Hollywoodbets Durban July – Introducing the Class of 2024

The final field draw for the Hollywoodbets Durban July took place on Tuesday 25 June at the Bond Shed in eThekwini’s Point area.

An interesting aspect of the latest renewal is the absence of any representatives of the fairer sex amongst the equine ranks. However, Robyn Klaasen flies the flag for the ladies among the trainers, while Rachel Venniker – so unlucky to miss out on the race last year after a freak injury – returns aboard Justin Snaith’s WITHOUT QUESTION.

Dean Kannemeyer’s colt GREEN WITH ENVY tops the betting boards early on. The son of Gimmethegreenlight claimed the Daily News 2000 and will look to kick on and claim first prize at the big dance on Hollywoodbets Durban July day. Craig Zackey retains the ride and will look to pilot this three-year-old to a fifth win on the trot. 

Last year’s runner-up SEE IT AGAIN will get another crack at glory with Piere Strydom aboard. Trained by Michael Roberts, this four-year-old carries top weight and jumps from gate 10. He ran a creditable third in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge but arguably does his best work over a bit further than the mile.

Record-breaking jockey Richard Fourie will be aboard Justin Snaith’s FUTURE SWING. This gelding has won all three of his starts over1900m or more, most recently claiming the Grade 2 WSB 1900 at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Available at around 5/1 at first show, write him off at your own peril.

Last year’s winning trainer Brett Crawford’s ORIENTAL CHARM has campaigned twice in Durban since arriving from the Cape, running second to FUTURE SWING in the WSB 1900 before winning the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800 metres in early June. JP van der Merwe is on board and will fancy his chances.

FLAG MAN has only ever run in one graded contest but managed a second in the Gr1 Daily News 2000, albeit in very soft conditions. The three-year-old is trained by Gareth van Zyl with Serino Moodley aboard.

Defending champion WINCHESTER MANSION ran a disappointing eighth in the Betway Summer Cup but followed that up with a fine second in the Gr1 World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge. He’s obviously being primed for a proper go at the July with his last run way back in early April. 

Robyn Klaasen’s sole runner PURPLE PITCHER will make his coastal bow in the Hollywoodbets Durban July having spent his career campaigning on the Highveld. A disappointing seventh in the Jubilee Stakes two weeks ago was preceded by back-to-back wins in the TAB SA Classic and the TAB SA Derby – the second and third legs of the SA Triple Crown.

Tony Peter ventures down the N3 to the coast with two arrows in his quiver for the Hollywoodbets Durban Julyin the form of SON OF RAJ and MERIDIUS. The former hasn’t won since the 2023 SA Derby while the latter put in a fine performance to claim the Jubilee Stakes at a starting price of 10/1.

Johan Janse van Vuuren is unleashing another Gauteng raider in the form of BARBARESCO. Interesting to note that former Hollywoodbets Durban July -winning jockey Gavin Lerena retains the ride and will have to get down to 53,5 kgs before Saturday 6 July. Perhaps hy weet nie wat ons weet nie?

Snaith’s other Hollywoodbets Durban July 2024 runners include WSB Cape Town Met winner DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE who will have UK-based Hollywoodbets-sponsored jockey Dan Muscutt aboard and WITHOUT QUESTION, who gets the services of Rachel Venniker.

The improving COUSIN CASEY is a dark horse for this year’s race, and you won’t go broke backing this colt, who burst onto the scene as a two-year-old, at 25/1. Former Hollywoodbets Durban July winning jockey S’manga Khumalo will be in the irons. ARAGOSTA is another seasoned campaigner who gets a crack after narrowly missing out on the final field last year.

New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers winner MASTER REDOUTE and SHOEMAKER may find the class of this field too hot to handle, although both are favourably weighted and could feature in the quartets. 

You can bet on all of your fancies with Hollywoodbets. They also giving away an incredible R2 million in prizes including a VW Golf 8 GTI, and Omoda C5; R360 000 in betting vouchers and R300 000 in cash up until the end of July. To enter, take a horseracing bet to the value of R50 or more and opt in once on their promotions page for all of your qualifying bets to be entered.

NOW READ: A beginner’s guide to betting on the Hollywoodbets Durban July

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