David Thiselton

The Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting yesterday was run in soft conditions with a penetrometer reading of 28.

In the first race over 1200m the Tienie Prinsloo-trained Quickstepgal (Vercingetorix) had not been disgraced on debut considering she was only just behind Belle Of Angelus, who was not far off Mystic Dancer and Berrington Blew on debut and the latter pair were priced up at 4/10 and 5/1 in yesterday’s race. Mystic Dancer found nothing from an inside draw and could only manage an 11,30 length fourth, as Quickstepgal, jumping from high draw of eight at odds of 25/2 under Kabelo Matsunyane, sped past the prominent Berrington Blew and beat her by 5,90 lengths. Limitless Sky was third and first-timer Willow Gem was fifth.

In the second over 1200m the odds-on favourite Greenlight Queen also enjoyed a relatively high draw of seven out of eleven and swept through from off the pace under Craig Zackey to beat the second gavourite Lucienne by 1,90 lengths, with outsiders Your Ladyship and Austrian Beauty next best ahead of KMV Retrofit.

In the third over 1400m Corne Spies’ fine raiding record of Hollywoodbets Scottsville was further bolstered when the odds-on favourite Messalina led from the off and won by 4,80 length to give Matsunyane a double. The market rival was the Dean Kannemeyer-trained first timer Dancing On A Cloud (Lancaster Bomber), but she was extremely green and ran off the course in the early stages to be tailed off by 20 lengths. She ran on in fine style in the straight to be beaten just 5,50 lengths into third so bears following. Apache Ag finished in second place.

In the next over 1600m, the Paul Lafferty-trained Beach Palace was dropped out to last from the widest draw of all in the seven horse field, but Muzi Yeni, after hitting a flat spot, extracted a strong late from this Tinus Gericke homebred Potala Palace gelding to win by 0,30 lengths at 9/2 odds from market rivals Whispers Of War and Future Saint.

In the fifth race over 1600m the Trippi gelding Terminator brought some fine Cape form to KZN, so had been most disappointing in his first two starts here, both over 1400m, well beaten into third first time out and beaten out of sight next time. However, the Andre Nel-trained four-year-old showed what he was made of yesterday. He was taken to the front by Serino Moodley and relished being allowed to stride out. He kept going well in the straight to convert 9/2 odds by 1,40 lengths from three big outsiders, Papa C, Mister Nibbles and Pongola, with the 10/1 shot Global Movement next best.

In the sixth race over 1400m The Wendy Whitehead-trained The Queen Bee stayed on well from a handy position to convert 7/2 odds by 1,70 lengths from outsider My True Love, with the favourite Princess Palace next best and the rest of the field in a different race.

In the seventh over 1200m Kabelo Matsunyane managed to shuffle One Smart Cookie (Lancaster Bomber) from draw 3 to the outside and she ran out an easy winner by 1,20 lengths at 2/1 odds to give Matsunyane a treble and Tienie Prinsloo a double. Happy Alania gave Prinsloo the exacta and Vision To Achieve was third.

In the last race over 1000m Kalahari Roller and Donquerari were drawn two and one and with the stalls placed off the inside rail they were competitive throughout down the inside-middle section and they got involved in a thrilling duel. Kalahari Roller prevailed under 2,5kg claimer Bevan Plaaitjies by half-a-length from Donquerari, who had Blaine Marx-Hamilton aboard. The fancied pair Luhamba Phambili and Captain’s Christy were next best with Ibhele fifth. The fancied Smorgasbord jumped awkwardly, took no interest and was not persevered with.

David Thiselton

The big Turffontein Standside meeting on Saturday was held in good to soft conditions which made the tough course testing and this led to some upset results.

In the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic over 1800m the classy Fabian Habib-trained Moutonshoek-bred Confederate is a long-striding gelding out of a British-bred mare by the speedy Danehill Dancer and he was trying 1800m for the first time. Craig Zackey found himself in front after jumping well from pole position with nothing coming from wide to take it up. He held him together but that did not stop Confederate opening up a lead of about four lengths on the rest of the field by the time they had turned for home. He rolled on and then kicked when changing legs at the 400m mark, by which stage it was clear nothing was going to catch him. He ran out a winner by 0,70 lengths. The favourite Fire Attack looked to be in a good position on the rail in midfield, but that was with the expectation that the pacemaker would feel it late in the race and begin to tire. In fact the winner had gone a sensible pace as the race time was virtually identical to that of the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic and was more than four seconds slower than last year’s time  by Purple Pitcher, which was in good going. Fire Attack ran on superbly under Gavin Lerena but had to settle for his third successive Graded runner up finish. Legend Of Arthur dwelt at the jump and had to come from last. He did well to stay on for a 4,10 length third, 0,40 lengths ahead of Grey Jet, who stayed on well from midfield. The Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas winner Parisian Walkway was in second place in the running and chased gallantly in the straight, but became one paced late and was overtaken for third spot late in the race, finishing a five length fifth.

The small yard of Joe Soma has an incredible Gr 1 record and they added yet another when the filly Fiery Pegasus became the latest Captain Of All progeny to defy the stallion’s Equus Champion Sprinter title and prove good at middle distances. She won the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m, which was run in driving rain. Jumping from a tough draw of ten Richard Fourie dropped her in behind a clump of seven who had not wasted time getting on with it, led by Sensoria. The hotpot favourite, the unbeaten Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Spumante Dolce, was at the back of this aforementioned clump, but did not settle too well in the early stages. Fiery Pegasus cut through the field like a hot knife through butter in the first part of the straight and overtook Willy Meet Again, who had sat in the box seat, at the 300m mark and galloped clear. Olivia’s Way and World Of Alice stayed on well, but were beaten 4,75 lengths and seven lengths respectively for second and third. The Gauteng Fillies Guineas runner up Vijay’s Angel turned for home together with Fiery Pegasus, but could not match her finishing speed and had to settle for a 7,50 length fourth, 3,75 lengths ahead of fifth-placed Gerbera. Fiery Pegasus was bred by Greenacres Trust (Nom: Mr N M Shirtliff) & Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud.

Dylan Chinsammy and E Naicker have shares in both Confederate and Fiery Pegasus, so it was a fine day for them.

In the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, the hot favourite Main Defender finished unplaced but to the relief of his backers was declared a non-runner.

The stipendiary steward report stated:”… as the start was effected, and this gelding launched itself from the starting stalls, its muzzle was caught in the grill of the left front gate as it opened, and its head was turned as a result. The Handler was slow to release the head of MAIN DEFENDER because of this …”

Frontrunner Texas Red set the fractions with the Sean Tarry-trained Cosmic Speed lying one out and one back alongside Barbaresco, who was in the box seat. It was clear at the top of the straight that Maine Chance Farms-bred Querari gelding Cosmic Speed had plenty in the tank and he shook off Greaterix, who had made good initial inroads, before passing Texas Red at the 300m mark. He ran out a 1,75 length winner from Texas Red with the KZN raider Imilenziyokududuma relishing the long Turffontein straight and staying in for a 2,50 length third at 50/1 odds, a head in front of Greaterix, with Barbaresco in fifth place.

The Gr 3 TAB JJ The Jet Plane Stakes over 1100m saw an easy victory for the magnificent Corne Spies-trained William Robertson (Rafeef), who for some reason was allowed to drift out to 10/1, despite being well weighted under Ryan Munger.

Rachel Venniker started the meeting with two Listed wins of the TAB Ruffian Stakes and TAB Storm Bird Stakes, both over 1000m, with the Paul Matchett-trained Glastonbury (Rafeef) and the Robyn Klaasen-trained Charming Cheetah (New Predator). Dylan Chinsammy also has a share in Charming Cheetah.

The Listed Wilgerbosdrift Acacia Stakes over 1600m was won by the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Gimmefabulous (Gimmethegreenlight) under Kabelo Matsunyane. 

Please Note: From December, Unit cost of all Soccer10 Pools closing on Wednesdays will be R3.

The R3 unit cost on Wednesdays is on a trial basis only & follows requests from many customers to increase the Soccer10 Unit.

The unit cost of Soccer10 Pools on all other days remains R2.

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.