Greyville Racecourse is Durban’s first and longest running sports venue. It is also synonymous with the Vodacom Durban July, South Africa's premier horseracing event. The race was first held in July 1897 with only seven horses and today it is one of the highlights of the horseracing calendar.

The race has provided some of the most exciting moments in South African horseracing. In 1966 the race produced its first dead heat when the judges were unable to separate Sea Cottage and Jollify and there was more drama a year later when an unsuccessful attempt on the life of favourite Sea Cottage saw him shot in the hindquarters. Remarkably he still ran, with the bullet lodged in his rump and still managed to finish fourth. The only other dead heat came in 2008 when Pocket Power and Dancer's Daughter crossed the line as one.

The track is pear-shaped and covers a distance of 2800 metres. All races clockwise round turn with 400m run-in. Low number draws are preferable, especially at 1600m

A road from the Berea to the centre of the city passes under the course, and the construction of the two subways resulted in the course having a number of unusual gradient features: -

- an uphill section from the 2400 metre mark up to 1800 metres,

- thereafter a gentle downward slope for about 800 metres

- an uphill section follows from the 800 metres into the straight,

- an almost level 500 metre final straight to Greyville's winning post.

Race Preview (Greyville)

Greyville Polytrack, 24.05.2017, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Poly, R85.000, 6:25PM

Race Summary: TRIPPILINE looks the obvious choice as she has scope for improvement after a fair debut on the turf here. She has also drawn well. GORGEOUS GUEST showed something on debut and could be a better horse on the poly. RHYME OR REASON went too far last time and she can only improve. LIBERTY MARKET could score an overdue win. First timer to watch out for as well.

Greyville Polytrack, 24.05.2017, Race 4, Gallops, 1400m, Poly, R82.000, 7:00PM

Race Summary: OSPREY won her second start well enough to suggest she has scope for further improvement. She is well bred and should go further in time. BON BON is relishing the polytrack and has already won off a wide draw. But she runs on the 19th - check that run first. TRIP QUEENS ran on nicely last time and could give BON BON a harder time here. ACCIDENTAL TOURIST is capable.

Greyville Polytrack, 24.05.2017, Race 5, Gallops, 1400m, Poly, R70.000, 7:35PM

Race Summary: Open as it gets. FANTASY ART returns from a well deserved break and could be ready to go come race time. He has dropped in ratings. WINTER AURALIUS must be respected on his penultimate race. He ran a cracker there and his only win came on the poly. ROY'S ROLL'S ROYCE is in winning form but drops in trip. GOLD SAIL and HONEST PRINCE have claims as well.

Greyville Polytrack, 24.05.2017, Race 6, Gallops, 1400m, Poly, R70.000, 8:10PM

Race Summary: FELLOW TRAVELLER is still learning. He showed this last time and he could settle better over this shorter trip. Anton Marcus also stays with him. FIGARO dictated matters and nothing troubled him. He will have his third run after gelding and could be on the up. The last run of ACE PILOT is best forgotten. His previous form entitles him to respect. CADDY MASTER is improving.

Greyville Polytrack, 24.05.2017, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Poly, R98.000, 8:50PM

Race Summary: LORD BALMORAL brings some exciting West Cape form into the race. He just needed his local debut and is also prepping for bigger races. NEVER SETTLE ran a cracker last time and if not disliking the drop in trip can find winning ways. He drew a bit wide. TOP FORM loves this track and deserves the utmost respect. PERCIVAL and PROFESSOR BRIAN could be anything here.

Greyville Polytrack, 24.05.2017, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Poly, R75.000, 9:25PM

Race Summary: ROCKY VALLEY ran a nice race after rest and gelding. The form has already produced top quality results and ROCKY VALLEY may make a strong poly debut. Stable mate LLOYD'S LEGACY may just need the run after rest and gelding and is certainly one to watch as he has shown potential. CAPTAIN CHAOS and SCARRABEAST should be knocking at the door otherwise. More in it.

Greyville Polytrack, 24.05.2017, Race 9, Gallops, 2000m, Poly, R82.000, 10:05PM

Race Summary: WARFARER is much better on the poly. He beat NIGHT CIRCUS easily the last time they met but it could get closer at these weights. NIGHT CIRCUS has the best of the draw. SMART WORLD is no weakling on the poly and is in good form. SUN ON AFRICA improved again. He has run in strong fields and could show class. RACING SOCKS is unbeaten on the surface but meets stronger.

Greyville Polytrack, 24.05.2017, Race 10, Gallops, 2000m, Poly, R70.000, 10:40PM

Race Summary: SHERIFF HOOD has improved of late. He won well and could again overcome a wide draw and do well. KEEP ON CHOOGLIN was supported in his last few and didn't do badly over shorter. He could enjoy this. STRATEGIC'S PRIDE has decent credentials and just needed his last race. But along with THE MONEY MAN, KALI'S KING and COURAGEOUS KING has drawn wide. PRINCIPATE can show.

Races to be simulcast are as follows:
Race 3 at 6:25pm
Race 4 at 7:00pm
Race 5 at 7:35pm
Race 6 at 8:10pm
Race 7 at 8:50pm
Race 8 at 9:25pm
Race 9 at 10:05pm
Race 10 at 10:40pm

Starter(South Africa)