David Thiselton

All eyes will be on the Mike de Kock-trained Heather’s Boy at today’s Tuesday meeting on Turffontein Standside as he runs in a Graduation Plate over 1600m just eleven days before the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, for which he is still an entry.

De Kock also has Greaterix and Artist’s Model in the Cape Guineas, but the former endured a hard race in the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans on Saturday when finding himself in front and probably going too hard, while the latter was beaten by over ten lengths so will have a hard task if taking his place.

Heather’s Boy has been impressive and obviously has a lot of scope for further improvement as he has been green. He was challenged last time by the smart Bacchus, who franked the form by wining next time out in easy fashion. Heather’s Boy gave Bacchus 1kg and a half-a-length beating over the course and distance of today’s racing and would have benefitted from being in a battle as the penny still had to drop with him. Today he is drawn in pole position in a seven-horse field and officially has a very tough task at the weights. According to official merit ratings he is no fewer than 8,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner, who is his stablemate, the year older filly Champagne Cocktail. Heather’s Boy is in fact only fifth best in at the weights. However, such is his scope for improvement that he is still tipped to win. In fact, one fact in his favour is Guy Gibson is second best in at the weights and is officially 8kg well in with Heather’s Boy, but the latter’s stablemate Greaterix slammed Guy Gibson by 8,75 lengths last time over this trip in a Graduation Plate that had a similar weight structure to this one. Guy Gibson might still be able to run a place here as he has some class and has run better in his last two starts than he has been running lately. 

However, the chief danger could be We Are The Logans. He is only 2,5kg well in with Heather’s Boy but has shown class in the past and is in good form at present. The three-year-old Truth has been disappointing for a while and has another tough draw, but if it pans out well, he could earn as he is also showing signs of a form return. Heather’s Boy is taken to beat We Are The Logans with Truth and Guy Gibson next best and then Champagne Cocktail, who has become a disappointing. 

In the first leg of the Pick 6, Roman’s Revenge has turned the corner since being associated with Chase Maujean and a five-point raise might not prevent the hattrick. However, Only A Poet made a fine Highveld debut over this trip for a new yard and has to be included, although he has a tricky draw. Silvano’s Song has a form chance but also has a tricky draw. Romeo’s Magic is well drawn and a repeat of his last run could see him in the shake up. Storm Ahead should be included as he will enjoy the step back in trip after winning his maiden well over it and then failing over 2400m.

In the sixth race over 1400m, Wolf Mountain ran a cracker last time when a narrow second in the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over this course and distance and due to an operator’s condition he escaped with a four-point raise. His capped merit rating makes him potentially well handicapped here and he has a fair draw. Grey Jet won his maiden well but the form has not worked out particularly well and he has a tough draw. Choisaanada was not disgraced last time in a Graduation Plate but on formlines has a tough task with Wolf Mountain. Busstopinhounslow is on the up and relished the step up to 1200m last time and should enjoy a further step up in trip. Daring Dash could earn if producing his best but he needs to bounce back.

In the seventh over 1400m, Blue Horizon is full of ability but has not enjoyed much luck lately and has come down another point in the merit ratings. She has a fair draw and should enjoy the Standside track with its long straight. Queen Of Love had won two-in-a-row before failing in a Gr 3 feature last time but back in this class and sneaking into the handicap with the minimum weight she could have a say.  Duenna is a hard-knocking sort who is distance suited and well-drawn but she did finish behind Blue Horizon last time. Alabama Anna sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and is well drawn and comes from an in form yard and she beat Blue Horizon when they last met so she is hard to ignore. Ceuta beat Alabama Anna when they met in July but is worse off at the weights and has not run since then.

In the eighth over 1400m, Tried And True has improved in the Robyn Klaasen yard and has notable resolve. She can make it a hattrick despite a tricky draw and is suggested as a banker. For the risk averse the biggest dangers look to be Rattle Bag and Coffeeberry, although for the latter this will be tougher than the tasks she faced in Zimbabwe.

In the last race Pennsylvania won in classy style second time out and can follow up despite being given a 90 merit rating. Secret Chord bounced back to form last time and was unlucky too so can do well from a nice high draw. What A Tiger should be in the shake up.

In the first leg of the Bipot, Winter In Paris is drawn on the right side and could fight it out with Chilli Marmalade.

In the first leg of the PA Mount Darwin is reunited with Gavin Lerena who is one from one aboard him. He will enjoy this course and distance from draw two. He looks to be a PA banker but Vesuvio and Birthright look set to run good races too.  

RACE 1     

10 BILINGUAL 9 CYBER SPIRIT 8 RADIANT HEAT 7 PANTHERA UNCIA

Preview: 10 BILINGUAL is drawn on the right side and comes off a good second over this trip. 9 CYBER SPIRIT is drawn on the right side with Mabaya up and has come fair form. 8 RADIANT HEAT should be in the shake up if reproducing her last two efforts over this trip. 7 PANTHERA UNCIA has the form to be involved. (David Thiselton 10-9-8-7) 

RACE 2     

3 WINTER IN PARIS 6 CHILLI MARMALADE 1 TAKE YOUR PLACE 2 LILAC SNOW

Preview: 3 WINTER IN PARIS is drawn on the right side and could be the one to beat. 6 CHILLI MARMALADE is also drawn on the right side and comes off two good runs. 1 TAKE YOUR PLACE has consistent form and can get away with a layoff over this trip with Strydom up. 2 LILAC SNOW returns from a layoff too but had fair form and is drawn on the right side. (David Thiselton 3-6-1-2)

RACE 3     

1 MOUNT DARWIN 2 VESUVIO 4 BIRTHRIGHT 6 DOUGLAS DRAGON

Preview: 1 MOUNT DARWIN has a lot of ability and from a good draw with Lerena up is the one to beat in his third run after a layoff. 2 VESUVIO goes for a hattrick off a four point higher mark over a suitable trip. 4 BIRTHRIGHT is an up and coming sort and should be in the shake up. 6 DOUGLAS DRAGON has the ability to be involved. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-6)

RACE 4     

2 ROMAN’S REVENGE 7 ONLY A POET 9 SILVANO’S SONG

Preview: 2 ROMAN’S REVENGE is i fine form and goes for a hat-trick off a five point higher mark. 7 ONLY A POET made a fine Highveld debut and will go close with a repeat. 9 SILVANO’S SONG went close over this trip last time and stays on the same mark and runs from the same draw, albeit on the Standside track compared to the Inside last time. (David Thiselton 2-7-9)

RACE 5     

3 HEATHER’S BOY 2 WE ARE THE LOGANS 4 TRUTH 1 GUY GIBSON  

Preview: 3 HEATHER’S BOY looks to be a top class prospect although this could be a preparation run for the Cape Guineas and he officially has a tough task at the weights. 2 WE ARE THE LOGANS has plenty of ability and could earn here. 4 TRUTH has plenty of ability but needs to bounce back and he has been showing signs of doing so. 1 GUY GIBSON has bounced back to some sort of form recently. (David Thiselton 3-2-4-1)

RACE 6     

2 WOLF MOUNTAIN 3 GREY JET 4 CHOISAANADA 7 SOLAR SAIL

Preview: 2 WOLF MOUNTAIN ran a cracker in the Graham Beck and could be running off a capped merit rating here and has a good draw. 3 GREY JET won impressively on debut but now has a wide draw and a 93 merit rating to cope with but Gavin Lerena stays aboard. 4 CHOISAANADA was not disgraced in a strong Graduation Plate last time. 7 SOLAR SAIL sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and is distance suited and has a middle draw. (David Thiselton 2-3-4-7)

RACE 7     

5 BLUE HORIZON 6 QUEEN OF LOVE 1 DUENNA 7 ALABAMA ANNA

Preview: 5 BLUE HORIZON has not enjoyed much luck lately but has ability and a better draw than last time. 6 QUEEN OF LOVE drops back down in class and could be involved over a suitable trip. 1 DUENNA is well drawn over an ideal trip and should be right there. 7 ALABAMA ANNA sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight over an ideal trip and she is well drawn for an in form yard. (David Thiselton 5-6-1-7)

RACE 8     

3 TRIED AND TRUE 2 RATTLE BAG 1 COFFEEBERRY

Preview: 3 TRIED AND TRUE has improved in the Klaasen yard and has notable resolve so could make it three out of three on the Highveld. 2 RATTLE BAG will go close if able to repeat her last start but she now has a tough draw. 1 COFFEEBERRY has good form in Zimbabwe but this will be tougher. (David Thiselton 3-2-1)

RACE 9     

3 PENNSYLVANIA 8 SECRET CHORD 1 WHAT A TIGER 9 SEA SHANTY

Preview: 3 PENNSYLVANIA impressed second time out and although being given a 90 merit he is drawn on the right side. 8 SECRET CHORD bounced back last time and is drawn on the right side. 1 WHAT A TIGER is a consistent sort who should be in the shake up.  9 SEA SHANTY is drawn on the right side and is off a competitive merit rating having been dropped four points after not being disgraced in last two. (David Thiselton 3-8-1-9)

David Thiselton

Randjesfontein trainer Alec Laird landed Johannesburg’s traditional biggest race, the Summer Cup, for the second time in his career at Turffontein Standside on Saturday with the Varsfontein Stud-bred Atticus Finch and on this occasion it was most rewarding as the Betway sponsored event carried a record stake cheque for a South African Grade 1 race of R6 million.

However, the day belonged to the sensational filly Quid Pro Quo, who proved her record-breaking feats last season were not just due to age and gender restrictions as she downed the boys in the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans without having to reach for topgear. 

Alec’s father, the legendary Syd, won the Summer Cup in April 1985 with The Rutland Arms (Royal Prerogative) and Alec won it in November 2006 with Malteme (Rakeen).

Atticus Finch comes from the same sire line as Malteme as he is by Master Of My Fate, who is by Rakeen’s famous son Jet Master.

It was a fine training feat by Alec because Atticus Finch was officially 3,5kg under sufferance off a 112 merit rating carrying the bottom weight of 54kg and he was a whopping 6,5kg worse off with the runner up Purple Pitcher after having beaten the latter by a mere lengths in their previous meeting over 1800m.

However, a telling observation was made by chief handicapper Lennon Maharaj shortly before the off in which he informed that the times of the races on the day were all slower than average, which pointed to the going being more testing than usual.

This fact could have weeded out those with stamina doubts.

Purple Pitcher had no stamina doubts, as the winner of the Gr 1 SA Derby, and he was taken to the front by Kabelo Matsunyane, although he did have to do some work to get there from draw eight.

The fancied Frances Ethel was caught without cover in third place, which saw her soon crying enough in the straight.

The joint bookmakers favourite See It Again sat one wide with cover in fifth place and the Tote favourite Main Defender, who was heavily backed on the day, was on the rail behind him.

Defending champion Royal Victory, joint bookmakers favourite, was perfectly positioned on the rail two places behind Atticus Finch, who was directly behind Main Defender. 

Main Defender was switched inward off the false rail and crept up to join See It Again, who had moved alongside Purple Pitcher by the 400m mark. 

Atticus Finch was switched on to the inside rail by Calvin Habib and was moving well, while the well backed outsider Rule By Force was going well behind this vanguard.

Royal Victory opted for a run down the centre. 

Purple Pitcher rallied back at the leader See It Again at the 350m mark as Main Defender faded out of it.

See It Again’s weight began to tell at the 200m mark and it was Atticus Finch who then hit the front on the inside and he held on to beat Purple Pitcher by 1,10 lengths.

Rule By Force ran on well to be third, beaten 2,25 lengths.

The Frank Robinson-trained raider Madison Valley was forced to drop out to last from draw 19, but he scythed  through the field with long strides to be beaten 2,35 lengths in fourth place.

See It Again was fifth ahead of Royal Victory who experienced traffic problems. 

Atticus Finch started at odds of 20/1.

It was his second bite of the cherry and he made amends for last year when starting Tote favourite and only managing a 4,40 length ninth.

Atticus Finch is owned by Messrs L Clark, G A Basel, G C Cornwall & P J Gregory.

He was purchased for a bargain R150,000 at the BSA National Yearling Sale.

It was a halcyon day for the connections of Atticus Finch, because in the previous race the Laird-trained SA Nursery winner Fire Attack (Fire Away), owned by G A Basel, G C Cornwall, L Clark & Canine Solutions CC (Nom: Mr D C O’Driscoll), finished second in the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans to the flying filly Quid Pro Quo.

Quid Pro Quo had pundits drawing comparisons to some of the greats after her Dingaans stroll under Piere Strydom. 

The favourite Greaterix jumped well and found himself in front, where he probably traveled a bit hard.

Fire Attack came from a handy position and Quid Pro Quo followed him through in the straight.

Quid Pro Quo was in the hands throughout and Piere Strydom was looking around for dangers in the final stages … and this despite it being her seasonal reappearance.

Fire Attack was beaten 2,50 lengths and Greaterix was beaten five lengths back in third with the rest of the field spread out like the washing.

Quid Pro Quo is a Gerald Kalil-homebred by Lance, who is also a son of Jet Master. The world looks to be her oyster.

Earlier, the Gr 3 Betway Fillies Mile saw overseas rider Oisin Murphy denied in the last couple of strides on Fiery Pegasus as the Sean Tarry-trained One World filly World Of Alice got up under Craig Zackey to win by 0,25 lengths.

The Gr 3 Betway Carry On Alice Stakes over 1160m saw the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Chasing Happiness (Rafeef) living up to her progressive profile and touching off the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Elegant Ice (What A Winter).

The Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants over 1160m saw Rachel Venniker bagging a double as she got up on the Paul Matchett-trained Pomodoro gelding Mount Pilatus, who beat the inward hanging favourite Pistol Pete by 0,75 lengths. An objection by third-placed Melech against Pistol Pete was unsuccessful.

The winner of the Betway Consolation was the Stuart Pettigrew-trained Good Council (Oratorio), while the Non-Black Type ROA Stayers over 3200m saw the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained stalwart front-runner Poets Warrior (Wylie Hall) making it a hattrick and he is now unbeaten in four starts 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.