Andrew Harrison

Punters will have to do some serious homework for the Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting today where they are faced with a competitive card of handicaps.

Best bet however, could come in the first leg of the Pick 6, race three on the nine-race programme where Alyson Wright sends out Gorgeous Bomb. The daughter of Lancaster Bomber was well supported on debut and only just failed. She can go one better even taking on males and a modest field. Biggest threat could come from One Armed Bandit who has only missed a cheque once in six starts and that was over 1800m. He should put in another bold showing back to a sprint.

In the fourth, Zena Rose has been knocking at the door for Duncan Howells and only just failed last time out over course and distance. Close up in third that day was Rani Tarabai who made good improvement after a break and could have more to come. Dee Day was always handy before fading late in her last run over a mile and can do better back over this shorter trip. Skipper O’Malley  improved second time out and should prefer the extra furlong.

The fifth is a wide open handicap but Barry Du Grond ran way below ability last start and may have need the run coming off a break. He has a competitive draw with a 2.5kg claimer up and should start at lengthy odds. Burning Man found one too good when favourite last time out and can make amends while Magma Magic was another beaten favourite last run but ran well below form. He has a chance on his previous effort. Gimmethegoodlife has been close-up in both starts since his maiden win and goes well this course and distance.

Perilla faces a tough task in the sixth but steps up to a more suitable trip and jumps from a competitive gate. Bevies Delight is always dangerous and has been running on late over shorter. This longer trip from a good draw should suit. Mike Miller has three competitive runners but Warrior Royale was close-up behind Bevies Delight last run could prove the pick. Go Like Flo has the widest draw to contend with but has put in two competitive local efforts and she is never far back.

The seventh could prove a little tricky. Cape Eagle is the class act and was far from disgraced in the Summer Cup but has been rested since and he is more effective over a little further. However, his class may tell. View Of The World has been consistent and goes well this trip. He jumps in class but only has 49.5kg to shoulder. Miss Platina ran an excellent race in a six-horse field last run where Royal Victory was favourite. She also has a light weight and will be a threat.

The eighth is another wide open handicap but Sonata Samaritan was not disgraced first run out of the maidens behind the promising Mocha Blend. She had the worst of the draw that day and is now drawn pole. Forward Motion showed up well first run back from a break and the Lafferty stable is in form .Miss Paget may just have needed her last run but was not far back. She has also dropped in the ratings and now seems to be off a competitive mark. Grey Fantacy has been disappointing since her maiden win but goes another furlong further and can pop up at any time.

Future Flo can round off the meeting . He has been well placed by Michael Roberts and has only been creeping up the ratings. He has cracking recent form and rates the one to beat again. Wissa’s On Fire could be a threat as he makes his local debut. He has dropped in the ratings in spite of some useful Cape form. Philispiel showed up nicely first run back from a break and is over his favourite course and distance. While Trafalgar Square surprised with the blinkers off last time out and only got a two-point rise in the handicap.

Race 1

8 GOTTA GO EDDIE  3 GEORGE’S MAGIC   1 BLACKJACK RANDALL   2 LIKE FIRE  

Summary: Keep an eye on the first timers especially GOTTA GO EDDIE (8). Of those that have run, there should be little between GEORGE’S MAGIC (3) and BLACKJACK RANDALL (1) the two having met last time out the former finishing a length ahead. Both started at long odds. LIKE FIRE (2) was also in that race and finished a further length back but has not franked that form. (Andrew Harrison: 8-3-1-2).

Race 2

8 MOJO MAN   6 CONVOCATION 7 LICENCE TO THRILL   3 QUANDARY

 Summary: CONVOCATION (6) found her best form last run when going close at long odds. She is now 2.5kg better off with LICENCE TO THRILL (7) who bids for a hattrick of wins. MOJO MAN (8) has some fair Cape form and makes his debut for a new stable along with ICY BLAST (5) who goes a furlong further. QUANDARY (3) is not always reliable but is capable on his day. (Andrew Harrison: 8-6-7-3).

Race 3

9 GORGEOUS BOMB   2 ONE ARMED BANDIT   4 FANTASY LEAGUE   5 GALATIC LOVER

Summary: GORGEOUS BOMB (9) was well supported on debut and only just failed. She can go one better even taking on males. ONE ARMED BANDIT (2) has only missed a cheque once in six starts and that was over 1800m. He should put in another bold showing back to a sprint. FANTASY LEAGUE (4) and GALACTIC LOVER (5) have shown some ability and have money chances. (Andrew Harrison: 9-2-4-5).

Race 4

2 RANI TARABAI   4 ZENA ROSE   5 DEE DAY   8 SKIPPER O’MALLEY

Summary: Open. ZENA ROSE (4) has been knocking at the door and only just failed last time out over course and distance. Close up in third was RANI TARABAI (2) who made good improvement after a break. Should could have more to come. DEE DAY (5) was always handy before fading late and can do better back over this shorter trip. SKIPPER O’MALLEY (8) improved second time out and should prefer the extra furlong. Should come on further. (Andrew Harrison: 2-4-5-8).

Race 5

3 BARRY DU GROND   7 BURNING MAN   6 MAGMA MAGIC   9 GIMMETHEGOODLIFE

Summary: Wide open handicap. BARRY DU GROND (3) ran way below ability last start but may have need the run coming off a break. He has a competitive draw with a 2.5kg claimer up and should start at lengthy odds. BURNING MAN (7) found one too good when favourite last time out and can make amends. MAGMA MAGIC (6) was another beaten favourite last run but ran well below form. Chance on his previous effort. GIMMETHEGOODLIFE (9) has been close-up in both starts since his maiden win and goes well this course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 3-7-6-9).

Race 6

3 PERILLA   2 BEVIES DELIGHT   9 WARRIOR ROYALE   12 GO LIKE FLO

Summary: Open handicap. PERILLA (3) steps up to a more suitable trip and jumps from a competitive gate. BEVIES DELIGHT (2) is always dangerous and has been running on late over shorter. This trip from a good draw should suit. Mike Miller has three competitive runners but WARRIOR ROYALE (9), close-up behind Bevies Delight last run could prove the pick. GO LIKE FLO (12) has the widest draw to contend with but has put in two competitive local efforts and she is never far back. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-9-12).

Race 7

2 VIEW OF THE WORLD   8 MISS PLATINA   3 CAPE EAGLE   5 AFROPOLITAN

Summary: VIEW OF THE WORLD (2) has been consistent and goes well this trip. He jumps in class but only has 49.5kg to shoulder. CAPE EAGLE (3) was far from disgraced in the Summer Cup but has been rested since and he is more effective over a little further. However, his class may tell. MISS PLATINA (8) ran an excellent race in a six-horse field last run where Royal Victory was favourite. She also has a light weight and will be a threat. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-3-5).

Race 8

1 SONAT SAMARITAN   4 FORWARD MOTION   3 MISS PAGET   11 GREY FANTASY

Summary: Another wide open handicap. SONATA SAMARITAN (1) was not disgraced first run out of the maidens behind the promising Mocha Blend. She had the worst of the draw that day and is not drawn pole. FORWARD MOTION (4) showed up well first run back from a break. The stable is in form and she can go one better. MISS PAGET (3) may just have needed her last run but was not far back. She has dropped in the ratings and now seems to be of a competitive mark. GREY FANTACY (11) has been disappointing since her maiden win but goes another furlong further and can pop up at any time. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-3-11).

Race 9

8 FUTURE FLO   1 WISSA’S ON FIRE   4 PHILISPIEL   6 TRAFALGAR SQUARE

Summary: FUTURE FLO (8) has been well placed by Michael Roberts and has only been creeping up the ratings. He has cracking recent form and rates the one to beat again. WISSA’S ON FIRE (1) makes his local debut and has dropped in the ratings in spite of some useful Cape form. He will be a big threat. PHILISPIEL (4) showed up nicely first run back from a break. He is over his favourite course and distance. TRAFALGAR SQUARE (6) surprised with the blinkers off last time out and only got a two-point ride in the handicap. (Andrew Harrison: 8-1-4-6).

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.