A week ahead of the 2025 Grade 1 HWB Durban July, excitement is building and the pre-race gallops were stages at HWB Greyville and Randjesfontein earlier this week. The hot-pot favourite Eight On Eighteen strode out impressively at the Durban track.
Betway has priced up on the entire 12-race card for next week’s big meeting, and there are some excellent odds available, including 2.8 to 1 on the favourite, 7-1 about last year’s winner, Oriental Charm, and 9 to 1 about Immediate Edge. There is great value to be had in all the other races, including 9-2 about the Garden Province Stakes favourite, Double Grand Slam.
Jonathan Snaith, for Snaith Racing, commented: “Eight On Eighteen settled beautifully and responded powerfully when urged by his jockey, who then eased him with much left in the tank. This experience will significantly benefit him over the next ten days.”
Mike and Mathew de Kock’s runner, Immediate Edge, has been prepared at Randjesfontein, and Mat said about his gallop on Thursday morning: “We are very happy with his progress since his win in the Jubilee Stakes. He is doing everything right at this stage and is in good form. We’ll keep him in good order until next Saturday.”
Here are Mat’s comments on this weekend’s runners from the yard:
Turffontein, Saturday (Inside Track):
Race 2, 1160m: “We expected a bit better from Detailed Forecast on her recent debut. She was a little disappointing when she came of the bit. However, that was quite a strong race against winners and she would have benefitted from the experience. With a bit of natural improvement at home and a drop down in class, she should be right there this time.”
HWB Scottsville, Sunday:
Race 3, 1200m: “We are still learning about Cold Shine. Most of his form is over sprint distances. We feel he is going to be better when he stretches out over further, but we’re giving him one more sprint before we put him over a bit some more ground. Mojo Man is good form, running consistently. Back to a 1200m race, with blinkers, could be the ideal race for him. He has a good eachway chance.”
Race 8, 1600m: “Greenhouse has had two starts on the Polytrack recently and both were slightly below par. Her run between them was a good one at Scottsville, over this distance. So we’re hoping for something similar. She has a Place chance.”
Race 9, 1600m: “Corrupt is having his first start for us. He’s showing us some good work at home, we won’t be surprised if he gets into the money. But he’s only had two runs this year and he will improve with this run under the belt. Include him in your Quartets.”
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There is a major meeting at The Curragh in Ireland on Saturday, featuring the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes over 2000m, backed by the Group 3 Anglesley Stakes over 1300m and the Group 3 Dubai International Stakes over 2000m.
All eyes will be on visiting trainer Andrew Balding’s top filly Kalpana in the Pretty Polly, a race in which British trainers have a great record, having won 13 of the last 25 renewals. Balding said: “We’ve been really happy with Kalpana since her last trip to Ireland. She is a very high-class filly and although we know she will probably improve for going a little further, she seems to me like she will be pretty effective going a mile and a quarter.”
Betway has priced up Kapana at 2.2 to 1, ahead of Aiden O’Brien’s well-performed filly Whirl, on offer at 2.87 to 1.