Category Archives: Racing News

Soccer updates and carryovers

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Soccer 6: 6KK V2 P1 (Matches Postponed  ) – 19 JUNE 2026
Match 2(M2): DEPORTES SANTA CRUZ vs SAN MARCOS. Match Postponed.
Match 3(M3): SAN LUIS vs UNION ESPANOLA. Match Postponed.

Soccer 10: 1QQ V2  ( Matches Postponed ) – 19 JUNE 2026
Match 8(M8): CA CERRO vs RACING MONTEVIDEO. Match Postponed.
Match 10 (M10): MAGALLANES vs CURICO UNIDO. Match Postponed.

Soccer 10: 1RR V3  ( Matches Postponed ) – 19 JUNE 2026
Match 6(M6): DEPORTES SANTA CRUZ vs SAN MARCOS. Match Postponed.
Match 7(M7): SAN LUIS vs UNION ESPANOLA. Match Postponed.

All results (the field) will qualify for the above match.
In terms of  TOTE rules, all choices (the field) will apply in determining results and payouts.

Alice B Toklas can master her fate

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David Thiselton

The two two-year-old races are often stumbling blocks in the Pick 6 on World Pool Gold Cup day as the juveniles often mature at different rates and unexpected results can transpire.

The Gr 2 Douglas Whyte Stakes over 1600m looks to be a race in which punters can go narrow and they will be hoping there are no surprises. Master Of My Fate filly Alice B Toklas was desperately unlucky in her last start in the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m. After being settled near the back she was slicing through the field like a hot knife through butter while still on the bit and she was then unfortunately badly squeezed out. Even more impressive was that she picked herself up and rallied, passing a few horses late to finish second. Her Hussonet dam Alice Springs’ four wins included three over this trip and furthermore Alice B Toklas is a half-sister to the One World filly World Of Alice who finished a shorthead second in the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks over 2450m among other good performances. So, on pedigree evidence Alice B Toklas should relish the step up in trip and her running style also lends herself to that belief. She has a plum draw of three with Richard Fourie staying aboard and at first sight could be a banker consideration. However, both Marchland and Within Reach are two others who need to be taken seriously. In Marchland’s case it must be remembered that an East Cape raider, Golden Palm, won this race last year. Marchland is by the exciting up and coming sire Malmoos and she has won her three career starts at Fairview from 1200m to 1400m with consummate ease and looks to be full of class. The form of her last win in a Listed race over 1400m on the poly has worked out very well. She has a fair draw of six and her regular rider Muzi Yeni is aboard. Within Reach is a Sean Tarry-trained stablemate to Alice B Toklas and impressed last time when surging through to win fluently over 1400m. She was receiving 2kg from the runner up Queen Leila, who has some fair form. Within Reach is also by Malmoos and considering her Oratorio dam Jetorio’s two wins were over 1600m and 1800m respectively she will relish the step up in trip. She has a tricky draw of seven but Keagan de Melo up is a plus and she could be a threat. Those three should suffice for the Pick 6.

The Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes is more open. Sean Tarry could be in the winner’s box here too. Prayersandpromises ran on in eyecatching style after ending up last in the Gr 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m from a wide draw. He should enjoy the step up in trip and has a chance from a better draw of seven. Moana is not visibility eyecatching, but her form is noteworthy. She beat Within Reach in her second start over 1400m, albeit when receiving 3kg, and she has followed up with two wide margin victories over 1600m. She has a good draw of five with Calvin Habib aboard and her 2,5kg gender claim will help. Vibe Check is an imposing, classy sort who creates a big impression. He likes to set the pace and has a wide draw, which creates a concern because on pedigree he has a slight stamina doubt despite two easy wins over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville which preceded his narrow victory in the Gr 2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He is by Querari out of Captain Al mare Victoria Lavelle, whose four wins were from 1000m to 1200m, and furthermore Vibe Check has two decent half-sisters who are both sprinters despite being by Vercingetorix and Silvano respectively i.e. Tulip Fields and Virginia Beach. He is likely to lead but will he be able to hang on? Red Spice is a must include despite a wide draw. He was inconvenienced at the start of the Golden Horseshoe and ended up too far back. However, he stayed on well for a 1,25 length fourth. On pedigree there must be a stamina doubt as he is by speedster Erik The Red out of a Right Approach five-time winning sprinter. However, he is held in high regard and Erik The Red does seem to be fairly versatile as a sire and he also gives the impression he could stay this trip. The Corne Spies-trained gelding Life In Colour won his last start over 1400m in impressive style and although he was only running off an 87 merit rating he is well related, being a a half-brother to Gr 3-winning and Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint runner up True To Life. Being by Malmoos he might be able to stay the trip and is worth considering. Erik Dubois is a big and maturing son of Erik The Red who ran on well from a wide draw in the Golden Horseshoe and from a good draw here he could be a threat. Secretary Bird, Green Energy, Bachata, Better Never Ends and Viking Leader have all caught the eye before, so all in all this looks like a race to consider putting the whole field in.

The two races are often the pivotal ones of the Pick 6.

Those who can get through them with narrow selection could find themselves in the pound seats, but there often regrets that wider choices were not taken.

Arverni Princess gets Qiniso off the mark

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Andrew Harrison

Louis Goosen has always had a soft spot for apprentices just learning their trade and has been a mentor to many. Qiniso Ngcobo is the son of Summerveld trainer Bo Ngcobo who does not have the biggest string so chances for his son were always going to be limited.

But Goosen was sufficiently impressed with Qiniso to entrust him on his star mare Arverni Princess who had won four of her last five starts and smart over course and distance at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday.

Always up with the pace as is her want, Ngcobo just had to keep his head and punch for the line, which he did to land the first win of his career holding off Ruby Rising who came with a telling late run but not able to get to the winner.

Warrior Royale is not the easiest to work with as alluded to by Mike Miller‘s assistant Craig Eudey post-race but when she puts her mind to racing she is more than useful. She had to have a shoe attended to at the start and not easy to load, but once out of the gates she was not for the catching.

Recording her fifth win from just 13 outings, she kept galloping all the way up the straight with challenges blunted early. Tulip Fields ran on but never a threat but finished off to snatch second ahead of Miss World and De Vlugge, the latter possibly more effective on the poly.

Dancing Party, badly hampered by a loose horse at her last start, made no mistakes in the card opener. Mekong tried to make all but was tracked by Callan Murray aboard Dancing Party and once Murray asked for maximum, she drew off to win comfortably with Mekong well clear of the balance of her rivals.

Steamy Window, after smart efforts behind Vibe Check and Viking Leader, looked the part in the Juvenile Plate but it was not to be.  Omkhulu Boss cracked the whip. Making steady improvement and taking full advantage of his 3kg pull with winners, Glen Kotzen’s gelding strode to a comfortable victory with Kid From The South chasing him home and Steamy Windows just managing to hold on to third.

It’s only a week or two before all thoroughbred races horses turn one year older but Doug Campbell’s two-year-old Sei Bella and Mike Miller’s Tears Of The Sun put one over their year older rival Gimme The Power in the first leg of the PA. Gimme The Power had the race at her mercy a furlong out but was not able to hold the challenges from her younger rivals.

Some way out, Candice Bass was in line for a one-two in the apprentice Class 5 with Taylor’s Version trying to make all and Lilac In Winter also in contention at the 400m mark. However, the places reversed over the final 200m as Damyan Pillay slipped Lilac In Winter up the inside of her stable companion to finish off the race in commanding fashion with favourite Hop Hop Spinnekop, giving Mxolisi Mbuto a hard time as she tried to duck in, doing enough to split the Bass runners.

Not to be outgone, Gareth van Zyl went one better with Wiccan Warrior and I Am Invictus finishing one-two in a tight finish to the Class 4. It was a three-way contest over the last 200m with Buddy Boy also in contention with little more than a head separating the three at the line.

Lunch Money, having his first outing for Frikkie Greyling, was given a confident ride by Girish Sam-Burthia in a tight finish to the Apprentice D Stakes with One Armed Bandit and the balance of the runners a long way back. The two came together a long way out in a ding-dong battle with Samo-Burthia having his hands full to keep Lunch Money on a straight course but punching out hands and heels, Lunch Money just managed to hold One Armed Bandit at bay.

Direct equine flights to the UK now permitted

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In exciting news for the South African horseracing industry it has been announced the UK have opened a direct equine export route from South Africa, which cements two-way trade for the SA Equine Industry.

SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC (SAEHP) sent out the following press release:

UK Opens Direct Equine Export Route from South Africa, Cementing Two-Way Trade for SA Equine Industry

Cape Town, 15 July 2026 — SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC (SAEHP) is pleased to announce that the British Government has confirmed a decision permitting direct import of live horses from South Africa to Great Britain. Following a positive assessment of South Africa’s disease control measures, imports will be permitted from the approved vector-protected quarantine station in Cape Town, for registered equines complying with UK import conditions.

This milestone reflects sustained collaboration between SAEHP, the South African Department of Agriculture, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture — a powerful demonstration of this public-private partnership’s success in maintaining South Africa’s equine disease control measures to the highest international standard and translating that credibility into real market access.

The announcement follows closely on South Africa’s opening of imports from Dubai, New Zealand, and Australia earlier this year -making genuine two-way trade a reality for the South African equine industry.

Adrian Todd, Managing Director of SAEHP, thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its funding, technical support, and vision in opening South Africa to the world, noting that the growing number of trade partners now opens a world of opportunity for South Africa across all equestrian disciplines.

About SAEHP:SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC is a South African public-private partnership established to ensure the sustainability and security of the African Horse Sickness control zones through risk mitigation measures and controls, operating under the authority of the South African National Director of Animal Health in partnership with the National Department of Agriculture and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

Vercingetorix out to break his own record

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David Thiselton

One of the intriguing questions that will be answered on World Pool Gold Cup day is whether the champion sire Vercingetorix can break his own South African record of 23 individual stakes winners in a season.

He is currently on 21 individual stakes winners and it will hinge on the big turf meeting on the last Sunday of the month as to whether he can break the record or not, because he does not have a runner in the only other stakes race still to be run this season, the Listed Champion Juvenile Cup at Fairview.

Vercingetorix will have many runners representing him on Gold Cup day such is his phenomenal influence on big races in the country.

However, the only ones that will count for this particular record will be the ones who have not previously won a stakes race this season.

A defending champion of one of the big races on the day actually falls into that category i.e. Gladatorian.

It is often said that horses coming fresh into the Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup have an advantage over those who have run in the July, but Gladatorian ran in the July last year and still managed to win the Champions Cup.

The Stuart Ferrie-trained six-year-old gelding has not had the best of luck with draws in his career, but in last year’s Champions Cup he landed draw three and for once his well known late charge did not come too late. This year he has drawn three out of the 12 horses who are still standing their ground, so will have every chance of defending his title. The man who knows him best, Sean Veale, looks likely to take the ride again as he is contracted to Hollywood Racing and hence rode the Hollywood Racing-owned Isivivane in the July.

In the opening race of the meeting, the Listed Tote Stakes Darley Arabian over 1600m, the Alyson Wright-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Position Of Power is out of an unraced Horse Chestnut mare who was in turn out of an Elliodor mare who won four times from 1200m to 1600m, so he is interesting stepped up from sprints if taking his place here. His sprints record is six wins, three seconds and a third from 12 starts. He is drawn 18 out of the 35 entries still standing so his final barrier position all depends on how it cuts up.

In the Gr 2 World Pool Bet With Tote Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Vercingetorix two-year-old colt Rising Eagle won comfortably over 1160m on the Turffontein Standside track in his second career start on Saturday. His time did not compare favourably on the day but on the other hand he jumped from an unfavourable low draw and still won. He now has a very wide draw of 40 among the many entries and will need some luck in the running if he lines up in this race.

In the Gr 2 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes over 1600m the Louis Goosen-trained Ferrari Flair is still a maiden but has been performing well in stakes races, including finishing a close third in the Gr 3 Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m and a 2,30 length third in the Listed Amusnet Devon Air Stakes over 1400m. She was not disgraced when a 3,25 length eighth in the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m, but she does not have as good a draw here and she has a bit to find on those who beat her in the latter race.

In the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m Rising Eagle is also an entry here and on pedigree should enjoy this 1600m trip as he is out of a New Approach mare who won up to 1800m. However, he has a draw of 23 among the many entries so has a tough task.

The Gr 1 wfa Mercury Sprint sees the hard-knocking Andre Nel-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding O’Tenikwa having an outside chance if able to find a couple of extra lengths on his best form. He has a fair draw of seven.

In the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup over 3200m the Dean Kannemeyer-trained five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Continentalexpress has some fair staying form and carries a lightweight from a plum draw, so he can’t be written off.

In the Gr 2 Bet With The World Gold Bracelet over 2000m the Candice and Tammy Dawson-trained Minogue will make a last ditch bid to win bold black type before being retired to stud and she will certainly deserve it. On the form of her run in the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000 she has a definite chance. She is sure to revert to the handy to front-running tactics that suit her best from a pole position draw, having not being suited to being dropped out to last in the July. The Candice Bass-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix filly Rahhabba won the non-Black type WSB Scarlet Lady over 1750m and was just touched off in the Listed IOS Insider East Coast Cup over 2000m. So carrying just 55kg from a plum draw in the Gold Bracelet she has an outside chance, although she officially has a tough task at the weights.

In the last feature of the season, the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap over 1000m, the Glen Kotzen-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Circumbendibus is a hard-knocking sort who has a definite chance. His draw is unknown at the time of writing, but he enjoys this course and distance. The James Crawford-trained Dame Of Trix is an interesting runner here as she won impressively over this trip at Turffontein last time and she could be better than her 98 merit rating suggests. She could land a fair draw when it cuts up as she is drawn 14 out of the 35 entries still standing. Position Of Power, mentioned earlier in the article, has hard-knocking sprint form and is also an entry here, although he is drawn 24, so will likely have a tough barrier position on the day. The Tony Rivalland-trained five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding King Of The Gauls is course and distance suited as he is very quick and he won this race from a wide draw two years ago, but the problem here is he has to do it from another wide draw off an eight point higher merit rating. The Louis Goosen-trained three-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Blazing Fury is a hard-knocking sort who has a two length fourth in a Gr 3 Sprint to his name, but he will officially have a tough task at the weights if he gets in here and he has a wide draw.

Exciting new July Handicap conditions

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David Thiselton

 

The Hollywoodbets Durban July conditions have been finalised and the final field panellists might be in for an interesting evening before the Final Field And Barrier Draw Ceremony, whilst the three-year-olds look to be on the back foot at present.

 

There will be a longer handicap this year with a 10kg spread in the weights from a topweight of 62kg down to a bottom weight of 52kg.

 

Furthermore, it will just be a straight handicap, unlike recent July conditions in which there was a maximum and minimum weight for certain age groups and genders.

 

If the final field happens to have a spread that is less than 10kg, the topweight will still be 62kg. If, for example, there is a weight spread of 7kg among the entries, then the bottom weight will be 55kg.

 

If the topweights are scratched after the setting of the weights, then the new topweight will be dragged up to 62kg. For example if the topweight after scratchings is 60,5kg, it will be dragged up to 62kg and after the rest of the field have been dragged up the bottom weight will become 53,5kg.

 

The final field will not necessarily be chosen by merit rating order.

 

Justin Vermaak, Executive Racing and Bloodstock of Race Coast, said, “There will be a final field selection panel like before and merit rating will be a leading aspect, but the panel will also take current form and distance suitability into account etc.”

 

In recent years the final field panellists have not had it too tough as the field was cut up before the final field announcement, with a lot of horses being scratched due to the recognition by the connections they do not have much chance, either due to the weights not favouring them or due to them being off form – the final declaration fee could have, in those cases, been considered a waste of money.

 

However, with the longer handicap, there are going to be more horses who still have form chances on paper.

 

Looking at last year’s July for example, third-placed Selukwe was rated 111 and had to carry 54kg due to the condition that the minimum weight for an older male was 54kg. He was thus 2kg under sufferance with the 127-rated topweights, both older horses, and he was 4kg under sufferance with the officially best weighted horse, the 129 rated (nett 125-rated) Eight On Eighteen, who was set to carry 57kg despite being the highest merit rated horse in the race due to a condition that three-year-old males could not carry more than 57kg.

 

In last year’s race Oriental Charm carried 60kg, Eight On Eighteen carried 57kg and Selukwe carried 54kg.

 

Under this year’s conditions the weights for those three horses would have been: Oriental Charm 62kg, Eight On Eighteen 61kg and Selukwe 54kg. Selukwe would have been 2kg and 4kg better off with Oriental Charm and Eight On Eighteen respectively under today’s conditions.

 

He would have been 2kg better off with the winner The Real Prince too and, on paper, would have been beaten 0,30 lengths instead of by 2,65 lengths.

 

There could theoretically have been a horse who would have been even more favoured by today’s conditions than the 111-rated Selukwe example.

 

Using last year’s race under today’s conditions, an older horse who had been rated 107 would sneak into the handicap under today’s conditions.

 

A 107-rated older horse last year would have had to carry 54kg, 6kg less than the topweight, but under today’s conditions it would have only had to carry 52kg, which would be 10kg less than the 62kg topweight.

 

Therefore, there are theoretically going be a lot more horses standing their ground at the time of the final field selection process this year, because a lot more of them will have chances of winning on paper than would have been the case under the old conditions.

 

Furthermore, with stakes of R10 million up for grabs there will be less cases of horses being scratched due to the  connections deeming them to be off form. They might still want to take their chances.

 

The difficulty for the panel will come in deciding whether a lower rated horse is deemed to have better recent form or better distance suitability than a higher rated horse.

 

For argument sakes let’s assume that we go back to last year and there are still many horses standing their ground until the bitter end. After the top 17 are selected, according to the last log and current form, let’s assume the next two horses are the 115-rated Madison Valley and the 120-rated The Real Prince.

 

The Real Prince is rated five points higher than Madison Valley, but he has never run a race beyond 1600m before.

 

Madison Valley on the other hand finished a close fourth in the Betway Summer Cup over 2000m and in his final run before the July he won the traditional July pointer, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m.

 

Which one are they going to put in the all important 18th slot?

 

Such a scenario is going to have much more chance of happening this year.

 

Although it has been said that weight avoidance tactics are going to be used this year, those who do take that route are probably going to run a bigger risk of not qualifying than ever before.

 

Now on to the three-year-olds.

 

Eight On Eighteen was held in high regard last year and came into the race 2kg well-in, according to official merit ratings, and yet he was not able to win the race.

 

Under today’s conditions he would have had to carry 61kg, effectively 2kg more.

 

So it was tough last year for a top, top three-year-old who was favoured by the old conditions.

 

How tough will it be for good-but-not-great three-year-olds under the new conditions, considering there is no maximum weight for them and no minimum weight for older horses?

 

Likewise it will be tough for females.

 

Furthermore, this year’s three-year-old crop are arguably overrated off their current merit ratings.

 

For example, Gauteng Guineas runner up Grand Empire could not win the Wolf Power 1600 against older horses when 2kg under sufferance off a 102 merit rating (effectively a 106 merit rating), yet he is now rated 120. There will be cries of “but the handicapper is clueless” when looking at that, but those who do say that are clueless themselves, because the handicapper rates a race on that race, not on past races, and Tin Pan Alley had earned his 117 rating by beating older horses and Grand Empire had then beaten him. Furthermore, Grand Empire was likely not at his peak for the Wolf Power with the Triple crown series looming.

 

Nevertheless, the overall impression is the current three-year-old male crop is not shining and it is questionable whether any of them have properly earned a rating of 120 or above.

 

It could well be an older horse July, but on the other hand there is an impressive unexposed horse like Note To Self among the three-year-olds and more such types might emerge.

 

The build up to this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July is going to be more intriguing than ever!

 

London News July centenary victory

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David Thiselton

The 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July will be a milestone one with the prize money doubled to R10 million and with a longer handicap introduced as the topweight will be upped to 62kg and bottom weight lowered to 52kg.

It will fittingly fall on the 30th anniversary of the centenary July, which turned out to be one of the greatest of all Julys as it was won by the legendary Alec Laird-trained London News, who went on to put South African racing on the map by winning the QE II Cup in Hong Kong.

The renowned South African wildlife painter Henk Vos released his celebrated work, the Painting Of The Century, depicting a century of July winners, after the July’s centenary running.

The iconic painting now hangs in the Classic Room at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Alec Laird actually ordered one of the prints of the painting before it was completed as the print had the first of his great Uncle Syd Garrett’s five July winners on the left and the greatest of his father’s record seven July winners, Sea Cottage, was in the centre.

The right hand side just had a blank with a silhouette of a horse, because Vos did not know yet which horse he was going to paint there.

Alec, who trained out of Randjesfontein on the Highveld, related, “He hadn’t made up his mind what horse he was going to put in the last panel (the 20th panel) and he even said to me ‘I would like you to win the July because I would like to put you as the last painting.’ With about a year to go I said to him I’m not going to make it.’”

However, fate then had it that London News not only became the 14/10 favourite for the 100th running of the July, but he was also saddle cloth number 20, being the only three-year-old in the field and the bottom weight.

Piere Strydom recalled, “I remember at the traditional Friday night cocktail Henk Vos was there with his big painting and there was one spot left for the 100th winner and I can still remember saying to someone that I think my picture’s going to be up there.”

London News duly won the race and Alec, London News and Piere Strydom are now at the forefront of the famous painting’s 20th panel and the horse is fittingly carrying the no. 20 saddle cloth.

The London News story starts at the National Yearling Sale of 1994.

Alec recalled big owners Laurie and Jean Jaffee’s chief aim at that Sale was to buy a yearling by their own 1987 July winner, Bush Telegraph.

Alec recalled Harmony Forever being his number one choice at that Sale.

However, he remembered London News being “a nice horse.”

He added, “On the first day a Bush Telegraph colt called Mr Newspaperman went for about R300,000. London News looked more athletic and Jean Jaffee actually said to me, ‘What about this one?’ On the first day they didn’t get a horse, the second day they didn’t get one and the more they asked me about London News the nicer he got, because I was otherwise going to go home without a horse!”

The Jaffees managed to secure London News.

Alec recalled, “He was a light youngster and even as a three-year-old was quite light. He didn’t show immediately, but we always had the feeling that he would be a nice horse when he matured.”

In fact, London News made a particularly inauspicious debut, beaten no fewer than 16,5 lengths under Anton Marcus in a 1200m Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m at the Vaal on June 6, 1995.

However, he got better and better and when he smashed the Greyville 2000m course record, which still stands today, in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, he had won six out of eleven starts including the Dingaans and two middle distance Gr 1s.

Piere Strydom was aboard for the Daily News 2000 too.

He reflected on the 1996 July, the first of his four victories in South Africa’s greatest race, “London News was a lekker horse to ride because he had gate speed, a lot of natural speed and he would travel right up there in front and he had a good kick. But at the top of the straight (having led) I thought with a light weight let me just let the reins go a bit and get a length or two for the short straight. But he accelerated way quicker than I had expected and that’s when he made up three or four lengths on the field. Obviously it was going to tell at the end and he was stopping quite badly at the end. I heard the horses coming and I was just hoping for the line and he held on.”

Alec added, “Mike Rattray had invited me to watch in his box because it was on the line and he won by a neck but my eyes wouldn’t believe it because there was so much pressure. I wanted to see the number up!”

Alec described the emotion of being on the honour roll together with his late record-breaking seven-time July-winning father Syd.

In fact his extended family is comfortably the most prolific July-winning family in history with his grandfather Alec winning one as a jockey, his great Uncle Syd Garrett winning two as a jockey and three as a trainer, his father Syd winning a record seven as a trainer, and the cousins Dennis Drier, Alec Laird and Charles Laird each winning one July apiece – a total of 16 for the July dynasty.

A New Era of Racing: Colossus Pools Launched on 1st December with UK Racing!

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Race Coast is thrilled to announce a game changing new era for South African horse racing punters with the official launch of horse racing with Colossus Pools on Monday, 1 December 2025!

Following the successful introduction of Colossus world class sports pools, we are now bringing this innovative technology to the multi-leg racing bets. To kick off the launch, the horse racing pools will feature predetermined, high value UK race meetings, giving local punters access to massive international jackpots.

This marks a major step forward for the sport, combining the thrill of racing with modern, flexible features.

Introducing Unprecedented Control

For the first time in South African racing, you will be able to take advantage of key features that put you in control of your bet:

  • Cash Out: Don’t wait until the last race! You will now receive leg-by-leg offers to Cash Out all or part of your ticket as the pool progresses. Secure a profit early or reduce your risk, giving you unprecedented control over your potential winnings.
  • Syndicate Betting: Join forces with other punters to crowdfund a single, high stakes ticket. Share the cost, increase your chances of hitting the jackpot, and share the rewards with the betting community. You can become a Syndicate Captain or contribute to a ticket led by an expert.

Race Coast is committed to innovating and ensuring our horse racing proposition is the most exciting and engaging in the country.

Get Ready to Play!

Look out for the Colossus button on the www.tote.co.za website and from December 1st, toggle between Football and Horse Racing, and experience the new generation of betting.

Massive UK Jackpots, More Control, and Shared Success—get ready to elevate your racing experience!

Get Ready for a Game Changer! Introducing Colossus – Bigger Pools, More Control!

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We are thrilled to announce a ground-breaking new chapter in your betting experience! We’ve partnered with Colossus Bets, a leading UK-based company, to bring you an exciting new product never before seen in the South African tote betting market.

What is Colossus Bets?

Imagine betting into massive, guaranteed prize pools, often reaching life-changing sums, with the added power of controlling your bet as the action unfolds. That’s the essence of Colossus Bets! It’s a revolutionary way to play, combining the thrill of traditional tote betting with unparalleled flexibility.

Understanding the Bet Types & Functionality:

Colossus Bets specialises in pool betting, where you bet against other players. The total money wagered is placed into a “pool”, and the prize money is shared among all winning tickets. The more people who play, the larger the potential jackpot! 

Some of the Bet Types on offer

  • Pick 1×2: This is a straightforward pool where you predict the result of each match – Home Win (1), Draw (X), or Away Win (2).

 

  • Correct Score: This is a more challenging but potentially more lucrative pool, where you must predict the exact final result of each match

 

  • Both Teams to Score: This is for fans of goals and fast paced action. Your task is to simply predict whether or not both teams will score at least one goal in a selected series of matches

 

Innovative Functionality

  • Cash Out: This feature allows you to lock in a profit before all matches (legs) in your ticket are completed. After each leg, Colossus bets will make you an offer to buy your ticket based on its current value. You can choose to accept the guaranteed payout or stay in the game for a chance at the full jackpot.

 

  • Syndicate Betting: Colossus Bets offers a unique way to play through Syndicate Tickets, allowing Players to team up and increase their chances of winning. Creating a Syndicate – If you have a betting strategy or consider yourself a “Pro”, you can create a Syndicate Ticket and invite other Players to contribute towards the payment of the ticket. Joining a Syndicate – Alternatively, you can join a Syndicate Ticket that another Player has already created. When you contribute to a Syndicate Ticket, you will own a share of that ticket. This share is directly proportional to the amount of money you contributed. If the Syndicate Ticket wins, you will receive a proportionate share of any returns (such as dividends or cash-out proceeds) based on your contribution. In essence, Syndicate Tickets allows Players to pool their resources, share the risk, and share the rewards!

 

  • Guaranteed Huge Sports Pools: Colossus Bets offers guaranteed prize pools often reaching life-changing proportions. This means greater potential payouts for a winning ticket!

 

  • Consolation Prizes: For many pools, if you narrowly miss the jackpot by getting a number of the selections correct, you can still win a share of a consolation prize. This means that you can still get a payout even if your ticket isn’t a perfect winner.

How to find the Colossus Product

To access the Colossus soccer products, simply follow these steps:

  • Log in to your TOTE account on www.tote.co.za
  • Once logged in, look for the “Colossus” button on the main navigation bar.
  • Click the button to be taken to a new page, displaying all the available Colossus products
  • Start playing!

 

Why is this a game changer for South Africa?

Colossus Bets is renowned for pioneering the Cash Out feature in multi-leg pool betting, Syndicate Betting, and for offering some of the largest sports jackpots globally. This partnership brings that innovation and scale directly to you, providing a fresh and exciting way to engage with your favourite sports.

We are confident that Colossus Bets will transform your betting experience, offering bigger thrills and more control than ever before.

Ready to get in on the action? The Colossus button on www.tote.co.za is your portal to this revolutionary product. Don’t miss out!

Be sure to look out for the Colossus horse racing products – Coming Soon!