Buffalo Bill Cody is the early favourite for the POST Merchants
Join the excitement
THE 129th edition of the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July will take place on Saturday at the Greyville Racecourse. Getting ready for KZN’s premier horse racing event is Durban North model, Miashca Naidoo - dressed by Kathrin Kidger - with one of the country’s best sprinters in this year’s renewal of the POST Merchants, I Am Giant. He is owned by Hollywood Racing and trained by Stuart Ferrie.
Image: Tumi Pakkies/Independent Newspapers
JOIN the excitement at the 129th Hollywoodbets Durban July this Saturday, featuring thrilling horse racing, top performances by South African artists, and a spectacular Grandstand Light Show.
An expected crowd of 45 000 fans will descend on Greyville Racecourse for the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July. Gates open at 10am and a full day of action-packed quality horse racing and high-class entertainment will continue into the evening under the dazzling new lights, which have been installed at the city track.
To celebrate the introduction of the new floodlights, a dazzling grandstand light show, the first of its kind in South Africa, will follow the running of the last of 12 races, which is due to start at 7.40pm. .
Several of South Africa’s headline artists, including Lira and Mafikizolo, will perform on the pulse stage, which is situated in-field in the midst of the marquee village and the legendary Zolani Mahola will deliver her rendition of the national anthem from the trackside celebration stage shortly before the 18 “July” runners enter the starting stalls at 4pm.
The 2 200m Hollywoodbets Durban July is the seventh race on the programme, while the R500 000 1 200m POST Merchants has been carded as the ninth race and is due to start at 5.40pm.
I Am Giant is one of 14 of the country’s best sprinters in this year’s renewal of the POST Merchants and the Stuart Ferrie-trained 5 year son of Querari will be partnered by Sean Veale, who has ridden more than 100 winners this season.
I Am Giant is owned by Hollywood Racing, who are also represented by Cruise Control and Ziyasha. The Tony Peter-trained Buffalo Bill Cody is the early favourite for the POST Merchants, but the young pretender will need to be at his best to hold out the seasoned 15-time winner William Roberston.
Lucinda Woodruff, who won the POST Merchants last year with Café Culture, saddles the only filly in the race, Mai Sensation, who has the advantage of jumping out of pole position.
The Hollywoodbets Durban July day is synonymous with high class fashion and the HDJ Young Designers Award winners will be announced on the grandstand celebration stage at 1.55pm.
The public Raceday Fashion Awards, which include several different categories, will take place on the pulse stage from noon. The first race, a Class 4 Handicap for Fillies and Mares over 1 200m on the Polytrack, is due to start at 11.45am.