Graeme Hawkins

Candice Bass-Robinson got off to a flyer at a lightning-fast Hollywoodbets Durbanville yesterday saddling the first two home in the opener, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1000m. The ante-post favourite Cliffscape was scratched during the morning, leaving Candice with two debutantes to represent the stable, and they did her proud. Amen Corner (7/1) bounced away smartly from the gates and kept up a resolute gallop all the way to the line to hold off her stable companion Precocious (16/1) by just under a length.

Elusive Winter (6/1) and The Abdicator (9/4) cut each other’s throat in the second race, a Middle Stakes over 1000m, setting a cracking gallop with Nordic Chief (8/1) some four lengths adrift in third spot and the balance of the 7-strong field a long way back. Elusive Winter tried gamely to keep going when The Abdicator threw in the towel, but Nordic Chief accelerated smartly into the closing stages and drew clear to score comfortably, stopping the clock at 56,56 seconds – marginally outside the course record set by Empress Club in 1992. The favourite Arctic Wizard was run off his feet in the early stages and turned for home at the rear, but the 3yo son of What A Winter ran on well to close out the Quartet and is clearly better over slightly further.

The impeccably bred Hoerikwaggo (7/2) put her act together in fine style under Richard Fourie to win the third race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1250m, at only the third time of asking. There was solid on course support for the newcomer Thingamabob and the daughter of Trippi caught the eye by finishing second just ahead of the consistent Catch A Penny (33/10) who tried to make all the running from a poor draw. Hoerikwaggo has plenty of upside and will appreciate further while Thingamabob looks a winner in waiting and should be worth following at her next start.

The Brett & James Crawford training team are back in full swing and recorded a race to race double with Dubbelosix (9/4) saluting in the fourth race, an Open Maiden over 1600m. Dubbelosix hit the front approaching the final 300m and had more than enough in hand to hold out Master Bomber (6/1) and Tunguska (14/1) by a diminishing half-a-length. Thirty-five minutes later the Crawford outfit completed the hattrick when Strawberry Thief (5/2) came from last to beat the professional maiden English Mistress (5/2) by half-a-length in the fifth race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1800m. Following on the success of Hoerikwaggo earlier, Strawberry Thief was a second winner for Richard Fourie in the colours of his sponsor Ridgemont.

The sixth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1800m, produced a good finish between the well backed Lavendar Bay, a chance ride for Sean Veale, and the top weight Royal Invitation (10/1) with the former prevailing by a neck in receipt of 6,5kgs. The money was also on the button in the seventh race, a Class 5 Handicap over 1000m, when Devin Ashby produced Lucy Rocket (33/10) from a few lengths off the pace with a well-timed late charge to mow down Champagne Mac (7/2) over the last 50m.

Fourie rode his third winner aboard Street Outlaw for trainer Ricky Maingard when getting the better of Firingonallengines in a head-bobbing duel in the eighth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1250m. Firingonallengines tried gamely to go from pillar-to-post and was only undone by Fourie’s magic in the very last stride.  Iconic Destination failed to overcome his wide draw and was never a factor, finishing more than three lengths off the winner.

Fourie added a fourth winner with a spectacular victory on Okavango in the ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m. In a well spread-out field, Okavango (28/10) cornered for home three lengths behind the second last horse and at that stage his chance of success seemed a lost cause. But the Justin Snaith-trained 3yo son of Master Of My Fate began to reel them in one by one up the home stretch and amazingly got up in the last few metres to deny Touchdown (6/1) by a head.

David Thiselton

The Vaal Classic Track has an interesting nine race meeting today and the headliner is a Graduation Plate over 1200m in which Hong Kong looks the one to beat.

The Tony Peter-trained Ideal World filly was unplaced when stepped up to 1400m last time but before that, in just her second start, she won easily over 1160m and the form has worked out exceptionally well. Second-placed Green Sapphire, whom Hong Kong beat by two and a half lengths, has won twice, since then, the third-placed horse has won her only run since and the fourth-placed horse was Gerbera, who has won twice since then before finishing fifth in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic. Hong Kong should take a power beating under Gavin Lerena, although she does have a tricky draw. Fully Committed was the talk of the town before her debut and won easily, so she could be anything, although she does have a tricky draw. Selenio Peninsula did not succeed over 1600 meters last time, so should enjoy a step down in trip and has a plum draw. Those three should get punters through the exotics. 

In the first leg of the P6 It’s Personal ran well in her comeback from a layoff of almost 10 months last time over this 1000m She might still need it but otherwise has a good chance from a draw of five out of eight over a course which tends to favour high draws. Old Fashioned was beaten 3.7 lengths over this trip last time, but the form has worked out fairly well and from a nice high draw of six, she could be involved. Ringo has a tricky draw of one by trends, but she is in good form and should be right there. Inspector James has shown some ability and should be thereabouts. Global Love is a first timer by Global View out of an Oratorio mare who won four times from 1200m up to 1600m.

In the second leg of the P6 Bilingual should give a good account of herself from a nice high draw over this 1000m trip. She finished third over course and distance last time from a tough low draw so should do better this time. Winter Miracle also has a nice high draw and has shown enough to be able to earn. Green Extreme ran well over course and distance last time, beating Bilingual by 2,25 lengths. However, she does have a low draw to overcome.  Act on Snow has the ability to be in the shake-up. Chilli Marmalade has a nice high draw and has the form to be involved. 

In the sixth race over 1000m Beamonesque has always been well regarded and is a lot better than his last start. He should have benefited from that run and is drawn on the right side, so should go close as he should rise above a merit rating of 76 in time and he does have the in-form Ryan Munger aboard. Tchaikovsky is capable of popping up although he is none too consistent. However, he was in a strong race last time and he will enjoy coming down to this 1000m trip and he is drawn on the right side. Kinshin Sha went close over 1200m last time and he will enjoy this 1000m trip too, so can do well from a decent draw. Covert Operator might get away with a long layoff over this trip and he has the ability to be in the shake-up from a nice high draw with Khumalo up. King of Kildare ran a cracker the last time he raced, which was over this trip, but he has not run since June last year.

In the eighth race over 1600m the one to beat could be the honest Pretty Analia. This mare invariably finds a good finish, even when the race has not panned out well, and she now has pole position, so it should pan out well this time. Breath of Magic should be thereabouts if able to reproduce her second place finish last time out. Gamer has been consistently thereabouts lately and should be right there from draw two over a suitable course and distance. Spy Story is in good form at present and over a suitable trip has a chance if able to overcome a wide draw. Perini Palace is in fine form and should enjoy this trip from a good draw.

In the ninth race over 1700 meters Dylan’s Champ has been knocking on the door for a long time and gets a good opportunity over a suitable course and distance. Sovereign Crown and Snow Moon have shown some ability and look to be the chief dangers. 

In the first leg of the PA, Dondoyaki made a fair debut and could improve. Vamanos is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Philanthropist mare and Gavin Lerena is not only an eye-catching booking but they are drawn on the right side too. Red Caramel is not far off Dondoyaki on form and could improve. 

In the first leg of the Bipot Mr Wilson made a fair debut and should make a bold bid from a favourable draw with Gavin Lerena up in this 1000m race.

In the first race, a work-riders maiden plate event over 1700 meters,  Devilishly Gorgeous, Intro and Up The Ante  should fight it out.

RACE 1     

9 LAVA LAMP 4 DEVILISHLYGORGEOUS 3 INTRO 1 UP THE ANTE

Preview: 9 LAVA LAMP made a fair debut and the form has been franked and he should also relish the step up and trip. 4 DEVILISHLYGORGEOUS ran a good race over 1600m last time and from pole position should be in the shake-up. 3 INTRO has been in good form lately but does have a tough draw to overcome.1 UP THE ANTE is usually thereabouts and should (0:56) be in the shake-up although he does have a wide draw. (David Thiselton 9-4-3-1) 

RACE 2     

3 MISTER WILSON 4 NYAKA NYAKA 5 SECRET WARRIOR 1 CARNARVON

Preview: 3 MISTER WILSON made a fair debut and should make a bold bid from a favourable high draw. 4 NYAKA NYAKA faced a good sort and wasn’t disgraced and should improve on that debut run. 5 SECRET WARRIOR can also improve on his fair debut. 1 CARNARVON is by Elusive Fort out of a Fort Wood mare. (David Thiselton 3-4-5-1)

RACE 3     

3 DONDOYAKI 8 VAMANOS 7 RED CARAMEL 6 RED AMBER

Preview: 3 DONDOYAKI made a fair debut and could improve. 8 VAMANOS is by give me Gimmethegreenlight out of a Philanthropist mare and Gavin Lerena is an eye-catching booking and they are drawn on the right side. 7 RED CARAMEL is not far off Dondoyaki on form and could improve too. 6 RED AMBER is by Erik the Red out of a Visionaire mare. (David Thiselton 3-8-7-6)

RACE 4     

2 IT’S PERSONAL 3 OLD FASHIONED 6 RINGHO 1 INSPECTOR JAMES

Preview: 2 IT’S PERSONAL has a middle draw and can improve on his last start. 3 OLD FASHIONED was drawn on the wrong side last time but has now got a better draw and can make amends. 6 RINGHO actually beat Old Fashioned last time but there’s now a reversal in draw fortunes. 1 INSPECTOR JAMES returns from a layoff but has the ability to be involved. (David Thiselton 2-3-6-1)

RACE 5     

5 BILINGUAL 4 WINTER MIRACLE 1 GREEN EXTREME 3 ACT ON SNOW

Preview: 5 BILINGUAL ran a fair race last time and from a high draw could be in the shake-up. 4 WINTER MIRACLE has also got a high draw and has some fair form. 1 GREEN EXTREME ran a good race last time but does have a low draw to overcome. 3 ACT ON SNOW has the ability to be in the shake-up. (David Thiselton 5-4-1-3) 

RACE 6     

7 HONG KONG 5 FULLY COMMITTED  1 SALENIO PENINSULA 4 PREDATRICE

Preview: 7 HONG KONG everts to sprints and should be right there as the form of her win over 1160m has worked out exceptionally well. 5 FULLY COMMITTED was the talk of the town before her debut and won easily so could be anything but does have a tricky draw. 1 SALENIO PENINSULA  might well enjoy the step down and trip and has a plum draw. 4 PREDATRICE made a good debut and is also drawn well over a suitable step up in trip. (David Thiselton 7-5-1-4)

RACE 7      

11 BEAMONESQUE 3 TCHAIKOVSKY 6 KINSHIN SHA 7 COVERT OPERATOR

Preview: 11 BEAMONESQUE is very talented and a lot better than his last start, but he should have benefited from that start and is drawn on the right side. 3 TCHAIKOVSKY is also drawn on the right side and after going close last time, Gavin Lerena now takes the ride. 6 KINSHIN SHA went close last time and is also suited to this trip, so should be right there from a nice high draw. 7 COVERT OPERATOR has ability and might get away with a long layoff over this trip. (David Thiselton 11-3-6-7)

RACE 8     

10 PRETTY ANALIA 8 BREATH OF MAGIC 3 GAMER 1 SPY STORY

Preview: 10 PRETTY ANALIA always finds a good finish and from pole position this time over an ideal trip she should be right there. 8 BREATH OF MAGIC should be in the shake-up if able to overcome a wide draw. 3 GAMER has improved and from a good draw over a suitable trip i in with a shout. 1 SPY STORY one his maiden well and starts off handicapping off a reasonable merit rating. (David Thiselton 10-8-3-1)

RACE 9     

1 DYLAN’S CHAMP 4 SOVEREIGN CROWN 3 SNOW MOON 2 GIFT OF ROYAL

Preview: 1 DYLAN’S CHAMP  is knocking on the door and should get it right at last. 4 SOVEREIGN CROWN showed some improvement with blinkers and could be in the shake-up.3 SNOW MOON has some fair form and has a fair opportunity here. 2 GIFT OF ROYAL has the ability to be in the shake-up but does have a wide draw to overcome. (David Thiselton 1-4-3-2)

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.

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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.