Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Newcastle and Yarmouth (UK) – 21 October 2025.
Category Archives: Racing News
See It Again not given a fair chance!
David Thiselton
Trainer Frank Robinson was thrilled with the Betway Summer Cup preparation race victory of Madison Valley at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday and Nathan Kotzen was also pleased with the run of Royal Victory in the same race, but Michael Roberts was left fuming by what looked to be a premature scratching of the favourite for the race, See It Again.
See It Again went three-quarters of the way in and appeared to then back out. The handlers then moved him back towards the gate. When he did not immediately go in the hood was removed. He then circled a few times without the hood. Then, to the astonishment of the racing public, it was announced he had been scratched for refusing to load.
Roberts said, “I went into the inquiry room to watch the replay of the loading. I watched it numerous times and they just never gave the horse a chance. He goes more than three-quarters of the way in and the handler in the front then jumps up to get onto the side railing. They are big fellas and you can see when zooming in on the video that when going up the handler actually pushes against the horse’s head. He has a hood on, so he can’t see and he obviously resents being pushed in the head and half rears and then backs out. Shortly afterwards, Rachel (Venniker) was told the horse was delaying the start and he was scratched. The amazing thing is here you have a race the whole racing fraternity around the country and the punters are waiting to see, because they are hedging their bets for the richest race in the country (the R6 million Betway Summer Cup) and there are four fancied Summer Cup entries running in this race, so people want to see how they progress and the favourite in the race is just ignored by the starter!”
The inconsistency was another point Roberts raised.
He said, “The other day there was a horse who must have been given about five minutes and many chances to go in – we actually commented among ourselves when watching and said, ‘How long are they going to give this horse?’ It surely can’t go on how quietly the other horses are standing. Every horse should be given the same opportunity to load.”
Roberts said the response when pointing out it had appeared to be the fault of one of the handlers that See It Again backed out in the first place was that the starter had been unable to see what was happening in front of the horse.
He added, “They can’t see it happening, but then they ignore what the jockey tells them!”
Roberts went on to say it had not only been a stepping stone race for the Summer Cup, but once again the punter had suffered because the favourite got taken out and the new favourite then ran unplaced, so it had put a lot of punters out of the exotics.
He continued, “See It Again has been jumping out of his skin and was 10kg over his racing weight and the race would have tightened him up nicely for his next start (a race over the same course and distance on November 7). Rachel galloped him back, but the stampers were already on the course, so she had to stop two furlongs from home, so he only got about a five or six furlong gallop.”
The stipendiary steward report said, “SEE IT AGAIN (R A Venniker) refused to load. Trainer M L Roberts will be advised to reschool this gelding.” Roberts pointed out that the last time this horse had had an issue at the starting stalls was way back in 2022.
He added that more than one of the jockeys had told him his horse had not been given a fair chance, which was unusual for a jockey to say about an opposition runner, and Craig Zackey had even mentioned it in the winner’s interview. Roberts said he also been inundated with messages and phonecalls from around the country from friends and colleagues who had disagreed with the decision made by the starter, who on the day was KZN’s official assistant starter, Sean Leslie.
Roberts concluded, “I might just take See It Again to Greyville for a gallop before November 7, but the horse is well and we will be back!”
Frank Robinson was particularly pleased with the manner of Madison Valley’s victory in which only two backhanders had been required.
He said an agreement to have Craig Zackey on for the Summer Cup and for the build-up races had been made about a month ago.
However, he is now in two minds whether to run him in the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile at Turffontein Standside on November 1 or to just go for the Conditions Plate race over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on November 7.
Madison Valley was raised one point to 116 for his win on Sunday and Robinson is weary of getting more points for running well in the Charity Mile.
At present with See It Again and Royal Victory the highest rated entries on 125, Madison Valley will have a nice galloping weight of 55,5kg.
Nathan Kotzen was pleased with Royal Victory’s run despite him finishing a 3,75 length sixth.
He said all he had wanted to see was him running on well in his usual style after being dropped out from a tricky draw of seven. He had done just that under Chad Little, whom Nathan confirmed would be his rider for the Summer Cup.
Royal Victory will also run next in the Conditions Plate event over 1600m on November 7. He pointed out the Pathfork gelding had been in a better space than ever after six sessions with “horse whisperer” Glyn Redgrave.
The Glen Kotzen-trained Summer Cup entry On My Honour ran a fair 2,35 length fourth. He was well in at the weights and some would have expected better, but he should come on a lot for the run.
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Understanding the Bet Types & Functionality:
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Innovative Functionality
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To access the Colossus soccer products, simply follow these steps:
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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.
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Be sure to look out for the Colossus horse racing products – Coming Soon!
Get Ready for a Game Changer! Introducing Colossus Bets – Bigger Pools, More Control! – Betting now OPEN!!!
Introducing Colossus Bets
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.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
• Guaranteed Huge Sports Pools: Colossus Bets offers enormous, guaranteed prize pools. This means bigger potential pay-outs for a winning ticket!
• Multi-Leg Challenges: Test your sporting knowledge by predicting the outcome of multiple events (legs) within a single pool. The more legs you correctly predict, the closer you get to that colossal jackpot!
• The Power of Cash Out: This is where Colossus Bets truly revolutionises your play! For the first time in South African tote betting, you will be offered the option to Cash Out your bet before all legs of your ticket are complete. If some of your early selections (Legs) are winning, you could secure a profit even if the later legs are still in doubt. You can choose to cash out a portion of your ticket or wait for the completion of all the legs for a possible larger prize, giving you unprecedented control over your potential winnings.
• 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!
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.tabgold.co.za is your portal to this revolutionary product.
Don’t miss out!

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR THE 129TH HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY!

Durban, South Africa – The countdown has begun! The 129th edition of Africa’s premier horse racing and social spectacular, the Hollywoodbets Durban July (HDJ), is set to take place on Saturday, 5th July 2025, at the iconic Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. As the most anticipated fixture on South Africa’s racing calendar, the event seamlessly blends world-class horse racing with high fashion, entertainment, and a memorable social experience.
Staying true to the theme of “Marvels of Mzansi,” this year’s racing extravaganza promises an iconic line-up of South African talent, featuring a diverse array of artists set to captivate all attendees throughout the day. The national anthem will be beautifully performed by one of the country’s leading songstresses – look out for the reveal in May. With these performances, the thousands of attendees expected at Hollywoodbets Greyville will have a memorable experience. Stay tuned for the full artist line-up. All ticket holders can look forward to a day filled with live entertainment that will be talked about for years to come, as this year’s HDJ celebrates Mzansi’s vibrant spirit.
Tickets for this outstanding event are now officially on sale via Ticketpro (www.ticketpro.co.za). Priced at R230 for general admission, your ticket grants access to a day of thrilling racing action, live entertainment, fashion showcases, gourmet food experiences, and an array of engaging activations from event partners. For added convenience, onsite parking is available for R170 per vehicle.
For those seeking an elevated experience, the VIP hospitality packages provide exclusive access to luxurious enclosures, premium viewing areas, and top-tier catering. These options can be explored on the official event website (www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za). Please note that VIP hospitality packages do not include general admission tickets, which must be purchased separately via Ticketpro.
This year’s theme, “Marvels Of Mzansi”, was unveiled in late February, marking the official commencement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience, presented by Durban Fashion Fair. The fashion programme includes the much-anticipated HDJ Young Designer Award, showcasing the best up-and-coming talents from KwaZulu-Natal. The winners will share the spotlight with the HDJ Invited Designers and DFF Rising Stars at the HDJ Fashion Preview Gala, set to take place at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in late June.
Racing enthusiasts can also look forward to the announcement of the first official entrants on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. With last year’s champion, Oriental Charm, emerging as the early ante-post favourite, excitement is already building.
Secure your tickets today and experience Africa’s greatest horse racing and social event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July!

Soccer10 Price change on Wednesdays
Please Note: From December, Unit cost of all Soccer10 Pools closing on Wednesdays will be R3.
The R3 unit cost on Wednesdays is on a trial basis only & follows requests from many customers to increase the Soccer10 Unit.
The unit cost of Soccer10 Pools on all other days remains R2.

KZN Racing – The New Dawn Takes Shape
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.
2024 Betway Summer Cup First Log
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.
Tabgold Media Release: Launch of Pick 6 QuickMix
TABGOLD have added a Pick 6 to their daily menu of QuickMix bets, which are popular with many customers because they combine races from different local and international meetings, and are completed much quicker than multi-race bets on single meetings.
The addition of the Pick 6 brings the number of QuickMix pools offered most days to six – three Jackpot QuickMixes and a QuickMix BiPot, Place Accumulator and Pick 6. Until further notice, the QuickMix Pick 6 will always be the last six legs of the Place Accumulator QuickMix.
To play the Pick 6 QuickMix, TABGOLD retail customers must mark VENUE SPM and RACE 2 on the betting form.
It must be noted that the Pick 6 first-timer rule will apply to South African races in the bet if these races form part of a South African Pick 6. The first-timer rule will not apply to all other races, including South African races that are not part of a local Pick 6.
SA Quartet pools on selected UK meetings – September 2024

Local Quartet pools with fractional betting on selected UK race meetings will return to the TabGold betting menu from this Thursday following a mixed reception from customers to the introduction of commingled Quartet pools on all UK and Irish race meetings last month.
Such commingled Quartet pools have been welcomed in some quarters, but many TabGold customers have complained that this has resulted in them being unable to play fractional Quartet bets on UK races.
TabGold have taken note of the complaints and from this Thursday 12 September customers can enjoy the best of both worlds. As before local Quartet pools with fractional betting will be offered on two UK meetings most days with commingled Quartet pools on all other UK and Irish meetings.
Whether an Irish or UK meeting has local or commingled pools will be displayed clearly on Tab sheet race cards in store and online.
Unfortunately for several reasons, including vast differences in exchange rates, it is not technically possible to offer fractional bets on pools commingled internationally.
The minimum unit for commingled bets is R1 (more in the case of countries like the USA) and this is itself a fractional bet in international tote pools.
As an example, the unit of a UK Tote Quartet is one Pound and a customer playing a R1-unit Quartet with TabGold on a UK race is buying about 1/24th of the bet, depending on the exchange rate on the day. And if that bet is the only winning ticket, the customer will get 1/24th of the pool and the remainder will be carried over. To get the full UK Tote payout on a commingled Quartet requires playing the bet to a R24 unit.
That aside, the introduction of commingled Quartet bets has given TabGold customers many more opportunities to play Quartets on UK and Irish races, and access to bigger pools and payouts.