2024 Durban July Top Horses - Leading Contenders at Greyville

Jockey - Craig Zackey

Trainer - Dean Kannemeyer

Age - 3

Weight - 56kg

Draw - 5

Odds - 9/2f

Will return to Greyville looking for his fifth victory in a row. Kicked off 2024 with victories in the Politician Stakes and the Cape Derby. Was cut to 6/4 for the Durban July after wins in the WSB Guineas and the Daily News 2000. Has drifted out to a more realistic price since. Remains a leading contender.

Jockey - Piere Strydom

Trainer - Mike Roberts

Age - 4

Weight - 60kg

Draw - 10

Odds - 7/1

Won the Cape Derby and the Daily News 2000 last year, before finishing a close second to Winchester Mansion in the 2023 Durban July. Beaten on his three starts in Group One company this term, but ran well over a mile in the Gold Challenge last month. Has been backed into joint-favouritism since that run, despite carrying a top-weight of 60kg.

Jockey - Kabelo Matsunyane

Trainer - Brett Crawford

Age - 5

Weight - 56.5kg

Draw - 9

Odds - 12/1

The defending champion, having edged out See It Again to claim a thrilling victory in 2023. Hasn't won in three starts since, but did go close behind Royal Victory on his most recent start in the Champions Challenge. Carries 3.5kg more than last year, but cannot be discounted.

Jockey - Juan Paul van der Merwe

Trainer - Brett Crawford

Age - 3

Weight - 53kg

Draw - 11

Odds - 8/1

Made a winning racecourse debut in September. Has run eight more times since then, scoring in a Class 4 before placing in both the Cape Derby and the WSB 1900. Enters his first Durban July on the back of an impressive win in the Dolphins Cup, the same trial that Winchester Mansion won 12 months ago. He's a player.

Jockey - Richie Fourie

Trainer - Justin Snaith

Age - 4

Weight - 54kg

Draw - 4

Odds - 10/1

The shortest-priced of Justin Snaith's runners in the Durban July betting. Won the Algoa Cup and Chairman's Cup earlier in the season. Entered the Durban July equation by beating Oriental Charm in the WSB 1900 in May and that form has been boosted since. Dangerous contender under a lovely racing weight.

Jockey - Muzi Yeni

Trainer - Nathan Kotzen

Age - 4

Weight - 57kg

Draw - 1

Odds - 10/1

Won the Summer Cup on his final outing of 2023. Made it two-from-two over ten furlongs by beating Winchester Mansion in the Champions Challenge in April. Warmed up for his first tilt at the July with a third-place finish in the Gold Challenge. Should appreciate this step up in trip. Draw one can be tricky.

Jockey - Serino Moodley

Trainer - Gareth van Zyl

Age - 3

Weight - 53.5kg

Draw - 17

Odds - 14/1

One of the more lightly-raced runners in the field, after just six lifetime starts. Went into the Daily News 2000 on the back of maiden, handicap and minor stakes victories. Got within a short-head of upsetting Green With Envy on his Group One debut, afterwhich he shot up the Durban July betting. He's interesting. 

Jockey - Gavin Lerena

Trainer - J A Janse van Vuuren

Age - 3

Weight - 53.5kg

Draw - 2

Odds - 10/1

Has run six times already this year, winning a handicap in February and a Graduation Plate at Vaal in April. Ran on well to finish third behind Green With Envy and Flag Man in the Daily News 2000, on what was his first start at Greyville. Open to further progress.