David Thiselton

The seven race meeting at the Vaal today is the last SA meeting of the year and offers an opportunity to end 2024 on a high.

The outside rail is at zero so high draws should be advantageous, although recently horses going to the far side rail from low draws have been doing just as well.

The highest rated race of the day is a MR 96 Handicap over 1400m and it could see the Fabian Habib-trained Fully Loaded going close. Headgear was dispensed with last time and he was beaten just 4,60 lengths into fifth by Radicchio with Pomodoro’s Jet just 3,55 lengths in front of him in third. The latter went on to easily win the Grand Heritage over that same course and distance and Radicchio, who was 3,5kg worse off with Pomodoro’ Jet from their previous meeting was a decent fifth. Fully Loaded has a plum draw by trends of nine out of nine and Kabelo Matsunyane takes over from Malesela Katjedi. Wyzeact could bounce back after being well beaten in that same  Middle Stakes event over 1475m and also in the WSB Heritage Consolation. He was just 3,65 lengths behind Fully Loaded in the former race, but he is now 1,5kg worse off. However, he can be involved if producing his best. Biofarmer has 2,45 lengths to make up on Wyzeact from their last meeting but is only 1,5kg better off. However, he does have Strydom up and has a high draw, so could be involved. Bob’s Your Uncle should be effective over this course and distance from a decent looking draw. Paisley Park has dropped to a competitive mark and could be thereabouts, although he has the tricky number one draw. George Handel has some class and returns from a seven month layoff over a trip sharper than his optimum. Zanthar has useful form, although it shows him to perhaps prefer shorter and he is officially 2kg under sufferance. 

That race forms the first leg of the Pick 6 and in the next leg over 1800m Rani Of Kittur could be the one to beat after making a good comeback after a four month layoff. He has a plum draw of two and Gavin Lerena is now up. Flamboyant Flyer has enjoyed the step up to middle distances and goes for a hattrick, although he has to overcome a six point raise. Elembee ran a cracker in the Listed War Of Athena Handicap over this trip on Saturday and if taking her place could be in the shake up. Avoontoast is distance suited and is always thereabouts.

In the fifth over 1800m Sneak Preview has a tricky draw over an ideal trip, but represents an in form combination and is in good form herself. Have A Party is in consistent form and is well drawn over a suitable trip. Mary Read is also in good form and does not have a lot to find on Sneak Preview on their last meeting over this trip. Arctic Vixen gets a reasonable merit rating after an easy win in a workriders maiden and is drawn in pole over an ideal trip. Lady Sabrina could also feature fist time out the maidens.

In the sixth over 1200m Francilien is the class package in the field and from a nice high draw of six can carry 62kg to victory. Blizzard Snow has been given three points relief after a fifth and a fourth out of the maidens and she is now drawn on the right side with Lerena up. Take Your Place is in hard knocking form and also has a nice high draw. 

In the seventh over 1200m Prince Of Kildare is the one to beat if able to overcome topweight and a low draw as he comes from strong formlines. Written In Stone has a shout if able to overcome a low draw. Prized Platinum is off a competitive mark and his last run can be ignored after an awkward start and he is drawn on the right side. Captain Efficient has a high draw as he is always thereabouts and a one point drop takes him to his lowest mark out of the maidens. Mariachi Madness can be involved if repeating his last start and he has a high draw. Inafix can never be ignored.

In the first race over 1400m Warning Sound has run two good races and should still be improving, so is the one to beat.

In the second over 1000m Endizayo will enjoy the step back in trip and can fight it out with Tiger Storm.   

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.

TABGOLD have added a Pick 6 to their daily menu of QuickMix bets, which are popular with many customers because they combine races from different local and international meetings, and are completed much quicker than multi-race bets on single meetings.

The addition of the Pick 6 brings the number of QuickMix pools offered most days to six – three Jackpot QuickMixes and a QuickMix BiPot, Place Accumulator and Pick 6. Until further notice, the QuickMix Pick 6 will always be the last six legs of the Place Accumulator QuickMix.

To play the Pick 6 QuickMix, TABGOLD retail customers must mark VENUE SPM and RACE 2 on the betting form.

It must be noted that the Pick 6 first-timer rule will apply to South African races in the bet if these races form part of a South African Pick 6. The first-timer rule will not apply to all other races, including South African races that are not part of a local Pick 6.