ONE IRISH ROVER, with Damyan Pillay up, wins the Open A TabGold Account – 031 314 1874 MR 68 Handicap for trainer M J Odendaal at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday.

Picture: Gold Circle/Candiese Lenferna

RACE 1     

6 CAROLINE ISLAND 5 ARASHI 4 ZACATOO 2 FORTUNATE SON

Preview: 6 CAROLINE ISLAND beat all of the opposition here when making her 5 ARASHI only has 0,30 lengths to make up on Caroline Island so has a chance. 4 ZACATOO has 2,20 lengths to make up on Caroline Island but should improve. 2 FORTUNATE SON was well beaten by the aforementioned trio on debut but could improve. (David Thiselton 6-5-4-2)

RACE 2     

1 EXPLOSIVE BOND 5 FETCHING FLYER 2 UNITED COUNCIL 3 APACHE FIGHTER 

Preview: 1 EXPLOSIVE BOND has only been beaten by the exciting stayer Poets Warrior in her last two starts and in this non-stakes event Rachel Venniker will be allowed her 1,5kg claim. 5 FETCHING FLYER goes for a hattrick and after two easy wins over 2000m looks likely to enjoy the further step up in trip, although she is officially 1,5kg under sufferance. 2 UNITED COUNCIL has some fair staying form and Gavin Lerena is up. 3 APACHE FIGHTER is capable and has won over this trip before. (David Thiselton 1-5-2-3)

RACE 3     

8 JET QUERARI 1 ESPINOZA 7 HARRY NYQUIST 11 CYBER SPIRIT

Preview: 8 JET QUERARI made a good debut in a workrider’s maiden and should improve and is drawn on the right side. 1 ESPINOZA has competitive form here but does have the difficult by trends number one draw. 7 HARRY NYQUIST is a British-bred by Breeders Cup Juvenile and Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist (Uncle Mo). 11 CYBER SPIRIT has fair form and could earn here. (David Thiselton 8-1-7-11)

RACE 4     

3 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW 1 RATTLE BAG 7 ONE PARTY 6 LIBECCIO

Preview: 3 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW is a progressive sort who did well behind two promising sorts last time and can now in over the same course and distance from a fair draw. 1 RATTLE BAG is ideally course and distance suited and finished strongly last time and now has another good draw and the advantage of Rachel Venniker’s 1,5kg claim. 7 ONE PARTY went close over 1160m last time and has won over this trip category before so has a shout from a fair draw. LIBECCIO could earn in this line up if producing his best. (David Thiselton 3-1-7-6)

RACE 5     

5 TRUTH 4 THE SPECIALIST 2 TAXI TO THE MOON 6 STORM BRASCO

Preview: 5 Truth had fine early form and if bouncing back to his best after a decent seasonal reappearance is a big runner. The Specialist hurt his face last time in the stalls so a line can be drawn through that run and on best for is a big runner over an ideal trip. Taxi To The Moon is in fine form but has to give away weight and is unproven over the trip although should get it on pedigree. Storm Brasco returns from a layoff and has the ability to earn. (David Thiselton 5-4-2-6) 

RACE 6     

1 DYCE 4 RULERSHIP 6 TIME FO ORCHIDS 2 I AM GIANT

Preview: 1 DYCE is the best sprinter in the country and can use his pace and kick to win again. 4 RULERSHIP is suited to the minimum trip and is drawn towards the right side. 6 TIME FO ORCHIDS has good cruising speed and a fine kick so should be in the shake up. 2 I AM GIANT is a talented sprinter who has won running fresh before. (David Thiselton 1-4-6-2) 

RACE 7     

8 FIERY PEGASUS 7 VJ’S ANGEL 1 SILVER SANCTUARY 2 LET’S GO NOW

Preview: 8 FIERY PEGASUS is not officially well treated at the weights being 4kg under sufferance with the official best weighted VJ’S Angel, but she beat the latter comfortably in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile on only 1kg better terms than here so is clearly talented and can make amends here for that narrow loss. 7 VJ’S ANGEL is better than her run in the Fillies Mile and can bounce back. 1 SILVER SANCTUARY did not scope well after finishing last in the Summer Cup but is capable and can bounce back. 2 LET’S GO NOW is the second best in at the weights and should come into her own this season. (David Thiselton 8-7-1-2)

RACE 8     

1 MAIN DEFENDER 2 TEXAS RED 4 JOHNNY HERO 3 JOKER MAN

Preview: 1 MAIN DEFENDER has looked to be back to his best lately and simply found the Summer Cup too far last time so can bounce back over this trip from a good draw. 2 TEXAS RED went close in his reappearance in a strong Pinnacle event and on pedigree should be able to see out this trip. 4 JOHNNY HERO can earn if repeating his penultimate start over this trip. 3 JOKER MAN has become disappointing because struck as one with class and who would be able to step up to the plate, but he has failed to do so. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-3) 

RACE 9     

4 BIG BOY BRUCE 6 HIS LORDSHIP 2 DRIVELIKEAMASTER 1 BAKWENA

Preview: 4 BIG BOY BRUCE was not disgraced behind a promising sort last time and is drawn on the right side. 6 HIS LORDSHIP can do better than last time. 2 DRIVELIKEAMASTER ra on well to win on debut but has a tough merit ating of 87. 1 BAKWENA could earn if reproducing her maiden win, but she has to run off a 96. (David Thiselton 4-6-2-1) 

RACE 10    

6 WRITTEN IN STONE 12 TWICE AS WILD 3 CAPTAIN EFFICIENT 2 NAZARE

Preview: 6 WRITTEN IN STONE is drawn on the right side over a suitable trip but it is strange Louis Nhlapo does not ride as he has been getting the best out of him. 12 TWICE AS WILD is always thereabouts and has the advantage of Venniker’s 1,5kg claim. CAPTAIN EFFICIENT has the form to be involved here. 2 NAZARE has been knocking on the door and should be right there. (David Thiselton 6-12-3-2)

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.