Andrew Harrison

Punters will have to do some serious homework for the Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting today where they are faced with a competitive card of handicaps.

Best bet however, could come in the first leg of the Pick 6, race three on the nine-race programme where Alyson Wright sends out Gorgeous Bomb. The daughter of Lancaster Bomber was well supported on debut and only just failed. She can go one better even taking on males and a modest field. Biggest threat could come from One Armed Bandit who has only missed a cheque once in six starts and that was over 1800m. He should put in another bold showing back to a sprint.

In the fourth, Zena Rose has been knocking at the door for Duncan Howells and only just failed last time out over course and distance. Close up in third that day was Rani Tarabai who made good improvement after a break and could have more to come. Dee Day was always handy before fading late in her last run over a mile and can do better back over this shorter trip. Skipper O’Malley  improved second time out and should prefer the extra furlong.

The fifth is a wide open handicap but Barry Du Grond ran way below ability last start and may have need the run coming off a break. He has a competitive draw with a 2.5kg claimer up and should start at lengthy odds. Burning Man found one too good when favourite last time out and can make amends while Magma Magic was another beaten favourite last run but ran well below form. He has a chance on his previous effort. Gimmethegoodlife has been close-up in both starts since his maiden win and goes well this course and distance.

Perilla faces a tough task in the sixth but steps up to a more suitable trip and jumps from a competitive gate. Bevies Delight is always dangerous and has been running on late over shorter. This longer trip from a good draw should suit. Mike Miller has three competitive runners but Warrior Royale was close-up behind Bevies Delight last run could prove the pick. Go Like Flo has the widest draw to contend with but has put in two competitive local efforts and she is never far back.

The seventh could prove a little tricky. Cape Eagle is the class act and was far from disgraced in the Summer Cup but has been rested since and he is more effective over a little further. However, his class may tell. View Of The World has been consistent and goes well this trip. He jumps in class but only has 49.5kg to shoulder. Miss Platina ran an excellent race in a six-horse field last run where Royal Victory was favourite. She also has a light weight and will be a threat.

The eighth is another wide open handicap but Sonata Samaritan was not disgraced first run out of the maidens behind the promising Mocha Blend. She had the worst of the draw that day and is now drawn pole. Forward Motion showed up well first run back from a break and the Lafferty stable is in form .Miss Paget may just have needed her last run but was not far back. She has also dropped in the ratings and now seems to be off a competitive mark. Grey Fantacy has been disappointing since her maiden win but goes another furlong further and can pop up at any time.

Future Flo can round off the meeting . He has been well placed by Michael Roberts and has only been creeping up the ratings. He has cracking recent form and rates the one to beat again. Wissa’s On Fire could be a threat as he makes his local debut. He has dropped in the ratings in spite of some useful Cape form. Philispiel showed up nicely first run back from a break and is over his favourite course and distance. While Trafalgar Square surprised with the blinkers off last time out and only got a two-point rise in the handicap.

Race 1

8 GOTTA GO EDDIE  3 GEORGE’S MAGIC   1 BLACKJACK RANDALL   2 LIKE FIRE  

Summary: Keep an eye on the first timers especially GOTTA GO EDDIE (8). Of those that have run, there should be little between GEORGE’S MAGIC (3) and BLACKJACK RANDALL (1) the two having met last time out the former finishing a length ahead. Both started at long odds. LIKE FIRE (2) was also in that race and finished a further length back but has not franked that form. (Andrew Harrison: 8-3-1-2).

Race 2

8 MOJO MAN   6 CONVOCATION 7 LICENCE TO THRILL   3 QUANDARY

 Summary: CONVOCATION (6) found her best form last run when going close at long odds. She is now 2.5kg better off with LICENCE TO THRILL (7) who bids for a hattrick of wins. MOJO MAN (8) has some fair Cape form and makes his debut for a new stable along with ICY BLAST (5) who goes a furlong further. QUANDARY (3) is not always reliable but is capable on his day. (Andrew Harrison: 8-6-7-3).

Race 3

9 GORGEOUS BOMB   2 ONE ARMED BANDIT   4 FANTASY LEAGUE   5 GALATIC LOVER

Summary: GORGEOUS BOMB (9) was well supported on debut and only just failed. She can go one better even taking on males. ONE ARMED BANDIT (2) has only missed a cheque once in six starts and that was over 1800m. He should put in another bold showing back to a sprint. FANTASY LEAGUE (4) and GALACTIC LOVER (5) have shown some ability and have money chances. (Andrew Harrison: 9-2-4-5).

Race 4

2 RANI TARABAI   4 ZENA ROSE   5 DEE DAY   8 SKIPPER O’MALLEY

Summary: Open. ZENA ROSE (4) has been knocking at the door and only just failed last time out over course and distance. Close up in third was RANI TARABAI (2) who made good improvement after a break. Should could have more to come. DEE DAY (5) was always handy before fading late and can do better back over this shorter trip. SKIPPER O’MALLEY (8) improved second time out and should prefer the extra furlong. Should come on further. (Andrew Harrison: 2-4-5-8).

Race 5

3 BARRY DU GROND   7 BURNING MAN   6 MAGMA MAGIC   9 GIMMETHEGOODLIFE

Summary: Wide open handicap. BARRY DU GROND (3) ran way below ability last start but may have need the run coming off a break. He has a competitive draw with a 2.5kg claimer up and should start at lengthy odds. BURNING MAN (7) found one too good when favourite last time out and can make amends. MAGMA MAGIC (6) was another beaten favourite last run but ran well below form. Chance on his previous effort. GIMMETHEGOODLIFE (9) has been close-up in both starts since his maiden win and goes well this course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 3-7-6-9).

Race 6

3 PERILLA   2 BEVIES DELIGHT   9 WARRIOR ROYALE   12 GO LIKE FLO

Summary: Open handicap. PERILLA (3) steps up to a more suitable trip and jumps from a competitive gate. BEVIES DELIGHT (2) is always dangerous and has been running on late over shorter. This trip from a good draw should suit. Mike Miller has three competitive runners but WARRIOR ROYALE (9), close-up behind Bevies Delight last run could prove the pick. GO LIKE FLO (12) has the widest draw to contend with but has put in two competitive local efforts and she is never far back. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-9-12).

Race 7

2 VIEW OF THE WORLD   8 MISS PLATINA   3 CAPE EAGLE   5 AFROPOLITAN

Summary: VIEW OF THE WORLD (2) has been consistent and goes well this trip. He jumps in class but only has 49.5kg to shoulder. CAPE EAGLE (3) was far from disgraced in the Summer Cup but has been rested since and he is more effective over a little further. However, his class may tell. MISS PLATINA (8) ran an excellent race in a six-horse field last run where Royal Victory was favourite. She also has a light weight and will be a threat. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-3-5).

Race 8

1 SONAT SAMARITAN   4 FORWARD MOTION   3 MISS PAGET   11 GREY FANTASY

Summary: Another wide open handicap. SONATA SAMARITAN (1) was not disgraced first run out of the maidens behind the promising Mocha Blend. She had the worst of the draw that day and is not drawn pole. FORWARD MOTION (4) showed up well first run back from a break. The stable is in form and she can go one better. MISS PAGET (3) may just have needed her last run but was not far back. She has dropped in the ratings and now seems to be of a competitive mark. GREY FANTACY (11) has been disappointing since her maiden win but goes another furlong further and can pop up at any time. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-3-11).

Race 9

8 FUTURE FLO   1 WISSA’S ON FIRE   4 PHILISPIEL   6 TRAFALGAR SQUARE

Summary: FUTURE FLO (8) has been well placed by Michael Roberts and has only been creeping up the ratings. He has cracking recent form and rates the one to beat again. WISSA’S ON FIRE (1) makes his local debut and has dropped in the ratings in spite of some useful Cape form. He will be a big threat. PHILISPIEL (4) showed up nicely first run back from a break. He is over his favourite course and distance. TRAFALGAR SQUARE (6) surprised with the blinkers off last time out and only got a two-point ride in the handicap. (Andrew Harrison: 8-1-4-6).

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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.