Star Major the new Durban July favourite after winning Daily News 2000

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Sat 30 May 2026 16:17

Jon Vine 2 hours ago

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Star Major becomes 2026 Durban July favourite after winning at Greyville
Bookmakers cut odds to 4/1; Note To Self and Wish List next in betting
Jockey Mickaelle Michel may secure first Durban July ride with Star Major

Greyville racecourse. (Getty)

Star Major has jumped to the head of the betting for the 2026 Durban July, following an impressive victory at Greyville on Saturday.

The Daily News 2000 is one of the last key trials for the Durban July. Note To Self was expected to claim a comfortable victory in the feature at Greyville, but it was market rival Star Major who came out on top.

James Crawford's star was ridden to victory by young jockey Mickaelle Michel, who could now secure her first Durban July ride aboard Star Major. Happy Verse kept on well to finish second in the Daily News 2000, with favourite Note To Self only third.

Star Major's owner, Durban-born Ravi Naidoo, was quick to state that the Durban July was next on the agenda for Crawford's rising star. Bookmaker Hollywoodbets then cut Star Major into favouritism for the 2026 Durban July, offering fresh odds of 4/1.

Note To Self remains the second favourite for the July, despite a disappointing defeat at Greyville. His stablemate, the filly Wish List, jumps up to third in the market, having won the Woolavington 2000 earlier on the Daily News card.

See It Again has drifted from Durban July favouritism out to 7/1, with punters coming down on the side of the three-year-olds. Eight On Eighteen can also be backed at a single-figure price, along with Happy Verse.