Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge set to shine!

To celebrate the day, Hollywoodbets are offering their customers a 15% bonus on all deposits up to R20 000. Register now: here. 

Ranked in 2021 as South Africa’s leading elite level horse race, the 2022 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge has again attracted a high-quality field, befitting the prestige and status of a contest that inevitably plays a part in defining the 2021/22 season’s champions.

With ruling South African Horse Of The Year Rainbow Bridge now retired after achieving a Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge double in 2020 and 2021, the runway has been cleared for a new generation to start to emerge!

ALSO READ: Hollywoodbets Durban July: There’s a buzz in Mzansi!

Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge: the Durban July final ‘golden ticket’

A milestone on the South African horse racing and social calendar, Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, is just three weeks away. The Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge takes on vital strategic importance in the build-up, as it is the final ‘golden ticket’ event for the big race on 2 July. 

Past Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge champions to go on and win the Durban July include Justin Snaith’s trio Do It Again, Legislate and Dancer’s Daughter, as well as champion Pocket Power and the much-loved Paarl-based star, Big City Life.

The winner of Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge is thus guaranteed a much sought-after berth in the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July, which will be run at the same historic venue on 2 July.

There are six Hollywoodbets Durban July entrants carded to line up in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge on Saturday. 

The sextet is headed by SA Champion trainer Justin Snaith’s dual L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Jet Dark, who will be partnered again by Smanga ‘Bling’ Khumalo, who became the first jockey of colour to win the Durban July Handicap when Heavy Metal won the great race in 2013.

Right at the top of the charts of Saturday’s renewal are dual Grade 1 winner and 2021 Durban July runner-up Linebacker, and the handsome grey Cape Guineas winner, Russian Rock.

Jockey Muzi Yeni, who has won a Grade 1 race on each of the past two weekends, goes for a unique hat-trick on Saturday when he rides MK’s Pride for Johannesburg trainer Paul Peter and owner MK ‘Koos’ Nkale. MK’s Pride runs in the famous black and gold strip of champions Kaizer Chiefs, and a victory for the 4yo colt will have his proud owner and the multitude of fans of the AmaKhosi countrywide celebrating until late on Saturday evening.

Hollywoodbets will have Grade 1 winners Chimichuri Run and Eden Roc proudly carrying their yellow and purple silks for Hollywood Syndicate. 

ALSO READ: Hollywoodbets Durban July: EVERY winning horse this century!

What to expect?

It’s all systems go for one of the most exciting races of the year, with loads on entertainment and prizes on offer, we should be seeing you at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 11 June! Entry is free and you are required to produce your COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test not more than 72 hours old. You can also tune in on Gallop TV or racing channel 240 on DStv.

Stay up-to-date on the Hollywoodbets Sports Blog.