The 128th renewal of the R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July is now just 57 days away as we reflect back on a week that saw a new favourite in Green With Envy installed at the top of the Hollywoodbets ante-post betting boards.
Green With Envy (Craig Zackey) beats Sandringham Summit (Gavin Lerena) in Wednesday’s WSB Gr2 Guineas. Did we see the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner? (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Dean Kannemeyer and his top patron Khaya Stables won the Durban July in 2015 with Power King, a 4yo son of Silvano, and they now have a new generation emerging star 3yo on their hands in the shape of Green With Envy.
The son of dual SA champion sire Gimmethegreenlight came off a break after his SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby victory in February, to show an electrifying turn of foot and beat champion Sandringham Summit in a terrific display to win the WSB Gr2 Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.
Kannemeyer was thrilled, as his charge is ring-rusty, clearly far sharper over 400m more than what he had to run over on Wednesday, and he came from behind after Sandringham Summit, who is no slouch, got first run on him. An eyecatcher in anybody’s book!
“There has been a steady flow of support for Green With Envy and this has now upped after his eye-catching win on Wednesday. As a 3yo he will be well weighted in the big race, and he comes from a yard that knows how to win this with top-class sophomores,” said Hollywoodbets’ Kyle Johnstone.
Dean Kannemeyer won the July with the Fieldspring Racing 3yo pair of Dynasty (2003) and Eyeothetiger (2006).
The top-notch Dynasty came into the July off wins in the Cape Derby, the KZN Guineas and the Daily News. The Brazillian-bred Eyeofthetiger was placed in the Cape Derby and the Daily News, before his dramatic Durban July win under Gerrit Schlechter.
A strong case can be made for Green With Envy, who won the SpalshOut Cape Derby and the WSB Guineas, and will see action next in the R2 million Gr1 Daily News 2000 on 25 May.
Three 3yo’s have won Africa’s greatest race in the past decade, and all of Kommetdieding (2020), Do It Again (2018) and Legislate (2014) were top-class gallopers in their own right.
Legislate was the only one of the trio to win the Cape Derby, the KZN Guineas and then the July – a well-worn path to stardom, which Green With Envy very much on track.
Looking at the broader Hollywoodbets Durban July picture, we also have plenty to look forward to on Saturday with the running of an important stepping-stone contest in the World Sports Betting Gr2 1900.
Nineteen Hollywoodbets Durban July entries step out at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, in what could be a benchmark day on the road to glory.
Reflecting back at the recent past, both Winchester Mansion and Belgarion won the 1900 before going on to write their names into the history books, and Saturday’s feature has all the makings of a potential gamechanger, with all 14 runners entered in the big one.
Also on Saturday, Hollywoodbets Durban July entries Danse Milord and Saartjie will run in the KRA East Coast Cup, while The Grey King, Ancient World and the low-key Get Impressed run in the Middle Stakes, which is the eighth race on the card.
At 11h00 on Monday 13 May, the first declarations are due for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Hollywoodbets Durban July timeline:.
- First supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 14 May.
- Second declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 3 June.
- Final supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 18 June.
- Weights will be published on Tuesday 18 June.
- Final declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 24 June.
- Final Field and Draw – announcement of the Final Field and Barrier Draws will be on Tuesday 25 June.
Only 20 horses will be carded – 18 + 2 Reserves. The reserves will be scratched by 08h15 on Friday 5 July.
