1

6 GOTTA GO EDDIE   5 HOLLYWOOD HEIRESS   1 BELL OF ANGELUS   9 LIKE FIRE

Summary: GOTTA GO EDDIE (6) started favourite on debut but was run out of it late. The step up in trip should suit. BELL OF ANGELUS (1) has consistent form over shorter and although taking on males, she too could prefer this extended trip. HOLLYWOOD HEIRESS (5) has shown some promise and could improve this trip while LIKE FIRE (9) could also improve over the extra. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-1-9).

2

5 BROADWAY GIRL   4 PALERMO   3 CAPSAICIN   6 SHOOT THE RAPIDS

Summary: BROADWAY GIRL (5) showed up nicely first run back from a short break. She goes well this trip. PALERMO (4) has been improving steadily and is seldom far back. This trip should suit although he has it all to do at the weights. CAPSAICIN (3) is lightly raced but useful. He steps up in trip but will feature at best. SHOOT THE RAPIDS (6) has been rested and gelded. Although the class horse in the race he will probably need this outing. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-3-6).

3

7 BAD MEDICINE   3 SILVER PLATTER   6 FIRE FORCE   5 CUZZIE

Summary: BAD MEDICINE (7) has his first run for a new stable. He comes with some useful Highveld form where he has been well supported in the market. Lerena stays with the ride. SILVER PLATTER (3) returns from a break but is lightly raced and he has improved at recent outings. FIRE FORCE (6) has not been far back at his last two and can improve on his last run when returning from a short break. CUZZIE (5) made sudden improvement at long odds last run in the soft and could surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 7-3-6-5).

4

9 JP’S PALACE   8 ARVERNI KING   4 NATIONAL DREAM   3 QONDANEKUKHANYENI

Summary: JP’S PALACE (9) has yet to run a bad race. He has a fair weight here but will benefit from Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance. ARVERNI KING (8) seldom runs a bad race and has been knocking at the door for late. He is course and distance suited. NATIONAL DREAM (4) has his third run after a break and should strip at his peak. QONDANEKUKHANYENI (3) has a light weight and could make all. (Andrew Harrison: 9-8-4-3).

5

6 FUTURE SAINT   2 ANIMAL IMPACT   5 RUN TO RIO   12 ELUSIVE BELLE

Summary: Open handicap. FUTURE SAINT (6) has been improving slowly. This looks to be the right race and he should make a bold bid. ANIMAL IMPACT (2) is way better than his last effort when ridden by an apprentice. He has his third run after a break. ELUSIVE BELLE (12) takes on males and has the worst of the draw but she showed up well last run and Serino Moodley stays with the ride. RUN TO RIO (5) is another having his third run after a rest and has not been far back of late. (Andrew Harrison: 6-2-5-12).

6

1 FIELD MARSHAL   5 KITCHAKAL   6 SIGN OF FATE   8 MASCHERINA

Summary: FIELD MARSHAL (1) ran a cracker in a feature last time out, only being run out of it late. He takes on weaker but has a corresponding jump in weight to contend with but has the best of the draw. KITCHAKAL (5) is never far off them but got a two-point raise in the handicap for his last effort. However, he has been consistent. SIGN OF FATE (6) needed her last run over a sprint and can do better over this trip with a handy weight. MASCHERINA (8) returns from a break but is useful and one to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-6-8).

7

9 NARINA TROGON   8 FORMAGEAR   3 MISS PLATINA   2 GLADATORIAN

Summary: There was a head separating NARINA TROGON (9) and FORMAGEAR (8) when last they met but the former was finishing his race off the better. They meet on the same weight terms jumping alongside of each other so there should not be much between them again. MISS PLATINA (3) won well enough last start but escaped the handicappers. She has another light weight and Muzi Yeni stays aboard. GLADATORIAN (2) is the class horse in the race but has not been out since December. Stuart Ferrie’s charge will have bigger fish to fry come Champions Season. (Andrew Harrison: 9-8-3-2).

8

4 BURNING MAN   3 SONATA SAMARITAN   5 ROOSTER BRADSHAW   9 THE GLIDING FISH

Summary: BURNING MAN (4) has been in good form since being fitted with blinkers but was a beaten favourite at his last two. He can make amends. SONATA SAMARITAN (3) takes on males but has yet to run a bad race. She has taken a two-point drop in the handicap which will help her cause. ROOSTER BRADSHAW (5) was not far back in his handicap debut and does show some promise. The extra will suit. THE GLIDING FISH 9) is way better than his last run. He steps up to a more suitable trip and could be the surprise package. (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-5-9).

9

2 FESTIVAL OF MAGIC   9 PAPA C   8 JAZZ FESTIVAL   7 RED MOUNTAIN

Summary: FESTIVAL OF MAGIC (2) has run two promising races since arriving in KZN. He has been dropping in the handicap and from a handy draw he should be a contender. PAPA C (9) has shown up well since returning from a break and has his third run since the lay-off. He was a close-up second last start but has drawn a little wide. JAZZ FESTIVAL (8) has been consistent and goes well this trip. RED MOUNTAIN (7) is never far off and looks to be over his optimum trip. (Andrew Harrison: 2-9-8-7).

10

7 TWENTY ONE MAY   11 CONNERY   6 VISION TO ACHIEVE   2 IBHELE

Summary:  Open. TWENTY ONE MAY (7) was touched off last run and has been consistent over the distance. He has a handy galloping weight and should be a contender. Gavin Lerena replaces the apprentices aboard CONNERY (11) who although drawn wide does appear to enjoy the turn which could see him to his sixth win. VISION TO ACHIEVE (6) is battling for her next win but has been dropping in the handicap and with only 50kg to shoulder she could finally notch her third success. IBHELE (2) has been a little disappointing but may be worth another chance given his light weight and a favourable draw. (Andrew Harrison: 7-11-6-2).

Andrew Harrison

The Kings Cup to be run over a mile at Hollywoodbets Greyville today is always a reminder that South Africa’s Champions Season is on the horizon and with a healthy stake on offer it is an opportunity for some to warm up their engines and for others, possibly lessor lights, to grab a slice of the stake before the big guns are in action.

Narina Trogon and Formagear fall into the latter category although they may still prove me wrong.

On current form there was not much more than a head separating the pair when last they met in the Fever Tree Handicap at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Mike Miller’s runner was finishing his race off the better of the pair to snaffle third close home and as they meet on the same weight terms and jumping off alongside of each other there should not be much between them again with Narina Trogon just earning the nod.

Tienie Prinsloo is never afraid to pit his fillies against males and Miss Platina won well enough last start and escaped the handicappers. She has another light weight and Muzi Yeni stays aboard which is always a bonus. Gladatorian is the class horse in the race and weighted to win but has not been out since December. Stuart Ferrie’s charge will have bigger fish to fry come Champions Season but he is not without a winning chance.

There is an early start to the meeting with a ten-race programme and the first off at 11.40, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1400m. Gotta Go Eddie was sent out a short-priced favourite on debut but had to play second fiddle to the Michael Roberts-trained Fortress Of Fire who looks to be at least useful at this stage.

The step up in trip should suit Gotta Go Eddie and barring a ‘springer’ he should get the meeting off to a winning start.

In the second, Broadway Girl showed up nicely first run back from a short break and Stuart Ferrie’s mare goes well this trip. Palermo has been improving steadily and is seldom far back. This trip should suit although he has it all to do at the weights. Shoot The Rapids has been rested and gelded and although the class horse in the race he will probably need this outing over a trip well short of his best.

Bad Medicine has his first run for Alyson Wright and comes with some useful Highveld form where he has been well supported in the market. Gavin Lerena stays with the ride which is a bonus. Silver Platter returns from a break but is lightly raced and he has improved at recent outings while Fire Force has not been far back at his last two and can improve on his last run when returning from a short break.

JP’s Palace has yet to run a bad race for Darryl Moore but has a fair weight to shoulder in the opening leg of the Pick 6. However he will benefit from Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance. Arverni King seldom runs a bad race and has been knocking at the door for late. He is course and distance suited while National Dream has his third run after a break and should strip at his peak

The fifth is an open handicap but Future Saint has been improving slowly and this looks to be the right race. Animal Impact is way better than his last effort when ridden by an apprentice and has his third run after a break. Run To Rio is having his third run after a rest and has not been far back of late.

Field Marshal looked to be out of his depth in a feature last time out but ran a cracker for Frank Robinson, only being run out of it late. He takes on weaker in the sixth and has a corresponding jump in weight to contend with but has the best of the draw. Kitchakal is never far off them but got a two-point raise in the handicap for his last effort. However, he has been consistent for Duncan Howells. Of the balance, Sign Of Fate needed her last run over a sprint and can do better over this trip with a handy weight while Mascherina returns from a break but is useful and one to watch in the market although she does seem to prefer Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

In the eighth, Burning Man has been in good form since being fitted with blinkers but was a beaten favourite at his last two. He can make amends for Frikkie Greyling. Danger could be Sonata Samaritan who although taking on males has yet to run a bad race. She has taken a two-point drop in the handicap which will help her cause. Rooster Bradshaw was not far back in his handicap debut and does show some promise while The Gliding Fish is way better than his last run and steps up to a more suitable trip. He could be the surprise package.

The last leg of the Pick 6 is a tricky affair but Festival Of Magic has run two promising races since arriving in KZN. He has been dropping in the handicap and from a handy draw he should be a contender. Papa C has shown up well since returning from a break and has his third run since the lay-off. He was a close-up second last start but has drawn a little wide. Jazz Festival and Red Mountain are others to consider.

The tenth is an open sprint but Twenty One May was touched off last run and has been consistent over the distance. He has a handy galloping weight and should be a contender. Gavin Lerena replaces the apprentices aboard Connery who although drawn wide does appear to enjoy the turn to the Scottsville straight which could see him to his sixth win. Vision To Achieve is battling for her next win but has been dropping in the handicap and with only 50kg to shoulder she could finally notch her third success.

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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.