Graeme Hawkins

While Richard Fourie took the riding honours with a treble at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, the highlights of the day were arguably a race-to-race 1500/1 double for the “underdogs” Paul Reeves and Devin Ashby and an exciting victory by the progressive Boundless Energy in the seventh race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1400m.

The first leg of the Reeves/Ashby double, for the recently formed Turf Talk Syndicate, was particularly noteworthy as Garden Of Eden stormed home on debut from well off the pace to mow down the luckless Tuscan Romance in the very last stride. Garden Of Eden at 125/1 was completely ignored in the betting but fortunately for Pick 6 punters the first-timer rule came into play and followers of the tote favourite Tuscan Romance also survived. But not so in Jackpot 1 which returned a massive dividend of R42 653-60. Tuscan Romance has now finished second in all four starts to date, and her winning turn cannot be too far away.

Ashby and Reeves completed their double with I’m The Buzz (12/1) showing terrific resolution to hold out What A Fortune (25/1) and Dream Searcher (16/1) in the sixth race, a Cape D Stakes over 1400m, in a driving finish which saw only half-a-length cover the top three home. The outcome of this race resulted in the exit of many Place Accumulator tickets but on the whole fancied horses fared pretty well over the 10-race programme, with four tote favourites winning on the day.

Boundless Energy scored impressively in the seventh race, quickening smartly in the closing stages to beat the heavily supported Das Gute by nearly a length going away. The very well-bred lightly-raced 3yo son of Vercingetorix has a touch of class and is bred to be effective over a lot further – early days, but he could be a Derby prospect in the making.

Fourie rode his three winners for three different stables. In the opener, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1000m, Fourie partnered the good-looking debutante Alltheboysiveloved for Lucinda Woodruff and although drifting somewhat in the market as race time approached, the daughter of Master Of My Fate raced home comfortably clear of another first-timer Catch A Penny. Make a note of the runner-up, an eye-catching daughter of Vercingetorix, as Cole Dicken came oh so close to parting ways from his mount 300m from the line.

Fourie was back in the winner’s enclosure following the third race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1250m, after steering the Snaith-trained Champagne Kisses (16/10) to a pillar-to-post victory. She was chased home by newcomer Ocotillo (40/1) with the pair finishing well clear of third-placed Special Glamour, who will certainly improve over middle distances. Fourie then had to wait until the tenth race, a Maiden Plate over 1600m, to round off his treble. Refitted with blinkers by Vaughan Marshall, Happy Days (9/4) proved far too good for the opposition and gave Fourie an armchair ride, winning with more than three lengths to spare.

The Greg Ennion stable has been in very good form and celebrated another successful afternoon with a double of their own. Sir Korski (8/1) showed plenty of courage in only his second start and after going really hard under Anthony Andrews in the opening leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate over 1250m, Sir Korski stuck to his task well to hold out the faster finishing Zeitz (9/4) by the narrowest of margins. The runner-up took some time to find his feet but is clearly progressive and he could prove a tough nut to crack next time out.

Ennion also saddled the ninth race winner, Glee Club (5/2), who was fitted with a set of blinkers for the first time. Glee Club has been a model of consistency without winning for more than a year, but blinkers certainly seemed to sharpen her focus, and she kept going well under pressure to hold out Jet To The Sun by a neck.

Andrew Harrison

Rachel Venniker has yet to win at the highest level but that day cannot be far off. She rode a terrific race to get Back In Business home for Joey Soma in the Gr2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge at Turffontein on Saturday and was back in business when winning a cracking contest on Care Forgot in the Beach Beauty Mile at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Venniker was deputizing for Muzi Yeni who partnered the 50-1 shot Smart Star to victory in the Gr1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup at Kranji in Singapore on Saturday, the last racemeeting to be held at the track with the government closing the venue down for housing development in the island state.

Care Forgot was also Barend Botes’ swansong in KZN as he is soon to relocate back to Gauteng after just two seasons in this province with Equus Champion Quid Pro Quo now also headed north.

The Beach Beauty Mile was reduced to just six runners with the scratching of ante-post favourite Spirit Of Levana and then the grey The Ghost who injured herself when loading.

The race turned into a muddling affair with James Lihaba setting pedestrian fractions with none willing to go forward. Venniker made an early move in the straight and Care Forgot moved smoothly into the lead. She was quickly challenge by favourite Destiny Of Fire who looked to go on by but just when Serino Moodley looked to have the race in hand, Venniker got one final burst from her mount to regain the lead when it counted.

 Deryl Daniels has got over some serious speedbumps in his life which are hopefully all behind him but he has aIways been a talented rider. Since his comeback to riding he has had to battle his way through the ranks and was more appreciated in Zimbabwe than Summerveld.

He rode fine double yesterday, both for Robbie Hill, also a talented rider in his day, and Daniels’ fortunes could be turning for the best.

In spite of some solid form to recommend her, there were concerns that favourite Princess Goldie would find the 1100m a touch on the sharp side in the first and so it proved as Hot Lava and Blowin In The Wind kept finding ahead of her and she could only manage a well-beaten third. Hill was full of praise for Daniels who place Hot Lava perfectly behind the favourite and pressed for home at just the right time. Are You Sure vied for favoritism and the lead with Blowin In The Wind but faded tamely when the chips were down.

Barry de Grond has always shown promise and confirmed that with a comfortable win in the second. A little headstrong in the early exchanges, once Daniels gave him his head in the straight he quickened up smartly to get the better of favourite Star Of The Future with Catavar finishing off nicely for third.

There was little form to go on in the opening leg of the PA which was born out by the fact that one could have thrown a blanket over the first six across the line. But it was Garth Puller’s charge Got The Word who scraped home under Siphesihle Hlengwa. Hlengwa got a straight run through the pack as one-time leader Whereverilaymyhat ducked out badly under pressure and third-placed Rooster Bradshaw also looked to hang in spite of all of his rider’s efforts to keep him straight. 

The fourth came with the sad news of the passing of legendary bookmaker Morris Vee. One of the old school bookmakers who stood on course with the likes of Som Singh and Tommy Morgan before computers took over and individual bookmakers lost their face to the big corporates.

Once horse racing is in your blood, it never leaves. Willie Pieters was a successful trainer in his time before leaving to run safari lodges. He is back along with bloodstock agent Andy Williams in a start-up syndicate operation, Classic Racing. They had their first winner yesterday as JP’s Palace landed the Morris Vee Maiden Plate for Darryl Moore under Athandiwe Mgudlwa who brough the gelding home with a rattle. One of Paul Lafferty’s pet hates is his horses running wide and the well fancied One Arm Bandit was caught three wide throughout before running out of gas late.

Formagear was not short of betting support in spite of dropping back to 1200m from a mile, and replacement rider Mgudlwa was given an armchair ride as Peter Muscutt’s gelding quickened up smartly to win the fifth as he liked.

It was two on the board for Muscutt as Quasiforsure proved far too classy in the sixth. Serino Moodley replaced the indispose Gavin Lerena and in spite of giving weight to all and a wide draw, there was never an anxious moment for his supporters as he cruised through up the outside of the opposition to win as he liked. African Skyline held on gamely for second with Mexican Pete coming from a long way off the pace for third and one to watch next time he goes a little further.

Moodley put the Beach Beauty behind him with a copybook ride on Andre Nel’s runner Selukwe. Making good use of his inside draw, Moodley tracked the early pace and then made a winning move up the inside rail with Tyrconnell finishing off nicely from well back for second.

Favourite Warrior Royale was always travelling like a winner in the last as his Mike Miller-trained stable companion Twilight Bay set the early fractions. But once Mathew Thackeray released the brake, Warrior Royale was not for the catching allowing him the luxury of gearing his mount down before the line.

Andrew Harrison

Spirit Of Levana was one of the standouts of last season’s two-year-old crop of fillies and she can make a winning seasonal debut when she lines up on the turf in the Beach Beauty Mile (Non Black Type) at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

Glen Kotzen’s filly has not been out since bumping champion Quid Pro Quo in the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes at the end of last season, however her form prior to that was top class. She has been rested but she gets first time blinkers and if she brings her A game she could be difficult to beat.

Barend Botes, who still has Quid Pro Quo under wraps, will know exactly what he is up against as he saddles Care Forgot who was a winner over course and distance last time out and she has been consistently in the money. She has a neat draw and Rachel Venniker is riding with great confidence of late.

An unknown quantity is Mike de Kock’s charge Destiny Of Fire. She won narrowly on debut but gave the impression that it was a trip on the short side. She got a hefty 81 rating for that short-head win and the mile could vindicate the handicapper’s assessment. She’s A Machine won like a machine for Stuart Ferrie last time out and although she takes a steep rise in class she is fit and well and has a smart turn of foot.

Supporting the feature are two Pinnacle Stakes sprints over 1200m. In the first, the Servotech Pinnacle Stakes, Good Traveller is taking an age for his next win and got some relief from the handicappers last time out although that is of no consequence in this set weights event. His last run is best ignored after two forwards showings and he only carries 54.5kg courtesy of Rachel Venniker’s allowance so Michael Roberts should be fairly confident of his runner’s chances. Garth Puller sends out Captain Bombshell who has a difficult gate to overcome but is consistent and could have the measure of Pray For Rain given that Carl Hewitson’s charge is a tad suspect over this 1200m trip.  Common Grounds returns from a break and may need the run but Darryl Moore’s charge is more than useful on his day and if racing fit, should have a say.

In the MBET.co.za Pinnacle Stakes Quasiforesure is the class horse in the race and well weighted but Peter Muscutt’s charge has not been out since contesting The Mercury Sprint. He also has the widest draw to contend with but his class could be the telling factor. African Skyline looks well weighted when taking in the 4kg apprentice allowance and from a good draw he can be a factor. Proud Master is in mustard form and tries for his third win on the bounce. He does seem better on the poly but does have a good draw as opposed to Coin Spinner who was a length behind him when last the two met. Tony Rivalland has booked 2.5kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies for Coin Spinner so it could be a toss-up between the weights and the draw.

With nine races carded, the PA starts on the third race with hardly any form to go on which will make the first leg something of a guessing game and the betting could be your best guide. Whereverilaymyhat does seem better than his last two efforts on the poly and a switch back to the turf could help Alyson Wright’s lightly raced gelding. Got The Word needed his last run and can do better this trip with a run under his girth. The Golden Goal made some improvement for Doug Campbell when tried in blinkers for the first time. He had shown little up until then and from a wide draw he could struggle. Captainship is drawn one outside of The Golden Goal but did find some market support in a modest debut and can come on with the experience.

The first leg of the Pick 6 could fall the way of JP’s Palace who has shown up well in both sprints and Darryl Moore has stepped him up a furlong. He has finished both of his races off well and the extra should suit. Freddy Slater made marked improvement on his modest debut when stepped up to a mile by Dean Kannemeyer. A repeat effort should see him in the money again. One Armed Bandit improved nicely second time out behind the promising Industrialstrength. Paul Lafferty’s runner should also enjoy the extra ground. Meerkat Moon has come on steadily for Mark Dixon and although a well beaten second last time out, the winner was quietly fancied in his handicap debut.

Byron Forster, assistant to Andre Nel, saddles Selukwe in the eighth. The gelding has been holding form well and was rewarded last run with a smart win beating Field Marshall who has since come out and franked that form in good style. The drop back to a mile should not be too much of an issue from the best of the draw. Duncan Howells saddles Kitchakal who ran no sort of race when favourite last run after showing up well first run back from the Cape. With that run behind him he can do much better this time around. Marco van Rensburg has been doing well since joining forces with Gareth van Zyl and Wiccan Warrior was far from disgraced behind Saturday’s Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge contender Gladatorian last time out in spite of getting lumps of weight. His last win was over course and distance. Spelling Bee was run out of it late by the well-fancied Forgiveness last start giving the winner 5kg. He has drawn wide which is a concern.

Mike Miller could hold the whip hand in the last with Warrior Royale and Twilight Bay.  Both improved nicely at their second starts and both should enjoy the extra furlong. Judged on jockey bookings, Warrior Royale could be the stable elect. Terminal Velocity disappointed when favourite from a wide draw on the poly after a promising debut. He is better drawn here and although back from a break he should be competitive in this line-up. Mike de Kock’s filly Flying Hafla makes her local debut after two starts over ground on the Highveld and although well beaten she was in the money on both occasions.

RACE 1

6 PRINCESS GOLDIE   10 BLOWIN IN THE WIND   11 HOT LAVA  2 FANTASY LEAGUE

Summary: Mostly first timers and going in trainer’s comments none are likely to be primed to win first time out. Of those that have run, the two that have drawn widest have promising form. BLOWIN IN THE WIND (10) has consistent sprint form and has been runner-up at her last two. The draw is a concern but she is in good form. HOT LAVA (11) made a promising comeback after a lengthy break when close-up at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. She has been tried over a mile so this could be a touch on the short side in spite of her last good showing. Dean Kannemeyer’s KZN runners have hit a bit of a flat spot of late but PRINCESS GOLDIE (6) showed up nicely on debut and can change the stables fortunes. FANTASY LEAGUE (2) found some market support on debut and can improve. (Andrew Harrison: 6-10-11-2).

RACE 2

8 CHILI BOMB   1 STAR OF THE FUTURE   2 BARRY DU GROND   5 MASTER DU ROUVRAY

Summary: CHILI BOMB (8) has his first run for Gareth van Zyl and was a beaten favourite on the Turffontein inside track last time out. That was also his first run back from a break and he should strip a lot fitter. STAR OF THE FUTURE (1) is a lightly raced four-year-old that obviously has his issues and has not been out since March. However, he has shown up well in both starts and given his record he is likely to be near fully primed for this. Gavin Lerena rides for Frank Robinson who is currently having a good run. Robbie Hill’s runner BARRY DU GROND (2) has shown promise and caught the eye first run back from a break and is likely to come on from that effort. MASTER DU ROUVRAY (5) has been well supported in both starts but is another returning from a break. Serino Moodley stays with the ride for Mark Dixon and the colt can make the required improvement.  (Andrew Harrison: 8-1-2-5).

RACE 3

3 WHEREVERILAYMYHAT   4 GOT THE WORD   9 THE GOLDEN GOAL   10 CAPTAINSHIP

Summary: Hardly any form to go on which will make the first leg of the Pick 6 something of a guessing game and the betting could be your best guide. WHEREVERILAYMYHAT (3) does seem better than his last two efforts on the poly and a switch back to the turf could help Alyson Wright’s lightly raced gelding. GOT THE WORD (4) needed his last run and can do better this trip with a run under his girth. THE GOLDEN GOAL (9) made some improvement for Doug Campbell when tried in blinkers for the first time. He had shown little up until then and from a wide draw he could struggle. CAPTAINSHIP (10) is drawn one outside of The Golden Goal but did find some market support in a modest debut and can come on with the experience. (Andrew Harrison: 3-4-9-10).

RACE 4

5 JP’S PALACE   9 FREDDY SLATER   8 ONE ARMED BANDIT   7 MEERKAT MOON

Summary: JP’S PALACE (5) has shown up well in both sprints and Darryl Moore has stepped him up a furlong. He has finished both of his races off well and the extra should suit. FREDDY SLATER (9) made marked improvement on his modest debut when stepped up to a mile. A repeat effort should see him in the money again. ONE ARMED BANDIT (8) improved nicely second time out behind the promising Industrialstrength. Paul Lafferty’s runner should also enjoy the extra ground. MEERKAT MOON (7) has come on steadily and although a well beaten second last time out, the winner was quietly fancied in his handicap debut. (Andrew Harrison: 5-9-8-7).

RACE 5

2 GOOD TRAVELLER   11 CAPTAIN BOMBSHELL   5 PRAY FOR RAIN   3 COMMON GROUNDS

Summary: GOOD TRAVELLER (2) is taking an age for his next win and got some relief from the handicappers last time out although that is of no benefit in this set weights event. His last run is best ignored after two forwards showings. He only carries 54.5kg courtesy of Rachel Venniker’s allowance and Michael Roberts should be fairly confident of his chances. CAPTAIN BOMBSHELL (11) has a difficult gate to overcome but is consistent and could have the measure of PRAY FOR RAIN (5) given that carl Hewitson’s charge is a tad suspect over this 1200m trip.  COMMON GROUNDS (3) returns from a break and may need the run but Darryl Moore’s charge is more than useful on his day and if racing fit, should have a say. (Andrew Harrison: 2-11-5-3).

RACE 6

12 QUASIFORSURE   3 AFRICAN SKYLINE   2 PROUD MASTER   11 COIN SPINNER

Summary: QUASIFORSURE (12) is the class horse in the race and well weighted but Peter Muscutt’s charge has not been out since contesting The Mercury Sprint. He also has the widest draw to contend with but his class could be the telling factor. AFRICAN SKYLINE (3) looks well weighted when taking in the 4kg apprentice allowance and from a good draw he can be a factor. PROUD MASTER (2) is in mustard form and tried for his third win on the bounce. He does seem better on the poly but does have a good draw as opposed to COIN SPINNER (11) who was a length behind him when last the two met. Tony Rivalland has booked 2.5kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies so it could be a toss-up between the weights and the draw. (Andrew Harrison: 12-3-2-11).

RACE 7

Summary: SPIRIT OF LEVANA (3) has not been out since bumping champion Quid Pro Quo at the end of last season. However her form prior to that was top class. She has been rested but she gets first time blinkers and if she brings her A game she could be difficult to beat. CARE FORGOT (2) was a winner over course and distance last time out and she has been consistently in the money. She has a neat draw and Rachel Venniker is riding with great confidence of late. An unknown quantity is Mike de Kock’s charge DESTINY OF FIRE (4). She won narrowly on debut but gave the impression that it was a trip on the short side. She got a hefty 81 rating for that short-head win and the mile could vindicate the handicappers. SHE’S A MACHINE (6) won like a machine last time out and although she takes a steep rise in class she is fit and well and has a smart turn of foot. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-4-6).

RACE 8

1 SELUKWE   7 KITCHAKAL   2 WICCAN WARRIOR   11 SPELLING BEE

Summary: SELUKWE (1) has been holding form well and was rewarded last run with a smart win beating Field Marshall who has since come out and franked that form in good style. The drop back to a mile should not be too much of an issue from the best of the draw. Duncan Howells saddles KITCHAKAL (7) who ran no sort of race when favourite last run after showing up well first run back from the Cape. With that run behind him he can do much better this time around. Marco van Rensburg has been doing well since joining forces with Gareth van Zyl and WICCAN WARRIOR (2) was far from disgraced behind the useful Gladatorian last time out in spite of getting lumps of weight. His last win was over course and distance. SPELLING BEE (11) was run out of it late by the well-fancied Forgiveness last start giving the winner 5kg. He has drawn wide which is a concern. (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-2-11).

RACE 9

2 WARRIOR ROYALE   5 TERMINAL VELOCITY   3 TWILIGHT BAY   8 FLYING HAFLA

Summary: Mike Miller could hold the whip hand here with WARRIOR ROYALE (2) and TWILIGHT BAY (3). Both improved nicely at their second starts and both should enjoy the extra furlong. Judged on jockey bookings, Warrior Royale could be the stable elect. TERMINAL VELOCITY (5) disappointed when favourite from a wide draw on the poly after a promising debut. He is better drawn here and although back from a break he should be competitive in this line-up. FLYING HAFLA (8) makes her local debut after two starts over ground and although well beaten she was in the money on both occasions. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-3-8).

Local Quartet pools with fractional betting on selected UK race meetings will return to the TabGold betting menu from this Thursday following a mixed reception from customers to the introduction of commingled Quartet pools on all UK and Irish race meetings last month.

Such commingled Quartet pools have been welcomed in some quarters, but many TabGold customers have complained that this has resulted in them being unable to play fractional Quartet bets on UK races.

TabGold have taken note of the complaints and from this Thursday 12 September customers can enjoy the best of both worlds. As before local Quartet pools with fractional betting will be offered on two UK meetings most days with commingled Quartet pools on all other UK and Irish meetings.

Whether an Irish or UK meeting has local or commingled pools will be displayed clearly on Tab sheet race cards in store and online.

Unfortunately for several reasons, including vast differences in exchange rates, it is not technically possible to offer fractional bets on pools commingled internationally.

The minimum unit for commingled bets is R1 (more in the case of countries like the USA) and this is itself a fractional bet in international tote pools.

As an example, the unit of a UK Tote Quartet is one Pound and a customer playing a R1-unit Quartet with TabGold on a UK race is buying about 1/24th of the bet, depending on the exchange rate on the day. And if that bet is the only winning ticket, the customer will get 1/24th of the pool and the remainder will be carried over. To get the full UK Tote payout on a commingled Quartet requires playing the bet to a R24 unit.

That aside, the introduction of commingled Quartet bets has given TabGold customers many more opportunities to play Quartets on UK and Irish races, and access to bigger pools and payouts.