Millennials, those aged between 18 and 34, surprisingly proved to be the all-consuming topic at yesterday’s first international Tote conference to be held in South Africa.

“This age group is by far the largest on the planet, it comprises your future customers, punters and racegoers – and they are spoilt for choice,” said Mark Steinhobel, chairman of leading market group VWV, speaking to his Kenilworth audience.

“So what can you do?” he added before answering his own question. “For a start you can stop taking yourselves so seriously. I know the traditions of racing go back a long way and, while you may alienate some of the older racegoers, the alternative is a long slow slide into obscurity.”

Steinhobel referred to a recent survey asking millennials what would persuade them to go racing at the Cape Town course. The top answers were a party, free booze and the Met. “What I can also tell you is that if they do go, and find it a compelling experience, thousands and thousands will hear about it.”

He also proposed the use of jockey cams for live pictures of the racing, this to be relayed on people’s phones as well as on TV. His other suggestion of using Kenilworth for drone-racing didn’t seem to go down quite so well!

Tellytrack chief Rob Scott called for the industry to employ more people of the millennial age group and for those in the industry to embrace what these people want.

Phumelela boss Riaan du Plessis also called for change to attract, and cater for, the younger racegoers, saying: “We have got to reach them but, if we can only offer them the same, that is no good – and if we keep doing what we did in the past we will fail.”

However Paul Cross of Australian wagering company Tabcorp made the point that racing is still hugely popular, just that the way of watching it has changed.

He explained: “Many people argue that racing is in the doldrums with less and less people going but in fact there are more eyeballs watching racing today than there have ever been.”

He also emphasised the importance of the millennials and said that Australian harness racing has recently banned the use of the whip – partly in response to complaints from the younger audience.

Ten minutes later a worried-looking Neil Andrews, who was master of ceremonies, got to his feet and said: “I am very perturbed. My girlfriend has just phoned to say she has heard that they are  banning whips and how do I feel about this?”

By Michael Clower

The big question in the Gr 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship on Saturday is whether the country’s highest rated sprinter Trip To Heaven will find the 1000m trip too sharp.

The brilliant five-year-old Trippi gelding is likely at his best between 1200m and 1400m and tends to lose a couple of lengths at the start.

He lost two lengths as usual in the Gr 2 Diadem over 1200m last time and also appeared to peck. He then moved over from the inside to the perceived better going towards the outside, so was probably a good six lengths off the lead in the initial stages. However, he hit the front just before the 200m mark, using his phenomenal turn of foot, and went on to win by 3,75 lengths. Over this trip and with the same luck in running he could mow them down again, albeit later in the race. The wind at this stage is predicted to be a gentle south westerly breeze and it might not be necessary for jockeys to seek protection from the wind on the Standside. If that is the case, Trip To Heaven’s number two draw might not be a disadvantage.

S’Manga Khumalo will not be aboard Trip To Heaven as he has been declared to ride the three time Gr 1-winning filly Carry On Alice, who is drawn seven. This would be a concern for supporters of Trip To Heaven, because it implies Carry On Alice is the stable elect. Betting World duly have her as 33/10 favourite with Trip To Heaven 7/2. Carry On Alice is the reigning Computaform Sprint champion, which is run over the quickest 1000m sprint in the country at Turffontein. She has failed twice to win the Cape Flying Championships, beaten into a close up third both times with Khumalo up both times. However, the current fast conditions at Kenilworth will aid her cause and this her third run after a layoff.

The Sean Tarry-trained pair might fight it out.

However, Rivarine is still unexposed and could be a big threat, while a number of others are capable of winning it on their day led by Red Ray, Talktothestars and Gulf Storm.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith has entries in every one of the 13 races at Saturday’s big Sun Met meeting and asked whether he could go close to the world record eight winners he scored on this day last year, he replied, “You never know.”

He kindly commented on every one of his runners:

Race 1 (MR 96 Handicap over 1200m): “Cuban Emerald was unlucky last time, he had to come from a long way back, and I expect a better race this time. Captain Swarovski has a big weight, but is down in class, blinkers were a bad idea last time and he should run a better race. Fire Master ran a flat race last time, but will be competitive on best form in what is a very competitive race.”

Race 2 (Listed Princess Charlene Of Monaco Foundation SA Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1000m): “Kasimir by Captain Al makes his debut and is very nice two-year-old, I think he has Dutch Phillip to beat and should be in the firing line.”

Race 3 (R1 million Kuda Sprint over 1200m): “Sir Frenchie could well fight out the finish, he will be very good at 1200m and I think he is one of the horses to beat. He was very green on debut, but has put up a good gallop and will run a big race. I think the Sean Tarry and Mike de Kock runners are the ones to beat. Lacerta has a small chance, but it is very competitive. Henry Tudor will be much better over this 1200m and could be in the money. Varside could place.”

Race 4 (US$500,000 CTS Sprint over 1200m): “Sergeant Hardy is very well and is the horse to beat. Red Light Girl will be better suited to this 1200m (dropping down in trip) and is a nice horse for a place. Le Havre plays up in the stalls, but if he gets it right he could run a big race and could be the dark horse.”

Race 5 (US$500,000 CTS Mile): “African Night Sky is my value bet on the day. He would have won last time if he had not been taken out. Copper Force is doing well at home, but it is a big ask from that draw.”

Race 6 (Gr 1 R1 million Betting World Cape Flying Championship over 1000m): “Jo’s Bond has been saved for this race, she may be outgunned, but she won a good race last time (beating Carry On Alice by 0,5 lengths on 2kg better terms than here) and we are taking our chances. Captain Alfredo has a bit to do, this is a very strong field.”

Race 7 (Gr 1 R1 million Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m): “A lot of horses who would normally run here are in other races, so it has opened it up. Star Express is having her third run after a rest and is primed and ready. A Time To Dream needs a bit of luck from the draw, it’s a very hard race and we would just be hoping for a place for her.”

Race 8 (Gr 1 R1 million Investec Cape Derby over 2000m): Zodiac Ruler is an out and out stayer, we have been waiting to send him over this 2000m trip. He disappointed in his last start and might be heading for gelding soon, but he could be the dark horse.”

Race 9 (Gr 1 R5 million Sun Met over 2000m): Bela-Bela put up the gallop of the day. She is doing very well and will be in the firing line. It’s My Turn is a very big runner, we have prepped him for this race. He did not have a gallop into the Politician and we have galloped him into this race. He had a late start to the season and is getting better and better with every run. Baritone, we are just hoping for a half-decent run.”

Race 10 (Gr 2 The Blue Label Cape Stayers over 2800m): “Ovidio is doing very well and I think 4/1 is a crazy price (he is now 13/10 with Betting World). If anything can give Ovidio a go it will be Krambambuli, he has never tried this trip but I don’t think it will be a problem, you don’t need to stay to win these sort of races in South Africa, our staying races are relatively weak. Captain Splendid disappointed last time, he had gone quiet on me, and I have changed his training to wake him up and hope he improves.”

Race 11 (MR 95 Handicap over 1600m): “Richard (Fourie) had the choice of ride here and chose Lineker. He has been very consistent lately and was unlucky last time in a slow run race and he was a little bit strong. He will go close, it’s just whether he is good enough on the day. Fifty Cents had a good run in the Queen’s Plate, he was not disgraced, and I am expecting a nice run, he will fight it out, he has a good chance, this race will be about who is best on the day. Overshadow was very disappointing last time, the jockey said he was not moving well (reported ‘felt amiss’) but I couldn’t find a lot wrong. His work has been good and with Anton up he has got to be a runner, I am expecting a good run. Star Chestnut is consistent and it was a bit far last time, back to a mile he could win, although it’s one of the most competitive races on the day.”

Race 12 (MR  90 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m): “Nima is the one to beat if running anything like she did last time. Fear Not is doing well and if running to best form could easily surprise. Evoke Emotion needed her last run and could run into the money. Northern Ballet stays well and has a place chance. Katies Joy had a good run last time and should run a similar race so has a place chance.”

Race 13 (MR Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m): I am very strong in this race. Twinkle Toes has a good chance if she runs to form, they changed it to the last race and Piere Strydom has to get a flight home, which is the only reason there is no rider declared yet. Gimme Six had a very good gallop and could be the filly to beat. Secret Seven also had a very good gallop and could also be in the shake up. Fortissimus disappointed last time and will need luck in running. Miss Hyde is very competitive and is tough and consistent, but it’s a tough race. She has a small each-way chance and could be a nice horse for the PA.”

Conclusion: “My best bets on the day are Sergeant Hardy and Ovidio and my sneaker is African Night Sky.”

By David Thiselton

In the build-up to The Sun Met celebrated with GH Mumm there was a chance for a trio of Miss South Africa semifinalists to get up close and personal with a few of the thoroughbred stars involved in the R5-million spectacle at Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday.

As part of the promotional efforts that have gone into this, Africa’s richest raceday, Ade van Heerden, Chante Holloway and Callie-Jo Bouman all spent time with Whisky Baron and Captain America, the two entrants from the Brett Crawford stable for the 2000m Grade One race at the beach in Muizenberg.

“It was really cool to be that close to the horses and watch them during the morning. They were calm and relaxed the whole time and it was a really great experience,” Bouman said of the morning.

It’s not unusual for a number of the Cape Town-based trainers to take their horses out to the beach for some time in the sun, work on the sand and the icy cool waters of the Atlantic is great for the legs. And after their workouts the horses enjoy nothing more than a roll in the sand, something that caught the models off guard.

“I’ve seen dogs roll like that but never a horse! It’s amazing to watch them and see how happy they were. It was really good to see this side of them,” added Bouman.

Given the short time left until raceday it’s only natural that excitement levels are ramped up and Bouman, who will attend the races for the first time, is eager to see what the day, and the sport of horseracing, has to offer.

“I’m excited. I’ve never been racing before, so just to share in this experience is going to be amazing. Seeing all the horses and the fashions is also going to be great. I’m really excited to be part of this and of course with Sun International involved it’s going to be really special.

And the Belville resident found that picking a horse for the big day was relatively simple given that’s she is currently pursuing a law degree.

“I had a look at the names of the horses and Legal Eagle definitely stood out for me,” says Bouman.

Tickets for The Sun Met celebrated with GH Mumm start from just R150 for general access and can be purchased from Ticketpro and the official after-party presented by GUESS includes some of the biggest names in South African music including Mi Casa, Euphonik, Sketchy Bongo, Goodluck, Kyle Deutsch and Shekhinah.

Racing. It’s a Rush