Latest news with #GoldChallenge
The South African
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
WATCH the Hollywoodbets Durban July with Xhosa commentary
In a thrilling duel to the line, The Real Prince was crowned king of the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. Ridden by Craig Zackey and trained by Dean Kannemeyer, The Real Prince narrowly got the better of race favourite Eight On Eighteen in the Grade 1 R5 million race. Third was Selukwe with Royal Victory finishing strongly for fourth. The Real Prince's full brother Gimme A Prince was crowned Champion Sprinter two season's back so there was always a question mark hanging over his ability to stay the 2 200m trip of the Hollywoodbets Durban July. That was answered in no uncertain manner as The Real Prince fought off Eight On Eighteen who was attempting to become the first three-year-old to win the Grade 1 WSB Cape Met and the July in the same season. As expected, Oriental Charm set the early pace, but JP van der Merwe was in no great hurry, stacking the field up behind him. Richard Fourie angled Eight On Eighteen in from his 11 draw, but was not able to get anywhere near the rail in the early exchanges. With the pace pedestrian, Fourie made a dash around the final turn hitting the front shortly after crossing the subway and going clear. It looked to be a winning move until The Real Prince loomed up on his outside. Zackey had given his mount a copy book ride, cosy on the rail and keeping Eight On Eighteen in his sights. As Fourie went for broke, Zackey got a clear path and gradually reeled in his rival. It was a nod of the heads at the line, but Kannemeyer had his fourth Hollywoodbets Durban July winner in the bag and his second for Lady Christine Laidlaw and Khaya Stables. It was a plan come together said Kannemeyer speaking in the third person. 'Where were we going to place him. The first time we tried him over a mile he won by six lengths. Great run in the Drill Hall. If we run him in the Gold Challenge and run fourth the handicapper is going to be looking for you. You have to come in at the right time with the right weight and we got the right draw.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
New Paper
03-07-2025
- Sport
- 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
The South African
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Hollywoodbets Durban July: Latest ODDS ahead of Saturday's BIG race
We are now less than a week away from the 129th edition of Africa's greatest horse race, the Hollywoodbets Durban July to be held on Saturday, 5 July. The Grade 1 R5 million race at Hollywoodbets Greyville over 2 200m will go off at 16:00. RELATED | Every previous Hollywoodbets Durban July winner since 1897 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 race. 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 Grade 1 WSB Cape Town Met and the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in the same year Eight On Eighteen is also likely to start one of the shortest priced favourites in the 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. 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 Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup and the Grade 1 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 finishing further back than second. He won the Grade 1 SA Classic, beating subsequent Grade 1 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 Grade 3 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 Grade 1 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 Greeff 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. Horse Draw Odds Eight on Eighteen 11 15/10 Oriental Charm 1 6/1 Immediate Edge 10 7/1 The Real Prince 5 25/2 On My Honour 3 16/1 Selukwe 6 16/1 See It Again 15 16/1 Gladatorian 16 16/1 Madison Valley 2 20/1 Royal Victory 17 25/1 Atticus Finch 4 33/1 Pomodoro's Jet 8 33/1 My Best Shot 9 33/1 Okavango 13 33/1 Confederate 14 33/1 Purple Pitcher 12 40/1 Rainbow Lorikeet 7 50/1 Native Ruler 18 50/1 Reserve runners Litigation (19) SP Son Of Raj (20) SP Odds correct as at the time of publishing Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
No hanging about in Gold Challenge at Greyville
The Equator's southern appearance will be closely watched. Oriental Charm, seen here winning last year's Durban July, is in the field for the Gold Challenge on Saturday. Picture: Gerhard Duraan/Gallo Images There'll be no dawdling behind the Drill Hall at Greyville on Saturday afternoon; no ambling, loitering, strolling or sauntering. It'll be, 'Quick march! At the double!' – recalling the bad old days when the infantry base resounded with fighting energy. The 1600m starting pole next to the Drill Hall plays host to 12 horses in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and making the 2025 contest really interesting is a glut of accomplished front runners in the field. The high-quality line-up includes Equus Horse of the Year, and likely favourite, Dave The King, who always likes to make the pace in a race. Reigning Durban July champ Oriental Charm does not like to be headed at any stage – and can get a bit annoyed if it happens. The excellent Montien is seldom out of the first two in running, and See It Again performs best when travelling in a handy position. Other contenders Those are some of the best middle-distance racehorses in the country who'll be fighting it out for the early lead. But they're up against some sprinters with natural gate speed and cruising power – such as Café Culture and William Robertson. The real 'milers' in the race, such as Great Plains, Gladatorian and Royal Aussie might be outgunned at the start but will be hoping overeager speedballs cut each other's throats and leave the way clear for 'closers'. It'll be a good watch. A Grade 1 trophy and R2-million are on the finishing line, while several runners are also getting their acts together for the Hollywoodbets Durban July a month hence. The Greyville meeting will get massive international exposure with Races 7 to 10 being part of a Hong Kong World Pools Saturday extravaganza that also takes in the famous English Derby at Epsom. Turffontein meeting Sunday's meeting at Turffontein racecourse is a bit overshadowed by that glamour, but racing aficionados will watch it keenly. The Jubilee Handicap and the Egoli Mile feature a number of Durban July hopefuls – all out to do well and crack the nod for the big one. Among them are Legend Of Arthur, Confederate, Atticus Finch, Son Of Raj, Musical Score, Olivia's Way and Immediate Edge. But the most intriguing is surprise July entry The Equator, making his South African debut after being imported from the Irish stables of the world's top trainer Aiden O'Brien. Nigel Riley, new co-owner of the colt, who is a son of the great Galileo, put out a media statement on Wednesday saying: 'We have been inundated with enquiries about the well-being of The Equator and have decided to appraise the racing public of the situation, so that they can make their own decisions… He went into (trainer) Tony Peter's yard on 28 March, where he has made excellent progress and has put up some eye-catching work. 'Last Sunday, The Equator had a 1600m gallop on the inside track at Turffontein against a couple of horses, including a Grade 1 winner. He won the gallop by three lengths, going away from them, and his work rider was as impressed as onlookers. We look forward to the race. We hope this will assist punters.'
