Graeme Hawkins

Song To The Moon looks set to complete a hattrick of victories when he takes on five rivals in the R135 000 Cape B Stakes over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today. Billed as the second of nine races, Song To The Moon rates a confident Bipot banker for the in-form team of Justin Snaith and Richard Fourie. The 4yo son of What A Winter has matured into a very good-looking gelding with plenty of scope for further improvement. Given the lack of obvious pace in this small field, I would imagine that, if needs be, Fourie will allow Song To The Moon to use his big action and dictate matters from the front.

On form, he appears to have the measure of Chollima, Gimme More Time and Green Mandarin and the biggest threat could come from the lightly weighted 3yo daughter of Global View, Omikami, from the stable of Lucinda Woodruff. Set to carry just 50kgs, the improving Omikami will be partnered by Josh Solomons, and she could capitalise if the race is run at a false pace. Omikami is still relatively unexposed, having had only three starts to date, but she caught the eye when running on strongly over 1600m to finish fourth behind Hampstead Heath six weeks ago.

Fourie could strike for the Woodruff team in the fourth race, a Maiden Plate over 1400m. He has been engaged to ride My Archangel and the 3yo son of Soqrat was seen to good advantage when second recently behind Honor of Kings over 1200m. The step-up in trip should be ideal and from a handy barrier position, My Archangel could confirm the form with Gurkha who finished fourth in the same race. Superhero was a distant runner-up behind Scottish Kiss on debut, but the well-bred son of Futura will improve with racing experience and could make his presence felt.

The pick of Fourie’s full book of rides could be the Piet Botha-trained King Viserys in the sixth race, a Class 5 Handicap over 1400m. He is certainly no star, and labelling horses in low-grade handicaps is risky business, but to be frank, with the scratching of Boundless Love, the opposition looks decidedly limited and judged on his recent form, King Viserys looks hard to oppose. Trippi’s Silk drops into Class 5 company for the first time and may suddenly improve on his moderate last three efforts but I am going to take my chances with King Viserys.

Aldo Domeyer and Candice Bass-Robinson have lively chances with Sheets and Goggles (third race), Major Master (seventh race) and Babelicious in the eighth race. Best of these could be Sheets and Goggles in the opening leg of the Place Accumulator, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1400m. It is probably fair to say that Sheets and Goggles has under delivered since her promising debut, but she ran on nicely when third over track and trip last time and her maiden victory seems imminent.

Major Master bumps a competitive line-up in the seventh race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1400m, but his post-maiden effort when fourth behind Gentleman Joe over 1600m was encouraging and he jumps from pole position. Fourie rides the Eric Sands inmate, Carriacou, from an equally good draw and the 5yo son of Captain Of All has been placed in his last four starts. He meets Major Master on 2kgs better terms than weight-for-age and should again give a good account of himself. Commanding bounced back to best last time and on the form of their last run, there is not much to choose between Commanding and Carriacou. These three appear to be the principals, although an upset result cannot be ruled out.

Babelicious will sport blinkers for the first time when she takes on eight rivals in the penultimate race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m. Babelicious is weighted to match strides with Festival Chic, but the former may just have the edge of this track and trip. Hope Chest cannot be lightly dismissed. Her run in the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas is best ignored and she rates a strong chance on her previous course and distance performances. Alltheboysiveloved is holding form well and should once again be in the mix while Ticket To Vegas appears well treated at the weights and the 4yo daughter of William Longsword is a must-inclusion. Recent maiden winner Back At The George may have scope for further improvement.

The first race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, is due off at 12:35 – keep an eye on the betting with regards the newcomers Absolutely Yes and New World.

RACE 1

Very hard to assess this race, watch the market closely with the well-bred first timers in the race. 8 GOOD FOR YOU ran a lovely race on debut behind Orbit who is highly rated by the stable, he was very green first time at the races and stayed on strongly to finish third, with natural improvement, he will have a good each way chance in the opener. 4 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT stayed on well behind her stable companion on debut, she was lost in the early parts of the race and finished nicely for fifth, she takes on the boys here, but she looks progressive and must be included into the play. 2 SO AMERICAN will need to improve quite a bit to win, but the step up in trip should help him. 7 PAY THE PALACE can sneak into the Quartets at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 4 – 2 – 7)

RACE 2

2 CHOLLIMA put in a great performance last time for second behind Magic Verse, he had some hard luck stories in that race and finished powerfully late, he will be very competitive here off this rating of 81, include him into all bets. 7 SONG TO THE MOON is a beautiful looking gelding, he has won his last two starts impressively and should be right there again in the finish. 5 GIMME MORE TIME never runs a bad race, he will need to improve a good couple of lengths to beat this field, but his consistent and should be amongst the places. 6 OMIKAMI has always been highly rated by the stable, she ran a much better race last time over 1600m, now that she tries further with absolutely no weight on her back, she could certainly trouble them all. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 7 – 5 – 6)

RACE 3

7 SHEETS AND GOGGLES ran a lovely race last time behind Russian Royal, if she gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, she will go very close to winning, it looks to be the perfect race for her to finally exit the maiden ranks. 6 LOUI’S STAR is much better than her recent run on the 23rd of November, she was beaten just over five lengths by the winner, just looking at her profile and the way she races, there is no doubt she will improve with every start, watch her closely here. 4 MEURSAULT ran a much better race on the 4th of December behind Tap Shoes, if she can build on that performance, she can earn some money for the connections. 1 BLIND AMBITION improved nicely with the blinkers on last time, from a good draw, she must be respected for the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 6 – 4 – 1)

RACE 4

3 MY ARCHANGEL ran a terrific second behind Honor Of Kings on the 7th of December, he is progressive and should love the step up in trip from a good draw, there is no doubt he will have a good winning chance in this race. 2 DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT ran a fair race last time behind Cavalry Commander, the step up in trip to 1400m, should unlock massive improvement, he could be the value in what looks a tricky contest. 8 SUPERHERO ran on nicely for second on debut, even though he was well beaten, he has a lovely action and should improve with every start, watch him closely. 6 GURKHA should improve tremendously now that he steps up in trip, if he can produce his debut performance behind Cork Bay, he will have a solid winning chance. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 2 – 8 – 6)

RACE 5

1 WHISTLE THE TUNE ran a super race in the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas behind Fatal Flaw, she is highly rated by the stable and should get the run of the race from a good draw here in this tricky looking Class 3 event, Jockey Chad Little knows her well, she will be in the shake up no doubt. 9 HAMPSTEAD HEATH quickened up in good fashion to win a good race on the 19th of November, this is a step up in class for her, but she is improving and maturing into a lovely filly, include her into all bet types. 3 CALLMEGETRIX is as honest as they come, she needs a quiet ride and then finishes strongly late, she must be respected in a huge way. 4 GIMMETHATPEARL has tons of ability, if the race works out for her, she will be competitive again. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 9 – 3 – 4)

RACE 6

8 BOUNDLESS LOVE is a maiden taking on winners in this Class 5 event, there is no doubt it will be tough for him from a wide draw, but his a good looking gelding that seems to be getting the hang of things lately, his recent form is much better, if he can keep building and progressing with every start, he should run a decent race at a good price. 11 LOVERS LANE ran a fair race last time behind True Horizon, he steps up in trip now to 1400m, with some luck in running from a wide draw, he could pop up. 4 KING VISERYS has done so well for the owners, jockey Richard Fourie knows him well, on his best form he should be right there in the finish. 9 MOHANDAS will need to improve on his last start, he is far better than that, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 11 – 4 – 9)

RACE 7

1 MAJOR MASTER had absolutely no luck in running on the 26th of November behind Gentleman Joe, there should be no excuses for him from a good draw here, he will be very hard to beat, and this could easily be one of the better bets on the card. 4 COMMANDING ran a much better race on the 7th of December behind Garrix, he raced handy and stayed on really well all the way to the line, with a similar performance here, he will give Major Master something to think about in the finish. 2 CARRIACOU always tries his best, at this level over this trip of 1400m, he must be respected and included into all bets. 3 MY BESTIE only ran a fair race behind Dawn Till Dusk last time, on his best form he could have a nice place chance. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 4 – 2 – 3)

RACE 8

5 PINK PIGEON fought hard all the way to the line in her last start behind Roccapina, she is really a beautiful looking filly that should win quite a few races in her career, she changed stables on the 16th of December, she is progressive and must have a good each way chance in this tricky race. 2 ALLTHEBOYSIVELOVED ran a fair race behind Captain’s Destiny on the 16th of November, she moved up strongly midway through the race and then just stayed on late, the yard have always held this filly in high regard, she must be respected here. 8 FESTIVAL CHIC is much better than her recent run in the Grade 2 over 1400m, the drop in trip should help this filly, watch her closely. 1 TICKET TO VEGAS ran a cracker last time in a strong race, she must have a good each way chance on her best form. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 2 – 8 – 1)

RACE 9

10 ELUSIVE WINTER bounced back to his best form when beating a strong field on the 4th of December, he showed plenty speed out the gates with the blinkers on and led them from start to finish to win a super race, he looks to be in a good space at the moment, he will have a good winning chance here. 5 ONE LINER has been rested for 84 days, he put in a super gallop at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 19th of December, he is not the biggest of individuals, but he can accelerate like a smart horse, include him into all bets. 6 ALL ABOUT AL has been in great form of late, he needs a particular ride, if the race works out for him, he should be in the money again. 9 THE US OF A might just need the run from a long break, but he is talented and can win a race like this quite easily. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 5 – 6 – 9)

RACE 1

1 GREEN SAPPHIRE      7 GIMME A STORM      2 SUNFIRE       4 BILINGUAL 

Preview: GREEN SAPPHIRE (1) is improving with racing and looks hard to beat today. GIMME A STORM (7) caught the eye on debut and can improve to go close to winning. SUNFIRE (2) and BILINGUAL (4) have massive place chances and should win their race soon. (Warren Lenferna 1-7-2-4) 

RACE 2

6 BAD MEDICINE       3 THE MERICIFUL     8 POPLAR PARK       9 RISING RUSSIAN 

Preview: BAD MEDICINE (6) gets some weight off from the rider and caught the eye last time when third. He can be given serious claims today. THE MERCIFUL (3) is taking time for the win but should get it all right soon. POPLAR PARK (8) surely has more to offer and can make a bold bid at the finish – bright chance. RISING RUSSIAN (9) is a must for the trifecta and quartet play. (Warren Lenferna 6-3-8-9) 

RACE 3

1 GREY JET      4 POTBERRIE      8 LAVA FIRE      7 OMBUDSMAN 

Preview: GREY JET (1) is lightly raced and clearly progressive. He could take a power of beating and is a possible banker on the card. POTBERRIE (4) is holding form and has an each way chance. LAVA FIRE (8) placed at the last start and can certainly place again. A must for the trifecta perms. OMBUDSMAN (7) is never far off and could be the value for the places. (Warren Lenferna 1-4-8-7) 

RACE 4

2 SALENIO PENINSULA      1 CEUTA      5 HONG KONG       3 ACROSS THE POND 

Preview: SALENIO PENINSULA (2) is a talented filly that nearly scored last time. She is confidently selected to go one more. CEUTA (1) is ultra-consistent and cannot be ignored from any bets – strong claims. HONG KONG (5) is the unknown and could be absolutely anything. Do not ignore his chances, he won well. ACROSS THE POND (3) has a place chance. (Warren Lenferna 2-1-5-3) 

RACE 5

1 ALMOND SEA      7 RONDEBOSCH        3 KARATE KID      2 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER 

Preview: ALMOND SEA (1) shows pace and is talented. She might have needed her last run and can be expected to do way better this time. RONDEBOSCH (7) is an exciting prospect and has a bright winning chance. KARATE KID (3) trotted up last time beating Rondebosch and can follow up – respect and include in a competitive race. CHOCOLATE SOLDIER (2) is quick and has a first four chance. (Warren Lenferna 1-7-3-2) 

RACE 6

1 INDIAN OCEAN        4 SOLDIER’S EYE       5 WONDERFUL       8 SUKHUMVIT 

Preview: INDIAN OCEAN (1) is way better than her last run suggests and is selected to bounce right back to winning form. SOLDIER’S EYE (4) showed last time when a close up second, that she is on the come back road to the winner’s enclosure – big runner. WONDERFUL (5) is on a tremendous winning spree which can continue. SUKHUMVIT (8) can be forgiven for the last performance and is the value for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 1-4-5-8) 

RACE 7

2 ICE STAR        5 PISTOL PETE      3 SHELDON      4 TIME FO ORCHIDS 

Preview: ICE STAR (2) has won her last two impressively and is selected to reel off the hat trick. PISTOL PETE (5) is a decent sort, boasts solid form and just failed last time. He has huge each way claims and must be included. SHELDON (3) and TIME FO ORCHIDS (4) are natural quartet inclusions. (Warren Lenferna 2-5-3-4) 

RACE 8 

3 JUST VAR       5 KING OF NUMBERS      10 TWICE AS WILD        4 KOTINOS 

Preview: Hat trick seeking JUST VAR (3) goes well for Trent Mayhew and they will be looking to go all the way again here. Firm first pick. KING OF NUMBERS (5) is the value for the exacta spot and must be respected. TWICE AS WILD (10) always has claims and always runs a fair race – include, and, KOTINOS (4) could very well pop up one of these days. Watch. (Warren Lenferna 3-5-10-4) 

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.

David Thiselton

The KZN Racing awards will be held on 30 August in the Classic Room at Hollywoodbets Greyville and there is going to be a quandary this year about the KZN Horse Of The Season just as there was last year.

The Horse Of The Year award, unlike the other awards, are open to horses from the yards of trainers who are not domiciled in KZN as long as the subject horse has had three or more runs in KZN. It can thus be won by an out of province horse who has excelled in KZN during the season. The other awards can only be won by horses from KZN  yards, although Glen Kotzen and Dean Kannemeyer count as KZN yards because they have had satellite yards in KZN for many years.

The Horse Of The Year exclusion was probably made due to there not being a suitable candidate for some seasons in recent times. However, should not genuine KZN-trained horses like the Michael Roberts-trained See It Again last year and the Nathan Kotzen-trained Royal Victory this year be acknowledged in some way? Everybody in the industry would have viewed the former as the best horse from KZN in the 2022/2023 season, although the Peter Muscutt-trained Isivunguvungu could also have laid a claim, and this season Royal Victory is viewed by all and sundry as the best horse from KZN, although the Gareth van Zyl-trained Flag Man could also lay a claim having performed better on paper than Royal Victory in both the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup.

The Highveld racing awards could also potentially lead to an out of province horse being named Horse Of The Season. They are actually called the Highveld Feature Season awards as they go on performances of horses on the Highveld in features races during the season. Royal Victory was thus named the Champion Middle Distance Horse and Champion Older Male in the Highveld feature Season awards this year and he was only ousted in the Horse Of The Season award by the outstanding Mike de Kock-trained Gimme A Nother.

However, the big difference is that the Highveld features only have a sprinkling of out of province horses competing in them. The Horse Of The Season award will virtually always be won by a Highveld horse and was this year it went to the outstanding Mike de Kock-trained Gimme A Nother, even though Royal Victory became the first out of province horse in history to win both of the Highveld’s biggest races, the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup and the Gr 1 World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge.

The KZN horses, on the other hand, have to compete with every champion from every province, because all champions from around the country descend on KZN for the three month long world famous racing festival, The Champions Season.

Last year the Horse Of The Season was won by the Sean Tarry-trained Princess Calla, who won three Gr 1s in KZN during the season.

This year the favourite must be the Mike de Kock-trained Dave The King. He qualifies because he ran in KZN three times in the season and he won two open weight for age Gr 1s in KZN. He was in fact the only horse in the country to have won two open wfa Gr 1s last season.

However, Royal Victory is a history-making KZN horse. On top of being the first out of province horse to do the Highveld double of the Summer Cup and Premier’s Champions Challenge, he is in fact the first out of province horse to have ever won the Premier’s Champions Challenge and the second out of province horse this millennium to have won the Summer Cup.

He could well go home empty-handed on KZN Awards night. If Dave The King is to be named Horse Of The Season then he must also surely be named Champion Older Male. Furthermore, the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Green With Envy ran three times in KZN during the season, so qualifies for awards as explained earlier by Kannemeyer’s KZN status, and like Royal Victory he won two middle distance Gr 1s during the season and one of them was in KZN, so he must be in pole position to win the Middle Distance award.

So the widely acknowledged best horse in KZN, Royal Victory, might be completely unacknowledged in his home province.

There are special awards occasionally put on at racing award ceremonies and this might be a case in point of creating one.

However, what would probably be better considering the realities of racing in KZN during any given season, would be to create a new permanent award to acknowledge KZN’s best horse of the season. The award should only be open to horses from KZN yards.