RUGBY 8 WIN MARGIN on Friday, 29 November 2024. C/Over R 41 099 Pool Closes at 21h35

Soccer4 on Friday, 29 November 2024. C/Over R 25 000 Pool Closes at 19h30 Sport 18 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R 150 000

Soccer10 on Friday, 29 November 2024. ADD-IN R 150 000 Pool Closes at 19h30 Sport 12 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R 2 Million

Soccer10 on Friday, 29 November 2024. ADD-IN R 150 000 Pool Closes at 19h30 Sport 12 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R 2 Million

Soccer4 on Saturday, 30 November 2024. C/Over R 25 000 Pool Closes at 17h00 Sport 19 and Pool 2. Estimated Pool: R 150 000

Soccer6 on Saturday, 30 November 2024. ADD-IN R 100 000 Pool Closes at 15h30 Sport 1 and Pool 2. Estimated Pool: R 500 000

Soccer10 on Saturday, 30 November 2024. ADD-IN R 150 000 Pool Closes at 15h30 Sport 14 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R 2 Million

Soccer13 on Saturday, 30 November 2024. Pool Closes at 16h15 Sport 10 and Pool 1. One Winner Guaranteed Jackpot: R 16 Million (if only one 13 of 13 Winner

Soccer ANY 13Xtra on Saturday, 30 November 2024. ADD-IN R 125 000
Pool Closes at 15h00 Sport 13 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R 500 000

Andrew Harrison

The card headliner, a MR 90 Handicap over 1000m, at a wet Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday saw the field cut down to five runners with the Glen Kotzen-trained favourite Connery hunting his fifth win in succession since his gelding. 

With the starting gates moved to the outside of the track, the runners stayed off the cut-up going on the inside rail with young Jacey Botes leading a bunched five-horse field.

However, in the straight the 4kg claim came into play with Jet Legacy not able to get to terms with the favourite and going down just under a length.

Most impressive winner on the day was the Michael Roberts-trained Ladyofdistinction who took the step up to handicap company in her stride.

The conditions were never going to be in favour of any lightly raced runner with potential but the daughter of Vercingetorix handled it with aplomb as did Rachel Venniker. Scoring a double on the day, she had her mount wide almost all the way around the track before pressing hard for home. The veteran mare Radu tried gamely to make a race of it and at one stage looked to have the edge, but Venniker never went for the stick, knowing that she had plenty to come from her mount and Ladyofdistinction looks to have a bright future.

 It was a big jump from Kimberley and Flamingo Park for Nicholas Patel who was a right hand man to Jarred Rugg in the far reaches of the country before the track was abandoned.

Rugg’s move to KZN did not last long as a dearth of support was never going to make his yard viable and he moved on into the hospitality business.

However, as a jockey Patel was left in no-man’s land with little option in what is his home province but has found support from MJ Odendaal. Patel may not always ride the stable elect but he does get the odd bone and ‘MJ’ kept him aboard Grand Appeal in the card opener and he made the most of it.

 The son of Gold Standard made short work of the favourite One Armed Bandit, the two coming away from their rivals over the subway, with Grand Appeal proving to be far the stronger.

The stable looked all set for a double in the second as Who Blinked was backed into the red, but as is often the case in racing, the best laid plans can go awry. Marco van Rensburg gave the favourite the perfect ride but debutante Slytherin gave all a surprise, including Alyson Wright. A late starter, according to Wright, Slytherin had shown little at work and was pegged as a 1800m plus contender. But he could well prove to be a hidden talent. It was not the strongest of maidens but good stayers can sprint so Slytherin could be chasing the ‘Golden Snitch’.

A torrential downpour and lightning delayed the start to the third, a maiden sprint, and Venniker rode the prefect race on Roberts-trained favourite Amafort, sitting midfield and then picking her way through the traffic. Sonata Samaritan and Jeanne Darc put in determined challenges but the shortest way home proved to be the right way home.

It was a double for Alyson Wright as Serino Moodley took no prisoners in the fourth. Taking advantage of the starting gates being position wide off the rail. He took Rhythm to the front and was not for the catching.

It may not all have gone according to plan for the Odendaal stable with Who Blinked getting rolled but they did manage a double on the day as Johnny The Thief went back-to-back in the seventh. Marco van Rensburg always looked to be travelling well as Woodland Glade made the running and although the pair drifted onto the inside rail under pressure, ‘Johnny’ always had the measure of his rival.

Paul Lafferty’s charge Mr Fixit made short work of the opposition in the last as he cruised home under Calvin Habib.

David Thiselton

The Pick 6 always has a big pool on Betway Summer Cup day and will be taken by many punters, so an analysis of the difficult first two legs could be useful.

Mrs Browning will be out to retain her crown in the first leg, the Gr 3 Betway Carry On Alice Stakes over 1160m. She has only had one outing this season and was beaten 6,75 lengths over the course and distance. However, she was drawn in the tough barrier one position that day and the victor of that race was the best sprinter in the country, Dyce.

Furthermore, she is slung in at the weights on Saturday, being 3,5kg better off with the second best weighted horses, Winter Greeting and White Pearl. On top of that she has a nice high draw and has in form Gavin Lerena aboard. Her stablemate Mia Moo is the favourite, but although that is a justified choice on her good form and progressive profile, winning a big field feature down the Turffontein straight course from draw two is usually tough, although there was one Summer Cup meeting where the inside draws were actually favourable, a rare occurrence.

A more interesting stablemate is Troppo Veloce, who is drawn on the right side and on a line through Dyce is weighted to finish on top of Mrs Browning. However, the latter would surely have come on from that last run. If Troppo Veloce is given a chance then Elegant Ice from the in form Lucky Houdalakis stable has a chance and the latter jumps from draw 8. White Pearl won well last time over 1400m and the last time she tried this course and distance she was second in a Gr 3 and she beat Mrs Browning by 2,35 lengths.

At the weights she could repeat that dose but the problem is Mrs Browning was drawn one that day and on Saturday White Pearl has a tough low draw of three. The up and coming Chasing Happiness is improving all the time and is officially quite well in being only 4,5kg under sufferance with Mrs Browning. She has scope for further improvement and is a big runner from draw ten with Aldo Domeyer up.

Winter Greeting ran a fine race in the Gr 2 Senor Santa Stakes over course and distance back in April and did well in her reappearance last time when finishing two lengths ahead of Mrs Browning. However, she is now 4kg worse off and has draw six to negotiate. Richard Fourie is up so Winter Greeting can’t be ignored. CallmewhenUneedme is on the up but she is 5,5kg under sufferance with Mrs Browning and Trent Mayhew will not be able to claim his usual 2,5kg unlike last time.

The youngster Poblano has been thrown in at the deep end and is officially 10kg under sufferance with Mrs Browning but she looks to have talent and should still improve so could earn from a high draw. East Cape raider Passchendale is in fine form, but draw one makes it tough. One Fell Swoop has the ability but has not run for five months and has a tough low draw. Where’s The Party is drawn on the right side but has a tough task with Chasing Happiness being just 2kg better off for a comfortable 5,90 length beating. Garlandsofgreenery has ability but has not run for over ten months. You Bring Me Joy has some good Turffontein form but has not run since ending last season under a bit of a cloud. Gimmefabulous has a hard task at the weights and hasn’t run this season yet. Tamil Tigress has a tough task at the weights. A chance could be taken in only including Mrs Browning and Chasing Happiness on a day in which the Pick 6 will be tough and going thin on some legs will be necessary.

In the second leg of the Pick 6, the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants over 1160m, the Frank Robinson-trained Cats Pajamas is officially 1kg under sufferance but looks to have a lot of ability and is drawn on the outside rail. This Rafeef gelding ended last season with a fine victory in the Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m and this season he has had one run, his first as a gelding, and the form of that dominant 3,30 length win has worked out very well. He could be the one to beat.

Richard Fourie is reunited with Lucky Lad, whom he seems to always get the best out of. Lucky Lad has overcome a low draw, or at least being on the wrong side when it counted, over this course and distance before so a draw of three might not be overly concerning. However, this is a handicap and carrying 63,5kg is going to be tough. Pistol Pete has speed and some class and sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and he is drawn on the right side too. Red Bomber should be cherry ripe and is drawn towards the right side.

Mount Pilatus is 1kg under sufferance but in fine form. Chyavana won well last time and on paper has a chance, but a draw of six won’t be easy. The honest Sheldon can never be dismissed but from draw two it will be tough. Quantum Theory, Melech and Magic Tattoo are others who would be fancied if better drawn. Gimmeanotherchance has class and is interesting dropped in trip from a middle draw. Rulership would be a leading player here if it was over 1000m as he is drawn on the right side.

After The Rain has ability and a good draw but is 2kg under sufferance and Halberdier has a tough task at the weights. Cats Pajamas is tipped to beat Lucky Lad with Pistol Pete, Red Bomber and Mount Pilatus next best. 

RACE 1

1 PRETTY PRECIOUS 7 INTRO 3 DRAGON DRAGON

Preview: 1 PRETTY PRECIOUS made a fair Highveld debut after having good form in the strong centre of Cape Town and she will enjoy the step up to 1200m. 7 INTRO has some fair form and is distance suited. 3 DRAGON DRAGON could earn in this line up if producing her best.  (David Thiselton 1-7-3)

RACE 2     

7 JOOST DROOCHSLOOT 3 DYLAN’S CHAMP 4 GIFT OF ROYAL 1 GAMER

Preview: 7 JOOST DROOCHSLOOT made a fine debut over 1450m and will enjoy the step up in trip. 3 DYLAN’S CHAMP is on the up and after going close over 1700m last time will enjoy this trip. 4 GIFT OF ROYAL could earn if repeating his last start. 1 GAMER has the ability to earn if things go his way. (David Thiselton 7-3-4-1)

RACE 3     

6 KADIZORA 4 ROSY LEMON 3 AVOONTOAST 2 RANI OF KITTUR

Preview: 6 KADIZORA is knocking on the door and is distance suited. 4 ROSY LEMON is an honest sort who will enjoy the slight step down in trip. 3 AVOONTOAST should be right there from pole position over a suitable trip. 2 RANI OF KITTUR has run well in two starts since being stepped up to middle distances but has not run since July. (David Thiselton 6-4-3-2)

RACE 4     

3 MARY READ 2 ANNEWITHAN E 1 LAST CAR TO PASS 5 LINGANOMORE

Preview: 3 MARY READ went close over this trip last time and is now drawn in pole. 2 ANNEWITHAN E has done well up to 2000m before and can be thereabouts although she does have to overcome a seven point raise for her win last time. 1 LAST CAR TO PASS has run well in both starts and should relish the step up in trip. 5 LINGANOMORE has the form to earn over a suitable trip but does have a wide draw. (David Thiselton 3-2-1-5)

RACE 5     

5 COUNT INVICTO 6 CONFEDERATE 8 PRESSONREGARDLESS 10 SUTHERLAND

Preview: 5 COUNT INVICTO has won well in both starts and should relish the step up in trip and could possibly handle a 95 merit rating. 6 CONFEDERATE is knocking on the door and will enjoy this trip with Piere Strydom up being a bonus. 8 PRESSONREGARDLESS is in fine form and enjoyed cheepieces being fitted last time so he can go close over a suitable trip. 10 SUTHERLAND should get closer than 2,75 lengths to Pressonregardless based on their last meeting and a 1kg weight swing. (David Thiselton 5-6-8-10)

RACE 6     

7 BEADED GOWN 8 TWICE AS WILD 9 SMELTING 1 ONE PARTY

Preview: 7 BEADED GOWN just failed over this trip last time and should be right there under the same rider. 8 TWICE AS WILD should enjoy the step down in trip and has a chance. 9 SMELTING won when this 4kg claimer was last up so she could be in the shake up despite officially being 0,5kg under sufferance. 1 ONE PARTY went close the last time she ran over 1000m and Lerena is up. (David Thiselton 7-8-9-1)

RACE 7     

8 EXECUTRIX 1 NETTLETON 9 LADY OF MEMPHIS 2 MIST IN SCOTLAND

Preview: 8 EXECUTRIX will relish the step down in trip and sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight. 1 NETTLETON is in fine form and goes for the hattrick over a suitable trip albeit off a five point higher mark. 9 LADY OF MEMPHIS ran well first time out the maidens over 1200m and might enjoy the step back to her winning trip. 2 MIST IN SCOTLAND is capable of blitzing a field but is not in the best form. (David Thiselton 8-1-9-2)

RACE 8     

1 REMAINS OF THE DAY 9 DANCING DORA 11 PERINI PALACE 2 COMMANDER OF ALL

Preview: 1 REMAINS OF THE DAY disappointed last time but with this 4kg claimer up over an ideal 1000m he could go close. 9 DANCING DORA is in hardknocking form and is capable over this 1000m trip.  11 PERINI PALACE is usually thereabouts and with a 4kg claimer up could have a say. 2 COMMANDER OF ALL is knocking hard and his only win was over this trip. (David Thiselton 1-9-11-2)

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.