Saturday's sees the running of the 2025 Durban July at Greyville Racecourse and we have free betting tips for every race on the card
Note, odds quoted are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Race 1: 11:45 Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge Class 4 (F & M) 1200m (Poly)
We are on the polytrack for the first race of the day, a Class 4 handicap for the girls which has an open look to it. Preference is for No 4 on the card Whirlybird who is lightly raced for a 4yo, well drawn an hasn't been too far off in recent races which were arguably a touch stronger than this. S'manga Khumalo takes the ride and looks like an each way punt to hopefully get us on the board.
Selection: Whirlybird each way at around 8/1
Race 2: 12:25 Tote Middle Stakes (F & M) 1200m (Poly)
We stay on the polytrack and at the same trip and this looks like a real conundrum. Despite a tricky draw a chance is taken on No 9 Convocation, another ride for S'manga Khumalo. This consistent 5yo mare had excuses for a below par run over shorter on the turf last time out and has won on her only start on this surface.
Selection: Convocation each way at around 8/1
Race 3: 13:05 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200 (Grade 3) 2200m
This is the “consolation” race for those horses who didn't quite make the cut for the Durban July and we switch surfaces to the turf. Considering the nature of the race at first glance the favourite No 4. The Equator, who is having his first run in the country since re-locating from Europe, looks pretty short in the betting. However there has been plenty of talk surrounding this one and whilst I wouldn't say its banker material, the money could prove to be spot on.
Selection: Win The Equator at around 14/10
Race 4: 13:40 Durban Gold Vase (Grade 3) 3000m
What is projected to be a R20m Pick 6 starts here and stamina comes to the fore for this 3000m contest. No 12 Future Swing can be an awkward customer and he fluffed his lines when a well backed favourite at Scottsville last time out. The penultimate run at this course was most encouraging and at the weights he is well in. If on a going day, he should be involved.
Selection: Win Future Swing at 4/1
Race 5: 14:20 Splashout Golden Slipper (Grade 2) 1400m
The first of the juvenile features now and some top 2yo's representing form lines from KZN, Western Cape, Gauteng and Port Elizabeth take their place in the line up. That doesn't make finding a winner any easier. No 10 Green Diamond, a winner of 2 of her 3 races could be tough to beat but is having her first run in the province whilst Quickstepgal is a course and distance winner. We will change strategy slightly here and look for a bigger priced runner in the shape of No:12 Jordash to run in the first 4. Lack of a recent run and a wide gate would both be of concern but she looked well above average in Cape Town earlier in the year and if fit enough, the scope for improvement having had just the 2 runs brings her into the mix.
Selection: To run in the first 4 places Jordash at 24/10
Race 6: 15:00 Omoda Golden Horseshoe (Grade 2) 1400m
Staying with the 2yo and one filly Elengantrix joins a talented bunch of boys in what looks a class field. No 5 Military Command, a stablemate of our place selection in Race 5, was well backed on both starts in KZN after an encouraging start to his career in Cape Town, not really having the run of the race on both occasions. Stepping up to 1400m should be well within the compass based on pedigree and gate 5 is a plus whilst the booking of Warren Kennedy also caatches the eye.
Selection: Military Command, each way at 8/1
Check out the Durban July runners, riders and the latest betting here
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Race 7: 16:00 Hollywoodbets Durban July (Grade 1) 2200m
The big one and the bulk of the pre-race talk has surrounded the favourite Eight on Eighteen who's connections thought long and hard about declaring their MET, Cape Derby and Daily News winner in the line up. If you look beyond the favourite then last years winner Oriental Charm and Mike de Kock's lightly weighted Immediate Edge appear on the radar but in our opinion it doesn't stop there. Both of the Real Prince and Galadatorian are unproven at this distance but have the quality to feature if seeing out the 2200m. Madison Valley and On My Honour impressed in the gallops last week and came in for betting support whilst last years third Royal Victory and fifth See It Again (both unlucky in 2024) have drawn wide but could still play a hand. Selukwe has been mentioned as a player in more than one of the numerous previews out there, others not mentioned here will also have their supporters.
There are very few runners who you can write off when it comes to running into the money and narrowing it down is a real head-wrecker. We will look to the exotics which you can play at Hollywoodbets and put up 7 horses in the boxed trifecta market so we need any combination of these to finish in the first 3 places (any order).
Selection: Boxed Trifecta (Full Perm costs R210)
1. Oriental Charm
2. Madison Valley
3. On My Hounour
5. The Real Prince
11. Eight on Eighteen
15. See It Again
17. Royal Victory
Race 8: 17:00 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes (Grade 1) 1600m
A cracking Grade 1 for the girls over the mile. Rascova and Double Grand Slam are no strangers to each other and are joint top of the best weighted column. They are closely matched on their prep run where Double Grand Slam was unlucky in running although Rascova has drawn slightly better of the two on Saturday. Asiye Phambili was also in the aforementioned race and ran an absolute cracker. She has largely been campaigned over the sprint trips in recent times but is a 3 time winner from 7 starts over the mile ans although 7th in this last year was only around 2 lengths off the winner. Luck will be needed from the widest gate but she is taken to run into the first 4.
Selection: To run in the first 4 places Asiye Phambili at 23/10
Race 9: 17:40 Post Merchants (Grade 3) 1200m
Over to the sprinters for the Merchants and it's another open contest. Outlaw King has something to find based on the most recent outing at Scottsville but on his run prior to that he is well in with a few of these. Throw in a handy draw of 5 and a 1 win from 1 run course and distance record and it could be Greyville is ideal for him.
Selection: Outlaw King each way at around 8/1
Race 10: 18:20 Premier Gateway International Handicap (Listed) 1600m
Still 3 races to go and a competitive handicap which could go the way of lightly raced, well drawn ( in gate 4) Zietz. The selection has had just the one run in KZN a month or so ago over further when drawn 12/12 and ran a very respectable race. He ought to have come on for that run and with just 53.5kg on his back he should be very competitive in a contest he looks to have been prepared for.
Selection: Zietz win at around 7/1
Race 11: 19:00 Race Coast B Stakes 1600m
Another wide open race over the mile and we like the look of No 1 Spirit of Levana who is taking on the boys. A very promising apprentice takes a handy 4kg off and from pole position this filly can give us a run for our money at what looks a nice price.
Selection: Spirit of Levana each way at around 16/1
Race 12: 19:40 Gagasi FM Class 4 1400m (Polytrack)
Ok we have made it through and let's hope we still have some money left for this Class 4 handicap back on the poly track. No 11 Rollo the Viking is having his second run for his new yard and last time out he ran a cracker over course and distance in a race which was a tad stronger than this in terms of average merit ratings. Craig Zackey takes the ride and can hopefully see us finish the day smiling.
Selection: Rollo The Viking to win at around 7/1
Thank you for reading and good luck.
Note, odds quoted are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
