There are 37 entrants still in the running for the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July after the second declaration stage for Africa’s premier horseracing event was reached on Monday.
With Michael Roberts’ See It Again storming to victory in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and entrenching his position at the top of the boards to become the next 3yo after Kommetdieding in 2021 to win the big race, the 2023 picture cleared slightly after Saturday, with Sean Tarry’s SA Triple Tiara star Rain In Holland grabbing the other ‘golden ticket’ with a smashing show to win the all ages Gr1 Woolavington 2000.
Rain In Holland is back to her best and seen winning the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 under Smanga Khumalo (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The records show that 23 of the original sixty-strong entry having now fallen by the wayside and include all of Anfields Rocket, Astrix, Linebacker, Surjay, Golden Ducat, At My Command, Hoedspruit, Royal Victory, Silver Host, Johnny Hero, None Other, One Way Traffic, Canadian Summer, Divine Odyssey, Future Pearl, Reny, Saartjie, Zeus, Noble City, Winter Greeting, Wiccan Warrior, Boundless Bash and Red Saxon.
The countdown to 1 July continues with the prospect of a back- door lurker still there, but highly unlikely.
But racing is full of suprises and the door remains ajar as final supplementary entries will close at 11h00 on Tuesday 13 June, just days after the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge.
A maximum final field of twenty, including two reserve runners, will be announced on 20 June.
- Weights will be published on Tuesday 13 June
- Final Declaration close at 11h00 on Monday 19 June
- Final Field and Draw announcement will take place on Tuesday 20 June
- Public gallops (compulsory) will be held on Thursday 22 June
See the latest antepost betting here:
