David Thiselton

The new description of races in KZN, such as A Stakes, B Stakes, Class 2, Class 3, Open Maiden etc. might have caused some confusion to punters.
The KZN program, covering the period 1 January to 28 February 2025, has introduced the stakes-boosted class racing structure to the province, while unveiling financial incentives via the RaceCoast Incentive Scheme.
This article explains the new conditions of ordinary races in the province.
The ultimate aim of these changes is to improve racehorse ownership and to achieve enhanced field sizes with the knock-on effect of increased betting turnovers.
The “Class” races are the handicaps and the higher the class the higher the stake money to be won.
5% of the stake of each race is put into the RaceCoast Incentive Scheme (RKIS).
Class 2 handicaps have a merit rated benchmark of 112, meaning a horse merit rated 112 will carry 60kg and the weights are worked out using that horse as the pivot.
Class 2 races have a total stake of R150,000 with R7,500 of that going to the RCIS.
Class 3 races have a benchmark of 96, total stakes of R135,000 of which R6,750 goes to the RCIS.
Class 4 races have a benchmark of 80, total stakes of R120,000 of which R6,000 goes to the RCIS.
Class 5 races have a benchmark of 66, total stakes of R90,000 of which R4,500 goes to the RCIS.
For fillies and mares handicaps the benchmarks are the same but the total stakes are R135,000, R125,000, R110,000 and R80,000 respectively and the RCIS contribution is R6,750, R6,250, R5,500 and R4,000.
The A, B, C and D “Stakes” races and Middle Stakes races are merit rated band races.
A Stakes Races:Benchmark at 61,5 kg = 113 & aboveBenchmark at 60,0 kg = 110 to 112Benchmark at 58,5 kg = 107 to 109Benchmark at 57,0 kg = 104 to 106Benchmark at 55,5 kg = 101 to 103Benchmark at 54,0 kg = 98 to 100Benchmark at 52,5 kg = 95 to 97Benchmark at 51,0 kg = 94 & below
For B Stakes races the 61,5kg benchmark is 94 to 96 and the other weights will go down by the same proportions as in Class A.
For C Stakes races the 61,5kg benchmark is 76 to 78 and will go down proportionately.
For D Stakes race the 61,5kg benchmark is 62 to 64 merit ratings and they go down accordingly.
The Middle Stakes race have a different structure, which will be to the benefit of the higher rated horses because the weights are compressed, as shown below:
MIDDLE STAKESFor All Horses with a nett rating of 102 and belowBenchmark at 61,5 kg = 99 to 102Benchmark at 60,0 kg = 95 to 98Benchmark at 58,5 kg = 91 to 94Benchmark at 57,0 kg = 87 to 90Benchmark at 55,5 kg = 83 to 86Benchmark at 54,0 kg = 79 to 82Benchmark at 52,5 kg = 75 to 78Benchmark at 51,0 kg = 74 & below
For A, B, C, D and Middle Stakes races the winner of this race will not incur a penalty of more than 6 Rating points.There will be no rating increase for placed & unplaced horses.Sex allowance of 2.5 / 3.0 / 3.5 kg for Fillies and Mares, subject to a minimum weight of 50 kg.In C, D and Middle Stakes races maidens will receive a 1kg allowance.
The Open Maidens will have the below structure:OPEN MAIDENFor all MaidensWeights:61.5kg to be determined by the highest nett rated horse, for all merit ratedhorses below the highest nett rated horse, weight to be determined from61.5kg downwards, using 2 merit rating points = 1 kgUnrated horses to carry 60.5kg2-year-old Allowance of 4kg will apply to unrated horses2-year-olds to be weighted as unrated horsesSex Allowance of 2.5 kg for all FilliesMinimum Weights:4-year-olds and over C&G – 53.5kg / Fillies 53kg3-year-olds C&G – 52.5kg / Fillies 52kg
Open Maidens for females will have the same structure, except of course for the gender allowance.  
The incentive schemes includes a R2250 rebates for the owner of every runner and a R500 saddling fee to the trainer of every runner and also a R250 fee to the jockey of every runner.
However, this excludes the winners of races, the horses who finish last and scratched horses.
There is also good stakes money for the KZN Juvenile Series and for juveniles in general. 
The KZN Futurity Plate at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, which was leg 1 of the series, carried a total stake of R300,000; leg 2, The Hollywoodbets Greyville Futurity Plate on March 2, also has a R300,000 stake; and leg 3, the Gr 3 Godolphin Barb on April 27, has a total stake of R500,000.
Juvenile Plates will all carry a total stake of R150,000 and Restricted Maiden Juvenile Plates will carry a R200,000 stake.  

Graeme Hawkins

The Justin Snaith-trained Gran Canaria looks set to open his account at just the third time of asking in the fourth race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. While the formbook suggests that Gran Canaria can expect plenty of cheek from recently gelded Red Dawn as well as Afrique, who debuts for the Lucinda Woodruff yard, Snaith has made no secret of the fact he believes Gran Canaria to be a really bright prospect in the making and one to follow.

Gran Canaria found strong market support when beaten by stable companion Native Ruler on the Winter course last time, but he raced from a wide draw on that occasion whereas he jumps out of pole position this afternoon. Red Dawn and Afrique were very close behind Gran Canaria, but with the draw reversal and the longer run-in on the Summer track I fancy Gran Canaria might well confirm the form with a little more in hand.

Red Dawn and Afrique were drawn in gates 1 & 2 last time but that was only Red Dawn’s second run as a gelding, and he could have scope for further improvement. He is a nice type but based on Snaith’s optimism I am happy to row in with the Nick Jonsson-owned Gran Canaria.

The jockey arrangements are interesting. In the absence of Grant Van Niekerk, Corne Orffer has been engaged to ride Gran Canaria with JP van der Merwe aboard Tenpenny in preference to Afrique which appears to suggest that Tenpenny should be taken seriously. The 3yo son of What A Winter has improved steadily with each run and finished a promising second behind Green Garnet over 1400m a month ago. All three of his formlines have produced direct winners and the extra 200m should be right up his alley. Fourie rides Umfula for his sponsor Ridgemont and Aldo Domeyer will be aboard Red Dawn for the Candice Bass-Robinson team.

Race 8, a Cape C Stakes over 1000m, could be fought out by Furious Queen and In The Green Zone. The Eric Sands-trained Furious Queen has shown a touch of class and the well-bred daughter of Querari bounced back to best form when runner-up behind Love Shack three weeks ago. In The Green Zone was nearly two lengths further back in third spot but is now 1,5kgs better off which could bring the pair closer together. The improver in the race could be Rattlesnake who recovered well from a bad start last time to finish on the heels of the placed runners. This will be his third run after being rested and gelded.

A lowly Cape D Stakes over 1000m closes out the day’s racing at 17:00 and the ultra-consistent Electric Feels should prove the one they all have to beat. She appears to have the measure of Xplicit Content and Tambourine Man while King Viserys and Easy Money have the ability in this class to upset the applecart.

The race meeting opens with a Maiden Plate over 1200m at 12:15 and a very interesting newcomer is the Andre Nel-trained Manikongo (Aus). In 2015 his sire, American Pharoah was the 12^th American Triple Crown Winner in history before winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic that same year, and in winning all four races, American Pharoah became the first horse to win the “Grand Slam of Thoroughbred Horse Racing”. Manikongo’s dam, Ngaga, is a half-sister to the legendary Igugu, winner of the 2011 Triple Tiara on the Highveld before going on to achieve glory in the “July” and the Cape Town Met.

Manikongo (Aus) thus boasts a high-class Stallion’s pedigree which clearly suggests that 1200m will be very much on the sharp side – a view confirmed by his trainer’s pre-race comments – but we look forward to seeing him in the parade ring and to following his progress over the coming months. Interestingly there has been some ante-post support for Manikongo (Aus) but the on-course betting activity will probably be a better guide.

RACE 1

12 MASTER BOMBER comes back to the races from a small break of 81 days, he has run some very good races at Hollywoodbets Durbanville around the turn, he will love racing up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and must have a good winning chance here. 1 CLIFF SWALLOW is as honest as they come, he tries hard and should be right there again in the finish, include him into all bet types. 3 SECRET PASSAGE was well beaten behind his stable companion last time, he will be a better horse over further in time, he could sneak into the places with some luck in running. 4 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE ran a decent race on the 22nd of December behind Warbird, she now drops back in trip, watch her closely at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 1 – 3 – 4)

RACE 2

8 VICTOR HUGO ran a cracker last time in a very competitive race, he moved up extremely well and then stayed on to the line in the last 150m, the drop in trip to 1400m is ideal and he will be a tough horse to beat here. 7 BEL CANTO DREAM ran a fair race behind Heal And Soul on the 22nd of December, he should enjoy the step up in trip, there is no doubt he will be a big threat for Victor Hugo in the finish, include him. 3 SMART HORSE will improve lengths from his debut performance, he was unfortunately drawn poorly and never really managed to get into the race, watch for big improvement now that he gets a decent draw. 6 GRAND ALLEGRO has been rested for 81 days, on his best form, he could earn some money for the connections. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 7 – 3 – 6)

RACE 3

2 BLIND AMBITION ran a super race behind her stable companion last time, she stayed on strongly late, from a good draw here and stepping up in trip to 1600m, she will be a massive runner. 6 BRIGHT GOLD improved nicely when stepping up in trip in her last start behind Warbird, she enjoys racing handy, if the race works out for her, she will be competitive again. 7 SUPREME FATE was only beaten just under one length in her last start behind Tap Shoes, she is improving with every start and should enjoy the step up in trip, there is no doubt she will have a serious winning chance on Wednesday afternoon. 13 ENGLISH MISTRESS returns from a small break of 71 days, she is ultra consistent and will be low flying late, include her. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 6 – 7 – 13)

RACE 4

3 TENPENNY ran a great race behind Green Garnet on the 14th of December when finishing nicely for second, he looks very progressive and should love the step up in trip to 1600m, from a good draw, he will be a serious runner. 1 GRAN CANARIA stayed on powerfully to the line in his last start behind Native Ruler, he was drawn poorly on that occasion and still managed to run a cracker, now that he gets a good draw of one, he should go very close. 11 UMFULA has run two fair races down the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he is crying for this step up in trip, with some luck in running from a poor draw, he will be closing them down late. 8 AFRIQUE has moved stables, on his best form, he could sneak into the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 1 – 11 – 8)

RACE 5

6 ISCHYRO moved up to run a great second in his last start behind Dream Searcher, he is not the biggest of horses, but he has a huge heart, he tries extremely hard and should be there in the finish again. 9 OZARK carries a big weight in this Class 5 event and has unfortunately drawn poorly as well, life won’t be easy for him, but he will be running on strongly, watch him late. 3 NOON DAY GUN is far better than his most recent start where he was well beaten in a Class 4 event, the drop in trip and the drop-in class here will help his chances, he could be some value. 4 WHAT A FORTUNE quickened up well to exit the maiden ranks in his last start, he really enjoys the 1400m trip and should remain competitive despite the big weight. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 9 – 3 – 4)

RACE 6

12 DECEMBER DAWN powered away from her field to win a good race last time, she has won two very good races in succession now, even though she has gone up in the ratings and the weights, she will be running at them strongly and must be included into all bets. 6 WHY NOT JACKIE was given 3 points for her latest victory on the 4th of December, she is a tricky mare to ride, if the race works out for her and she gets some cover early, she could certainly win again. 4 NILE THE BOSS ran a fair race over 1400m on the 11th of December, she drops back in trip to 1200m on Wednesday afternoon, off this rating, she should be a big danger to them all. 7 ROYAL LYTHAM never runs a bad race, she is very consistent and should be able to earn some money again. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 6 – 4 – 7)

RACE 7

6 BACK AT THE GEORGE ran on strongly for second in her most recent start behind Babelicious, she looks to be getting better and better with every start, watch her closely, she will be right there in the finish again. 3 ALL IS GREEN is much better suited to this trip of 1200m, ignore her last start over 1400m, the yard thinks highly of this filly, and she should be able to bounce back to her best form at a decent price. 8 SOHOT SOWHAT quickened up in devastating fashion to win really well on the 22nd of December, she looks extremely progressive and must have a good winning chance again. 9 FIRST MASTERPIECE stayed on well to run second in her last start behind Kyalami Girl, that was a strong field, with a similar performance on Wednesday, she could upset them all. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 3 – 8 – 9)

RACE 8

1 BARNEY MCGREW at the ripe old age of 7 continues to run great races, he ran a lovely race behind Kelp Forest on the 11th of December, off this rating in a similar field again, he will go very close to winning, include him into the play. 4 CASINO ACE pretty much lead them from start to finish to win a super race last time up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, this is a big jump in class for him, but he should come out running and will be a tough horse to fetch late. 6 FURIOUS QUEEN finished like a train behind Love Shack on the 22nd of December, she has a good turn of foot, and she gets the services of champion jockey Richard Fourie, include her into all bets. 10 RATTLESNAKE is quite a speedy sort, on his best form, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 4 – 6 – 10)

RACE 9

3 ELECTRIC FEELS is as gutsy and honest as they come, she needs a particular ride, you must sit and wait as long as possible before producing her late, if she gets something to pull her through, she will be very hard to beat. 7 TAMBOURINE MAN ran a fair race with the blinkers on last time behind True Horizon, that wasn’t the strongest of races, but he is consistent and should be able to earn again. 5 KING VISERYS drops back in trip now to 1000m, he will probably be beaten for speed early and then run on strongly late, watch him closely. 6 XPLICIT CONTENT should be at home over this trip of 1000m, he is very fast and could do enough for the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 7 – 5 – 6)

David Thiselton

This season’s jockey’s championship is turning out to be a thriller and it has meant there is a sideshow to a lot of meetings because the trio involved, reigning champion Richard Fourie, current log leader Craig Zackey and twice national champion Gavin Lerena, battle it out.

One amazing statistic, for example, is that there have been 24 races at Fairview this calendar year and only five of them have not been won by either Fourie or Zackey.

In the eight race meeting of January 3 on the turf, Fourie had five wins and Zackey two; in the eight race meeting on January 7 on the poly, Fourie had four wins and Zackey two; in the eight race meeting on January 10 on the turf they both had trebles. 

The two stalwart jockeys represent the powerful stables of Alan Greeff and Gavin Smith respectively and this has added to the intrigue of the perennial East Cape trainer’s championship battle between these two yards. 

Alan took over from his father Stanley many years ago, while Gavin took over from his father Andy and before that it was Stanley and Andy who battled out the championship. It is apparently decades since a Greeff or Smith did not win the East Cape championship. In recent times Alan captured seven titles in a row from the 2012/2013 season to 2019/2020, Gavin then won the next three championships, before Alan was back on the throne last season and he leads Gavin by eight wins this season.

Fourie broke Greg Cheyne’s record of 116 wins in an East Cape season last term and went on to set a new mark of 119 wins.

This season Fourie is on 59 wins in the East Cape and Zackey is on 36. 

Meanwhile Gavin Lerena is not being left out. He had a treble on Saturday at Turffontein Standside, while Fourie and Zackey only managed one win apiece in the Saturday meeting at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. This saw Lerena creeping up to within three wins of Zackey.

However, Zackey was the only one of the trio to ride at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday and he scored a double. That took him to 114 wins for the season, five ahead of Lerena and seven ahead of Fourie.

At present Zackey is the only one in the country riding in all four centres, while Fourie is only riding in the East Cape and Cape Town, while Lerena rides on the Highveld and in select meetings in KZN and Cape Town. Thus, it would seem Zackey should be in the pound seats.

However, Hollywoodbets go 8/10 on Fourie for the championship and 23/10 for the other pair.

The reason is probably that the championship is in Fourie’s hands i.e. if he decided to start travelling to KZN he is likely to soon draw clear as he is in great demand there and he could also even travel to the Highveld. The title could depend on how much Fourie cherishes defending his title and of course the usual scenario of avoiding suspension and injury is another factor.

The respective strike rates of the three riders tell a story: Lerena’s strike rate is 26.72%, Fourie’s is 24.49% and Zackey’s is 18.21%.  

Another championship that was full of intrigue last season was the KZN Trainers Championship, with a number of yards in contention before Gareth van Zyl’s late spate of winners took him past Alyson Wright.

This season it is former champion Garth Puller who is well clear with 30 wins at a strike rate of 16.39% with Mike Miller on 20 wins at 11.83% while Van Zyl and Peter Muscutt are on 19 wins and Wright and Michael Roberts are both on 18 wins and Andre Nel is on 17.

The KZN jockeys’ championship is intriguing this season with Rachel Venniker leading on 39 wins and Sean Veale on 35. Serino Moodley is on 25 together with Zackey. Lerena is on 24 and Tristan Godden is on 23.   

Andrew Harrison

Mike Miller is a wizard at getting his horses to come early and generally dominates the early two-year-old exchanges in KZN.

With the new KZN Futurity progamme in place courtesy of Hollywood’s anticipated takeover of Gold Circle, Miller was not caught napping in taking advantage of the R300k stake on offer, going home with the lion’s share of the booty, winner Comic Relief unbeaten in two.

Miller had three fillies taking on males in the first of the KZN Futurity races at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday and it was 1-2-3 for the yard with Holds The Key, the only colt in his quartet, finishing fifth. Given the increased stake money, this trend of fillies taking on males is likely to be ongoing and likely encourage other trainers to have a rethink about how they go forward with their juveniles.

Holds The Key was quickly out of the blocks and went tearing off to the lead with stable first call rider Tristan Godden biding his time on Comic Relief who looked to be the stable’s first choice.

And so it proved, as Comic Relief finished off her race smartly to hold off charging stable companion Captains Envy with Siesta Sunset a comfortable third.

Former Betway Summer Cup winner Royal Victory was widely expected to land the Non-Black Type Michael Roberts Stakes but clearly 1750m is now way short of optimum as market rival Imilenzeyokududuma gave Sean Veale a double for Hollywood Racing, after scoring earlier in an enterprising ride on the Stuart Ferrie-trained Capsaicin.

Always within striking distance of the pace, Veale went for home at just the right time on Gareth van Zyl’s runner to hold off the Miller-trained Narina Trogon with Royal Victory making late progress to make up the trifecta.

William Robertson, back over one of his favourite courses and well weighted to win the Non-Black Type African Holly Stakes, found one too good for him as Siphesihle Hlengwe got outsider Captain Bombshell home to hold off the late-charging favourite. With the ground a touch on the soft side, William Robertson looked to be somewhat out of his ground in the early exchanges as Craig Zackey sat off the pace, and although finishing strongly, William Robertson ran out of runway the last 200m.

Ride of the day went to Veale on Capsaicin in the opening leg of the Pick 6. His mount to took a hold of the bit, intentionally or not – he was reluctant to be drawn on the issue – but he went many lengths clear in the manner of an inexperience 4kg claimer.

However, as the opposition closed up at the top of the straight, Capsaicin kept on giving in what was an heroic victory.

Mike and Dianne de Kock along with son Matthew were on course, no doubt hoping that Calantha would win for the Ladies Onamission syndicate of which Dianne is the nominee, but the filly was run out of it by the Miller-trained Licence To Thrill.

However, the team did not go home empty handed as Top Seed, rested and gelded after pulling up dodgy on debut, made short work of his opposition in the first leg of the PA, winning with authority and De Kock senior making the point that Top Seed will not die a one-time winner.

David Thiselton

Greaterix confirmed himself an exciting prospect at Turffontein Standside on Saturday and there was also another impressive feature win for Pomodoro’s Jet and a welcome Graded win and accompanying black type for Gimmefabulous.

Greaterix was caught in front and then did too much in the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans last time out. He finished a bit distressed that day and returned home with abnormal blood readings, so was given a two week break by Mike de Kock, who consequently felt he actually needed the run on Saturday in the Gr 3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m. De Kock divulged also that he is unable to work the Vercingetorix colt with other horses at home because he is simply too fast. He said time would thus tell whether he would be a classic horse i.e. stay the mile and further, or whether he would prefer shorter trips. However, he felt Greaterix would have a fitness improvement advantage over his rivals in his next start in the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas.

Muzi Yeni, in just his fourth meeting back from a broken collar bone, had a fine day and Greaterix gave him a hattrick. Muzi’s aim at home and on Saturday was to get Greaterix to relax into his big stride, so it did not augur well when he was short of room from the off jumping from draw four as there was a horse on his heels. Muzi did have cover in a one out position in fourth place, but said the horse had never felt comfortable. He said when the pace stacked up and considering Greaterix’s big stride he had had to let the grey colt roll early. He showed a fine turn of foot under the hands to hit the front at the 400m mark. He was able to keep going under the hands after shifting to the rail. Muzi used the stick for the first time in the last 50m to keep the Dingaans runner up Fire Attack at bay, as the latter had run on strongly from last.

Greaterix won by 0,70 lengths from Fire Attack. Both will be big players in the Gauteng Guineas.

Cosmic Speed stayed on very well from well back for a 3,10 length third, suggesting he might enjoy the Gauteng Guineas trip. 

Potberrie was a maiden for ten starts so has shown amazing improvement lately and he finished a 3,70 length fourth with the recently disappointing The Specialist putting in a performance that was more like it, finishing a staying on 5,80 length fifth.

Yeni said it was a win full of merit and Greaterix’s owners Al Adiyaat South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Messrs M F de Kock, C S Haynes, G Ragunan & Mrs N P Malherbe will be looking forward to the Al Adiyaat South Africa (Pty) Ltd-bred colt’s Guineas run.

Earlier, the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Laurence Wernars homebred Gimmethegreenlight filly Gimmefabulous got up on the line under Raymond Danielson to win the Gr 3 Betway Mother Russia Stakes over 1400m.

Gimmefabulous was sitting second last in the eight horse field after jumping from draw five.

She made up ground steadily, but in the business end Danielson lost his stick.

He said afterwards that incident had been a blessing because he said she had not been responding to the whip but after losing the stick she had responded well to him “playing with the rains with her.”

She denied the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Selenio Peninsula (Vercingetorix), who is also a Laurence Wernars homebred, by a neck.

Both of the first two are owned by Laurence, Jarryd and Tessa Wernars.

Miss Lia and Cocomelon were beaten just 0,40 lengths and 0,70 lengths respectively and Bakwena was fifth.

Earlier, the runaway Grand Heritage winner, the Brett and James Crawford-trained Pomodoro’s Jet (Pomodoro) romped in again in the Listed Wolf Power 1600 under Gavin  Lerena, despite having been given nine points for his Grand Heritage win. He beat a good field too and was 3,50 lengths clear of Chestnut Bomber with Texas Red, Silent War and Truth next best. The Crawfords’ opinion of this horse was obvious last year as they kept him in the Hollywoodbets Durban July right until the eliminations stage. However, he seems best at 1400m to a mile. The six-year-old gelding has now won seven races and has come into his own so can win more.

Another notable win on the day was for the Janse van Vuuren-trained Wernars homebred Barbaresco (Gimmethegreenlight), a half-brother to Selenio Peninsula, and this classy sort stormed home over 1160m under Lerena despite carrying 62kg.

The Lucky Houdalakis-trained None Other (Flower Alley) won a 2400m Pinnacle by 4,25 lengths under Lerena, her first win since landing the SA Oaks a couple of seasons ago.

Lerena’s treble put him within three wins of the jockeys national log leader Craig Zackey.

Graeme Hawkins

Without a win for close on two years, and with very little in the way of recent form, the Piet Steyn-trained Gem King delivered a 100/1 knockout blow when he suddenly bounced back to winning ways in the eighth race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the R160 000 Klawervlei Stud Class 3 Handicap over 1200m. Ridden by Corne Orffer, Gem King joined issue with the front-running Arctic Wizard inside the final 200m and although the latter tried gamely to cling on to his advantage, Gem King found that bit extra to score by a head. 

Talk To The Master had to switch at a crucial stage of the race but stayed on to finish third ahead of War Chariot and a one-paced Riverstone. Marsh Shirtliff and Bryn Ressell race both Gem King and Talk To The Master in partnership, while Marsh also bred the runner-up Arctic Wizard to complete a “personal” Trifecta which yielded a dividend of R3004-00. Gem King’s unexpected victory saw the exit of most Pick 6 tickets and the nett pool of R492 554 was largely carried over.

The Justin Snaith stable has dominated the early juvenile races in the Western Cape and the first race on Saturday, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1000m, proved no exception with Music Of The Night (28/10) under Richard Fourie drawing clear of the tote favourite Whatastar to score by more than a length. Both the winner and runner-up are sired by Drakenstein-based stalwart What A Winter.

Lucy Rocket belied odds of 66/1 to score a dominant victory in the second race, a Maiden Plate over 1000m, but fortunately for Bipot punters the favourite Catch A Penny snatched the runner-up berth just ahead of Summer Snow and Flying Finley. The third race, a Cape B Stakes (F&M) over 1200m, produced a form result and a good finish between Miss World and Mai Sensation. Fourie attempted to make all the running on Miss World (9/4) but was collared late by Mai Sensation (7/2) who continued trainer Lucinda Woodruff’s rich vein of form.

Pick 6 punters began on the front foot in the opening leg, a D Stakes over 1800m, when the well-supported Summer Night City (28/10) just prevailed over My Only Weakness (4/1) by a very narrow margin in a driving finish. The improving 3yo My Only Weakness, a half-sister to Equus Champion Bless My Stars, conceded 5,5kgs to the more seasoned Summer Night City and was certainly not disgraced in defeat. Summer Night City was ridden by log-leading Craig Zackey and was the first leg of a race-to-race double for trainer Eric Sands.

The fifth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m, saw another stirring battle between the favourite Hoodia and the Eric Sands-trained 5yo son of Pomodoro, Kebonalesedi. The latter took up the running from pole position at a solid gallop and fought on bravely when tackled by Hoodia approaching the final 200m. Just when it seemed as if Hoodia (9/4) would gain the upper hand, Grant Van Niekerk extracted hidden reserves from Kebonalesedi (7/1) who rallied bravely to score by a head.

The first nail in the coffin for Pick 6 punters came in the sixth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1600m, with recent maiden winner Tap Shoes (16/1) finishing strongly from quite far back to run down Family Power and win going away in good style. Tap Shoes, a chance ride for Ashton Arries, was having only her fourth start and the full sister to Zapatillas is clearly on the upgrade. Enchanting Choice had every chance in third spot but failed to quicken at the business end while Kamchatka disappointed badly, fading tamely over the final 200m to finish downfield.

Palace Gift was the subject of shrewd support in the seventh race, a Class 5 Handicap over 1200m, and the Shane Humby-trained 4yo son of Potala Palace scored readily by more than a length from the fast-finishing Rougarouin. Ridden by Oswald Noach, Palace Gift was in control throughout, registering his maiden victory at the tenth time of asking.

Kelp Forest has taken on a new lease of life since being equipped with blinkers and was a popular winner of the ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1200m. The 5yo son of Flower Alley followed up on his victory a month ago with a commanding effort, notching up the sixth win of his career for trainer Adam Marcus and giving Grant Van Niekerk a double on the day. Kelp Forest (28/10) lagged some way off the early speed, but he quickened up smartly under a confident ride and was more than a length ahead of the well-backed Sooty at the line.

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.

Johannesburg, 15 October 2024 – 4Racing in conjunction with the Handicappers have published the first log for the 2024 R6 million Gr1 Betway Summer Cup to be run at Turffontein on Saturday 30 November.

Second entries close at 11am on Tuesday 05 November, and final entries at 9am on Monday, 18 November 2024, after which weights will be announced. Declarations must be in by 11am on Wednesday, 20 November 2024 and barrier draws will be conducted at a Betway event on 20 November 2024. The final log will be published on Tuesday 05 November 2024.