RACE 1

(1) READY ran extremely well on debut at big odds, he can only benefit from that experience and is sure to be sharper. The same can be said for (4) PRICELESS TREASURE, she gets the weight allowance against the boys and will make her presence felt after a good debut effort. (6) SOMBREUIL and (5) SMART STAR are both well-bred and any market support should be taken seriously. (Devonne Govender 1-4-6-5)

RACE 2

(1) BAROLO ran a cracker on debut and was narrowly beaten by Air Born Lady, she gets a decent enough draw over the 1400m trip which she will love, hence she will be the firm first choice. (8) SILVAN MISTRESS made good improvement in her last start and is sure to be involved. (5) LADY BLUNT comes from a top yard and has decent enough Cape form to win this, she will have a big say. (3) DREAM TEAM comes from a yard who generally don’t rush their juveniles, she has made steady progress in her last start and it would be no surprise to see her win. (Devonne Govender 1-8-5-3)

RACE 3

(1) MASTER FORESTER is holding top form, he looks extremely progressive and he will be the narrow first selection in a competitive race. (5) AHEAD OF THE FACTS is holding solid Cape form and will be a lively contender. (3) WAHEED ran a cracker in the last start behind a very smart sort, he will have a big winning chance. (2) CORAL CREEK won easily in the last start and a repeat performance will see him contesting the finish. (Devonne Govender 1-5-3-2)

RACE 4

(1) LOTUS ISLAND is a smart horse in the making and will take some beating in a competitive race. She has been ultra-impressive in all her victories. (2) FIRST WISH is another from the powerful Alan Greeff yard and her form speaks for itself, massive danger to the top selection. (5) TAP SHOES represents good Cape form, Cape horses tend to do extremely well here in PE so she must be respected. (4) CAN’T SAY NO has run well behind some smart sorts and can get involved. (Devonne Govender 1-2-5-4)

RACE 5

(1) GENTEEL is knocking on the door and will be a serious contender for top honours. (9) DANCING IN WINTER has been running consistently and must go into everything. (5) GLOBAL SCENE has never been far back in recent starts and can certainly win this, her recent runs have caught the eye more than once so she will be a big runner representing some good value. (6) DUCHESS OF SEVILLE has been fancied in her last few starts and can win this, must include. (Devonne Govender 1-9-5-6)

RACE 6

(11) PRIME VENTURE represents some good Cape form and will have an outstanding winning chance. (7) SUN SPECTACULAR ran a cracker at huge odds and with a top apprentice in the saddle she will have a big chance. (4) FINAL EDITION is another who is holding top form and will run a big race, massive chance. (3) CHERE FOR ME has ability and can contest the finish on best form. (Devonne Govender 11-7-4-3)

RACE 7

(3) MERCANTOUR ran a cracker in the last start, he should have finished much closer in his last start so the booking of Richard Fourie speaks volumes hence he is the narrow first choice. (1) KINGDUNDEE is packed with class and will be a huge danger to the top selection, he is a progressive horse and just seems to get and better and better. (6) CLIFF TOP ran well in the last start and can get involved for the placings. (5) ANUSCHKA’S WORLD is never far back and will be in the mix, the last run was very good and he can make his presence felt in a big way. (Devonne Govender 3-1-6-5)

RACE 8

(3) COASTAL PATH is holding top form and another big performance is expected, his last run was extremely good hence he is the top selection however there are dangers. (6) CHAMPONELLE finished in front of the top selection when they last met and there won’t be much to choose. (5) CAPTAIN TIK TOK is very capable on his day and can blow them away if bringing his ‘A” game here. (7) CHARLIE MALONE is never far back and can get into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 3-6-5-7)

RUGBY 8 WIN MARGIN on Friday, April 2025 C/Over R 58 371 Pool Closes at 09h05 Call Bet V65

Soccer10 on Friday, 11 April 2025 ADD-IN R 200 000 Pool Closes at 20h00 Sport 12 and Pool 1 Estimated Pool: R 1.8 Million

Soccer4 on Saturday, 12 April 2025 ADD-IN R 25 000 Pool Closes at 16h00
Sport 19 and Pool 2 Estimated Pool: R 100 000

Soccer10 on Saturday, 12 April 2025 ADD-IN R 200 000
Pool Closes at 15h00 Sport 15 and Pool 1 Estimated Pool: R 1.8 Million

Soccer13 on Saturday, 12 April 2025 Pool Closes at 15h30
Sport 10 and Pool 1 Guaranteed JACKPOT ALL 13 CORRECT JACKPOT POOL:
R 18 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner)

Soccer ANY 13Xtra on Saturday, 12 April 2025 C/Over R 300 000
Pool Closes at 13h30 Sport 13 and Pool 1 Estimated Pool: R 600 000

Soccer6 on Sunday, 13 April 2025 ADD-IN R 75 000 Pool Closes at 17h30
Sport 2 and Pool 2 Estimated Pool: R 400 000

Soccer13 on Sunday, 13 April 2025 Pool Closes at 14h30
Sport 11 and Pool 1 ALL 13 CORRECT JACKPOT POOL: R 5.7 Million
(If only One 13 of 13 Winner)

Durban – World Sports Betting (WSB) has reaffirmed its commitment to South African horseracing by renewing its sponsorship of three premier race meetings in KwaZulu-Natal during the upcoming winter season. These meetings will include the first two weekends of South Africa’s highly anticipated Champions Season. 

Racing enthusiasts can look forward to a thrilling day of action at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, featuring a ten-race card headlined by the WSB Sledgehammer, WSB Scarlet Lady, and WSB Highland Night Cup. These races serve as an early stepping stone for horses preparing to compete in the Champions Season, which officially begins in May. 

“Horseracing has always been a cornerstone of our sponsorship strategy,” said Ryno Du Plessis, Chief Operating Officer of World Sports Betting. “The renewal of our partnership with Gold Circle reflects our continued passion for the sport and our belief in its future. We’re grateful to the Gold Circle team for allowing us to once again align the World Sports Betting brand with some of the season’s top racing events, and we look forward to welcoming KZN racing fans back on course.” 

The excitement continues at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 3 May, with the official opening of Champions Season. The day’s feature races will include the Grade 2 WSB Guineas, Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas, and the fan-favourite WSB 400m Dash, alongside the historic IOS Drill Hall Stakes. 

Just a week later, the spotlight will shift to the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900, a race that has played a key role in shaping the path to the Hollywoodbets Durban July, with the past two winners having launched their campaigns in this prestigious event. 

“With all the positive developments taking place in KwaZulu-Natal racing, it’s vital to have dedicated partners like World Sports Betting by our side,” said Steve Marshall, Events & Marketing Executive at Gold Circle. “Their growing support of the sport, both provincially and nationally, is a major boost for the industry and helps ensure a vibrant future for horseracing in South Africa.” 

For more information, visit www.goldcircle.co.za or follow Gold Circle on social media.

David Thiselton

The BSA National Yearling Sale is uppermost in everybody’s minds in South African racing at present and one of the questions is will the South African record price of R9 million be approached or be beaten on April 10 or April 11 of the two day Sale at the TBA Complex in Germiston?

There have been two horses who have gone for R9 million in SA history, the first being a Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Silvano colt called Masaki, who was out of Gr 3-winning Fort Wood mare Quickwood, which made him a full-brother to the Gr 1 Majorca Stakes winner Nightingale. Masaki was bought by Shadwell South Africa at National in 2019, but was destined to never race. 

The second horse to reach that figure was at the Cape Racing Sales Premier Yearling Sale last month and was a Drakenstein Stud-bred Vercingetorix colt who was out of the dual Gr 1-winning Captain Al mare Snowdance. Greg Bortz bought this half-brother to the Lancaster Bomber colt Snow Pilot, the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner.

The very first lot on the BSA National Yearling Sale will attract a lot of attention.

This Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud-bred filly by Vercingetorix is out of Gr 1 Garden Province Stakes winner Zarina. Vercingetorix, who is by six-times national champion sire Silvano, is the most successful Sales stallion in South African history and reached new heights at the Cape Racing Sales Premier Yearling Sale, averaging R1,661,364 for 22 lots. This is the first foal of Zarina, who is by Jet Master stallion Master Of My Fate out of a mare by Kitalpha. Kitalpha is by Mr Prospector out of Miesque, meaning he is a full brother to top stallion Kingmambo and a half-brother to Judpot. So Lot 1’s pedigree runs deep.

However, that one is unlikely to threaten the record price.

The most eagerly anticipated lot on the sale will be Lot 49, a Klawervlei Stud-bred Vercingetorix filly who is a half-sister to the Equus Horse Of The Year, Captain’s Ransom. 

However, this is just one of the Vercingetorix’s who will fetch a big price, because it seems just about every one of his lots is out of a top quality mare.

To mention just one other one that has the potential to fetch a massive price is lot 28, a Varsfontein Stud-bred colt by Vercingetorix out of Bela-Bela, a three times Gr 1-winning champion by Dynasty out of the celebrated Equus Champion Broodmare Mystic Spring. To date Bela-Bela has had three runners and three winners, including the Gr 2-winning Gimmethegreenlight filly Ciao Bella.

Lot 33 is going to get a lot of attention as this is a full brother to Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack. The Ndoro Stud-bred colt is by exciting sire Fire Away out of Bonnie Beers, a Mambo In Seattle mare.

Lot 54 will get a lot of attention as this Winterbach Stud-bred One World filly is a half-sister to Gimme The Stars, who won her first four races in the East Cape, including two Listed races.

Lot 35 from Beaumont Stud is a good looking One World filly out of a Western Winter mare who has produced Listed five-time winner Nicky Noo. 

Lot 47 is a Blue Sky Thoroughbreds colt by Legislate out of a well related Gimmethegreenlight mare who has produced two Listed winners, Tipsy Tarragon and Lady Fallon.

Lot 48 is a Wilgerbosdrift Malmoos colt out of Listed seven-time winner Chitengo, who is by Elusive Fort and is a half-sister to Gold Cup winner Shangani.

Declarationofpeace has made a fine start to his stud career and will get a lot of attention. His first lot is Lot  56, a Clifton Stud-bred colt who is a half-brother to Gr 3 winner Mount Pilatus.

Lot 197, an Avontuur Estate-bred colt by Rafeef, will also have bidders in a state of anticipation. Rafeef is having a fine season with his six-year-old son William Robertson capping it to date with a fine win in the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint and he also has a promising young son in Esteemed among many others. This colt (Lot 197) is out of the quick Gr 3-winning Var mare Miss October, who has produced two Gr 1-winning sprinters, Master Of My Fate Equus Champion two-year-old colt Tempting Fate and Trippi filly October Morn.

Lot 210 is a Cheveley Stud-bred colt by Captain Al’s triple crown winner Malmoos out of the five time-winning Western Winter mare Netsuke, which make him a half-brother to Gr 1 Majorca Stakes winner Rascova.  

The Gimmethegreenlights will be all the rage and Lot 225 is a strapping filly out of the Gr 1 SA Oaks winner Pine Princess, who has produced three stakes placed horses.

The only Trippi on the Sale is Lot 189, a Bloomhill Stud-bred colt out of a one-time winning Snitzel mare.

However, it is hard to not make a case for just about every one of the Lots on the Sale, which ends on Friday with Lot 346.

David Thiselton

Craig Zackey was on fire for the whole of last week which first saw him claw back a deficit in the national jockeys championship and then saw him forge clear.

After the Champions Day meeting, at which both Richard Fourie and Gavin Lerena scored four-timers, the standings were Fourie 176, Lerena 174 and Zackey 171.

However, Zackey has since scored a double at last week’s Hollywoodbets Greyville Monday meeting, a treble at the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Wednesday meeting, he won both races at the Vaal Classic meeting last Thursday which was abandoned after the 2nd race, he rode a treble at the Fairview turf meeting on Friday and he rode a double at the Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting on Sunday.

The standings are now Zackey 183, Fourie 177 and Lerena 174.

Zackey’s 12 winners in the week came at a strike rate of 37,50%, while Fourie had only eight rides in the week for one win and Lerena had a blank from seven rides.

Fourie might have to up his travel rate to beat Zackey, but probably remains the favourite due to the devastating form his East Cape guv’nor Alan Greeff is in. Greeff has had 122 wins this season, 120 of them in the East Cape, and he should pass his own East Cape record of 176 wins in season, which he set in 2019.

Fourie should also easily beat his own East Cape record of 119 wins he set last season as he is already on 103.

Lerena has been handed a 90 day suspension of which 60 are suspended for the Jason Gates whipping incident. So he will be out of the title race unless he is able to stretch out the process in order to only take the effective 30 days next season. SA jockeys seem to be able to delay the taking of a suspension through the appeal process and the slowness and lack of uniformity in setting inquiry or appeal dates. 

Fourie is leading the way this season for Gr 1 wins and black type wins.

He has had six Gr 1 victories this season already. The record is thought to be Weichong Marwing’s 13 Gr 1 wins in the 1998/1999 season.

Lerena has had four Gr 1 wins this season and Zackey has had three, so the three leading riders are also leading the Gr 1 count.   

The other Gr 1 scorers are Calvin Habib, Piere Strydom and Ryan Munger.

Fourie has had 19 stakes race (black type) successes this season, including the six Gr 1s, Lerena has had 12, Zackey had had eleven, Strydom has had seven, Rachel Venniker has had six, Sean Veale has had five, Aldo Domeyer has had five, Muzi Yeni has had four, Munger has had four, Habib has had four, Kabelo Matsunyane has had four, Raymond Danielson has had three, Serino Moodley has had three, JP van der Merwe has had two, Marco van Rensburg has had two and Grant van Niekerk has had two.

Deryl Daniels is the only other jockey with more than one stakes success, although all three of his black type successes have been in Zimbabwe.

The East Cape Jockeys championship sees Fourie on 103 wins, Zackey on 56 and Chase Maujean on 21.

The KZN Jockeys championship is being led by Rachel Venniker on 46 wins with Sean Veale next best on 45 and Zackey is on 38.

The Gauteng Championship is led by Lerena on 122, Yeni on 63 and Strydom on 56.

The Western Cape Championship is being led by Fourie on 66, Van der Merwe on 44 and Domeyer on 42.

Trent Mayhew leads the national Apprentice Championship this season with 20 wins and is followed by Nirvan Nastili and Brevan Plaaitjies who each have eleven wins.

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong SA Jockey Academy (SAJA) graduate Karis Teetan rode a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday. 

He has had a quiet time lately by his standards and the treble took him to 30 wins for the season and sixth on the Jockeys Log, one position behind ex-pat South African and SAJA graduate Luke Ferraris, who is having his best season on the island and is on 33 wins.

Lyle Hewitson and Keagan de Melo, the other two ex-pat South African SAJA graduates, are on 18 and eight wins respectively in seasons they will both be disappointed with to date. They lie 13^th and 18^th on the log respectively.