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.    

Andrew Harrison

Gladatorian could well be renamed ‘Gladiator’ as he denied top weight in a Pinnacle Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday. Although well in at the weights, he was going 1750m for the first time under 62kg but reproduced what was seen in the Charity Mile November Handicap, where he came from the clouds only to be run out of it by Winchester Mansion who held on for victory.

Starting off his career under master trainer Dennis Drier, former assistant and now trainer in his own right, Stuart Ferrie has done a masterful job of placing the gelding and yesterday’s triumph was the eighth of his career.

Ferrie indicated that taking a third trip to the Highveld in fairly quick succession for Saturday’s Summer Cup meeting may well have been one trip too far so had settled for a crack at yesterday’s Pinnacle Stakes before giving the gelding a break and readying him up for KZN’s Champion Season with Sean Veale confident that Gladatorian still had a Gr1 in his locker.

Regular pilot Veale rode a supremely confident race with only Queue Wing behind him turning for home as Natyam made the running. Homeward bound, Gladatorian slowly reeled in the opposition and went to the line ears pricked with Queue Wing chasing him home  and the filly Celtic Beauty hanging on gamely for third.

William Robertson looked to be another ‘pointer’ on the day in a Pinnacle Stakes and so it proved as apprentice Trent Mayhew rode a confident race, sitting just off the early pace has he tracked over a from an outside draw before making his move. Once given his head, William Robertson responded smartly to win as he liked with Quasiforsure and Sun Blushed both putting in smart efforts but comfortably held given the weights.

Bevies Delight has enjoyed something of a chequered career, having been suspended for a year, but has come back strongly. She finished runner-up in her first two races back and got the monkey off her back with a comfortable win in the River Indigo Handicap. The race was wide open approaching the final furlong but Gavin Lerena asked for a final push and Bevie’s Delight responded, putting the race to bed, with Warrior Royale game in a tight scrum for second. 

With former log leader Muzi Yeni out with a broken collar bone, there is currently a close tussle for the lead in the Jockey Championship but Lerena’s double yesterday kept him eight clear of reigning champion Richard Fourie who rode the first five at Fairview on Friday.

Mike Miller is something of a wizz with early juveniles and he got his first one on the board in the first juvenile race in KZN as Siesta Sunset led home a 1-2-3 for the yard.

Favourite was stable companion Holds The Key but after showing good pace throughout, he was comprehensively out-gunned by the filly as Mathew Thackeray brought her home with e telling late effort to win going away.

Magma Magic made short work of the opposition in the second as Tony Rivalland’s charge led from the start and put six lengths over his rivals with favourite El Capitan just managing to hold off River Dance for second.

The fifth produced some drama with Patan’s Heir and Hot Strike going to the line as one with the connections of Hot Strike calling for and objection which was over-ruled. 

Gareth van Zyl, represented by his father Gavin, rounded off the meeting a Tomyris put her last modest effort behind her to run out a comfortable winner under replacement rider Chase Maujean.

Andrew Harrison

Hollywoodbets Scottsville with its lush turf after two months of spring treatment has attracted a mighty card for Sunday’s meeting, a card that punters who are looking forward to the next few weeks should pay close attention to.

The card is headed by the River Indigo Handicap, a Non-black Type for fillies and mares where Mike Miller could hold the aces. Warrior Royale followed up her maiden win with a comfortable handicap victory and only has 53kg to shoulder. Tristan Godden rides and she could be good enough to take the steep rise in class. Peter Muscutt saddles Bevies Delight who has finished runner-up in her last two after a break of almost a year and should strip at her peak. She has the best of the draw and she is at home over the trip. Mascherina was outclassed by See It Again in a Pinnacle last time out but has cracking form on this course and at best will go close. Miller has a second string to his bow in Querari Rose who has won two of her three starts. She also comes into the race with a light weight and Mathew Thackeray keeps the ride. 

The River Indigo is backed up by two Pinnacle Stakes which have attracted useful fields.

A full complement of 16 will face the starter in the Open A Tabgold Account Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m where William Robertson will have plenty of supporters after beating Lucky Lad two runs back and finishing second to the smart Dyce last time out. Apprentice Trent Mayhew stays with the ride but Corne Spies’ gelding has drawn on the outside of the track and if last Wednesday’s races are anything to go by, it was another dash for the inside rail. 

With the Christmas Handicap on the horizon, there are a few warming up including Narina Trogon, and the Peter Muscutt pairing of Quasiforsure and Formagear. Quasiforsure has been tried over further and at one stage of his career was being primed for a crack at the Hollywoodbets Durban July  but he does appear to be a better sprinter while Formagear’s last win was over this distance but the Christmas Handicap trip would be more to his liking. Michael Roberts saddle the smart sprinter Sun Blushed but he has not been out since the Mercury Sprint back in July so could need this while Imilenzeyokududuma  is also back from a break and may also need it. 

Gladatorian, fresh off a smart finishing effort in the G2 Charity Mile behind Winchester Mansion looks very well in at the weights for the opening leg of the Pick 6 in spite of his impost of 62kg. He boast cracking form in top Highveld company and Stuart Ferrie’s charge is likely to start a short priced favourite. 

His biggest danger could come in the form of Gareth Van Zyl’s gelding Natyam who put Betway Summer Cup hopeful Cape Eagle to the sword last time out where the latter was well in at the weights. Natyam is smart on his day and could make things difficult for Gladatorian.  

Celtic Beauty is a useful filly who has her third run after a break. She has been up against males in two Pinnacle Stakes since her come back and was far from disgraced behind See It Again, staying on gamely over a mile. Robbie Hill could upset all with Navajo Nation who was not far back in a recent sprint having drawn 14. He has had two sprints in the lead-up to this race and the step up in distance will suit.

The card opener is the first juvenile race of the season in KZN and as per usual Mike Miller is well represented with three runners of which Hold The Key with stable first call rider Tristan Godden in the saddle could be the pick judged on jockey engagements. Kom Naidoo also likes to get them out early so watch the market on Warofdynamite who is the first runner in KZN for new stallion Declarationofpeace. 

The fifth is a tricky handicap but Vision To Achieve has been runner-up at her last two and Paul Gadsby’s filly has improved in blinkers. However, she does take a jump in class but a corresponding drop in weight and Sean Veale staying with the ride is an indication of her chances. Russian Doll got home narrowly when tried over a furlong further last time out. She is back over what looks to be her optimum trip and Michael Roberts has booked a 4kg claimer for the ride. Patants Heir is lightly raced and was in need of her last run when drawn wide after a three-month break. She is one to watch in the market. War Empress seldom gives less than her best and was a comfortable winner last time out. She got a five-point raise in the handicap but still comes into this race with a handy galloping weight over her favourite trip.

In the last, Poursomesugaronme has been knocking on the door for some time now and although most of her recent form has been on the poly, a switch to turf could bring out best in her. Mississippi Spice showed very little in two starts before returning from a break much improved. She took her  maiden in good fashion and although it was not the strongest field she won with authority and does look progressive. 

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.