Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post betting: BIG changes in the odds

By Larry John Brown

Published: May 13, 2022 | 8:56 AM GMT

The updated ante-post betting ahead of the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July to be contested at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 2 July has seen some significant changes.

The 2 200m contest, billed as Africa’s greatest horseracing event, has taken on a new dimension of intrigue with the news earlier this year that the 2022 stake has been increased by 250% on 2021’s offering to R5 million, making it Africa’s richest stakes race.

Hollywoodbets will join Rothmans and Vodacom as only the third sponsor of the race in 59 years.

The race was first contested in 1897 and this year’s race will be the 126th renewal.

Hollywoodbets have set the pace by opening the ante-post betting for the big race which is now just nine weeks away.

The new favourite is Justin Snaith’s Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby champion Pomp And Power who is on offer at 7/1.

Linebacker, from the Vaughan Marshall yard, is next best at 10/1 followed by three horses – Kommetdieding, Rain In Holland and Sparkling Water – all at 25/2

Kommetdieding, known as the ‘people’s horse’, is the defending champion. He’s owned by Ashwin Reynolds and is trained by the father-daughter duo of Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix.

Another three horses follow at 14/1, namely: Double Superlative, Hoedspruit and Safe Passage.

Jet Dark and Zapatillas can both be backed at 16/1.

As always in horseracing, a lot can – and will – change between now and the when the gates fly open.

Father-and-daughter trainers Harold Crawford (left) and Michelle Rix (right) celebrate winning the 2021 Durban July at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse with Kommetdieding, with jockey Gavin Lerena in the saddle and groom Luvo Dinglawayo. Photo: Candiese Lenferna / Gameplan Media

About Larry John Brown

Larry John is a talented writer and journalist based in New York, USA. He is a valued contributor to TDPel Media, where he creates engaging and informative content for readers. Larry has a keen interest in current events, business, and technology, and he enjoys exploring these topics in-depth to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the issues. His writing style is characterized by its clarity, precision, and attention to detail, which make his articles a pleasure to read. Larry’s passion for storytelling has earned him a reputation as a skilled writer and a respected authority in his field.