Hollywoodbets Durban July: 29 horses remain in the running

A total of 29 entries remain after the second declaration stage on Monday, 9 June for the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July after a game-changing three days of racing action countrywide.

Final supplementary entries will close on Tuesday, 17 June at 11:00, on which date the weights will also be published.

Impressive performances

A number of entries put in impressive performances this past weekend.

Defending champion Oriental Charm ran second behind Dave The King in the Hollywoodbets Grade 1 Gold Challenge on Saturday.

This was his return from a four month break following a half length defeat by boom three-year-old Eight On Eighteen in the Cape Town Met.

Just behind him was IOS Drill Hall Stakes winner Gladatorian who finished strongly for third, with Sean Veale suggesting he was a big runner come Hollywoodbets Durban July day.

Michael Roberts’ See It Again finished just outside of the quartet after having some bad luck in running.

Other standout performances on Saturday were also delivered by Frank Robinson’s Madison Valley, who dug deep to win the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Grade 3 Cup Trial in scintillating fashion under Muzi Yeni.

An eyecatcher in the same race was Glen Kotzen’s On My Honour, who was some way back off a moderate pace, but turned the jets on to run a close-up third.

At Turffontein on Sunday, the Mike and Mat de Kock-trained Immediate Edge put daylight between himself and the opposition to win the 4Racing Grade 3 Jubilee Stakes, and he now looks a likely runner – the only representative of the top yard in the current 29.

The Jubilee Stakes topweight Atticus Finch also demonstrated his well-being with a solid third-placed effort and Calvin Habib has already been engaged.

The current big race entry list only includes one other jockey engagement at this stage – that being Muzi Yeni, who will partner Royal Victory.

One disappointing display was that of Legend Of Arthur, who ran last in the Egoli Mile on Sunday. The vet reported him to be uncomfortable after the race.

Horses remaining in contention for Hollywoodbets Durban July

Key dates

• Final supplementary entries close at 11:00 on Tuesday, 17 June, on which date the weights will be published
• Final declarations close at 11:00 on Monday, 23 June
• The final field and draw announcement will take place on Tuesday, 24 June
• The Hollywoodbets Durban July public gallops are scheduled for Thursday, 26 June
• The legendary Hollywoodbets Durban July pre-party is on Thursday, 3 July
• The Hollywoodbets Durban July will be run on Saturday, 5 July

Have you ever attended the Hollywoodbets Durban July?

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