Gallop TV is thrilled to announce that it will broadcast the prestigious 2024 Breeders’ Cup World Championships live on Friday, 1 November, and Saturday, 2 November. Viewers across South Africa can tune in to watch the world’s top horses compete at one of the most celebrated events in international horse racing. This year’s World Championships extravaganza is being held at Del Mar on the Pacific Ocean coastline in California. The five Breeders’ Cup championship races for two-year-olds will be run at the Friday meeting with the other nine championship events, including the headline $7-million Breeders’ Cup Classic, on Saturday. The 1st Race on Friday is off at 20h35 and on Saturday the 1st race jumps at 19h05.

South African fans will have an extra reason to celebrate, with two local champions, Isivunguvungu in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Race 5 at 21h41) and Beach Bomb in the Breeders’ Cup F&M Turf (Race 9 at 00h25), in action on Saturday, 2 November. These standout equine athletes are set to represent the nation on the global stage, taking on elite contenders from around the world. 

In conjunction with this premier event, Tabgold will offer commingled pools, for Win and Place with a R40 minimum unit, Exacta and Pick 6 with a R20 minimum unit and Pick 3 and Jackpot with a R10 minimum unit. Tote betting will open from Friday morning through Tabgold outlets and digital platforms, giving South African racing fans early access to place their bets. 

“We are excited to bring the excitement and spectacle of the Breeders’ Cup to South African viewers,” said Gold Circle International & Commercial Executive, Dean Sawarjith. “With the added thrill of our local champions competing, this promises to be a weekend to remember for racing enthusiasts.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness high-stakes international racing, proudly brought to you by Gallop TV (www.galloptv.co.za).

TABGOLD online customers can take in 30 hours of astounding racing action this weekend, comprising the famous Breeders’ Cup meeting in the USA, the Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile raceday at Turffontein and the first of four meetings that make up the annual Melbourne Cup Carnival.

It all kicks off with the first of the two Breeders’ Cup meetings at 20:35 on Friday. This year’s World Championships extravaganza is being held at Del Mar on the Pacific Ocean coastline in California. The five Breeders’ Cup championship races for two-year-olds will be run at the Friday meeting with the other nine championship events, including the headline $7-million Breeders’ Cup Classic, on Saturday.

Friday’s meeting at Del Mar will end at 02:25 on Saturday and online customers can take a short nap before the Victoria Derby day action at Flemington in Melbourne gets under way little more than two hours later.

TABGOLD will bet on the last seven races at Flemington and this is an all-graded-race spectacular no horseracing fan should miss. The card is topped by the $2-million Victoria Derby over 2500m for three-year-old’s and comprises three Grade 1 events plus two Grade 2s and four Grade 3s.

Charity Mile is one of 4Racing’s mega racedays in Joburg. Six feature races will be run and there’s a chance to land a big win for a small amount in a R1-million carryover Pick 6 pool, which should total some R5 million.

The second day of Breeders’ Cup starts at 19:05 in the evening with the Breeders’ Cup Classic at 23:41.

All TABGOLD bets on the Flemington meeting will be commingled into Tabcorp pools in Australia. Win, Place, Quinella and Swinger bets will be onwards commingled into the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool tote, while Exacta, Quartet, Rolling Double and Jackpot bets will be hosted by Tabcorp. No Trifecta bets will be offered.

TABGOLD bets on Breeders’ Cup will be commingled into the host tote and betting units will be as listed below because of the ZAR-US$ exchange rate.

* Win, Place, Eachway = R40 minimum; R40 unit.

* Exacta, Pick 6 = R20 minimum; R20 unit.

* Pick 3, Pick 4 (Jackpot) = R10 minimum; R10 unit.

Graeme Hawkins

By her own high standards, Candice Bass-Robinson has not enjoyed the most prolific Spring Carnival at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, but she signed off with a good double yesterday before jetting out to watch Beach Bomb contest the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Gr1) on Saturday at Delmar in the United States of America.

December Dawn (14/1), racing in the colours of the Late David Abery, showed marked improvement on her previous form to run out a comfortable winner of the second race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1250m. She tracked Daisy Duke into the home stretch but quickly took control of the race and held off Alessia Asheville (25/1) and the fast-finishing True Horizon by just about a length.

Whereas December Dawn was something of a surprise winner of the second race, Bass-Robinson’s Major Master was the overwhelming favourite to land the third race, a Maiden Plate over 1400m. Ridden by Aldo Domeyer, Major Master took some time to find his rhythm but the long-striding son of Master Of My Fate hit top gear inside the final 200m and drew clear to beat Rich Folks Hoax going away. He looks a cut above the average and will appreciate stepping up in trip.

The biggest gamble of the day was landed in the fourth race, a Maiden Plate over 1800m, but only just! Congressman tried gamely to make every inch of the running and was only collared in the very last stride by the Justin Snaith-trained Mente Et Manu under the powerful urgings of Richard Fourie. Mente Et Manu, having only the third start of his fledgeling career was backed in from 3/1 to start a firm even-money favourite and he should continue to progress.

After going so desperately close to winning the fourth race, Kamchatka provided immediate consolation for the Andre Nel/Corne Orffer combination in the fifth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1600m. Kamchatka took up the running shortly after the start and was never headed. The classy daughter of Erupt has now recorded back-to-back victories and is certainly heading in the right direction. Enchanting Choice ran on strongly to finish a close second ahead of the market leader Jet To The Sun who was beaten with every chance.

The recently founded Paardeberg Stud’s silks were carried to victory in the opening event, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1000m. Bred by Wales-based Sandra Ajax and named in honour of her late mother, Priscilla Maisey stormed clear approaching the final 200m to give the in-form team of Glen Kotzen and Denis Schwarz their fourth winner over the past three race days.

Bluff On Bluff (Fourie) and All About Al (Zackey) fought out a thrilling finish to the eighth and final race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1000m, with Bluff On Bluff just prevailing by a neck. Racing returns to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday for a quality 9-race programme headed by the R300 000 Cape Classic (Gr3) over 1400m while Durbanville takes a break until March 2025.

David Thiselton

Legendary ex-pat South African trainer David Payne still remembers his South African roots and confirmed it was himself who named his Gr 1 Victorian Derby entry, War Ribbon.

The horse has the same name as a top 15 time-winning sprinter David trained in SA in the early 1980s.

He has another Gr 1 contender running this Saturday called Raq Queen and it is likely no coincidence that the jockeys for the two above mentioned horses have South African roots, with SA Jockey Academy graduate Keagan Latham being the regular jockey for War Ribbon and Chad Schofield, son of former Durban-based stalwart jockey Glyn Schofield, being the regular rider for Rag Queen.

The South African-bred 1977-born War Ribbon completed what today would have been a notable Gr 1 weight for age treble in the 1981/1982 season. On August 15 1981 he won the Gr 1 Natal Flying Championship (Mercury Sprint) over 1200m at Clairwood, on 19 December 1981 he won the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Kenilworth and on 27 February 1982 he won the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m at Gosforth Park.

The War Ribbon in Australia is by Calyx and is the opposite type to the sprinting War Ribbon. He is only 20th in the ballot order for the Victorian Derby to be run at Flemington on Saturday as he has only won once in his four starts to date. He was an easy 3,8 length winner when stepped up to 2260m last time out.

Payne bought the horse for Aus$35,000 and the one thing he is confident about if War Ribbon does make the field is that he will see out the 2500m trip of the $Aus2 million Victorian Derby.

He said, “Well, he’ll definitely stay the trip, which a lot of them won’t.”

On Saturday at Royal Randwick he has the rags to riches filly, appropriately named Rag Queen, running in the Gr 1 Spring Champion Stakes over 2000m.

Rag Queen cost only $15,000 as a yearling, she stands barely 15 hands, weighs less than 450kg, and will be dwarfed by some of the powerfully-built, superbly-bred colts in the field for the Group 1 three-year-old classic. 

But Payne, who is chasing a third Spring Champion Stakes after his wins with Montefilia (2020) and Ace High (2017), is adamant Rag Queen will hold her own.

“Rag Queen’s only tiny, there is nothing of her, but she is a talented filly, tries very hard,” Payne said.

“I thought her run in the Gloaming Stakes (fourth behind El Castello and Swiftfalcon) was very good.

“She will appreciate the 2000m, she just keeps coming in her races and will be finishing off strongly.

“We are testing her for the Oaks in Melbourne and I think she can run very well against the ‘boys”.

Rag Queen won on debut as a two-year-old, her only win to date.

However, she has been highly tried as a three-year-old and has not been disgraced.

RACE 1

7 NAUTICAL LANDING   6 ONE PATH   10 AMBER EYES   4 ARCTIC FURY

Summary: This looks to be a straight fight between ONE PATH (6) and NAUTICAL LANDING (7).  Nautical Landing has only been out of the money once in six starts, stays the trip and is well acquainted with the poly. Tristan Godden is also riding with a lot of confidence so Mike Miller’s charge get’s the nod. ONE PATH (6) comes from the very much in form yard of Frank Robinson and was a close-up second last time out. She was doing her best work late so the extra furlong should be right up her alley. AMBER EYES (10) has run one good race on the poly but looks well held on her last effort behind One Path but has a money chance. ARCTIC FURY (4) switches to the poly and has shown some ability. (Andrew Harrison: 7-6-10-4).

RACE 2

4 ISIKWISHIKWISHI    3 L’ULTIMO   2 BRASS BELL   5 EL DRAQUE

Summary: ISIKWISHIKWISHI (4) made steady improvement leading up to his maiden win last time out. He copped a rating of 83 for his troubles and so carries top weight in his handicap debut. However, he does look progressive and can follow up in this line-up. L’ULTIMO (3) was run out of it late by veteran galloper Forest Jump last time out but had excuses with the third horse hanging onto him. However, he goes very well over course and distance and is a big runner for Michael Roberts. The Grey BRASS BELL (2) is always game and looks held by L’Ultimo on their last meeting. However, he is better off at the weights and has a light weight. EL DRAQUE (5) has been knocking at the door at recent outings and has a strong place chance. (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-2-5).

RACE 3

1 STRATHCLYDE   3 OFFICER IN COMMAND   6 SPELLING BEE   2 GIAMBATTISTA

Summary: Competitive handicap but STRATHCLYDE (1) is over due and ran a smart race behind the more than useful Gladatorian last time out. He switches to the poly from the best of the draw and Tony Rivalland has engaged Rachel Venniker to take some pudding off his back. OFFICER IN COMMAND (3) ran out of steam late in the Michaelmas Handicap and Mike de Kock has brought him back to a much shorter trip over which he has been effective. Dean Kannemeyer has two lively runners in SPELLING BEE (6) and WILLIAM RUFUS (4) both in with chances. The former is 1.5kg better off with Office In Command on their last meeting but this shorter trip could favour Officer In Command. GIAMBATTISTA (2) has been cleverly placed by Wendy Whitehead, winning his last two on the poly, but he took a four-point rise in the handicap for his last win and arguably faces a lot stronger here. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-6-2).

RACE 4

2 ROYAL SWAN MASTER   7 ETIQUETTE   8 SHOEFELLA   10 WOODLAND GLADE

Summary: ROYAL SWAN MASTER (2) is a bit of a poly specialist and has finished runner-up in his last three on the surface. He was touched off at his last two and could finally get over the line. WOODLAND GLADE (10) is a filly taking on males from the widest draw but is 3kg better off with AFRICAN DUSK (1) on their last meeting and although fairly well beaten it was a run a little below par. SHOEFELLA (8) has come good of late with blinkers and a switch to the poly. However, he did take a hefty eight-point rise in the handicap for his last win which could bring his winning streak to an end. ETIQUETTE (7) goes well over course and distance and has been up against slightly stronger at recent outings. He looks to be the pick of Garth Puller’s pair. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-8-10).

RACE 5

3 BANZAI PIPELINE   8 MVELELO   7 FEW DOLLARS MORE   1 KHANYISA INDLELA

Summary: Many in with chances here. There should not be much between veteran BANZAI PIPELINE (3) and the younger MVELELO (8) with a neck between them when last they met when taking on a little stronger than they meet here. Gath Puller’s gelding a 0.5kg better off at the weights but whether that will be enough to see the placings switched, only the race will tell. FEW DOLLARS MORE (7) has been much improved on the poly and was beaten by the much improved Shoefella last time out. He should have a bright chance in this line-up. KING’S ISLAND (9) has the widest draw but does enjoy the poly while although up in class, KHANYISA INDLELA (1) has been in good form and cannot be written off lightly. (Andrew Harrison: 3-8-7-1).

RACE 6

2 GREENLIGHTALLTHEWAY   8 BORN READY   9 THE QUEEN BEE   3 WAY TO BURN

Summary: GREENLIGHTALLTHEWAY (2) got has hefty handicap rating after her maiden win but she has come good in KZN after showing little in the Cape. She switches to the poly but does look progressive in spite of her narrow maiden win and can go in again. BORN READY (8) makes her local debut for a new stable after showing fair Cape form. She has drawn a little wide and makes her poly debut but she does stay the trip and if all goes well she should be in the firing line. WAY TO BURN (3) goes well on the poly and was a beaten favourite over course and distance last run. She should make a bold bid. THE QUEEN BEE (9) was run out of it late when starting at long odds last time out. She has drawn wide and takes to the poly but she cannot be left out of any calculations. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-9-3).

RACE 7

8 MOYA WA LINGA    3 BUGALUGS   4 VOLDEMORT   3 WINTER WAVES

Summary: MOYA WA LINGA (8) finished in front of the grey VOLDEMORT (4) last time out and goes well over course and distance. He has the widest draw but that should not be a problem in a small field. BUGALUGS (3) is a lightly raced four-year-old. He takes to the poly for the first time and the synthetic surface could suit given his late start to racing. Voldemort has been a victim of his consistency as he has hardly dropped in the handicap and took a one-point drop for a distant seventh last time out. He drops a furlong in trip here and with Rachel Venniker also helping from the saddle this could be his race although he is not without opposition. Stable companion to Voldemort WINTER WAVES (5) is back over what looks to be his preferred trip and can add to his already smart winning tally. (Andrew Harrison: 8-3-4-5).

RACE 8

6 MILLION VOICES 2 VISION TO ACHIEVE   12 SWEET JULIA   1 HURRICANE CAT

Summary: MILLION VOICES (6) has been knocking at the door in her three runs back since a break. She has been given some relief in the handicap and is over what looks to be her best trip. VISION TO ACHIEVE (2) is back over her optimum trip. She shows good pace and the switch to the poly and a drop in class could see her overcome top weight. SWEET JULIA (12) has the wisest draw to contend with and has been a beaten favourite at her last four outings.. The draw is a concern but first time blinkers could finally bring out the best. HURRICANE CAT (1) was a recent maiden winner but the poly does look to be her best surface and from the best of the draw she could go all the way. (Andrew Harrison: 6-2-12-1).