Bling Chases Hollywoodbets Durban July Double

It’s been a productive and another character-building season for Hollywood bets Durban July, defending champion jockey Smanga “Bling” Khumalo. He sits third on the national jockey list and could have done even better if suspension hadn’t put him behind current big race favorites See It Again.

But he tells us it’s a great honor and privilege to be riding Drakenstein star Rain In Holland for trainer Sean Tarry on Saturday July 1st.

“To be honest, it wasn’t a bad season at all. I’ve ridden over 150 winners including two Gr1 wins at Bless My Stars and Rain In Holland and a good handful of other feature wins. Obviously the suspensions were a setback as I lost my SpashOut Cape Derby ride on the winner and current July favorite See It Again – but that’s racing! I’m blessed, no matter what the ups and downs, being in this wonderful sport and succeeding at it is never a given,” he adds philosophically as he greets us, telling us that in his commitment, every There is a lot of sentimentality for the Tarry court.

“Mr. Tarry gave me my first Durban July win in heavy metal back in 2013, exactly a decade ago, and amazingly that was his last win at this famous race. It just goes to show how difficult it is to win. I I would love nothing more than to put an end to this barren phase for him!” he adds with iron determination.

The very charming Smanga, twice national champion, is one of the most popular riders in South Africa. It really is a mobile billboard for all that horse racing has achieved in the 21st century^St Century.

Reflecting on his life, Smanga, who will turn 38 in November, tells the Sporting Post that he has found a deep contentment and mature balance between family life and the highly competitive world of horse racing.

Like any top jockey he has had his love-hate relationship with the racing crowd but finds strength and solace in returning home to his wife Pertunia Morais and their three beautiful children Persia, Kaiden and little Evolet.

“Family is important to all of us. In this respect I am very lucky. While Pertunia and our kids will be watching Hollywoodbets Durban July on TV from Johannesburg, I’ll have my Durban fans – my mum and sister – at Hollywoodbets Greyville calling me home, probably almost expecting me to be twelve that day winner.” He smiles broadly.

No wonder mom and sister are proud of Smanga!

After his grandiose record victory in heavy metal in July 2013, he became national jockey champion in 2013/2014 and brought home 183 wins. The following season, he set a personal best of 198 winners when he finished second to Gavin Lerena in the 2014–15 championship. He then won the championship for the second time in 2015/2016 with 243 wins.

“It’s a competitive world. We have great jockeys at every race center. People bet hard-earned money. It’s all flesh and blood. And there will be emotions and reactions. As long as I’m doing my best, that’s all that matters.”

Smanga says he has read in the media that if he brings home Rain In Holland he will join the illustrious ranks of C MacDonald (1900/1901), Syd Garrett (1919/1920), Anthony Delpech (2010/2011) and Richard Fourie (2019/2020), as jockeys, who won the Durban two years in a row in July.

However, his win will mark the first time in history that a female horse has won the race two years in a row.

We ask him if he really believes he can win and what about the 17 goal madness?

“It could have been so much better! Mr. Tarry was right next to Barrier Draw 1,” he laughs, referring to his stablemate, Bless My Stars, who secured pole position.

“But I know he believes in me. Therefore, he probably preferred to give me the difficult task, knowing that I can definitely handle the task. It’s not the worst when you’re out in July either, as we’ve seen at Kommetdieding – especially when they almost inevitably slow down in the middle. I know I am sitting on a horse that is being prepared by a brilliant conditioner who is keeping her super fit, doing very well and I hope she breaks through with ‘lucky running’!’

And will there be a pace?

“Judging by the way Dave The King rode strongly from the front in his great run at Daily News 2000, I expect he will lead us at this early stage and it will be interesting to see if his regular jockey can bring him back. Otherwise it could be another real test of endurance. I’ll do a more thorough analysis in due course and I’m happy to chat with you and your readers,” he helpfully adds.

Bling won the Hollywoodbets Durban July 2022 on Sparkling Water for Mike de Kock. We asked him how Silvano’s talented daughter compares to SA Triple Tiara winner Rain In Holland.

“They are both extremely strong ladies and difficult to handle. I don’t think people appreciate what it takes to fix them. Yet their big hearts power these great engines. They really are a real pleasure to work with and they are exactly the kind of horses that we jockeys dream of when rushing to work on the track in the morning.”

When asked how the bling of 2013 transformed into the bling of 2023, he replies almost shyly that he’s grown in stature both on and off Thoroughbred.

“I’ve grown up and improved. I’ve been working on my physical fitness and my biceps are proof of that. It helps against tears! And I have a top agent in Monty Mariemuthoo to take care of my rides. It helps me a lot!”

When asked about other possible winners on Hollywoodbets Durban’s July Day, he replied that he had no other “big rides” but that was the same position from which he approached the day in 2022.

“But I ended up winning the Hollywoodbets Durban July and two other winners including the Colts Sales Race – let’s hope for a repeat!”

As we stand to say goodbye, Bling asks us to express our gratitude and appreciation to all the trainers and owners who have entrusted their horses to him.

“Perhaps I can use the Sporting Post platform to thank all the trainers who have trusted me with their horses, particularly Gavin Smith and Alan Greeff in Port Elizabeth, Joey Soma and Sean Tarry in Gauteng, Dennis Bosch in KwaZulu-Natal and many others. ”

A last word or two?

“See you at Hollywoodbets Greyville on July 1st. It will be out of this world! Oops, oops! he laughs.