Betting guide: Favourites, form and what to expect at the Durban July
Wearing Young Designers Queenton Mjweni's and Neliswa Gcwabaza's creations respectively are models Simphiwe Mthiyane and L'Tanya van Rooyen
Image: Graham Daniel / Gameplan Media
Eight of Eighteen is the favourite to take top honours at this weekend’s running of the Durban July at Greyville Racecourse. In an update, See It Again has been scratched and has been replaced by reserve Litigation.
All eyes will be on the three-year-old colt, trained by Justin Snaith and ridden by champion jockey Richard Fourie, as he heads into the R5 million Durban July on the back of some impressive results.
Eight of Eighteen, who comes in at 14/10 to win on Saturday, came out tops at the prestigious Cape Town Met in January, and again at the SplashOut Cape Derby a month later. And for good measure, the young colt was also victorious in the Daily News 2000 in Durban.
Sail The Seas, the only horse to beat Eight of Eighteen this year, will not be in Durban. Oriental Charm, the winner from last year, is expected to give Eight of Eighteen a run for his money, coming in at 11/2 to take top honours.
There was a collective sigh of relief within the gathered crowd in the Hollywoodbets Greyville parade ring when the name of Eight On Eighteen was read out by Graeme Hawkins as being among the 18 runners for the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Image: Hollywoodbets Durban July
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While Eight of Eighteen will be the name on everyone’s lips on Saturday, punters shouldn’t take their eyes off Oriental Charm, as his form going into this weekend is better than when he came out tops last year.
After a disappointing seventh place at the King’s Plate in Kenilworth, the JP van der Merwe-ridden Oriental Charm earned two second-place finishes at the Cape Town Met and the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge in Durban.
What’s shaping up is a thrilling head-to-head between the rising star and the proven champion. With Eight of Eighteen riding the momentum of a good 2025, and Oriental Charm hungry to reclaim his crown after coming close in recent starts, Saturday’s race is expected to deliver fireworks down the final stretch at Greyville.
At 7/1 odds, Immediate Edge, who will be ridden by Callan Murray, should also be in the conversation come Saturday. He heads into the July on the back of four wins. But with all of his races having taken place at Turffontein this year, it remains to be seen if racing at sea level will have an impact on his day.
The Real Prince, winner at the City of Cape Town Jet Master Stakes at Kenilworth, will also be keen to make a splash.
Durban July 2025 – Runners List and odds according to Hollywoodbets
1. EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (11)
Odds: 14/10
Mass: 57.0 kg
Jockey: R. Fourie
Trainer: J. Snaith
2. ORIENTAL CHARM (1)
Odds: 11/2
Mass: 60.0 kg
Jockey: J. P. van der Merwe
Trainer: J. Crawford
3. IMMEDIATE EDGE (10)
Odds: 7/1
Mass: 53.0 kg
Jockey: C. Murray
Trainer: M/M de Kock
5. THE REAL PRINCE (5)
Odds: 14/1
Mass: 56.5 kg
Jockey: C. Zackey
Trainer: D. Kannemeyer
6. GLADATORIAN (16)
Odds: 16/1
Mass: 60.0 kg
Jockey: S. Veale
Trainer: S. Ferrie
7. SELUKWE (6)
Odds: 16/1
Mass: 54.0 kg
Jockey: S. Moodley
Trainer: A. Nel
8. ROYAL VICTORY (17)
Odds: 20/1
Mass: 59.0 kg
Jockey: M. Yeni
Trainer: N. Kotzen
9. OKAVANGO (13)
Odds: 20/1
Mass: 54.5 kg
Jockey: A. Fortune
Trainer: J. Snaith
10. ATTICUS FINCH (4)
Odds: 25/1
Mass: 57.0 kg
Jockey: C. Habib
Trainer: A. Laird
11. CONFEDERATE (14)
Odds: 25/1
Mass: 53.5 kg
Jockey: W. Kennedy
Trainer: F. Habib
12. NATIVE RULER (18)
Odds: 33/1
Mass: 54.0 kg
Jockey: T. Godden
Trainer: J. Snaith
13. MADISON VALLEY (2)
Odds: 33/1
Mass: 54.0 kg
Jockey: G. Lerena
Trainer: F. Robinson
14. MY BEST SHOT (9)
Odds: 33/1
Mass: 53.0 kg
Jockey: C. Maujean
Trainer: A. Greeff
15. ON MY HONOUR (3)
Odds: 33/1
Mass: 53.0 kg
Jockey: S. Khumalo
Trainer: G. Kotzen
16. PURPLE PITCHER (12)
Odds: 50/1
Mass: 57.5 kg
Jockey: K. Matsunyane
Trainer: R. Klaasen
17. POMODORO'S JET (8)
Odds: 50/1
Mass: 55.5 kg
Jockey: A. Mgudlwa
Trainer: J. Crawford
18. RAINBOW LORIKEET (7)
Odds: 50/1
Mass: 53.0 kg
Jockey: D. De Gouveia
Trainer: C. Bass-Robinson
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