Winning Form selections for Durban July Day on Saturday where there is a guaranteed R750 000 up for grabs in addition to the R20 000 000 jackpot in the @Hollywoodbets Punters Challnge
The Punters Challenge is a free to play competition and Hollywoodbets have a special Durban July edition with boosted prize funds. All you need is a Hollywoodbets account which you can open by clicking on banner below and then head over to the Punters Challenge website to submit your race day selections.
What's On Offer?
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A share of R250 000 to be shared by the top 100 on the leaderboard;
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A share of R500 000 to be shared by the player/s who tip the most winners on the day;
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Up to R20 000 000 for selecting ALL the winners on the day – the base prize is R10 000 000 which will be doubled if you take a bet of R100 or more using the bet slip feature on the HDJ card.
To spice things up even more, if you take a bet of R100 or more using the bet slip feature for the race meeting and finish in the top 100 places, your prize money will be multiplied by five (x5).
More details and T&C's are available here
Race 1
SHE‘S A MACHINE was settled near the rear of the field over this C&D last time and ran on well to finish fourth. The daughter of New Predator has dropped to a competitive rating and if not too far out of her ground turning for home, she can notch up her third-career victory. It is a big plus that Muzi Yeni steps back into the saddle.
ETHEREAL VIEW raced from a handy position over this C&D last time, but found one too good in the form of Papillon Blu. The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight is versatile and with luck in running, she should go close to winning.
HAPPY ANALIA has good recent form lines to her credit. She should have finished closer to the winner over 1000m on this course last time. It must be noted that Princess Hannah has come out and won again since. She jumps from pole position and merits obvious inclusion.
Race 2
BEVIES DELIGHT was not beaten far in the Grade 2 HKJC World Pool Tibouchina Stakes last time. She raced from a handy position and stayed on at the business end. The daughter of Vercingetorix won her previous two efforts on the turf. She won her only attempt over this C&D. The booking of Warren Kennedy is a big plus and from her mid-field draw of six, she should be the one to beat.
MAGICAL VIEW lost a length leaving the start over 1400m last time and stayed on to finish third. She has won once and finished second three times from five starts over this distance. The blinkers will sharpen her up and she is one of the leading contenders.
THAT‘S MY BABY caused an upset when winning her last start over this distance on the turf track. She races well at this time of the year and will strip much fitter. If taking to the polytrack, she can follow up with another victory.
Race 3
LITIGATION ran a good race when fourth over 1800m in the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial last time. He set the pace that day and stayed on nicely at the business end. The 6yo gelding should have no issues with the rise to 2200m and he should strip fitter. Gavin Lerena retains the ride and the combination may find themselves in the winner’s enclosure.
OTTO LUYKEN was given a peach of a ride when winning his last start in the Listed Pocket Power Stakes over 1950m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. The son of Flower Alley has no stamina issues and with a bit of luck from his wide draw, he should run a big race.
MAGIC VERSE was running on when second in the Non-Black Type Winter Mile last time. He finished 1.8 lengths behind the second choice in his penultimate run. He is 1.5kgs better off at the weights today and there should not be much separating the pair at the finish.
Race 4
SHOOT THE RAPIDS stayed on at the finish when third in the Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup last time. The son of Erupt finished second in this race last year and he has no stamina issues. He has had a good preparation for this contest and may be the horse to side with.
KING PELLES won a game race in the Grade 3 Tote Derby last time. He raced from a handy position and kept finding to keep all challengers at bay. He steps up to 3000m for the first time and if suited to the extra distance on offer, he should be involved in the fight to the finish.
HOLDING THUMBS finished 1.2 lengths behind the second selection last time. He is 0.5kgs better off at the weights today and should finish closer as a result. He finished 0.3 lengths behind the top choice in his penultimate run. He is 1kg worse off at the weights and may find it difficult to turn the form around.
Race 5
GREEN DIAMOND has been super-impressive in her last two victories, the latest of which was in the Grade 3 TAB Protea Stakes. She was carded to race in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion on 31 May where she looked to be the possible Pick 6 banker on the card. However, she was withdrawn due to an abnormal blood count. Trainer Sean Tarry and his Team have had the time to get her spot on for this contest. Gavin Lerena is booked to ride and if not too green around the turn, she can bring up the hat-trick.
ANOTHERDANCEFORME hails from the visiting Alan Greeff stable. She is unbeaten from four starts to date. Her last victory in the Listed WSB Dahlia Plate was impressive and she should love the extra 200m on offer. Richard Fourie does duty and if all went well with her travels, she should pose a massive threat.
QUICKSTEPGAL drew clear of the opposition in the Listed Ridgemont Devon Air Stakes over this C&D last time. With experience on this track, she must be included in all bets.
Race 6
MALMESBURY MISSILE was given a perfect ride when winning the Listed Hollywoodbets Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes last time. He was settled near the rear of the field that day and ran on powerfully under today’s pilot Richard Fourie. The son of Gimmethegreenlight is ideally suited to this distance and with his good turn of foot, he may be the horse to beat.
ELEGANTRIX ran an honest race when second behind Direct Hit in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship last time. Gavin Lerena retains the ride from a good draw of two. The daughter of Vercingetorix should have no issues with the rise to 1400m, and she should give the males a run for their money.
CHARMING CHEETAH was finishing strongly when second in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion. The manner in which he finished off his race that day suggests that he should love the rise to 1400m. The obvious concern is his wide draw and with luck in running, he should be involved at the finish.
Race 7
The Hollywoodbets Durban July has arrived and horses with natural gate speed may be hard to peg back. CONFEDERATE was outrun late when second in his preparation run in the Non-Black Type 4Racing Egoli Mile. He won a good race in the Grade 1TAB SA Classic over 1800m at Turffontein in his penultimate run. He was given a soft lead that day and found extra to get the better of Fire Attack who came out and won the Grade 1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge. Warren Kennedy makes the trip from New Zealand to ride this son of Fire Away and with just 53.5kgs, he represents the value.
Last year’s winner ORIENTAL CHARM has drawn pole position which should allow him to be in front without having to use up too much energy. He ran a cracker in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge in his comeback run. The son of Vercingetorix would have come on from the outing, he is an honest type and merits healthy respect.
EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN was super-impressive when winning the Grade 1 Daily News 2000. It will be no easy task carrying 57kgs as a 3yo, but he is a superstar who will be doing his best work at the finish. The gelding has done the trick on
Race 8
DOUBLE GRAND SLAM should have never lost the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint as she had no luck in running. She was held up for a run from the 300m mark to the finish. The daughter of Vercingetorix would have come on nicely from the outing and she will strip much fitter. She has won twice, finished second once and third once from as many starts on this course. If all goes according to plan, she should find herself in the winner’s enclosure.
RASCOVA produced an encouraging first run for the Sean Tarry stable in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint. She won a game race in the Grade 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes over this distance in her penultimate run. The daughter of Lancaster Bomber will strip much fitter, and she is one of the leading contenders.
FATAL FLAW made all when winning the Grade 1 TAB Empress Club Stakes last time. She has finished second twice from as many starts on this course. Piere Strydom is likely to use her early gate speed to overcome her wide draw, and she may be hard to peg back.
Race 9
This is a competitive Post Merchants field and caution is advised. The tentative first selection is BUFFALO STORM CODY from the Tony Peter stable. He is unbeaten from three starts since the gelding. His last victory over 1160m at Turffontein was gutsy. He has won once, finished second once and third once from four starts over this distance. He does have an awkward draw of nine, but Gavin Lerena knows him well and he should give him all the necessary assistance from the saddle.
WILLIAM ROBERTSON is better than his last start in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. He won a game race in the Grade 1 TAB Computaform Sprint in his penultimate outing. The 6yo gelding is the class horse in this race and merits healthy respect.
I AM GIANT produced a fair first run for Trainer Stuart Ferrie. He would have come on from the outing and will strip much fitter. He has won three times, finished second once and third once from seven starts over this distance. Sean Veale retains the ride, and he would not be a shock winner.
Race 10
UNDERWORLD raced from a handy position in the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial last time and tried hard all the way to the line. He won his only attempt over this C&D, three runs ago. Gavin Lerena takes the ride from pole position, and he should notch up his sixth-career victory.
NARINA TROGON was not disgraced when second in the Grade 3 WSB 1900 last time. The son of Silvano won this race last year and with a bit of luck from the widest draw, he can defend his title.
GET IMPRESSED ran a good race when second over this C&D last time. He returns from an 11-week break which may have done him the world of good. He races well this time of the year and with luck in running, he should be competitive.
Race 11
DAWN TILL DUSK produced a good effort when second over 1400m on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth winter course last time. He produced a strong finish but was touched off by Air Raid. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. The son of Trippi would have come on from the run and will strip much fitter. With a bit of luck from his wide draw, he can go one better.
ZANTHAR ran a cracker when third in the Non-Black Type Secretariat Stakes last time. It must be noted that Choisaanada and the second horse Immediate Edge have come out and won since. Grant van Niekerk takes the ride and if suited to this course, he should run a big race.
RICH FOLKS HOAX was doing his best work late when third over this C&D last time. The blinkers remain fitted and if Craig Zackey is able to switch him off early, he should be involved at the finish.
Race 12
DECEPTION PASS may be the horse to close off the meeting. He was not disgraced when fourth against stronger over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside course. The manner in which he stayed on at the finish was encouraging. The son of Ideal World won his maiden over this C&D. He jumps from a good draw of three and with Muzi Yeni back in the irons, he can return to winning ways.
MASTEROFTHEDESERT stayed on when third over 1200m on the turf last time. He was unlucky that day as he raced wide around the turn. He has won once and finished second twice from four starts over this distance. Should the top choice fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.
AFRICAN PRINCE finished 2.1 lengths behind the second selection last time. He is 2kgs better off at the weights today and there should not be much separating the pair at the finish.
