Horse Racing News | Gold Circle Horse Racing And Betting

Soccer Carryovers

PUBLISHED: February 18, 2025

This weekend (21 to 24 Feb) there are four added pools (S10 x 2; S6 x 2) and a carryover Soccer Any 13 Xtra. Plus, there is a guaranteed Soccer 13 pool (all 13 correct) for Sunday (Rudzani has sent the details). Friday 21 February 2025 Soccer 6 Pool 2 – R50,000 added; likely pool […]

Chetty looking forward to more success

PUBLISHED: February 18, 2025

David Thiselton Steven Chetty was relieved his Tony Peter-trained Duke Of Marmalade homebred gelding Son Of Raj was back in the winner’s enclosure after Saturday’s running of the Gr 3 Betway London News Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein Standside, some 680 days after his previous win in the Gr 1 SA Derby. He said, “It […]

David Thiselton

Steven Chetty was relieved his Tony Peter-trained Duke Of Marmalade homebred gelding Son Of Raj was back in the winner’s enclosure after Saturday’s running of the Gr 3 Betway London News Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein Standside, some 680 days after his previous win in the Gr 1 SA Derby.

He said, “It was so good to finally get the boy bouncing back to his winning form! I had my doubts because it was soft going and he has not performed in the soft before, so it was a pleasant surprise when he romped home convincingly.”

Steven believes the six week break he gave Son Of Raj at Winnie Fourie’s Grace Stables in Nottingham Road did him a world of good.

He said, “I think he needed it. He had a bit of a hard campaign as a three-year-old and then he went into his four-year-old season and was going flat. He has come back rejuvenated, thanks to Winnie, who did some physio work on him as well.”

He continued, “He’s pulled up well from Saturday’s race. I’m glad that the Peters’ have got a huge backing. There’s a lot of people around there that check the horses and make sure everything is 100%. He’s in good hands in terms of making sure that he’s in a good space. And he’s definitely in a good space. It is showing in the races and he’s got his three-year-old turn of foot. It seems to have come back to him.”

Son Of Raj was not given a merit rating increase and remains on 119, the same figure he ran off in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

However, the connections are going to take it one step at a time before thinking of the July, although another run in that iconic race would be massive for Durbanite Steven.

The Premier’s Champions Challenge will be the immediate focus, a Gr 1 weight for age event over 2000m at Turffontein Standside on March 29.

Son Of Raj is named after Steven’s late biological father, whilst his useful full-brother Arumugam was named after the father who helped bring him up.

This family has a lot of exciting prospects in store.

Steven let Arumugam go due to rising costs of his increasing racing interests, but the stakes-winning six-year-old gelding remains competitive in the Fritz Roux yard and will always be close to Steven’s heart.

Son Of Raj and Arumugam’s Black Minnaloushe dam Freudiana, who was a three times-winning half-sister to SA Derby third-placed Rippling Ring, is continuing to produce homebreds for Steven and his close friend and racing partner Murthee Govindsamy.

The latest sibling to race was the Tony Peter-trained Status, a The United States three-year-old colt who ran a promising two length third over 1450m on debut at the Vaal Classic track on December 19.

Steven said, “We have high hopes for him, but he’s still got to put it together on the racetrack. We can’t wait to see him back on the racetrack, although there are some niggly issues with him currently, which Tony and his team are working with. You can’t rush good horses, especially these classic horses.”

The United States, like Duke Of Marmalade, is a classic/stamina horse.

Steven said, “I like to breed these stamina horses, because obviously the biggest races are over ground. It takes a lot of patience, but I’m long in the game and I understand. You’ve got to be patient for the bigger rewards to come. Sprinters, you can get them running as two-year-olds, but these classic horses, you’ve obviously got to wait until they are three-year-olds or late three-year-olds and hopefully all goes well in that time. Eish, thoroughbreds …. the smallest thing can go wrong with them and it just puts them off.”

Freudiana has a foal at foot by Jet Dark, which Steven is also excited about. Freudiana is also in foal to Jet Dark and her daughter, an unplaced maiden by Futura called Meldiva Gold, is also in foal to Jet Dark.

He said, “We’re fortunate Kevin Sommerville from Drakenstein Stud was very generous and helpful in allowing us the services of Jet Dark, because it’s very hard to get a service from him.”

He continued, “The foal colt looks stunning. He’s got very distinctive markings on his head and he oozes quality. Eugene Freeman … our two mares are standing at his Boland Stud … says the baby looks just like his father. Eugene is very impressed with what he sees and Eugene is a top horseman … even when Son Of Raj was born, he said this boy looks very special and he was spot on.”

Steven’s mating are not done by chance.

He said, “When you do the investigations and go through it there is something that just catches your and you write it in your diary or your black book.”

“You want to keep track of some of these distinct horses you feel that you would like to breed with, especially if they are still running and you know they’re going to go to stud sometime in the future. You watch their style of running, their finish, and their temperament and you know the type of mares you have. So you could say for example, I want a horse with this type of finish … you know many years back if you look at that horse Flaming Rock … if he had been a colt and was around now I would be standing in the queue waiting with my mares for him … his turn of foot was phenomenal.”

It is thus not surprising Steven loves Jet Dark as he had a phenomenal finishing burst himself.

Steven continued, “You obviously want stallions with good temperaments. Racing is difficult, the horses come to the racecourse, they are sweaty, and they go to the starting stall, they’re all excited and half of their energy is already gone. You don’t want that in a stallion as well. However, there are some good stallions out there who had all the bad traits and they still went and performed very well.”

It is exciting times for Steven and Murthee.

Steven owns Son Of Raj on his own though and he is the member of the family who is setting the standard.

Six gun for Mexican Pete

PUBLISHED: February 18, 2025

Andrew Harrison It’s a case of ‘pays your money and takes your chances’ at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today which also comes with a weather warning. It is a competitive eight-race card where the increases stakes and revised programming has drawn out horses that trainers have struggled to find suitable races for. Keeping a close eye on […]

Andrew Harrison

It’s a case of ‘pays your money and takes your chances’ at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today which also comes with a weather warning. It is a competitive eight-race card where the increases stakes and revised programming has drawn out horses that trainers have struggled to find suitable races for.

Keeping a close eye on the weather and market can pay dividends but in some cases the obvious may not be what it seems.

First of these could be the opening leg of the Pick 6 where Mexican Pete could be the out-layer. Frank Robinson’s charge has been off form of late but all three of his latest efforts have been in soft ground and his last two from wide draws. He has pole position this time around accompanied by a five-point drop in the handicap. If the weather holds he could be the one to beat. Wendy Whitehead sends out the seasoned galloper Sundance Kid who is smart on his day and first time blinkers could bring out the best. Capsaicin has the wisest draw which will be a factor in a competitive handicap but he is in good form.

Captain Oliver could be one of the better bets as Frikkie Greyling’s charge has not been out of the money in four starts and stays this trip well. Beaten favourite at his last two and can make amends. Uzwano has been progressive as he steps up in trip and could now be over his ideal distance while Woodland Glade steps up in trip and although carrying top weight the distance should suit. Fire Force is still a maiden but only has 49kg to shoulder. Garth Puller is a master at staying horses and Fire Force could go all the way from pole position.

There are no obvious bankers in the Pick 6 but Plaza Accord has been dropping in the handicap and now looks to be off a competitive mark and could fit the bill. Veteran Ibutho has the widest draw and his recent form is nothing to write home about but the blinkers are back on and he has dropped significantly in the handicap. Phaka Imali surprised at long odds last start when switched back to turf. A repeat could see him go in again although he did get a hefty five-point raise in the handicap. Slytherin won at long odds on debut and the extra should suit.

The sixth is another wide open handicap but although Magma Magic disappointed when favourite last run over a sprint he steps up to where he shed his maiden. He has the best of the draw and Rachel Venniker’s allowance. Numzaan has had two runs back from the Cape both on the poly. He is way out in the handicap but does look capable off this weight. Rooster Bradshaw is lightly raced but made steady improvement to his maiden win. He can follow up in this field. Stars In Heaven has jumped in the handicap after his last win over course and distance and a hattrick cannot be discounted

Louis Goosen’s gelding Ibhele is likely to start at long odds in the seventh but has come to hand of late and showed up well in first time blinkers. He is down in class and has a big weight but a 4kg claimer could see him home. Lady Of Vix is quick but may just have found the extra 100m of her last run a touch too far. Vision To Achieve is never far back of late and goes well this course and distance. She should be involved in the finish while Ayuwi Yuwi is holding form well although this extra furlong could be a problem if the pace does not work out.

The last is another competitive handicap but One Smart Cookie is hardly ever out of the money and should have a big say in this company. Colorado Creek tried a mile last run but has done well this trip and is holding form well. Littleblackgem is way better than her last effort in the soft and could pop up with a two-point relief in the handicap while Glamorz is down in class and was not far back under a big weight last time out.

Hollywoodbets Scottsville Wednesday 19 February 2025 – Comments by Andrew Harrison

PUBLISHED: February 18, 2025

1 9 O SPACE O 2 WHITE SEAHORSE 3 VENCEDOR 7 PRINCE FLORIAN Summary: O SPACE O (9) made big improvement when sent over a mile on this course and distance, failing narrowly at long odds. The odds will be shorter this time around but he will have to get past the likes of WHITE SEAHORSE (2) and […]

9 O SPACE O 2 WHITE SEAHORSE 3 VENCEDOR 7 PRINCE FLORIAN

Summary: O SPACE O (9) made big improvement when sent over a mile on this course and distance, failing narrowly at long odds. The odds will be shorter this time around but he will have to get past the likes of WHITE SEAHORSE (2) and VENCEDOR (3) who both have better draws. White Seahorse was a narrowly beaten short-priced favourite in his local debut on the poly but does appear to have come to hand. Vencedor is never far back and should again be involved. (Andrew Harrison: 9-2-3-7).

11 PROMISE OF FIRE 3 LA VIDA LOCA 7 DEE DAY 9 GLORIOUS BUTTERFLY

Summary: Competitive maiden, most with exposed form. PROMISE OF FIRE (11) has the worst of the draw and two fair sprints behind her name. However, her pedigree shouts out a mile and further and with only two runs to her credit she may be the right one as she steps up to a mile. LA VIDA LOCA (3) does seem better than her last effort and meets a modest line-up. DEE DAY (7) is way better than her last run and can feature. GLORIOUS BUTTERFLY (9) has been improving steadily although in modest company last start. (Andrew Harrison: 11-3-7-9).

1 MEXICAN PETE 2 SUNDANCE KID 11 CAPSAICIN 10 BRISTOL HERCULES

Summary: MEICAN PETE (1) has been off form of late but all three of his latest efforts have been in the soft and last two from wide draws. He has pole position accompanied by a five-point drop in the handicap. If the weather holds he could be the one to beat. SUNDANCE KID (2) is smart on his day and first time blinkers could bring out the best. CAPSAICIN (11) has the wisest draw which will be a factor in a competitive handicap but he is in good form. BRISTOL HERCULES (10) is 1.5kg better off with Capsaicin on their last meeting but has also drawn wide. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-11-10).

12 CAPTAIN OLIVER 8 UZWANO 5 WOODLAND GLADE 1 FIRE FORCE

Summary: CAPTAIN OLIVER (12) has not been out of the money in four starts and stays the trip well. Beaten favourite last two and can make amends. UZWANO (8) has been progressive as he steps up in trip and could now be over his ideal distance. FIRE FORCE (1) is still a maiden but only has 49kg to shoulder. Garth Puller is a master at staying horses and Fire Force could go all the way from pole position. WOODLAND GLADE (5) steps up in trip and although carrying top weight the distance should suit. (Andrew Harrison: 12-8-5-1).

5 PLAZA ACCORD 10 IBUTHO 9 PHAKA IMALI 4 SLYTHERIN

Summary: Not an easy race. PLAZA ACCORD (5) has been dropping in the handicap and now looks to be off a competitive mark. IBUTHO (10) has the widest draw and his recent form is nothing to write home about. But the blinkers are back on and he has dropped significantly in the handicap. PHAKA IMALI (9) surprised at long odds last start when switched back to turf. A repeat could see him go in again although he did get a hefty five-point raise in the handicap. SLYTHERIN (4) won at long odds on debut and the extra should suit. COMEDY CLUB (7) is lightly raced and was not far back when tried in blinkers against stronger. He can do better here. (Andrew Harrison: 5-10-9-4).

1 MAGMA MAGIC 3 NUMZAAN 2 ROOSTER BRADSHAW 6 STARS IN HEAVEN

Summary: Wide open. MAGMA MAGIC (1) disappointed when favourite last run over a sprint but steps up to where he shed his maiden. He has the best of the draw and Rachel Venniker’s allowance. NUMZAAN (3) has had two runs back from the Cape both on the poly. He is way out in the handicap but does look capable off this weight. ROOSTER BRADSHAW (2) is lightly raced but made steady improvement to his maiden win. He can follow up in this field. STARS IN HEAVEN (6) has jumped in the handicap after his last win over course and distance and a hattrick cannot be discounted. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-2-6).

4 IBHELE 2 LADY OF VIX 3 VISION TO ACHIVE 6 AYUWI YUWI

Summary: IBHELE (4) has come to hand of late and showed up well in first time blinkers. He is down in class and has a big weight but a 4kg claimer could see him home. LADY OF VIX (2) is quick but may just have found the 100m of her last run a touch too far. VISION TO ACHIEVE (3) is never far back of late and goes well this course and distance. She should be involved in the finish. AYUWI YUWI (6) is holding form well although this extra furlong could be a problem if the pace does not work out. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-3-6).

4 ONE SMART COOKIE 6 COLORADO CREEK 9 LITTLEBKACKGEM 5 GLAMORZ

Summary: Competitive. ONE SMART COOKIE (4) is hardly ever out of the money and should have a big chance in this company. COLORADO CREEK (6) tried a mile last run but has done well this trip. He is holding form well. LITTLEBLACKGEM (9) is way better than her last effort in the soft and could pop up here with a two-point relief in the handicap. GLAMORZ (5) is down in class and was not far buck under a big weight last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 4-6-9-5).

Malaysia (Selangor) change in mimum bet amounts

PUBLISHED: February 18, 2025

Please take note that as of the next Malaysia (Selangor) meeting scheduled for Sunday 23rd February, the minimum bet amounts for the Exacta, Trio and Trifecta will change from a R6-00 minimum to a R10-00 minimum.