David Thiselton

Justin Snaith is on track to have a crack at the record number of wins in a South African season although he would have to improve his win rate per day as the season enters its second half.

Paul Peter holds the record of 221 in a season set in the 2021/2022 season, but interestingly he was only on 104 wins at close of play on February 3, 2022, whereas Justin Snaith was on 101 wins at the same stage, just three behind.

Jonathan Snaith said about a record chase, “It is definitely on Justin’s radar. He’s not actively chasing the record right now, but if he’s in the hunt come May, then he’ll push hard.”

He then revealed  that, “Justin will be opening a permanent yard in KZN this April now that Hollywoodbets and Greg Bortz are managing the Durban franchise. This will help in the record attempt.”

Snaith has had 634 runs and 101 wins this season for a strike rate of 15.93%.

That means if he keeps up the same number of runners per day rate and same strike rate as he had at the close of play on Monday this week, he will end the season on 197 wins.

That is some way short of 221, so he is going to have to probably increase both his number of runners per calendar day rate of 3.39 and his strike rate of 15.93%.

Snaith’s 208 wins in the 2020/2021 season has been his best ever return but Paul Peter broke the record of 215 set by Sean Tarry in the 2016/2017 season.

However, Snaith is a racing certainty to win the championship this year.

It looks highly unlikely there will be any late charges like those Sean Tarry mounted in the last two seasons, which saw him coming within one feature race result on Gold Cup day of landing the championship in the 2022/2023 season and of creeping within about R1,5 million of Snaith before Gold Cup day last year.

Snaith is close to R10 million ahead at the halfway mark this season.

His stakes earnings of R16,638,019 before yesterday’s racing at Fairview had started were well clear of Vaughan Marshall on R6,785,675, Alec Laird on R6,501,500,  Alan Greeff on 6,285,963, Tony Peter on R5,907,875, Gavin Smith on R5,585,513 and Candice Bass-Robinson on R5,406,188.

Sean Tarry is enduring his worst season for some time and just sneaks into the top ten on R4,654,013, but he does usually pick up significantly from February onward as he generally does well in Jo’Burg’s main season and in the Champions Season. His Gr 1 record at Hollywoodbets Scottsville is of course unmatched.

Brett Crawford was in 8^th place on R4,765,156, while many-times champion Mike de Kock was in ninth place on R4,682,575, but their stakes earnings will not increase as they are now in official partnerships with their respective sons James and Mathew. 

Snaith is also well clear in the number of wins column. In second place, 23 behind him, was Alan Greeff on 78 wins. Next best are Gavin Smith on 63, Tony Peter on 50 and Candice Bass-Robinson on 40.

These stats would likely have changed slightly by the close of play yesterday.  

Graeme Hawkins

Grant Van Niekerk enjoys a 31,4% winning strike rate when riding for trainer Adam Marcus and the combination could build on that statistic when My Only Weakness lines up in the seventh race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1600m, at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today. My Only Weakness took a while to find her feet but since being stepped up in trip, the 3yo daughter of One World has been a model of consistency and was touched off by Summer Night City over 1800m a month ago.

In her penultimate start My Only Weakness was narrowly beaten over 1800m by Lady Springfield, who reopposes here on 1kg worse terms, and My Only Weakness will have every chance of gaining revenge. It may not be in either My Only Weakness or Lady Springfield’s favour that the pair come back slightly in distance and that could play into the hands of Jet To The Sun who was an impressive winner in similar company over the track and trip in her last start. Jet To The Sun, a 4yo daughter of What A Winter, enjoys a weight-for-age advantage with both My Only Weakness and Lady Springfield and she is likely to give plenty of cheek.

Senhora Victoria is usually somewhere in the mix and could again earn a minor stakes cheque while recent maiden winner Englefield Green could have more to offer. Pentolina was not at her best in her last two starts in November but may have freshened up nicely in the interim and could be the source of a surprise result. Give My Everything won a modest maiden from a poor draw three weeks ago but the 3yo daughter of Gimmethegreenlight is still relatively unexposed and can show further progress. Pilot Flame has been sidelined since October and will need to step up on her form prior to the break.

It’s a competitive handicap but My Only Weakness is knocking loudly at the door and gets a narrow vote to score a well-deserved second career victory.

The ninth race is an intriguing Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1000m in which winning chances can be afforded to most of the field. I harbour a slight preference for the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Tanneron who showed signs of returning to best form three weeks ago when finishing third over 1200m behind the very progressive Sohot Sowhat. The lightly raced daughter of Var may now lack early pace over the minimum trip, but she should be finishing off the race in style. Stable companion The Charleston ran below par last time but rates a threat on her previous two outings in which she came home second best. She does appear to have issues and cannot be relied on to deliver her optimum.

Peace Of Mind has had two starts since relocating to the Western Cape from the Highveld and she was seen to good advantage when third over this track and trip last time out. On the strength of that form, she should have the measure of Furious Queen and In The Green Zone. Peace Of Mind is now trained by the Crawford/Rix combination and the stable were in fine form at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over the past weekend. Priscilla Maisey was not far behind Tanneron last time and on that effort comes into the race with a bright chance if she does not fall foul of the “second-run-after-rest” syndrome.

Love Shack won well at the end of December, but her stable companions are marginally preferred. Palo Queen appears to have lost her form and would be a surprise winner but the joker in the pack could be the very speedy Bonne Bouche. She found 1200m a little beyond her three weeks ago when fading late but she has plummeted down the ratings and could upset the applecart here at a big price.

While the back end of the card looks tricky, punters could have the better of exchanges during the first half of the programme. Malmesbury Missile ticks all the right boxes in the opener, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m and in the second race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1400m, Diamond Bomber may have the edge over Catch A Penny who tackles the distance for the first time.

Tenpenny and Dubbelosix stand out in the third race, a Maiden Plate over 1600m, but I have a slight preference for Tenpenny who may have been a little unlucky to go down a short-head last time. Future Frequency looks a worthy favourite in the fourth race, a Maiden Plate over 2000m, but Umfula may relish stepping up in trip and could be a lively threat. The fifth race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1800m, looks wide open but I quite like the 7/1 chance Blossoming Mind who should appreciate the tougher test of stamina here.

RACE 1

3 MALMESBURY MISSILE ran a fair race in the Charles Dickens Stakes on the 4th of January, he is a lovely looking colt, he will enjoy the step up in trip to 1200m, there is absolutely no doubt he will be a massive runner here. 7 NEW WORLD was very green on debut, he was only beaten just over five lengths, he should make the necessary improvement from run one to run two, include him into the play at a decent price. 5 ROCKAROUNDTHECLOCK was gelded on the 9th of December 2024, he ran a decent race on debut when finishing just over six lengths behind Orbit, he looks like the type that will improve with every start, watch him closely. 4 VAPOUR TRAIL will need to improve significantly to win, he was well beaten on debut by Parental Guidance, now that he steps up in trip, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 7 – 5 – 4)

RACE 2

8 DIAMOND BOMBER has run three very good seconds in succession, her form is undoubtedly good enough to win this race, if she gets some luck in running from a tricky draw in a small field, she will be hard to beat. 1 CATCH A PENNY can be a temperamental sort, the blinkers stay on, and she steps up in trip to 1400m, she will be the biggest danger to Diamond Bomber on her recent form. 3 BEAUTIFUL SIDE showed good improvement in her second start at the races, champion jockey Richard Fourie sticks with this filly from a good draw, she is clearly improving and must be respected. 2 WINTER GAMBLE needs to improve quite a bit to win this race, the step up in trip could help her chances. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 1 – 3 – 2)

RACE 3

7 TENPENNY was heavily supported in the market last time, he moved up like a winner inside the last 200m of the race and then took an awkward stride close to the finishing line, he finished second behind Red Dawn, if the race works out for him, he will have a big winning chance. 9 DUBBELOSIX has been rested and gelded, he ran on powerfully for second behind Western World on the 19th of November, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he will be a big danger for Tenpenny in the finish. 5 BRIGADIER BILLY improved nicely in his second start at the races, he is well bred and should get stronger with every start, he could be some value in this competitive race. 1 MANIKONGO will love the step up in trip from a good draw, watch for big improvement. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 9 – 5 – 1)

RACE 4

3 FUTURE FREQUENCY has run two very good seconds in his last two starts, he should love the step up in trip, if he can build on his last performance behind Bombers In The Sky, he will take lots of beating. 5 UMFULA stayed on strongly late from a poor draw in his last start, he was only beaten just over two lengths by the winner, the step up in trip to 2000m should unlock further improvement, he will go very close to winning. 7 WOOD WORLD ran a fair race on the 11th of December behind Ardabil, he made up good ground late, this looks to be a nice race for him to be super competitive. 8 AHEAD OF THE FACTS will need to improve a few lengths to beat a horse like Future Frequency, he has run two decent races of late, he could sneak into the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 5 – 7 – 8)

RACE 5

10 DOUBLE DASH ran a lovely race against the boys last time, she ran third behind Express Yourself, the drop in trip to 1800m should be no problem at all, if she can get some luck in running from a tricky barrier gate, she will have a good winning chance. 4 HUNGA TONGA ran the best race of her career last time when finishing strongly for third, she has taken some time to mature, if she can bring that performance to the races again on Wednesday afternoon, she will be competitive. 9 STRAWBERRY THIEF ran a much better race on the 18th of January, she was drawn wide and stayed on late, the further step up in trip should help her chances, watch for big improvement. 1 BLOSSOMING MIND gets a perfect draw, she has been sparingly raced, there could be more improvement to come from her. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 4 – 9 – 1)

RACE 6

4 MELA STRENGTH has been really consistent in his last few races, he ran a great race last time with a big weight on his back, he gets a good pull in the weights now with Summer Night City who beat him last time, this looks to be the perfect race for him, he should go very close to winning this Class 5 event. 3 SUMMER NIGHT CITY showed plenty heart to win a good race on the 11th of January, she was only given two points for that victory, again she must have a big winning chance. 1 PAST AND PRESENT finished just under one length behind Summer Night City in a driving finish last time, his last two runs have been excellent, from a good draw here, he must be respected. 5 RED DAWN quickened up well to win a good race on the 15th of January, he is still improving but carries a big weight for his first run out of the maiden ranks, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 3 – 1 – 5)

RACE 7

1 ENGLEFIELD GREEN put the record straight to win a lovely race on the 18th of January, she settled beautifully in running and then quickened smartly to win comfortably, the yard has always held this filly in high regard, now that she has the confidence, she could easily win again from a good draw. 7 JET TO THE SUN never runs a bad race, she finished her race off well on the 18th of December to beat Kamchatka in convincing fashion, she tries hard and should be involved again. 3 MY ONLY WEAKNESS has been consistent through her career, she ran a cracker last time when finishing second behind Summer Night City, this race will require more from her, but she is honest and should earn some money again. 4 LADY SPRINGFIELD has been rested for 71 days, she quickened up from a long way back to win well last time, she is still improving and must be included into all bets. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 7 – 3 – 4)

RACE 8

4 BLACK PATH ran a top race on the 15th of January behind the improving December Dawn, Trainer Peter Wrensch has done a great job with this six-year-old mare, on her best form, she will have a good each way chance in this tough looking race. 9 ROYAL LYTHAM is as honest as they come, she was only beaten just over two lengths in her last start, her form is good, and she will have a massive winning chance. 6 WHY NOT JACKIE is much better than her last run, she needs cover early, if the race plans out for her, she could certainly win a race like this. 2 COUNTRY TIME has dropped further in the ratings, her last two runs have been fair, watch for big improvement from this individual. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 9 – 6 – 2)

RACE 9

5 THE CHARLESTON is much better than her last run on the 18th of December, she is a decent filly on her day, unfortunately life won’t be easy for her with a massive weight on her back, but she is talented and must be respected in a wide-open race. 8 LOVE SHACK quickened exceptionally well to win a good race on the 22nd of December, this race does look far more competitive, but she is consistent, and she has a striking turn of foot, include her into all bets. 9 TANNERON bounced back to form on the 15th of January, she stayed on well to finish third, with a similar performance in this Class 4 race, she could certainly cause the upset. 3 BONNE BOUCHE has dropped further in the ratings, she is very fast and could make the exotics pay. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 8 – 9 – 3)

 David Thiselton

The Trippi mare Shatoosh was bought for a bargain R5,000 at the 2023 Cape Racing Winter Mixed Sale and, as so often happens when a mare is given up on, her progeny suddenly start coming to the fore.

Among Shatoosh’s progeny who have done well since that sale is the Frank Robinson-trained Duke Of Marmalade gelding Duke Of Africa, who has a remarkable story behind him having recovered from a snake bite.

Frank said, “It is apparently not rare. I am told, for a snake to come into a box at night to drink water from the buckets in the corner. They will drink and then depart. But sometimes what happens is a horse will stand on them and they will then strike. We don’t know what type of snake bit him, but the bite was into the joint. What normally happens with a snake bite is all the flesh falls off the bone, so the whole leg just falls down and they have to be euthanised. 

However, what we did was not something conventional. We dripped him with a certain product together with antibiotics all night, and we then sweated the leg continuously with Epsom salts and bandages to try and extract the poison. And he made it!”

 He was off for nearly a year though. Funnily enough, before he was bitten by the snake, he had a few little aches and pains behind and we were resting him quite a lot, so he actually had a good rest for recovery this time and he moves so  much better now as a result, so it has helped all round. I still bandage over the wound area every day. It is just one of those ailments that improves and improves … I left him in the paddock a lot so he could walk a lot and keep mobile otherwise it could flare up. It took a long time to heal.”

It would not have been possible to treat Duke Of Africa with such high care without him having had a caring owner, so accolades must go to Paul Janse van Rensburg, who never questioned anything done for the horse during the treatment and recovery period.

Frank said, “Paul is such a nice guy and just wants what is best for the horse. He is now reaping the rewards, because the horse can race on until he is eight or nine years old.”

Duke Of Africa made it a second win in seven starts since the bite and he also has two thirds and a fourth and a fifth from those starts.

Frank said, “The heavier that poly track is the more he just rolls through it. His first win after the snake bite was on a heavy poly track over 2000m and he won by 7,90 lengths and it was over the same course and distance last Friday night and he won by 2,90 lengths.”

Frank is now going to look at a race for him at Turffontein over 3000m, because he believes that is what he is looking for. Frank also noticed that on the heavy track on Friday night another Duke Of Marmalade also won. 

Another sibling of Shatoosh who has blossomed since the mare was sold is the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Andi’s Girl, who was a touch unlucky not to gain Listed status last time out. That is not to mention her Erupt colt selling for R200,000 at the Cape Racing ‘s ready to run Sale last year. 

Shatoosh won four races from 1200m to 1600m. Her sire Trippi was a producer of speed but also of class, so his progeny, like Jet Dark, are able to win over the classic distances.

Duke Of Africa is the product of a potent combination i.e. the late Duke Of Marmalade, who won five successive Gr 1s in Europe, and the late stallion Trippi, who has sired 68 stakes winners to date, including 14 Gr 1 winners.

Frank was surprised to secure him for R45,000 at the BSA Cape Yearling Sale of 2021.

Frank was a fan of Duke Of Marmalade due to his famous Gr 1-winning streak and he was also lucky enough to meet him when visiting Aidan O’Brien’s yard many years ago. He noticed his good looks and excellent temperament, “an absolute gentleman.”

He continued, “Duke Of Africa actually looks very much like him and what was interesting is I weighed my runners the other day and a lot of the big ones were 480kg and 490kg and he was 530kg.”

He added, “He was bred by Drakenstein and I thought the name, Duke Of Africa, they could have used on anyone of their horses but I believed they would have given it to a special one. He was a very nice yearling, but some people had gone off Duke Of Marmalade.”

Duke Of Africa has only once run beyond 2000m and he looks like one to follow over staying trips. 

All systems go on 1 January 2025

Horseracing in KwaZulu-Natal took the next step to the dawn of a new era with the publication on Thursday of a revitalized racing programme and the news of the introduction of incentives and stakes adjustments that will align the province with the status quo in the Cape.

The introduction of the new-look programme and policies on the East Coast comes into play as a result of the proposed acquisition of Gold Circle by the Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings group, which now hinges on the required approval of the KZN Economic Regulatory Authority (KZNERA).

Whilst the outstanding approval of the KZNERA is critical to the transaction, and will be the final step in transferring ownership, Hollywoodbets and its appointed Chairman Designate of Gold Circle, Greg Bortz are in management and strategic decisions during the interim period, with Hollywoodbets investing funds at its own risk to ensure the continuity of horse racing in KZN, and the survival of Gold Circle.

Programme and related reading matter, click here.

Subject to the fulfillment of other outstanding conditions precedent, the deal effectively unlocks a R500 million rescue injection from Hollywoodbets, and a takeover of the sport in the holiday province, which is set to include track upgrades and other infrastructural and operational initiatives.

The new KZN programme covers the period 1 January to 28 February 2025 and introduces the stakes-boosted class racing structure to the province, while unveiling financial incentives via the RaceCoast incentive scheme with the ultimate aim of improving racehorse ownership in KZN and achieving enhanced field sizes with the knock-on vital lifeblood of increased betting turnovers.

Down South, the RaceCape incentive programme has proven a winner and has underscored the unprecedented turnaround in Cape horseracing by providing further opportunities for the local racing community and increased employment prospects for grooms and work riders, as well as raising the bar for all related and ancillary horse racing services.

“We are very excited about future plans for KZN racing,” Cape Racing Executive: Racing & Bloodstock Justin Vermaak told the Sporting Post on Thursday, as he outlined broad plans to revolutionise the appeal of the sport across the board for all stakeholders in KZN.

“We need to provide owners and trainers with an even and attractive playing field that makes them want to race. Stakes and rewards need to be meaningful. That ultimately leads to better field sizes, more exciting racing and improved betting turnovers. Punters are key to the success of the process. We are implementing a first world reform in terms of transparency when it comes to information. Items like horse weights, for example, will be published. They are, after all, a form assessment tool. Horses working at our training centres and tracks will all have easily identifiable bar-coded saddle-cloths. So, there are no secrets. If Oriental Charm or One Stripe is on track, the public will share in it,” added Vermaak, who confirmed that barrier draws after acceptance was another operational change which would be implemented on 1 January 2025.

Veteran KZN trainer Garth Puller, who attended a recent stakeholder’s meeting at Summerveld hosted by Greg Bortz, Justin Vermaak, Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets officials, enthused that he was thrilled by the news of the takeover by business-minded racing people who were brave and bold enough to step in and turn the ship around.

“This has come very late for me at my age, but it’s a lifechanger and the future is brighter than it was yesterday,” reflected a delighted Puller as he told the Sporting Post that the adjusted stakes and ‘very welcome’ incentives would boost cash-flows,  while also making it so much easier to help him and his colleagues market the basic ownership product.

“And we are getting draws after acceptances. Wonderful! I was calling for that 25 years ago at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Bigger fields mean a faster pace, means better form, means better truer results. It’s an ecosystem of positivity. It all feeds on itself,” added the horseman who is never scared to pass an opinion.

Puller said the repair of the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville was ‘definitely quite overdue and welcome news’.

“That’s our stage. The track must be safe for horse and rider, be true and competitive, and have credibility with all role-players. That’s not a negotiable.”

On the ‘abolition’ of the committee structure to facilitate decision making and policy, Puller said that he was so pleased to hear that all reasonable suggestions will be considered by management.

“Wonderful! So there are no more long-winded committees to hide behind and to dither over. How refreshing.  I believe every stakeholder in this sport in KZN needs to doff a cap to Hollywoodbets and Mr Bortz. This investment and takeover is a brave move. But we know that with the passion for horse racing of the local population in this province, we can make it work. And by putting the structures in place they are making sure we have no excuses. Let’s look forward and get on with rebuilding KZN racing. I am absolutely thrilled. This is good news,” he concluded.

Johannesburg, 15 October 2024 – 4Racing in conjunction with the Handicappers have published the first log for the 2024 R6 million Gr1 Betway Summer Cup to be run at Turffontein on Saturday 30 November.

Second entries close at 11am on Tuesday 05 November, and final entries at 9am on Monday, 18 November 2024, after which weights will be announced. Declarations must be in by 11am on Wednesday, 20 November 2024 and barrier draws will be conducted at a Betway event on 20 November 2024. The final log will be published on Tuesday 05 November 2024.

Local Quartet pools with fractional betting on selected UK race meetings will return to the TabGold betting menu from this Thursday following a mixed reception from customers to the introduction of commingled Quartet pools on all UK and Irish race meetings last month.

Such commingled Quartet pools have been welcomed in some quarters, but many TabGold customers have complained that this has resulted in them being unable to play fractional Quartet bets on UK races.

TabGold have taken note of the complaints and from this Thursday 12 September customers can enjoy the best of both worlds. As before local Quartet pools with fractional betting will be offered on two UK meetings most days with commingled Quartet pools on all other UK and Irish meetings.

Whether an Irish or UK meeting has local or commingled pools will be displayed clearly on Tab sheet race cards in store and online.

Unfortunately for several reasons, including vast differences in exchange rates, it is not technically possible to offer fractional bets on pools commingled internationally.

The minimum unit for commingled bets is R1 (more in the case of countries like the USA) and this is itself a fractional bet in international tote pools.

As an example, the unit of a UK Tote Quartet is one Pound and a customer playing a R1-unit Quartet with TabGold on a UK race is buying about 1/24th of the bet, depending on the exchange rate on the day. And if that bet is the only winning ticket, the customer will get 1/24th of the pool and the remainder will be carried over. To get the full UK Tote payout on a commingled Quartet requires playing the bet to a R24 unit.

That aside, the introduction of commingled Quartet bets has given TabGold customers many more opportunities to play Quartets on UK and Irish races, and access to bigger pools and payouts.