Complete guide to the 2022 Durban July (Update 8:00am 2/7/22)
This famous horse race will be run at Greyville on Saturday 2nd July
Get the latest odds, the full draw and weights in the guide below
Kommetdieding was our first selection earlier in the week
We've also added Waterberry Lane to our book of bets
Zapatilas was scratched on Friday and replaced by Airways Law
Expired
Durban July. (Getty)
The eyes of the horse racing world will be fixed on Greyville racecourse on Saturday, as 18 of the continent's finest flat racers battle it out in the 2022 Durban July.
South Africa's most famous horse race will take place today at 3:00pm. Here's our complete guide to this year's Durban July, including the latest odds, weights, riders, the full draw and our best betting tips.
Durban July Guide
2022 Durban July Odds
2022 Durban July Draw
2022 Durban July Weights
2022 Durban July Runner-By-Runner Guide
2022 Durban July Tip 1 - Kommetdieding
2022 Durban July Tip 2 - Waterberry Lane
2022 Durban July Live Streaming Guide
2022 Durban July FAQs
2022 Durban July Guide
2022 Durban July Odds
Name
Odds
Safe Passage
4.50
Linebacker
5.00
Pomp And Power
8.00
Aragosta
9.50
Kommetdieding
9.50
Sparkling Water
11.00
Do It Again
13.00
Hoedspruit
13.00
Bar
15.00
(Update 8:00am 2/7/22)
Yesterday, we reported that Linebacker had joined Safe Passage at the head of the Durban July betting. Yet, a wave of overnight support have helped Safe Passage pull clear at the head of the betting again, with Mike De Kock's three-year-old moving back into 4.50.
The money keeps coming in for Pomp And Power and Aragosta, who can now both be backed at 8.00 and 9.50. The big overnight mover is defending champion Kommetdieding, who's been cut into 9.50 from 13.00 in the past 12 hours.
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2022 Durban July Draw
Stall
Name
Jockey
Trainer
1
Aragosta
Warren Kennedy
Mike de Kock
2
Do It Again
Aldo Domeyer
Justin Snaith
3
Hoedspruit
Craig Zackey
Justin Snaith
4
Linebacker
Grant van Niekerk
Vaughan Marshall
5
Puerto Manzano
Raymond Danielson
J A Janse van Vuuren
6
Airways Law
Gareth Wright
Willem Nel
7
Waterberry Lane
Keagan de Melo
Dean Kannemeyer
8
Pomp And Power
Richard Fourie
Justin Snaith
9
Jet Dark
Bernard Fayd’Herbe
Justin Snaith
10
Safe Passage
Muzi Yeni
Mike de Kock
11
Belgarion
Pierre Strydom
Justin Snaith
12
Sparkling Water
S’manga Khumalo
Mike de Kock
13
Kommetdieding
Gavin Lerena
HWJ Crawford/M Rix
14
Red Saxon
Rachel Venniker
Joe Soma
15
Second Base
Kabelo Matsunyane
J A Janse van Vuuren
16
Al Muthana
Callan Murray
Mike de Kock
17
Astrix
Juan Paul van der Merwe
Paul Peter
18
Flying Carpet
Calvin Habib
Sean Tarry
Reserves
20
Nebraas
Reserve 2
Sean Tarry
Scratched
Zapatilas
One interesting aspect of this year's Durban July is the lack of a real pacemaker.
Aragosta may have to be ridden prominently from stall one, but if he misses the kick - as he has done in the past - there's a chance he could get boxed in on the rail. Pomp And Power is a head-strong sort who often makes the running. Yet, when Justin Snaith spoke to the press, he reiterated the team's desire to hold Pomp And Power up and find some cover, so there's a chance that the field could be taken along at a very slow early pace.
If they do go slow, then those drawn low could get swamped as the high-drawn runners move into contention. This could inconvenience Do It Again, Hoedspruit and Linebacker - unless they can find a prominent position turning into the straight.
2022 Durban July Weights
Name
Weight (kg)
Rating
Jet
Dark
60
129
Kommetdieding
60
129
Belgarion
59.5
128
Linebacker
58.5
126
Do It
Again
58.5
126
Al
Muthana
58
125
Astrix
56.5
122
Puerto
Manzano
55.5
120
Safe
Passage
54.5
122
Second
Base
54.5
118
Hoedspruit
53.5
116
Sparkling
Water
53.5
116
Flying
Carpet
53.5
116
Aragosta
53
118
Zapatillas
53
118
Pomp
And Power
53
118
Red
Saxon
53
118
Waterberry
Lane
53
117
Airways Law
53
108
Three-year-olds have a huge advantage at the weights in the Durban July. Even Safe Passage, who will have to give a kilo-and-a-half to the other three-year-olds, could be very well-handicapped with just 54.5kg to carry.
Kommetdieding and Jet Dark will have to shoulder 60kg - a weight which didn't stop Marinaresco and Do It Again from winning in recent years. Do It Again will carry 58.5kg into his fifth Durban July, while 2020 winner Belgarion has been lumbered with 1.5kg more than last year, despite struggling for form and fitness since his Greyville triumph.
*UPDATE 10:00am 1/7/22*
Zapatilas was scratched from the 2022 Durban July on Friday. He'll be replaced by the first reserve, Airways Law.
Kommetdieding winning the 2022 Cape Town Met. (Getty)
2022 Durban July Tip 1 - Kommetdieding
When I published my runner-by-runner guide, I couldn't believe that KOMMETDIEDING was still sitting at 13.00 - a price that doesn't reflect his chances of retaining his Durban July crown. (Update, Kommetdieding is now priced at 9.50 as of 8:00am 2/7/22)
Ashwin Reynold's star ran out an impressive winner of this race 12 months ago and started the season in excellent style by winning the Cape Town Met. His last two runs at Turffontein were poor, but that was the first time he'd been taken up to the highveld for an autumn campaign and he clearly didn't appreciate the change of scenery.
Kommetdieding has blossomed since returning to KZN. Michelle Rix's star was the stand-out performer during the public gallop. Gavin Lerena's mount looks a bigger, stronger animal than last year and I'm confident that top-weight won't stop Kommetdieding from contending once again.
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2022 Durban July Tip 2 - Waterberry Lane
You simply have to back at least one three-year-old in this year's Durban July and, considering he finished alongside both Aragosta and Pomp And Power in the Daily News 2000, WATERBERRY LANE offers plenty of each-way value.
Dean Kannemeyer's gelding showed plenty of promise as a juvenile and marked his return to action as a three-year-old with an emphatic victory in the Group Three Byerley Turk over seven furlongs. Keagan de Melo's mount was then very keen throughout the WSB Guineas here at Greyville. Those antics meant Waterberry Lane had little petrol left in the tank to mount a winning challenge, but he still wasn't beaten all that far back in sixth.
In an effort to help his mount settle, de Melo dropped Waterberry Lane out the back in the Daily News 2000. On what was his first start over ten furlongs, Kannemeyer's runner tracked Safe Passage into the race and crossed the line powerfully back in fourth.
Many experts are tagging Waterberry Lane as a non-stayer going into the Durban July. I, however, thought he was doing his best work in the closing stages of the Daily News and, if they do indeed go slowly in the early stages on Saturday, then that should help Waterberry Lane see out the extra furlong.
New customers only. 18+ T&Cs and wagering requirements apply.
2022 Durban July Live Streaming Guide
If you want to watch this historic handicap via a mobile or tablet, then check out our Durban July Live Streaming page.
2022 Durban July FAQs
What is the Durban July?
The Durban July is the most famous horse race staged in South Africa. The Durban July is run at Greyville racecourse on the first Saturday in July every year.
What time is the Durban July?
The 2022 Durban July will be run at Greyville racecourse at 4:00pm (SAST) on Saturday 2nd July.
Who is the favourite for the Durban July?
2021 runner-up, Linebacker has replaced Safe Passage as the favourite for the 2022 Durban July.
Where can I watch the Durban July?
The 2022 Durban July will be shown live on South African television. Find out how to stream the race live via a mobile device by visiting out website.
Verdict
Kommetdieding and Waterberry Lane are our two against the field in the 2022 Durban July.
2022 Durban July Tip 1: Kommetdieding Each-Way @16/1 at dabble - 10 Units
2022 Durban July Tip 2: Waterberry Lane Each-Way @22/1 at Hollywood bets - 5 Units
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Safe Passage2022 Durban July Joint-FavouriteGET 4.50 HERE
