The victorious Kommetdieding team turned the Vodacom Durban July day at Hollywoodbets Greyville into a national celebration as their lightly raced son of Elusive Fort charged to a memorable victory in Africa’s greatest race for his Cape-based connections.
With ten features races carded, including two Gr1 events, the Vodacom Durban July day produced a spectacular show of thrilling racing action from gun to tape.
It is difficult to recall when last a winner of the major race enjoyed so much public support and it is fitting that we extend our congratulations to Michelle Rix and her Dad, Harold Crawford, and their team, and to Gavin Lerena and Cape-based owner, Ashwin Reynolds.
The romance of the rags-to-riches tale of the R55 000 purchase will long be discussed and the story will undoubtedly prove a much needed fillip for the racing and breeding industry, and a nation of passionate racing fans.
The Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge enjoyed massive interest on the afternoon, with R100 000 offered as a must-be-won prize, with R50 000 to the leaderboard topper at the end of the day.
A 25-year-old single lady from Durban, player ZZB topped the leaderboard and was thrilled to bank the R50 000 cash. She learnt about racing from her Dad, a lifetime punter, and intends to put the windfall towards the purchase of a car.
The next leg of the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge will be hosted at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday 11 July, where a progressive jackpot of R1 150 000 will be up for grabs.
On Tuesday we race at Turffontein.
The Twice Over gelding BOWIE looks way overdue to win again after running second in his last four starts. He has finished second three times and third once from four starts on this course and looks one of the best bets of the day.
In midweek we travel to the Cape where an eight-race meeting is carded at Kenilworth.
Winter has arrived in force in the region, and with the last two meetings being abandoned we can only hope that this one proceeds.
Grant van Niekerk endured a blank scorecard on Vodacom Durban July day and the talented jockey will be keen to get back amongst the winners.
He rides the Twice Over gelding DOUBLE CHARGE for Andre Nel in the sixth, and after a string of placed performances post his maiden victory, the model of consistency looks cherry ripe to score.
On Thursday we have an interestingly competitive eight-race card at the Vaal.
Exotic punters may be able to go fairly narrow in the seventh, where PORTICO and CAPTAIN MORISCO could suffice.
A consistent son of What A Winter, PORTICO looks to be the best-weighted runner in the field and S’manga Khumalo can get him home. There may be some value to be had with CAPTAIN MORISCO as back-up. Slightly off colour in his last three outings, the Ashley Fortune charge could test PORTICO on his best Vaal form.
It’s a quiet weekend ahead as we enter a slight lull ahead of the SA Champions Season climax at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 31 July. But there is plenty of bread-and-butter fare to keep us focussed until then.
A reminder that a host of global racing venues are offered daily with Hollywoodbets!
