Horse Racing News | Gold Circle Horse Racing And Betting

Fairview Turf Friday 21 Friday 2025 – Comments by Devonne Govender

PUBLISHED: February 20, 2025

RACE 1 (1) ANOTHERDANCEFORME was an impressive winner on debut and looks to be a very progressive type. (2) BONJOUR has placed in both her starts and could be the exacta horse. (8) STAR OF ELENA comes from a top yard and should be respected if receiving any betting support. (5) GOLDEN CROC is extremely […]

RACE 1

(1) ANOTHERDANCEFORME was an impressive winner on debut and looks to be a very progressive type. (2) BONJOUR has placed in both her starts and could be the exacta horse. (8) STAR OF ELENA comes from a top yard and should be respected if receiving any betting support. (5) GOLDEN CROC is extremely well bred and could make the frame. The market will be the best guid on unraced runners as well as trainer comments. (Devonne Govender 1-2-8-5)

RACE 2

(1) AMERICAN MATADOR is knocking on the door, both recent starts have been good hence he is the firm first choice, will take a power of beating. (2) CHILI BOMB has run well enough to finish second in the last start however will need to lift to beat the top selection. (6) ANCHOR MAN is never far back and can place. (7) STORMSTRIDE has been running well and another honest run can be expected, will be in the placings. (Devonne Govender 1-2-6-7)

RACE 3

(2) FIRE ALARM has a much better draw compared to all recent runs and that could make the difference here. (3) GLOBAL SCENE can be unreliable but is very capable of winning here. (8) RUBY CLAIRE is capable of running into the money on best form, certainly not one to be ruled out with Zackey in the irons. (10) HAT MONTERA ran a much improved race in the last start and can build on that. (Devonne Govender 2-3-8-10-7)

RACE 4

(1) MY BEST SHOT is a very smart horse and will be the banker in all bets. His form speaks for itself. (2) GOLDEN LINK should be chasing the top selection home from the top draw. (3) SAKURAJIMA is always game and will be in the frame. (5) PLAY ACT seems to be progressing nicely and won’t be far. (Devonne Govender 1-2-3-5)

RACE 5

(1) BEAU KALA is holding solid form and despite returning after a break she will be a factor in this line up. (6) GREEN FAME ran well enough in the last start at big odds, some form-lines suggests she can win this. (2) COURAGEOUS gets the best draw compared to the last start and will make her presence felt. (3) STATE SECRET is never far back and can get into the action. (Devonne Govender 1-6-2-3)

RACE 6

(6) ANUSCHKA’S WORLD is holding consistent form and will be the firm first choice. (3) GIMME’S LADDIE is much better than his last start and must be respected. (8) KARANGETANG is another who is very capable on his day and must go into all bets with Richard Fourie aboard. (9) SLINGS AND ARROWS was an easy winner in the last start and meets a stronger field here however he can get involved in a big way on best form. (Devonne Govender 6-3-8-9)

RACE 7

(13) BE MERRY is a smart horse and will be a huge contender for top honours here. Her overall form stands out and the fact that Juan Paul V’D Merwe is aboard soeaks volumes so she will take some beating. (3) GOCEKWITHLOVE has been running well and won’t be far according to the form-lines with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th choice. (4) GIMME’S LASSIE ran a cracker in the last start and if repeating that performance she will be there. (2) PASSCHENDAELE has the ability to go well and cannot be ignored. (Devonne Govender 13-3-4-2)

RACE 8

(8) JOY AND PEACE is classy and will take some beating here. She ran in a strong field in the last start and wasn’t disgraced, she has a decent draw and should have the run of the race. (5) UNDERWORLD ran extremely well in the last start and is the biggest danger to the top selection. (1) ELECTRIC GOLD wasn’t beaten far in the last start and can get into the placings. (7) GLOBAL ALLY is capable of running into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 8-5-1-7)

Fortune granted license

PUBLISHED: February 19, 2025

David Thiselton
Andrew Fortune has been granted a jockey license and this has been met with a mixed reaction from the racing fraternity.
The granting of the license was done on Tuesday morning and was bizarrely accompanied by the issuing to him of a massive fine and there were also certain conditions he would have to meet for the license to remain valid.
The press release announcing his license had been granted stated:
The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) confirms that the Licensing Board met on 14 February 2025 to consider Mr Andrew Fortune’s application for a Jockey Licence and subsequently Mr Fortune appeared before the Licensing Board this morning in this regard. At the meeting, Mr Fortune was informed of outstanding administrative requirements and disciplinary matters that had been identified by the Licensing Board. He subsequently provided documentation in support of his application and signed an Admission of Guilt concerning contraventions of Rules 72.1.26 and 72.1.43 in relation to social media content which could be construed to discredit horse racing, the NHA and its officials. A fine of R500 000 was imposed, of which R250 000 is suspended for a period of five years on condition that he is not found guilty of contravening rules pertaining to his conduct during this period. Consequently, after careful consideration, the Licensing Board granted Mr Fortune a Jockey licence, with immediate effect, with certain conditions that were put in place. These conditions include that Mr Fortune be initially restricted to a minimum riding weight of 58kg, that he is restricted to riding in Southern Africa under the Rules of the NHA until 31 July 2026 and that his future professional conduct would be closely monitored. Licensing BoardThe National Horseracing Authority of Southern AfricaFortune’s riding ability has never been questioned and before his famous comeback in February 2008 he had reportedy had twenty Gr 1 wins.However, he has a propensity for courting controversy.His R500,000 fine was said to relate to a letter he wrote to the Sporting Post criticising an NHA fine handed out to Juan Nel and in the letter he said the following, “The Stipendiary Steward involved in the Juan Nel matter is well known to many racing stakeholders. He used to be the Clerk of Scales a few years back, when I was still riding. It always cost me a few bucks but let’s just say that it was not difficult to cheat the scale under his watch. And no Stipe should surely ever be in a position where he borrows money from people over whom he has authority and jurisdiction? It makes for potentially bad outcomes. I can give provide plenty more examples.”That was basically an admission of a serious trangression.However, he said in an interview yesterday with Joao De Mato of Glistian Events that he bore no grudges against the NHA and he would have done the same as they had done if put in their shoes.He also spoke of his need to have an attitude change and he was going to help the process by arriving at the races dressed in a suit, a sign that he will be out to be as professional as possible in the next chapter of his colourful life.Fortune also gathered a number of penalties when stable employee to his wife Ashley’s yard and this related to the improper, disrespectful, or abusive manner during a hearing held at the Head Office of the NHA on 27 May 2020, swearing at and assaulting a member of the South African Police Services, an assault on Jockey Gavin Lerena and intimidation of a licensed official of the NHA. However, Fortune’s life story tends to override these transgressions as he has become a symbol of courage and hope for recovering drug addicts.Those who find it insulting to Fortune that an article such as this one can refer to him as a recovering drug addict, he wants to be known precisely as that so he can serve as an inspiration to others who have fallen into a downward spiral and he wants to be a symbol of proof that recovery is possible.He was said in his younger days to enjoy “the high life” and this saw him in hot water with the stipendiary stewards on a regular basis. This culminated in him being “banned indefinitely from race riding” in November 2002 after, not for the first time, failing to pitch up for a meeting. This particular meeting was at Scottsville and he had a full book of rides.However, he was soon allowed to ride again, but was in and out of trouble, including testing positive for cocaine in 2004.His road to recovery began when he eventually admitted to the NHA that he had developed a drug addiction problem.The brave path to true recovery then began.He has been “clean” since 27 March, 2007.Fortune’s transformation into a symbol of hope and courage was preceded by vivid descriptions of how low his lowest moments had been. He first won admiration for just making it back into the saddle in February 2008 and riding regular winners.However, it turned into one of the all time great South African sporting fairytales, because the following season, despite being a heavyweight jockey who battled with his weight, not to mention being a recovering drug addict, he won the 2008/2009 South African jockeys championship.Fortune was also much loved for his quick wit and sense of humour, a true entertainer.He was also an inspiration to many others of all walks of life who required rehabilitation.He also had a successful battle with his weight.His last ride was on July 1, 2017 and about six months later his wife Ashley began operating as a licensed trainer with himself as assistant. The couple had considerable success, including training Princess Calla to Gr 1 glory, before they packed it in in mid 2023 and took on a new role at a spelling facility in Australia.However, the lure of race riding has proved too strong, although the decision to come back must surely have also been inspired by the success in the last two or three season of the evergreen Piere Strydom,who at 58 is one year older than Fortune.”Manne’s” fans are thrilled he is back and they are likely more in number than his detractors, who hope his good points on this occcasion completely override his bad points, as he will be looked up to by young riders.

GET A GRIP ON GEAR Episode #2 Blinkers

PUBLISHED: February 19, 2025

Join us as we check out racing gear, it’s role and how it can help a horse find the winners box. The Vaughan Marshall-trained RASCALLION has worn blinkers in his last 6 starts (all group races) winning 3, placing in 2 and crossing the line a length behind the winner in the World Sports Betting […]

HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE Wednesday 19 February postponed Monday, 24 February 2025

PUBLISHED: February 19, 2025

Please note, Hollywoodbets Scottsville has received 12mm of overnight rain. With the forecast of further showers throughout the day, a decision has been taken to postpone today’s race meeting to Monday 24 February 2025. Race times to be advised.

Soccer ADDED POOLS – 21 to 24 February 2025.

PUBLISHED: February 18, 2025

This weekend (21 to 24 Feb) there are four added pools (S10 x 2; S6 x 2) and a carryover Soccer Any 13 Xtra. Plus, there is a guaranteed Soccer 13 pool (all 13 correct) for Sunday Friday 21 February 2025 Soccer 6 Pool 2 – R50,000 added; likely pool R400,000 Bristol City vs […]