Graeme Hawkins

Outlaw King provided the unusually quiet Dean Kannemeyer stable with a huge lift as the 4yo son of Rafeef stormed to victory in Sunday’s R500 000 De Grendel’s Cape Merchants (Gr2) over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Without a win for 511 days, Outlaw King had shown signs of returning to best after being gelded earlier this year and appears most effective over this course and distance. Grant Van Niekerk was pencilled in to ride Outlaw King but missed the engagement due to suspension and Sean Veale was in the right place at the right time to pick up the ride.

Café Culture, winner of the Post Merchants (Gr2) in July, ran a super race to finish second in his first start since that victory. Café Culture bounced out in front and showed no signs of weakening as the field approached the final 200m. But when Veale sent Outlaw King about his business, Café Culture offered scant resistance and Kannemeyer’s charge forged clear to score by more than a length.

Surjay ran a huge race under top weight of 63kgs, staying on strongly to finish third ahead of the winner’s stable companion The Real Prince. Unfortunately, the dreaded track-bias came into play, and it was evident a long way out that the horses drawn closer to the inside rail held a clear advantage. The 11/2 favourite Meu Capitano was caught between horses on the outside and never really got into the hunt but was first home of those drawn from middle to outside.

Punters began the meeting on the back foot when unfancied newcomer, Heal And Soul, finished strongly to take out the opening race, a Maiden Plate over 1000m. Wave of Glory (50/1) made the early running but was collared by Heal And Soul (25/1) inside the final 200m, with Palancar (125/1) and Bel Canto Dream (28/10) completing the carryover Quartet.

There was no respite in the second race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1200m, as Sohot Sowhat (33/1) showed huge improvement on her debut performance to run out a comfortable winner for trainer Lucinda Woodruff and high-riding Gavin Lerena. Joint favourite Catch A Penny (2/1) hit the front below the 400m pole, but she had no answer when challenged by Sohot Sowhat and the latter drew clear to win by nearly four lengths in very quick time.

Woodruff followed up in the third race, a Class 5 Handicap over 1600m, when Azzurri landed a gamble under a driving ride from Chad Little. Backed from 12/1 to 5/1, Azzurri provided Little with his first winner since returning to the saddle, and emotions ran high during the post-race celebrations. Now that the monkey is off his back, the winners should start to flow for the talented heavy-weight rider.

Then it was the turn of Champion trainer Justin Snaith to kick into top gear, winning the next three races on the bounce. Warbird attracted inspired support from 7/1 into 4/1 in the fourth race and opening leg of the Pick 6, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1400m, and the 3yo daughter of Act Of War led from pillar to post under Craig Zackey to post a comfortable victory. Bright Gold (7/1) stayed on to finish second with the tote favourite Wehaveasituation making some late progress to round off the Trifecta.

Race 5, an Open Maiden over 1600m, saw a terrific finish between Bounceback (16/10) and Scottish Links (7/1) with the former finding a little extra under Richard Fourie to gain the verdict by the best part of a length.  Scottish Links moved up dangerously at the 200m pole, but Bounceback showed plenty of resilience and was full value for the win.

Dawn Till Dusk was all the rage to win the sixth race, a Class 3 Handicap over 1600m, and shortened from 3/1 to odds-on before the off. However, it was his stable companion, The Grey King, who stole the show with a gutsy start-to-finish victory under Craig Zackey, holding out a determined challenge from Solomons Seal by a long head. Dawn Till Dusk ran well below par and finished with only one runner behind him.

The final leg of the carryover Jackpot, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1400m, was won by the unfancied La Divina (16/1) for the Andre Nel & Corne Orffer partnership. The 4yo daughter of Vercingetorix hopped out in front and was never headed. Swiatek and Miraculous chased hard over the final 200m but La Divina was in a galloping mood and easily repelled the challenges of her more fancied rivals. The Jackpot returned a healthy R17 877, with the pool exceeding the expected R1-million mark.

Graeme Hawkins

A real puzzle for punters, but a great spectacle for racing fans! The 2024 renewal of the R500 000 Cape Merchants (Gr2) over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today has attracted a maximum field of twenty runners and being a handicap, the spread of weights ranges from 63kgs (Surjay) all the way down to 52kgs (Gimmelightning). The race forms the third leg of Sunday’s R250 000 Jackpot carryover and one’s first instinct is to include the “field” and narrow down the remaining three legs.

But I am going to take my chances with a short list of five runners, headed by the in-form and lightly weighted Meu Capitano from the Piet Steyn stable. With just 53kgs to shoulder, Steyn had to go in search of a suitable jockey and has engaged the services of the very capable Highveld-based Chase Maujean. With Kaisarissa a scratching from the opening race, Meu Capitano will be Maujean’s only ride for the day and the 4yo son of Captain Of All could provide Chase with a memorable rare visit to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

If Meu Capitano rates a strong chance, then so does the very game and consistent Dance Variety as there should not be much to choose between the pair. It may not be in Dance Variety’s favour that he jumps out of Gate 18, but one can only hope that track bias does not play a meaningful role in the outcome. Adam Marcus’ runner is in a very good space right now and Dance Variety has been specifically targeted for the De Grendel Cape Merchants. Regular pilot Corne Orffer will be in the saddle.

Of the top weighted runners, my preference lies with At My Command. He has not been seen since September, but the Brett & James Crawford yard have enjoyed a wonderful run of success and At My Command ranks right up there with the best sprinters around. Interestingly, Craig Zackey has opted to ride At My Command in preference to the Kannemeyer-trained The Real Prince and Cosmic Highway, all of which are raced by Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables.

Future Variety makes it into my top five selections. He has been a little below par in recent outings and will need to improve, but he if can reproduce his Diadem Stakes performance earlier this year, when a close second to Thunderstruck, then he can certainly make his presence felt here. He likes to race from a little off the early pace, but he quickens well over the last 200m, and his course and distance form speaks volumes.

Mia Moo makes her Western Cape debut and could be dangerous with just 52,5kgs on her back. Josh Solomons takes the ride for the Sean Tarry stable and this talented 4yo daughter of Vercingetorix should give plenty of cheek in a tough and competitive event. So those are my top five choices but given the size of the field, the potential for an unfavourable track bias coupled with the inevitable catalogue of post-race hard luck stories, this year’s renewal of the De Grendel Cape Merchants is up for grabs and, whatever the outcome, it’s going to be fun to watch.

The fifth race and first leg of the carryover Jackpot, an Open Maiden over 1600m, should be a four-cornered contest between Victor Hugo, Ariovistus, Scottish Links and Bounceback. From pole position Victor Hugo may enjoy a slight advantage but it’s noteworthy that Richard Fourie has opted for Bounceback who is faced with the widest draw of all.

Race 6, a Class 3 Handicap over 1600m, could go the way of the Eric Sands-trained Solomons Seal. The very good-looking 4yo son of Potala Palace made an eye-catching seasonal debut when a close fourth behind Big Unit five weeks ago. Gavin Lerena takes the ride, and from only five opportunities, he has already posted three winners for the Sands’ stable. Dawn Till Dusk, representing the very much in-form team of Justin Snaith and JP van der Merwe, rates an obvious threat but The Grey King and Willie John are also worthy of consideration.

The final leg of the carryover Jackpot, a Class 4 (F&M) over 1400m, billed as the eighth race on the programme, sees nine fillies face the starter and Swiatek will be a popular choice to register her second career victory from only three starts. Miraculous should do better than last time and get closer to Swiatek but watch out for possible improvement from Sweetie Darling. She has her peak run here and will appreciate the step-up in trip.

The first of nine races at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, gets under way at 12:20.

Please be advised that the remainder of the Vaal race meeting, 21 December 2024 has been abandoned due to inclement weather. The Grand Heritage and Heritage Consolation will be run on Tuesday 24 December 2024 as carded, as races 4 and 5.

Final Fields for 24 December will be recalled and new Fields will be issued.

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).

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.