It’s Durban July weekend! With just a few days to go before the 126th running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July, the country is abuzz with horseracing fever as the event returns on 2 July 2022, open to the public after a two-year hiatus.

According to Devin Heffer, Hollywoodbets Brand and Communications Manager, preparations for the big day are right on track: “After an exciting last week during which the Final Field was announced and the early morning Gallops drew the largest crowd in many years at Hollywoodbets Greyville, we are beyond excited as we look forward to our first year hosting of Africa’s Greatest Race.”

In addition to the extravagant fashion and lively entertainment to look forward to, there are a few horseracing contenders who have punters excited to make early bets.

Here’s a rundown of the horses to keep your eye on

2021 defending champion, Kommetdieding and runner-up Linebacker, who will interestingly be running with blinkers for the big race, have got people talking.

Then there’s two-time winner, Do It Again, who also has many punters hoping he can live up to his name, and in the process, secure his place in the history books as the first horse with a third victory in the race.

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In addition, his Champion trainer Justin Snaith has four other runners including Pomp and Power, Jet Dark, 2020 winner Belgarion, and Hoedspruit.

Aragosta and Safe Passage, both three-year-olds trained by Mike de Kock, are also vying for serious attention. But it is his gifted filly Sparkling Water, which has the attention of the betting community. Sean Tarry is the other trainer with more than one entry, including Flying Carpet and emergency acceptor Nebraas.

The full Final Field includes: Argentinian-bred Puerto Manzano, Zapatillas, Waterberry Lane, Second Base, Astrix, Airways Law and Red Saxon who will be ridden by the first ever female jockey to saddle up in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, Rachel Venniker.

Whether you study the field and are an expert at betting odds, or you are making your choices based on the fact that you love a glass of sparkling water, who you place your money on is just one of the things that makes this weekend so exhilarating.

Here’s how you can place your bets

Simply log on to the Hollywoodbets mobisite at hollywoodbets.mobi and start by registering on the platform, to place your bets.

For first timers, all you have to do it register your details, scroll through the main menu to select the category Horse Racing, choose a country, and then a race meeting. The main event on the day is Race 7 at 4pm, the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July (Grade 1).

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Once you have selected the race, look for the horses listed in betting odds order. Next, from the drop-down menu, select a preferred bet type where the different options are listed. A brief explanation of the terms is as follows:

Fixed Wit: The price you take, is the price you keep. It will not change once your bet is struck.

Fixed Place: Means your horse must pass the post either first, second, third, or even fourth, depending on the number of horses in the race.

Once a bet type has been selected, click on a selected horse, then decide how much to bet and review the potential payout indicated at the bottom right of the box. Then, simply submit the bet and get ready to shout your horse home.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July will be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 2 July. There are 12 races on the card, with the first starting at 11:50 am and the main race at 4pm.

Click on the link to the Hollywoodbets sports blog for a quick video tutorial about each of the different horse racing bets that one can take, here.