. Betway account holders get in quick! Three-year-old star Eight On Eighteen is a hot favourite to win champion trainer Justin Snaith a sixth July victory and his regular jockey Richard Fourie a fourth. The wonder colt has been backed down to 14-10 on some bookmakers' boards – but good news for Betway account holders is that he was available at double that on the Fixed Odds section of the online betting site on Monday afternoon: 28-10. Get in quick! A Top 4 placing for Eight On Eighteen was fantastic value at R1.25 at the same time. One of the delights of betting with a bookmaker is the 'Multi' option – sometimes known as the All-To-Come – which allows punters to bespoke tailor their multi-leg bets. A single bet can combine combinations of Wins and Places, with the multiplier effect boosting odds to dizzy heights. As mentioned, the sporting fan's cup runneth over at the weekend. In addition to the Durban July, there's the following: • Springboks vs Italy rugby Test in Pretoria • Tour de France starts in Lille • British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone • The BMW International Open golf in Germany • The John Deere Classic golf in the US • Continuation of the Fifa Club World Cup in the US • Continuation of the Women's Euro Football Championship.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Eight On Eighteen: Aiming for historic win at the Hollywoodbets Durban July
Richard Fourie puts favourite Eight On Eighteen through its paces at the official Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops on Thursday Image: Candiese Lenferna / Race Coast There was a collective sigh of relief within the gathered crowd in the Hollywoodbets Greyville parade ring when the name of Eight On Eighteen was read out by Graeme Hawkins as being among the 18 runners for the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July. Trainer Justin Snaith was always cagey about whether his star colt would take his place in the line-up, given that he would carry top weight for a three-year-old of 57kg – the highest since Abashiri lumped 59kg into 13th place behind The Conglomerate in 2016. But Snaith and owners Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert have taken the plunge and Eight On Eighteen will make history should he win and become the first three-year-old in history to win the Gr1 WSB Cape Town Met and the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in the same year. Excitement builds in the Hollywoodbets Greyville parade ring as Eight On Eighteen is confirmed for the R5-million Durban July. Image: Hollywoodbets Durban July Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Eight On Eighteen is also likely to start one of the shortest priced favourites in the 129-year history of the race and his chances were further enhanced when he was drawn 11 in the 18-horse field. James Crawford has two runners in the race, last year's winner Oriental Charm who drew pole position, and Pomodoro's Jet who drew eight. It would be an emotional win for James Crawford, who recently took over his father's string with Brett now plying his trade in Hong Kong. See It Again races in the same Nick Jonsson silks as Eight On Eighteen and has his third attempt after finishing second to Winchester Mansion two years back and an unlucky fifth last year behind Oriental Charm. He pulled a wide draw of 15. 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 also drew a wide gate of 16. Horses enjoying their morning galloping session on a sunny winter morning, at the Shongweni horse stables. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers Dean Kannemeyer knows what it takes to train a July winner, successful with Dynasty, Eyeofthetiger and Power King, and The Real Prince drew gate five. Royal Victory will have his supporters but Nathan Kotzen's charge drew deep at 17. However, he is a winner of the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup and the Gr1 Champion Challenge at Turffontein and finished third in the July last year behind Oriental Charm. Fabian Habib has his first July runner in Confederate. Relatively lightly raced, the gelding has won four of his nine starts but has never finished further back than second. He won the Gr1 SA Classic, beating subsequent Gr1 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. He drew gate 14. Mike de Kock has a stellar record in this race and has joined forces with his son Mathew. They have their first July runner together in the three-year-old and recent Gr3 Jubilee Stakes 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 drew alongside Eight On Eighteen in gate 10. Snaith has two other runners in the race, namely Okavango and the one-time winner Native Ruler. Okavango will be ridden by Andrew Fortune and drew 13 while Tristan Godden will have to navigate Native Ruler from gate 18. Alec Laird and jockey Calvin Habib pin their hopes on Gr1 Betway Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch who drew favourably in four. Andre Nel was first up to do the draw for Selukwe and came out with gate six. Serino Moodley will be doing the honours on Selukwe. Alan Greef will fly the colours for the Eastern Cape with his star performer My Best Shot who has a midfield draw of nine. Local owner Sid Moodley has his first July runner in Madison Valley and he drew gate two for his trainer Frank Robinson. Rainbow Lorikeet is the only filly in the race and Candice Bass Robinson's runner drew well in seven and will have Deigo de Gouveia aboard. IOL
