Justin Snaith, alongside owners Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert, has confirmed that star colt Eight On Eighteen will lead their charge in the prestigious Gr1 R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July at Greyville on Saturday, 5 July. Drawn in barrier 11, the talented three-year-old could make history as the first to win both the Gr1 WSB Cape Town Met and the Durban July in the same year.
With South Africa’s reigning Champion Jockey Richard Fourie in the irons, chasing his fourth July win and Snaith seeking his sixth, Eight On Eighteen will carry a hefty 57kg — the highest for a three-year-old since Abashiri in 2016. His brilliant wins in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and the Cape Met stamped him as a standout, but he faces strong rivals.
Last year’s winner, Oriental Charm, looms as the main danger. Beaten just half a length by Eight On Eighteen in the Met, he now meets his younger rival on 5.5kg better terms. He tuned up well, finishing a close second in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge.
Veteran See It Again, also racing for Jonsson, returns for a third tilt at the big prize, now partnered by Raymond Danielson. Stuart Ferrie’s Gladatorian and Dean Kannemeyer’s late closer The Real Prince add depth, while Nathan Kotzen’s Royal Victory — third last year — arrives in peak form.
Highveld hopes rest on Confederate, lightly raced but consistent, with champion jockey Warren Kennedy flying in from New Zealand. The father-son De Kock team fields Immediate Edge, drawn next to Eight On Eighteen, carrying a handy 53kg.
Snaith also saddles Okavango and Native Ruler, while Alec Laird pins his hopes on Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch for an upset in this history-making field.
