Interbet July Day Preview 2025.
Friday, 04 July 2025Horseplayers may feel they are at an incredibly tasty buffet feast on Saturday at the Durban July. The World Pool hook up with the Hong Kong Jockey Club provides massive exotic opportunities and Interbet’s new zero-commission Exchange is a great deal for fixed odds punters.
Some focus is needed on these big days, otherwise, just like overindulging at a sumptuous buffet, “indigestion” can set in. By all means attack the different pools and races. But having a game plan and daily “loss limit” going in, is helpful.
Across the 12-race program, there are five horses I will be building my bets around: The Real Prince currently trading at 20/1 in the Durban July; Double Grand Slam at 23/10 in the Garden Province Stakes; O’Tenikwa (close to 10’s) & King of the Gauls (13/1) in the Post Merchants and Zeitz (now around 4’s) in Race 10.
The Real Prince (speed score 112 +) exceeds the par standard to win a Durban July and comes in fresh off an excellent try in the Drill Hall Stakes. He achieved that fig of 112 + when romping in a fast run mile yet is a complete unknown over 2200m and may not see it out. But at 20/1 and better or 24/10 to make the first four, Dean Kannemeyer’s entry is worth a speculative each way play.
Double Grand Slam (s/s 108) is favourite to take out the Gr 1 Garden Province Stakes. She is brilliant on her day yet will need to fend off the 3YO’s Fatal Flaw, Spumante Dolce and Mon Petit Cherie, together with contemporary nemesis, Rascova who excels over a mile. Poorly drawn but very smart mare, Asiye Phambili is worth keeping onside, too.
Given her relatively short odds, punters have a few options with Justin Snaith’s ace filly. They can hook Double Grand Slam up in multiples; banker here in the Picks or use her on top in single race exotics with the contenders mentioned above.
O’Tenikwa (s/s 114) and King of the Gauls (s/s 111) obtained outstanding speed figures in a recent Graded sprint at Scottsville. Based on historical precedent that is plenty good enough to win the Gr 2 Post Merchants. Given their double-digit prices punters can “dutch” and back both horses.
Another option is to combine them in single race exotics. Surround them with contenders such as Mai Sensation, Truth, Outlaw King, Ziyasha, Buffalo Storm Cody, William Robertson and Great Plains, and hope to catch Tris and Quartets. Both will need to run to their ratings and the contention must be accurately defined to catch a divvy playing this way.
The Post Merchants is also part of Jackpot 3 where the pool is expected to reach R3 million. Locking up Leg 1 with just these two price horses could provide an edge, should one of them manage to get the job done in an open betting race.
Zeitz (s/s 103) is advised in race 10. He has shortened from 6/1 into 15/4 in ante-post trade as impressed form studiers note his performance when beating Garrix in the Politician Stakes and subsequent eye-catching come on run behind Durban July candidate, Madison Valley a few weeks ago at this venue.
Andre Nel’s charge is bound to be actively traded - monitor Interbet’s new Exchange closely for the best odds.
Again, bettors have the option to punt on the nose, base exactas/tris and quartets around the selection or use the seemingly well handicapped grey as a key in the late P4.
Heavily capitalized and confident players may choose to do all of the above and really leverage a strong opinion. That way, you can make it count if right!
Whatever bets you end up striking - follow the action with Interbet – and enjoy Africa’s Greatest Horseracing event!
