The Hollywoodbets Durban July will be run at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday 5th July 2025 and we bring you full details of the runners, riders, the draw and the latest betting odds
Durban July Preview
@BrentGraham, Hilton and Chris share their thoughts each runner and give their tips for the Durban July
The Hollywoodbets Durban July edition of the Punters’ Challenge is the biggest yet with a guaranteed R750 000 up for grabs in addition to the R20 000 000 jackpot which will be awarded to the player/s who can pick all of the winners on the card.
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Prices are correct as of 07:00 5th July but are subject to change
Durban July Final Field and Betting
Race 7: HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY (Grade 1) Distance 2200m Due Off 16:00
1 Oriental Charm 7/1
Draw (1) Age 4 Weight 60kg Merit Rating 127 Trainer James Crawford Jockey Juan Paul v'd Merwe
Comment: The defending champion after his 2024 win in this race as a 3yo. Narrowly beaten into second in this seasons MET and Gold Challenge. Joint top weight but drawn in pole position and looks set to run a huge race
2 Madison Valley 25/1
Draw (2) Age 4 Weight 54kg Merit Rating 115 Trainer Frank Robinson Jockey Gavin Lerena
Comment: Ran a gallant fourth in the Grade 1 Summer Cup at Turffontein in November at big odds. Won the Cup Trial in latest outing and has Gavin Lerena in the saddle. No surprise to see this one go well at big odds
3 On My Honour 14/1
Draw (3) Age 3 Weight 53kg Merit Rating 116 Trainer Glen Kotzen Jockey S'manga Khumalo
Comment: 3yo who is closely matched with Madison Valley on Cup Trial Form and another who could potentially run into the placings at big odds from a handy draw
4 Atticus Finch 25/1
Draw (4) Age 5 Weight 57kg Merit Rating 121 Trainer Alec Laird Jockey Calvin Habib
Comment: More than useful on his day, Summer Cup winner in November, a bit to do at these weights but no forlorn hope
5 The Real Prince 16/1
Draw (5) Age 4 Weight 56.5kg Merit Rating 120 Trainer Dean Kannemeyer Jockey Craig Zackey
Comment: Lightly raced 4yo from a top yard. Unproven beyond 1600m but if seeing out the 2200m trip he will be a big player
6 Selukwe 10/1
Draw (6) Age 5 Weight 54kg Merit Rating 111 Trainer Andre Nel Jockey Serino Moodley
Comment: Huge improvement this season and fancied as a dark horse by some shrewdies, should relish the trip but this will be by far his toughest test to date.
7 Rainbow Lorikeet 33/1
Draw (7) Age 4 Weight 53kg Merit Rating 111 Trainer Candice Bass Robinson Jockey Diego De Gouveia
Comment: The only filly in the race represents a top Cape Town yard, well drawn but would be a surprise to many were she were to be fighting out the finish
8 Pomodoro's Jet 33/1
Draw (8) Age 6 Weight 55.5kg Merit Rating 118 Trainer James Crawford Jockey Athandiwe Mgudlwa
Comment: Winner of his last 3 starts though not at this level. Stablemate of Oriental Charm returns from a 112 day break which will make life tough
9 My Best Shot 25/1
Draw (9) Age 3 Weight 53kg Merit Rating 116 Trainer Alan Greeff Jockey Chase Maujean
Comment: Represents Gqeberha and a winner of 8 of his last 9 starts. Comes in as joint bottom weight and given there is no collateral form with horses from other provinces his chances are hard to gauge.
10 Immediate Edge 7/1
Draw (10) Age 3 Weight 53kg Merit Rating 108 Trainer Mike / Matthew de Kock Jockey Callan Murray
Comment: Top trainer and in form jockey partner this 3yo who has been well supported in ante post betting markets. Impressed with latest victory to earn his place in the line up and can't be dismissed lightly off a merit rating which could be generous
11 Eight On Eighteen 33/20 Favourite
Draw (11) Age 3 Weight 57kg Merit Rating 129 Trainer Justin Snaith Jockey Richard Fourie
Comment: The hot favourite, saddles a big weight for a 3yo but has earned that burden after winning the MET and Cape Derby followed by two good runs in KZN including a facile win in the Daily News last time out. Improving from run to run so huge respect though his price looks very skinny.
12 Purple Pitcher 50/1
Draw (12) Age 4 Weight 57.5kg Merit Rating 122 Trainer Robyn Klaasen Jockey Kabelo Matsunyane
Comment: Ran down the field in this race last year. Elements of his form are encouraging but will need to be at his absolute best to feature
13 Okavango 25/1
Draw (13) Age 3 Weight 54.5kg Merit Rating 120 Trainer Justin Snaith Jockey Andrew Fortune
Comment: Stablemate of the favourite with something to find on their running in the Daily News. Still early days for this one but will need to have come on a bundle to feature.
14 Confederate 33/1
Draw (14) Age 3 Weight 53.5kg Merit Rating 118 Trainer Fabian Habib Jockey Warren Kennedy
Comment: This 3yo won the SA Classic in Gauteng, hasn't raced beyond 1800m, any late money in the betting market could be worth noting
15 See It Again 16/1
Draw (15) Age 5 Weight 60kg Merit Rating 127 Trainer Michael Roberts Jockey Raymond Danielson
Comment: Unlucky in running when fifth in this race last year. Top class performer on his day and if he can avoid another hard luck story from a tough draw he ought to be involved
Note, See It Again has been scratched and replaced by the first Reserve Runner Litigation who will jump from Gate 15.
R1 Litigation 50/1
Draw (15) Age 6 Weight 54kg Merit Rating 113 Trainer Sean Tarry Jockey Grant van Niekerk
Comment: Reserve runner who represents a powerful yard though looks to have a tough task
16 Gladatorian 14/1
Draw (16) Age 5 Weight 60kg Merit Rating 127 Trainer Stuart Ferrie Jockey Sean Veale
Comment: Unproven at the trip but talented, tough and consistent. If he sees out the distance he has the turn of foot to be a factor
17 Royal Victory 25/1
Draw (17) Age 5 Weight 59kg Merit Rating 125 Trainer Nathan Kotzen Jockey Muzi Yeni
Comment: Was a cracking third in this race last year off 57kg. A bit more weight to carry this time around but saves his best for Grade 1 contests as shown when a very unlucky runner up in the Premier's Champions Challenge in Johannesburg in March. Would be a popular winner for KZN and his shrewd trainer though the draw could have been much kinder
18 Native Ruler 40/1
Draw (18) Age 3 Weight 54kg Merit Rating 119 Trainer Justin Snaith Jockey Tristan Godden
Comment: This 3yo has had just 8 runs and is just a one time winner. Those runs have earned him a mark of 119 so he is a very promising type though you get the impression his career will really blossom next season
Reserve Runners
R2 Son of Raj
Age 5 Weight 56kg Merit Rating 119 Trainer Tony Peter
Place betting for 3 to 6 places available, Odds are subject to change.
The Verdict
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 has 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 and put up 7 horses in the boxed trifecta market which you can play at Hollywoodbets so we need any combination of these to finish in the first 3 places (any order).
Selection: Boxed Trifecta (Full Perm costs R210)
The July picks listed in racecard order
1. Oriental Charm
2. Madison Valley
3. On My Hounour
5. The Real Prince
10. Immediate Edge
11. Eight on Eighteen
17. Royal Victory
We had originally included See It Again but following his scratching on Tuesday we have replaced him in the Trifecta perm with No 10 Immediate Edge
Note, we have a dedicated Durban July thread on our discussion forum where knowledgeable horse racing punters from our community post their own tips. If you would like to join in you can register for an account here
