Late scratches reshape Durban July as eThekwini set for R10m showpiece

Staff Reporter

The 130th Hollywoodbets Durban July will be run at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday after a late shake-up to the field removed two runners and brought fresh intrigue to South Africa’s biggest horse racing and fashion event.

The Grade 1 race, run over 2,200 metres, is scheduled for 4pm and carries a R10 million stake, with an 18-horse field set to line up before tens of thousands of racegoers at Durban’s flagship winter sporting event.

The build-up was disrupted this week when Star Major, one of the race’s headline runners, was scratched on Tuesday because of an elevated temperature. The Ultimate King was scratched a day later after being found lame, opening the door for reserve runners Choisaanada and Curious Girl to take their places in the field.

The changes mean Rachel Venniker will ride Choisaanada, while French jockey Mickaelle Michel has been declared for Curious Girl, giving the