The 51st renewal of the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge will be run for an increased stake of R1 250 000 on Saturday 11 June, and presents Hollywoodbets Durban July hopefuls with a final golden ticket opportunity into Africa’s Greatest Horseracing event on 2 July.
While not in the 2022 entry list, Justin Snaith’s now 7yo Do It Again was the most recent star to achieve the Gold Challenge – Durban July double back in 2019.
Past Durban July winners to score in the Gold Challenge include Dancer’s Daughter and Pocket Power, Big City Life and Legislate.
2008 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July winner Dancer’s Daughter with Justin Snaith (Pic – Gold Circle)
With ruling SA Horse Of The Year Rainbow Bridge now retired after achieving a Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge double in 2020 and 2021, the runway has been cleared for a new star to emerge in the premier SA Champions Season weight-for-age mile.
Included in the entry received on Monday morning are Gr1 winners Jet Dark, Linebacker, MK’s Pride, Russian Rock, and this Saturday’s Gr1 Golden Horse runner Eden Roc.
Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge entry and Drill Hall Stakes winner Silver Operator (Richard Fourie) is led in by Jenny Jones, Vaughan Marshall, Jane and Ken Truter (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Russian Rock, a past Cape Guineas champion, recently went down to Silver Operator in the IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes and the duo clould clash again on 11 June.
Hollywoodbets GOLD CHALLENGE (Grade 1)
For Horses at Weight-For-Age
WFA: 2yrs-10.5kgs 3yrs-1.5kgs
No Apprentice Allowance
| 10 | Jet Dark | Accepted | (4C) | 60 | 130 | A | Justin Snaith |
| 7 | Linebacker | (4G) | 60 | 126 | A | Vaughan Marshall | |
| 6 | Al Muthana (AUS) | (4G) | 60 | 122 | A | Mike de Kock | |
| 14 | Mk’s Pride | (4C) | 60 | 122 | A | Paul Peter | |
| 3 | Silver Operator | (5G) | 60 | 119 | A | Vaughan Marshall | |
| 5 | Russian Rock | (4G) | 60 | 118 | A | Dean Kannemeyer | |
| 2 | Bingwa | Accepted | (4G) | 60 | 117 | BA | J A Janse van Vuuren |
| 12 | Chimichuri Run | (6H) | 60 | 115 | BAT | Sean Tarry | |
| 9 | Eden Roc | (5H) | 60 | 111 | AT | Sean Tarry | |
| 13 | Warrior’s Rest | (7G) | 60 | 111 | BA | Sean Tarry | |
| 11 | Supreme Warrior | (3C) | 58.5 | 117 | A | M G Azzie/A A Azzie | |
| 8 | Waterberry Lane | (3G) | 58.5 | 117 | A | Dean Kannemeyer | |
| 1 | Prince Of Fire | Accepted | (3G) | 58.5 | 110 | A M | J A Janse van Vuuren |
| 4 | Marina | (4F) | 57.5 | 118 | BA | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| (14) | |||||||
Candice Bass-Robinson’s Silvano filly Marina is the only member of the fairer sex in the 2022 first entry.
The ladies have not been disgraced in the supreme test of speed and stamina, with Equus Champion Older Filly/Mare Dancewiththedevil striking a blow in 2011 when winning the Gold Challenge, while three years prior to that Dancer’s Daughter won the 2008 Gold Challenge before going on to dead-heat with the great Pocket Power in the Durban July of that year.
- Supplementary entries for the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge close at 11h00 on Friday 3 June, with declarations due by 11h00 on Monday 6 June.
