RACE 1

(4) CHABAL will appreciate the step up in trip and should go very close here. (7) FIZZLY BUBBLY is making steady progress and must be respected over the extended trip. (9) PARABELLUM hasn’t been far and gets an eye-catching work rider aboard so will have a huge chance. (5) GIFT OF ROYAL ran a much-improved race and can get into the placings. ( Devonne Govender 4-7-9-5)

RACE 2

(6) INSTANT ATTRACTION ran extremely well in her last start and will go very close. (5) GREAT NOTION has been consistent and a bold showing is expected. (8) HEARTS ON FIRE has scope to improve over this 1600m trip so warrants respect in this field respectfully. (1) CITY LIGHTS has had many chances and can run into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 6-5-8-1)

RACE 3

(2) KUDZU has been holding consistent form recently. His last run was excellent and he is expected to run a cracker. (3) SALUTE THE FLAG ran a decent race at big odds and will be a factor if repeating that. (7) GREENHOUSE looks well above average, he wasn’t beaten far in the last start and must be respected coming from a top yard. (1) STREWN SKY has a top rider up and the form to win this contest despite carrying top weight. ( Devonne Govender 2-3-7-1)

RACE 4

Very competitive race , many have winning chances. It’s also advisable to watch on which side of the track horses seem to be winning from. (14) RADICCHIO is holding solid form and is a massive contender here. His recent victories have been excellent and he will be in the firing line. (12) CAPTAINOFTHEGREEN was ultra impressive in his last win and the fact that Richard Fourie has been booked for the ride speaks volumes. He has always been rated as a smart horse early in his career so he must have a huge chance. (19) THE AFRICA HOUSE is another who is loaded with ability and can get into the action, his last run was eye catching and he deserves huge respect. (11) SLINKY MAPIMPI is a very interesting runner with Rachel Venniker aboard. He is very capable on his day and it will be no surprise to see him win this contest at decent odds from an inside draw. ( Devonne Govender 14-12-19-11)

RACE 5

(5) CONFEDERATE looks a smart type and will be a big runner in this contest. His last victory was very impressive and he will have a huge winning chance here. (7) COUNT INVICTO is another smart type in the making, his form speaks for itself and there won’t be much to choose between him and the top selection. (9) MK’S DREAMS won a gutsy race in the last start, he showed plenty of determination on that occasion and with the light mass on his back will be a factor. (4) WARHAWK BOMBER is never far back and is capable of getting involved here, he does have solid form overall and can’t be ignored. ( Devonne Govender 5-7-9-4)

RACE 6

(1) IDEAL FUTURE ran a cracker in the last start, she runs well for Trent Mayhew and should take some beating here. (7) DAMOVA is holding solid form and will be in the mix with a handy mass on her back, she will be a huge factor. (6) ANOTHER UNIVERSE has scope to go well here, he won his maiden extremely well and looks progressive. (4) ONLY A POET is capable of running into the money and can be included in larger perms. ( Devonne Govender 1-7-6-4)

RACE 7

(5) SAMOA is holding outstanding form, this game 10-year-old mare looks like the horse they all have to beat. (7) PACIFIC is never far back and can get much closer so respect. (1) SAKHALA IS’CATHULO is a very interesting runner with Piere Strydom aboard. He has shown ability and can win this. (3) COMMANDER OF ALL is better than his form suggests and isn’t out of it. ( Devonne Govender 5-7-1-3)

RACE 8

(1)FAITHFUL NEO looks a smart type. His debut win was breath taking and he could be something special hence a chance is taken in bankering him in all bets. (11) BEADED GOWN has decent enough form and will be in the frame based on consistent recent runs. (5) TAKE YOUR PLACE ran well enough in the last start and will be right there in the mix, include. (6) WAITFORGREENLIGHT won a gutsy race in the last start and can get into the action once again.

RACE 9

(7) KIA KAHA won well at big odds, she is lightly raced and has plenty scope to go well hence she is the first choice in a competitive contest. (6) LADY OF MEMPHIS has a light mass and is expected to be in the mix, although she ran behind the third selection (5) JUST THE TWO OF US there won’t be much to choose between these two. (8) VIRGIN RIVER placed in the last start and another honest effort is expected, she won’t be far. ( Devonne Govender 7-6-5-8)

RACE 10          

(1) RATTLE BAG has been holding consistent form and will be a massive contender with Piere Strydom aboard. (2) SUPER AWESOME wasn’t beaten far in the last start and is capable of better. (6) CALIDA has been racing well and another honest performance can be expected. (5) NEW MEXICO ran well enough in the last start and can make the frame. ( Devonne Govender 1-2-6-5)

The Grand Heritage and Heritage Consolation will be run on Tuesday 24 December 2024 as carded, as races 4 and 5.

Races 1 to 3 and 6 to 10 will be run on the Classic Track.

Race 4 WSB Grand Heritage and Race 5 WSB Heritage Consolation will be run on the Vaal Main Track (Straight).

The original eight-race meeting at the Vaal this Tuesday 24 December has been replaced by an expanded 10-race meeting, which includes the postponed World Sports Betting Grand Heritage and Consolation that were scheduled to be run last Saturday.

Consequently the original racecard published for this Tuesday’s meeting is no longer correct and horseracing fans must use the new 10-race card.

Race 1 is now at 11:15 with the Grand Heritage Race 4 at 12:50. TABGOLD betting on the meeting will open on Tuesday and the new racecard is available in TABGOLD Outlets and at www.tabgold.co.za

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.