Durban July 2026 Build Up And All Race Day Bets

Just my Durban July picks to add, going to skip final 3 races on card. As per video preview, going with -

Zeitz ew @ around 10/1
King Pelles ew @ around 33/1
saver win only Note to Self @ around 6/1


 

Race 1 United Front at 6/1
places ubutho at 4/1

Race 2
Win Rollo the Viking at 13/1
Places Diani at 2/1 top 5 

Race 3
 Win  Field Marshall at 10/1 
Otto Luyken e/w at 8/1

Race 4 
 win Holding Thumbs at 6/1 

Race 5 Places on Ocean Mistress 18/10 and Palace of Arvenia 15/10 

Race 6 
The Cullinan e/w 13/2 and swingers with Red Spice 

Race 7
Zeith to win at 13/1
Viva’s Liberte e/w @9/1
Swingers boxed above 2 with Mocha Blend and Isivivane 

Race 8 No bet but good race to watch 

Race 9 
Tenango E/w 18/1 
Adding Jet Force to all plays here as jockey has only one mount . 

Race 10 
win Better Man at 10/1

Race 11 
Buttercup baby e/w at 15/1 

Race 12 Poursomesugaronme e/w at 12.5/1   

All you fellas do know about the betxchange offer of 50% deposit bonus up to Ten thousand Rand for horses only with no turnover requirement - you back a winner with the bonus and they pay you - sela

Here we go lads , one of my favourite days of the year . 

Race 1
United Front had a few excuses last time and I am counting on the horse being in much better shape, like a few other clan members this is the one to start my day. 

Race 2
The Kannemeyer stable has not been firing this winter season in Natal but I'm going to lean towards Green Glow in this very open looking event . Still a 3 year old , about to turn 4 and hoping there is still some improvement to come. 

Race 3
World of Alice is my roughie and main bet will be with Southpaw and La Pulga

Race 4
Once again I am aligned with South , I backed Holding Thumbs last time and he didn't put in much of a race , this distance will be what he's after and I make him my best of the day .

Race 5
Palace of Arvenia is the one I'll try and toppled the favourite Alice B Toklas , who I do make very hard to beat . 

Race 6
Bisou Bisou has shortened and is trained by a trainer that does well in Durban and with 2 year olds , he's just had the one run so far and could be caught out by a more experienced rivals, my other fancy is St Harry who should love this extra ground though his stable has been a little quiet for a few months .

Race 7
Sticking with Zeitz and following up with King Pelles and Native Ruler .

Race 8
Will be looking for a result here , DGS has the form but really like Mon Petit here and will load up still in exotics trying to beat what may be many people's banker .

Race 9
A top class sprint and if the favourite gets beat there are many that can pick up the pieces , an old flame Jet Force should be motoring home late on . 

Race 10 
Very very open, taking two , Money Heist and Better Man 

Race 11
Warrior Royale hasn't fulfilled what I thought would be a decent career , she's drawn a little wide and will be going for places top 4 as the bet 

Race 12
December Dawn was my get out stakes but she is drifting like a barge . 

Enjoy the day lads and hit em hard . 

Hi guys, an awesome day, hope it is a good one for everyone. Some of my thoughts

Race 1 – Song to the Moon @ 5/1 (WSB)Probably better over further, but dropped nicely in the ratings and could surprise, think price my drift close to off time as a few of the others mentioned on the forum get support.

Race 2 – Sundance Kid @ 14/1 (WSB)Very poor draw but has had them previously and managed to get up close. Gets service Top Jock who knows the track and she has ridden him before to a creditable 2nd from a poor draw. Previous 2 runs behind Durban July runner Isivane were decent, so should have a shout in this class.
Also like a bit of Grand Occasion @ 10/1, both have also shown a liking to Poly Track. 

Race 3 – Field Marshal @ 10/1 (WSB)
Probably just an old favorite and probably a stupid decision, but this one always seems to be there or there abouts. Gets top form Jock, and who knows maybe he pops up for me. Cost me enough.
Of the favored horses I like Magic Verse, if price drifts a bit might take a pot at him.

Race 4 – Masters Redoubte @ 7/1
This one has been good to me and seemed to show some return to form last time out. Like Holding Thumbs loves this distance.

Race 5 – Viking Lass @ 20/1I
Peally like the stable companion, and was her last time out, but this one has beaten her once before, and looks like on breeding could enjoy the trip. Last run looks like something went amiss. For exotics will include this one.

Race 6 – Prayers & Promises @ 25/2 (HWB) & Bisou Bisou @ 12/1 (WSB)Prayers & Promies – Always liked this one, poor draw but with Zackey up will be running on, hopefully not left with to much to do.
Bisou Bisou – Decent debut and could be anything Stable has been known to bring them on early and to be good with youngsters.

Race 7 – Wish List @ 15/2 (WSB) & Isivane @ 20/1Wish List -  Won last 2 @ course when probably shouldn’t have, jock had choice between the 2, so hoping on the right one.
Isivane – Was on him last time and probably mad, but think he can do it again. We will see.

Race 8 – Keukenhof @ 9/1Think fav hard to beat and will be taking 2 Pick 6’s one bankering her and one with a couple mentioned here on the forum.This one has impressed, and run up close to Wish List a few times. Has it all to find to fav on previous meeting  but will give her a chance again. 

Race 9 – Princess of Gaul @ 8/1 & Tenago @ 20/1POG – always rated this one, and last run behind 2 top fillies when out at the weights, was impressive.
Tenago – Thoight last run was a step back in the righ direction when carrying a large weight, hoping can place at least.
Race 10 = Better Man @ 10/1 & Landoftherisingsun @ 18/1Better man – always thought this was above average and had some very decent runs from bad draws, cracks a decent one and gets top jock up
LOTRS – Probably looking for further, but comes into after scratching, gets draw 1 and a decent galloping weight, worth a crack at this price.

Enjoy the day

Great stuff guys, best July Day input I can remember on GFTG and we heading towards 2 decades. Nothing to add on my picks other than Mocha Blend has been growing on me since we discussed with South on the videa.

A summary of some useful links from our coverage below.

Final field, latest odds, jockeys, trainers, weights, draw, comments, our tip to win and a trifecta

Our preview with betting tips for all 12 races on the card

A video preview hosted by Brent with tips and analysis from Southpaw and Chris

Winning Form Punters Challenge selections, their 1,2,3 for all races and there is a potential R20m jackpot plus other huge cash prizes

Great thoughts here guys. Most of my fancies already covered. Big thanks to Brent, Southpaw and Chris for the video preview. Was great to see the faces behind the posts and highly informative. 

Race 1 - Sommerstern (18/10) - Holds a few here. First run on poly for all the Cape horses. Stable is in red hot form on the poly the season. Town Crier looks the best of the local contenders. 13/10 for a top 4

Race 2 - Open. Diani (20/1) some value. Snaith yard confident on Please Be Trues chances. Every runner already mentioned in this thread has a good chance.

Race 3 - Tenpenny (6/1) as mentioned in an earlier post. Healthy respect for La Pulga, Imelenzeyokududama, Field Marshall, Otto Luyken & Tintin. La Pulga cracking value @ 1/1 for a top 4.

Race 4 - Also like Holding Thumbs @ 6/1. Will include Ahead of the Facts & Shoot The Rapids in the P6. Vihaan's Bomb 15/10 for a top 5 place. 

Race 5 - Staying with Ocean Mistress (11/1). Taking on the favorite. Include Royal Tiara, Tudor Rose, Ferrari Flair and Palace of Arvernia (despite the draw) in the P6. SW 3X10

Race 6  - Red Spice (13/2) as mentioned. Include St. Harry and both Tarry runners in the P6.

Race 7 - All these runners have beaten each other before or has a weight pull somewhere. Sticking with Note To Self (5/1) who fininshed well in the Daily News despite having a temperature as reported. If he is 100%, he will be right there. Anyone can win if not. I Salute You 34/10 for a top 6. He has a weight pull with the likes of Zeitz, Regulation and Native Ruler on earlier runs, though over shorter. 

Race 8 - Mon Petit Cherie (33/10). Money keeps coming for her. Stable confident of a massive day. Massive respect for Double Grand Slam and Quickstepgal. Keukenhof 15/20 for a top 4 finish. 

Race 9 - Tenango (20/1) - Well drawn, will be fitter and gets a weight pull from One Eye on Vegas and Cafe Culture on their run in the Golden Horse Sprint. P6 Inclusions: 3,5,9,11

Race 10 - Imposing (9/1) lost by under a length to Zeitz last time and beat Isivivane over C&D earlier. Has form against some strong runners. 

Race 11 - Serengetti Sun (8/1) great e/w value. Good form over 1200m and well drawn.

Race 12 - Open. Both stables are bullish on the chances of Scarlet Starlet (5/1) and Clair de Lune (3/1). Wedding Vow and Sign of Fate also massive runners. Hopefully I will only need to watch this race. 

Unit E/W on each of the above mentioned V Zyl runners for the last three races. We only need one of the them to win.

Enjoy the racing!

kompos wrote:

All you fellas do know about the betxchange offer of 50% deposit bonus up to Ten thousand Rand for horses only with no turnover requirement - you back a winner with the bonus and they pay you - sela

Thanks kompos I took it although never read rules and see only 1 bet per race so I am def getting involved beyond the July - it is a great offer 

Guys top stuff on the July - Chris you are a machine 

Used my assistant the ever graceful ChatGPT to run throug the posts and pick the most popular GFTG selections 
Race 1: United Front (5 posters) – 6/1
Race 2: Diani (3 posters) – 20/1
Race 3: Field Marshal (2) – 10/1, Otto Luyken (2) – 8/1, La Pulga (2) – 8/1
Race 4: Holding Thumbs (4 posters) – 6/1
Race 5: Palace of Arvenia (3 posters) – , Ocean Mistress (2) – 11/1
Race 6: Red Spice (4 posters) – 13/2, Prayers & Promises (2) – 25/2, Bisou Bisou (2) – 12/1
Race 7: Zeitz (3 posters) – 13/1, Note To Self (2) – 5/1, Native Ruler (2) – 14.29/1, King Pelles (2) – 33/1
Race 8: Mon Petit Cherie (3 posters) – 33/10
Race 9: Tenango (4 posters) – 20/1, Jet Force (2) 
Race 10: Better Man (4 posters) – 10/1
Race 11: Serengeti Sun (2 posters) – 8/1
Race 12: Poursomesugaronme (2 posters) – 12.5/1

The GFTG Pick 6 

I have taken 15% for R200 Pick 6 (Races 4–9)

• Race 4: 4, 8
• Race 5: 3, 7, 10, 13
• Race 6: 6, 7, 12
• Race 7: 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 19
• Race 8: 3, 6, 10
• Race 9: 4, 5, 13

Total combinations: 1,296

Also adding this one, R100 got me 34% Pick 6 (Races 4–9)

• Race 4: 4
• Race 5: 3, 7, 10, 13
• Race 6: 6, 7, 12
• Race 7: 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 19
• Race 8: 10
• Race 9: 4, 5, 9, 13

Total combinations: 288

I had a bit of a nightmare but some inspired picks on July Day from others on the forum, certainly Coil and Jacques and well done to anyone else who made some coin. Thanks again guys, really appreciate the input, Gold Cup Day month end, we go again.

Enjoyed the racing yesterday. Just not impressed by the way the post-race interview for the main race was handled..

Well done to @Johan bio and @Coil who found Jet Force in the 9th. Everyone on Better Man, so unlucky, he absolutely came flying. @Southpaw, nice pick with King Pelles, hope you caught the swingers as well (NTS X KP paid R34.60). Great exacta Palace of Arvernia x Alice B Toklas Southpaw and Coil. The QT in R8 was easy to find and paid a hefty R94.80 a good return even if one boxed the 4 runners. Tenango found the places at a good price as well.

van Zyl runners in the last three disappointed, not sure what went wrong with Imposing, as he was pulled out of the race. @kt6747 nice picks with Magic Verse and Landoftherisingsun.

Again massive thanks @Chris @Brent Graham and @Southpaw for all the effort. Much appreciated. Looking forward to Gold Cup day.

On a different note: Keep Tintin in your black book for the upcoming JHB season. Think he is going to be a massive runner in the Summer Cup. Note To Self, think he will enjoy a nice holiday and be primed for the Met. 

Top stuff on the July lads, a blowout for me betting wise but enjoyed the build up 

Missed the post race interview @JacquesT - what happened? 

@kompos that Betxchange promo was top class, sadly in my case it never cost them a cent 

Brent Graham wrote:

Top stuff on the July lads, a blowout for me betting wise but enjoyed the build up 

Missed the post race interview @JacquesT - what happened? 

@kompos that Betxchange promo was top class, sadly in my case it never cost them a cent 

Just thought the post race interviews didn't match the hype of the race itself.