The final field for the 2023 running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July has been announced. Find out who made the cut, who drew where and who' will piloting your fancy here!
The 20-strong – 18 runners and two reserve runners – Hollywoodbets Durban July final field has been announced. The event, which took place at Hollywoodbets Umhlanga Team Support, saw connections aplenty in attendance as the final details ahead of the race were revealed.
It comes as no surprise the ante-post favourite, and winner of the recent Daily News 2000, SEE IT AGAIN, remains the shortest price in the field following the announcement. The Michael Roberts-trained colt will get the services of four-time HDJ winner, Piere Strydom.
SAFE PASSAGE, who ran third in last year’s race will be piloted in 2023 by Belgian superstar Christophe Soumillon. The gelding’s conditioner Mike de Kock won this race last year with Sparkling Water.
Two-time Hollywoodbets Durban July winner DO IT AGAIN has another crack at the big race, having never failed to place. What a story it would be if this legend of South African racing can secure a third title in what will probably be his last race. He will be ridden by Gavin Lerena.
The Hollywood Syndicate is also represented in the final field by TIME FLIES. Trained by Brett Crawford, this filly will be ridden by Luyulo Mxothwa who produced a peach of a ride aboard Zapatillas in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge.
Her stable companion WINCHESTER MANSION is fresh off winning the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial on Gold Challenge day. The gelding retains the services of Kabelo Matsunyane and will carry just 53 kilograms.
Another to keep an eye on is the unpredictable POMP AND POWER. A disappointing 10th-place finisher in the July last year after going off as favourite, he’ll look to produce the sort of form which saw him run on from nowhere to finish third in the WSB Met. He gets the services of Bernard Fayd’Herbe. His trainer, Justin Snaith is no stranger to success on July Day and will send out five runners for the 2023 renewal.
2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July
1 July 2023 – Grade 1 – R5 Million
Hollywoodbets Greyville
| DRAW | HORSE | ODDS | WGT | JOCKEY | TRAINER |
| 7 | SEE IT AGAIN | 3/1 | 56.5 | P Strydom | M Roberts |
| 14 | SAFE PASSAGE | 6/1 | 58 | C Soumillon | M de Kock |
| 2 | WITHOUT QUESTION | 8/1 | 54.5 | R Fourie | J Snaith |
| 4 | WINCHESTER MANSION | 8/1 | 53 | K Matsunyane | B Crawford |
| 12 | PACAYA | 8/1 | 53 | G van Niekerk | J Snaith |
| 17 | RAIN IN HOLLAND | 25/2 | 56.5 | S Kumalo | S Tarry |
| 9 | SON OF RAJ | 25/2 | 53 | M Yeni | W Marwing |
| 15 | RASCALLION | 14/1 | 57.5 | C Orffer | V Marshall |
| 11 | PUERTO MANZANO | 16/1 | 58 | K de Melo | J A Janse v Vuuren |
| 10 | DAVE THE KING | 16/1 | 55.5 | C Zackey | M de Kock |
| 18 | POMP AND POWER | 20/1 | 58 | B Fayd'Herbe | J Snaith |
| 6 | DO IT AGAIN | 25/1 | 57 | G Lerena | J Snaith |
| 8 | SILVER DARLING | 25/1 | 55 | JP v'd Merwe | J Snaith |
| 1 | BLESS MY STARS | 25/1 | 52 | A Mgudlwa | S Tarry |
| 5 | BILLY BOWLEGS | 33/1 | 53.5 | S Veale | A Laird |
| 3 | TIME FLIES | 33/1 | 55 | L Mxothwa | B Crawford |
| 16 | TRIP OF FORTUNE | 40/1 | 60 | A Domeyer | C Bass-Robinson |
| 13 | SECOND BASE | 66/1 | 56.5 | C Maujean | R Klaasen |
| RES | NEBRAAS (Res) | SP | 55 | Res 1 | S Tarry |
| RES | JIMMY DON (Res) | SP | 53 | Res 2 | E Verdonese |
