Shipholia and Shanta’s Pride were led in together to mark a memorable moment for the Hollywood Syndicate and the commentating Peters family. Shiloh Peters after whom Shipholia is partly named, is on the very left next to her mother and father. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Peters Family’s Privileged Moment With Hollywood’s 100th

The racemeeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on May Day 2023 will live long in the memory of Craig and Sheldon Peters and families.

Hollywood were going for their 100^th win of the season and in the last race their two runners were the pair which Sheldon and Craig had been given the honour of naming, i.e. the Gareth van Zyl-trained Shipholia and the Peter Muscutt-trained Shanta’s Pride.

In fairytale fashion, with three generations of the Peters family standing near the finish line, Shipholia and Shanta’s Pride burst clear.

Craig was in the commentary box.

Professionalism is always high on the agenda of the Peters’ and they have their responsibility to all owners in mind while commentating.

However Craig said on this occasion, with the two horses clear, he allowed emotions to take over.

“And here’s the 100^th winner!” he shouted with an emotion charged voice. “Shipholia has won it Shanta’s Pride is second!”

He continued, “Well, well, well, I see my family going absolutely crazy downstairs, my wife, Sheldon’s wife, the grandchildren.”

Viewers around the country assumed, considering their celebrations, the Peters’ must have been one of the beneficiaries of the bonuses Hollywood dish out to the connections of their 100^th winner every season.

However, they did not receive any reward … it was all about the “honour and privilege” of having a double involvement in the milestone moment.

Craig and Sheldon said in unison when interviewed today, “The horses were named by father and son; they both named them after their children; father and son are both commentators; both horses are by Willam Longsword; and normally there is something running on but on this occasion they were out on their own, it a was a two-horse race. And added to that we had the honour of being involved in Hollywood’s 100^th win of the season!”

Sheldon and his wife, plus their two children who Shipholia is named after, had the honour of leading Shipholia in.

Craig added, “I finished my slow motion replay analysis up in the commentary box and then rushed down to the parade ring. The celebrations were still going on and it was like having a July winner.”

Furthermore, they presented the Hollywood 100th winner bonuses to the winning connections, R10,000 to trainer Gareth van Zyl, R10,000 to jockey Athandiwe Mgudlwa and R2,000 to groom Fumanekile Mfenqa.

Craig and Sheldon spoke today about where it all started: “Devin Heffer got hold of us and gave us a list of about 20 horses who were yet to make their debuts and we each were given the honour of choosing one horse to name.”

The pedigrees of all the horses were provided, plus pen pictures, purchase price, breeders, trainers as well as a video of them walking.

Craig gave the reason he chose Shanta’s Pride, “I went on the breeding and also on the trainer, Peter Muscutt. I looked at the pedigree and said this one could probably sprint and could train on. I liked a few others but cut it down and said ‘this was the one I wanted’. My three children’s names are Sheldon, Angelique and Tacita, so I just took the first two letters of each name to get Shanta. Originally that was to be the name but there was another horse with a similar name. So we just added the Pride to get Shanta’s Pride.”

Sheldon said, “As I pulled the first picture of the 20 up I saw her and I just said ‘Wow, that is a stunning horse!’ I saw the dam’s name Sea Glitter and it rang a bell somewhere and then I watched her walking and I said ‘that’s my choice.’ I looked through the other 19 and there was one dark, black horse I liked but I had already made up my mind.”

Sheldon’s daughters’ names are Shiloh and Sophia and hence he named the horse Shipholia.

Luckily, Craig and Sheldon had not chosen the same horse, but both were by William Longsword. Shipholia was bred by Klawervlei Stud and Shanta’s Pride by Bush Hill Stud.

Craig said the process went very smoothly and added, “Hollywood are extremely professional in everything they do.”

Craig and Sheldon have been treated like owners of the respective horses’ ever since, even though officially having no share.

Both trainers have been excellent in their communication, with regular reports on their workouts and progress, their race targets and how they have pulled up.

Devin also keeps the two commentators continually updated.

Craig and Sheldon’s first impressions turned out to be spot on. Shipholia won on debut and has now won twice from six starts, while Shanta’s Pride won third time out and, like Shipholia, looks to be progressive.

Ironically, Craig has called both Shipholia’s wins and Sheldon called Shanta’s Pride’s win.

“I got a little bit excited when Shanta’s won,” recalled Sheldon about his commentary. “And the feeling of having chosen Shipholia and watching her win first time out was outstanding.”

Shipholia is actually not the only horse Sheldon is associated with in SA because he was offered a share in the horse called Sheldon by the Mike Miller yard, having been told he was named after him, although he is not a hundred percent sure of that.

Sheldon had the privilege of calling the Hollywood 100^th win last season.

The pressure had been mounting as they were stuck on 99 with just one race left on MWOS Gold Cup day and one more day of the season after that. However, in that last race Isivunguvungu burst through from just off the pace to win easily with Sheldon providing an unforgettable commentary to mark the exciting moment for Hollywood and the Peter Muscutt yard.

Craig and Sheldon said about Hollywood’s initiative in allowing brand ambassadors and other well known people in racing naming rights, “It is an absolutely amazing initiative. It has bought a lot of people into the game and it has given a lot of them more insight. Hopefully in the long term they can start punting and enjoying racing.”

Craig concluded, “Hollywood think way ahead of their time. They are very proactive. With the SA Racing Stars Punters Challenge too, they have got all the presenters and journalists etc on board and it is like a new racing world, they have brought everybody together.”

Craig is the most experienced Hollywoodbets Durban July commentator of all time and will commentate his 37^th July this year, beating the 29 of Ernie Duffield, and Sheldon will be doing his 21st.

They find July day particularly exciting because the crowd hang on their every word. They are able to illicit a roar from the crowd at any stage of the race just by emphasising a horse’s name.

It is a trademark of both Peters’ to lift their voices when identifying a horse who looks a likely winner and most viewers appreciate it.

However, it has led to some critics falsely claiming they know exactly which horse the two commentators have punted.

In reality Craig only ever bets on football.

Sheldon is an outstanding punter, but is extremely selective and never bets on feature races. He sticks chiefly to lowly handicaps and if he has two bets in a meeting it is a lot and he can go three weeks without a bet.

However, Craig plays along with the critics and once when told by a wag he knew which ones he had punted, he replied, “Ja, I only backed six winners this meeting.”

Mrs Geriatrix with Sean Tarry and sons, Richard Fourie and the Magical Lady Syndicate (JC Photos).

The Genius of a Breeder vs the Human Folly – MRS GERIATRIX

Gregg Clarke

It has been said that racehorse breeding is a “little bit of knowledge and a large slice of luck” but is this true?

When the highly respected Clifton Stud Team of Peter and Jenny Blyth and Stud Manager Christine Quinn sat down in the hills overlooking Rosetta in the KZN Midlands on Saturday 29 April, so too was an excited Lady Syndicate trackside Turffontein to watch their common interest Mrs Geriatrix take
on her greatest challenge so far.

And what a victory it was for this little filly that no doubt caused the ground to shake in both the wider Rosetta and Johannesburg simultaneously.

As acclaimed and cool as he is, it also probably caused Sean Tarry to exhale a long breath of relief not having to contend with an expectant team of ladies from the Magical Lady Syndicate in a moment of possible disappointment.

It was a joyous moment for many and watching those ladies unable to contain their excitement was a real treat to the human eye. It was a step forward for SA Horseracing as much as it was a victory for Syndication as an Ownership Model in South Africa following the recent successes of The Centenary
Club in Cape Town and Gqeberha based Halo Syndicate.

As the dust settles, the obvious question is SO WHY IS THIS LITTLE FILLY AS GOOD AS SHE IS
PROVING TO BE AND WHAT WAS IT THAT LED PETER BLYTH AT CLIFTON STUD TO SELECT THIS
MATING? Is it because of “luck”?

The fillies race journey to here is impressive and rings a little, although premature to claim, of the Charles Dickens story. She has run and won her first 3 races in eye catching fashion, with the last 2 being a Listed race and now this Grade 2 against very good others, arguably one up on Charles D.

Her Dam VELVET GLOVE, although a racehorse that “tripped over her own feet” in the words of all at Clifton, is a full sister to Roy Magners equally-little Champion Sprinter PRINCE OF KAHAL, now retired to the Stud of his birth, so it was believed that VELVET GLOVE must carry a more than decent racing
gene in her.

Add Vercingetorix into the mix and say no more.

Taking the above 2 factors into consideration it’s not difficult to see why Peter Blyth arrived at his decision. For the Breeder there could have been nothing else done to present the market with a horse of great potential.

What must surely still be a bit sour for the Breeder is that she could not fetch her R200k Reserve in the 2022 BSA National Yearling Sales Ring and walked out unsold. Buyers allowed themselves to once again be duped by the small physical specimen in front of them rather than having done their
homework. It was only a post-ring approach from a mildly interested Sean Tarry that saw her follow him home at her Reserve Price. Whilst that sale was a disappointment for Clifton the performance of MRS GERATRIX will surely command better respect from Buyers when her dam’s future progeny
enter the Sales Ring.

A Deep Pedigree Analyst responsible for the breeding of a number of racehorses and quality broodmares including the likes of Sofala and Hawker Hunter offers important pointers in the pedigree of MRS GERIATRIX as follows “She has a strong 3rd dam that includes judicious inbreeding to some quality broodmare sires where combinations of these and/or other common ancestors or bloodlines can be found across her dam’s pedigree. This line breeding is also found in the dam of
Vercingetorix, enhancing Mrs Geriatrix as a prominent race filly.
The 2 assessment factors of physicality/conformation AND what is happening in the deep pedigree are a powerful symbiotic force. A horse with high racing performance probability is founded with these 2 factors being present and not merely one or the other, which reduces performance probability substantially. Not impossible for “freaks” to come along occasionally but It is seldom found that a good horse comes from the exception of only one of these factors being satisfied.
Instead the converse (i.e. need both factors to be ticked) is found in many a good racehorse and Buyers must be cognisant of this.

An analogy is that a visually pleasing motor vehicle doesn’t necessarily win the rally or race, rather what sits deep under the hood and in its chassis provides the probability to do exactly that. A good Driver and Support Team seals the deal. In horseracing there is no prizemoney for the prettiness or
physical magnificence of a horse and external size is not the ultimate factor. The “heart” (i.e. what’s under the hood and in the “chassis” is far more important and thereafter what follows – training, jockeyship, correct distance etc that seals the deal.

But the latter is incredibly difficult if the former 2 symbiotic factors are absent or only partly evident.

It seems sensible that the racehorse breeding success formula is principally a healthy slice of Knowledge + a larger slice of Experience (itself dependent on a large slice of Intuition) + a mere sprinkling of luck.

“Luck” is closely associated with the word “chance” and that is more linked to a Lottery or Lucky Draw. The breeding of racehorses can surely never be in the same sentence as these and if it is indeed at the mercy of “luck” and “chance” then this industry would not exist and must be considered one of the greatest con the world has ever known. All racehorse lovers know this is not true.

The only luck that comes into play is for a Breeder to be rewarded for quality by Buyers, the horse to be well managed, to remain sound and have luck in running. That’s the only luck there can be.

Buyers need to be more trusting of the significance and inter-relationship of these 2 critical probability indicators and guard themselves against the human folly of being heavily influenced by “eye candy” especially when a horse with Mrs Geratrix’s credentials walks into a Sales Ring.

So is the claim of “large slice of luck” the major determining factor some may suggest?

In the opinion of the writer that cannot be further from the truth.

Charles Dickens is the star turn on Saturday’s card at Greyville. Picture: Wayne Marks

KZN Racing Season Arrives – Full Of Worry And Hope

Hollywoodbets and Greg Bortz have approached the Gold Circle board with a proposal.

Mike Moon (The Citizen)

South Africans don’t take much for granted. Living in a mercurial country, we expect the unexpected. Yet some things are such institutions we can’t imagine them not being there – like Christmas and the Durban July.

Shockingly, we find out that the latter might be in jeopardy after 127 years and having gained the reputation of being Africa’s greatest horse race.

The KwaZulu-Natal winter season – dubbed Champions’ Season and universally regarded as consummation of the racing year, with the July itself being the cherry on top – gets underway this weekend with the usual sense of excited anticipation.

The Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes and Guineas races are time-honoured pipe-openers that this year have attracted fields of exceptional quality.

Dark cloud

But, on the horizon, is a dark cloud – in the form of financial results of Gold Circle, the racing operator in KZN. For the year to the end of July 2023, Gold Circle expects to show a trading deficit of R45 million.

“Gold Circle clearly does not have a sustainable future with the present business model,” was the bald statement. Racing in the province is on its last legs.

But the racing game is nothing if not a monument to hope. Knights in shining armour can already be glimpsed riding to the rescue – in the shape of bookmaking giant Hollywoodbets and hedge-fund fundi Greg Bortz.

The guys who re-engineered Western Cape racing so impressively have approached the Gold Circle board with a proposal. No details have been made public, but one imagines the Last Outpost rescue strategy will be similar to that employed in the Fairest Cape.

Key elements there were a restructuring of fixtures, boosted prize money, refurbishing of facilities, and incentive schemes galore – and, of course, a capital injection with a very large syringe.

The Gold Circle board will recommend the Hollywood-Bortz proposal to members “at a meeting to be convened in due course”. The knights have a three-month exclusive due diligence period.

In the meantime, Gold Circle plans to keep things running with cash from sometime ring-fenced proceeds of the sale of the Clairwood racecourse property. At the current rate of loss, those funds will run out in 18 months.

Greyville card

As mentioned, racing gallops along on faith and optimism, and Saturday’s Greyville card is where minds will be focused in the immediate future.

The star turn is Charles Dickens, a visitor from Cape Town with six wins and two seconds on his CV. Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson sees the three-year-old’s KZN sojourn taking in Saturday’s WSB Guineas, the Gold Challenge and the Champion Stakes.

The first leg of that agenda will test the colt’s much-vaunted ability, with fellow Cape visitor Cousin Casey, Highveld raider Anfields Rocket and local hero See It Again looking like stiff opposition.

Both that race and the Drill Hall Stakes are packed with 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July entrants, so the contest will be fierce to secure a spot in the Big One, which we can only hope won’t be the last one.

Desert Miracle (Picture: Wayne Marks).

De Kock has strong hand in Drill Hall Stakes at Greyville

Trainer has four runners, including Safe Passage and Desert Miracle, in Saturday’s race

David Mollett (Business Day)

Trainer Mike de Kock will have four runners in Saturday’s Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes at Greyville with Safe Passage and Desert Miracle giving the former champion a strong hand in the 1,400m contest.

Safe Passage has his first outing since running second in the Summer Cup in November and the booking of Richard Fourie — riding the four-year-old for the first time — suggests he could partner the gelding in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

There was talk of Desert Miracle being retired after her victory in the Empress Club Stakes, but she remains in training and Craig Zackey has been booked for the talented filly.

That Dean Kannemeyer runs Gimme A Prince means the De Kock duo will not have matters their own way with this season’s leading jockey, Keagan De Melo, faced with overcoming a wide draw on the son of Gimmethegreenlight.

Surprise Cape Met winner Al Muthana is in the line-up and will be partnered by Grant van Niekerk. Ricky Maingard’s five-year-old has not been nominated for the Durban July.

De Kock also saddles Humdinger (Diego De Gouveia) and Forever Mine (Raymond Danielson) and the former has done his connections proud this term.

Candice Bass-Robinson runs Charles Dickens in the Guineas and it will be interesting to see how Durban July favourite Cousin Casey fares against the six-time winning son of Trippi.

Cousin Casey’s merit-rating is 122 compared to that of 132 of Charles Dickens and trainer Michael Roberts understandably keeps faith with Piere Strydom for his surprise Cape Derby victor, See It Again.

Mary Slack’s colours were carried to victory by Red Maple at the Vaal on Tuesday and another of her fillies, Sharapova, makes plenty of appeal for the eighth race at Turffontein on Thursday.

Sharapova, who may have most to fear from Call Me Master, is out of the mare Nother Russia and Craig Zackey partners the daughter of Querari for the first time.

Muzi Yeni has a ride in all eight races and one of his best mounts could be Otto Luyken in the sixth race. Tyrone Zackey’s Flower Alley gelding is better off at the weights with his conqueror, Willow’s Wish.

Yeni should also go close on Roy Magner’s runner, Pashasha, who has earned close to R200,000 for enthusiastic owner Gerald Sadleir.

Midnight Crystal is bidding for a hat-trick but it looks a tough call as the Sean Tarry inmate is 6kg worse off compared to her clash with Pashasha at Turffontein in March.

Earlier in the meeting, Gimmeanotherchance, an R800,000 son of Gimmethegreenlight, will be fancied to open his account in the first race. The colt’s half-sister, by Master Of My Fate, made R325,000 at last month’s National Yearling Sales.

SELECTIONS

1st Race: (6) Gimmeanotherchance (4) Dreamland (5) French Impact (2) Captain Wara

2nd Race: (11) Woodland Glade (7) Sugary Sweet (2) Be Real (6) Shilpa’s Moon

3rd Race: (11) My Soul Mate (2) Just Var (4) Mocha Frappe (1) Feel All Right

4th Race: (2) Saka Gold (1) Raptor Island (3) Captain Tik Tok (10) King Of The Seas

5th Race: (5) United We Stand (8) Inevitable (2) Someday Maybe (1) Poursomesugaronme

6th Race: (5) Otto Luyken (2) Willow’s Wish (7) Climate Control (1) Flashy Apache

7th Race: (3) Pashasha (2) Midnight Crystal (10) Winning Queen (8) Gilda Gray

8th Race: (3) Sharapova (1) Call Me Master (8) Twosidestoastory (4) Libeccio

Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint winner Isivunguvungu is now the highest rated sprinter in the country on 130 (Picture Chase Liebenberg).

Handicapping Ratings Update

NHRA

WSB Premier’s Champions Challenge (Grade 1)

PUERTO MANZANO remains unchanged on a merit rating of 123 after his success in the Grade 1 WSB Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m on the standside course at Turffontein on Saturday 29 April. The Handicappers took a conservative view of this race due to the substandard time that this race produced and used the consistent 5^th placed NEBRAAS as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 117. In assessing the race this way PUERTO MANZANO only runs to a rating of 121 which is two pounds below his official rating of 123.

There were also ratings increases for runner-up SECOND BASE, who was raised from 104 to 120, and for 4^th finisher BILLY BOWLEGS, who is up from 114 to 118.

Four horses were given a rating’s drop. ZEUS is down slightly from 104 to 103, LITIGATION was trimmed from 113 to 112, DIVINE ODYSSEY drops from 109 to 107, and lastly GOLDEN DUCAT drops to 116 from 120.

Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint (Grade 1)

ISIVUNGUVUNGU has had his rating raised from 119 to 130 following his fluent success in the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint over the straight 1000m at Turffontein on Saturday. Here it was runner-up WILLIAM ROBERTSON who was deemed to make for the best line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 125. In rating the race this way 5^th finisher BIG BURN also runs to her mark, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 115 and effectively making her a line horse as well.

Aside from the winner the only other ratings increase was for TAIKONAUT, who goes up from 111 to 117.

The only ratings drop was for KARANGETANG, who is down from 110 to 107.

WSB Camellia Stakes (Grade 2)

COLD FACT has had her rating raised from 104 to 112 after landing the Grade 2 WSB Camellia Stakes for fillies and mares over 1160m at Turffontein on Saturday. Here it was runner-up KISS ME CAPTAIN who was unanimously deemed to make for the best line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 109.

Aside from the winner the only other ratings increase was for 3^rd placed WHOA WHOA WHOA, who goes up from 101 to 108.

Four horses were given a drop. 4^th placed STIPTELIK was trimmed from 109 to 108 to make her equal to the 108-rated 3^rd finisher WHOA WHOA WHOA. FULL VELOCITY drops from 112 to 110, SWEET PEPPER is down to 107 from 109, and lastly MISS DAISY was dropped from 106 to 104.

WSB Gerald Rosenberg Stakes (Grade 2)

GILDED BUTTERFLY has had her rating raised from 106 to 114 following her very easy win in the Grade 2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes for fillies and mares over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday. The Handicappers took the view that 2^nd placed BLESS MY STARS made for the best line horse here, which leaves her unaltered on a mark of 109.

No horses other than the winner received a rating’s increase, but there were drops for three runners. 3^rd placed LIGHT OF THE MOON is down from 107 to 105, 4^th finisher BOLD FORTUNE was cut from 93 to 91, and lastly LITTLEMARYSUNSHINE is down slightly from 93 to 92.

Poinsettia Stakes (Grade 3)

MARIGOLD HOTEL remains unchanged on a rating of 107 after she won the Grade 3 Poinsettia Stakes for fillies and mares over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. It was MARIGOLD HOTEL who was considered to make for the best line horse here, hence her unaltered rating.

There were however ratings increases for 2^nd placed AMEENA, who is up from 106 to 112, and for 3^rd finisher BEVIES DELIGHT, who goes from 95 to 104.

Two horses were given a drop. SASHAY AWAY is down from 99 to 98, while MISS COOL also received a small drop and is down to 102 from 103.

In Full Flight Handicap (Listed)

GLADIATORIAN has had his rating raised from 105 to 110 after capturing the Listed In Full Flight Handicap over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. Here it was 3^rd placed TEMPTING FATE who was used as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 107.

There were also increases for 2^nd placed AFRICAN SKYLINE, who is up from 94 to 98, and for 4^th finisher RULERSHIP. The latter was three pounds or 1.50 kgs under sufferance at the weights and accordingly had his rating raised from 93 to 96.

There were ratings drops for four horses. PRAY FOR RAIN was dropped from 101 to 100, WINTER FLIGHT was also given a small drop and goes from 100 to 99, FORMAGEAR drops from 92 to 90, and lastly OCEAN TIME was given a drop from 94 to 86.

Champagne Stakes (Grade 3)

RIO QUERARI has had his rating raised from 122 to 124 following his victory in the Grade 3 Champagne Stakes over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday 1 May. Here it was 3^rd placed BEREAVE who was deemed to make for the best line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 120.

Aside from the winner there were also ratings increases for runner-up WE’RE JAMMING, who was raised from 109 to 117, for 4^th finisher SPEED MACHINE, who is up from 108 to 113, and for MR COBBS, who goes from 104 to 107.

No horses from this race were given a rating’s drop.

WSB Variety Club Mile (Grade 3)

WITHOUT QUESTION remains unchanged on a mark of 119 after winning the Grade 3 WSB Variety Club Mile over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday. The Handicappers were of the view that runner-up HOEDSPRUIT made for the best line horse here, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 112.

The only ratings increase was for 4^th placed ITSRAININGWILLIAM, who is up from 106 to 109.

There were drops for two horses. 3^rd placed NATIVE TONGUE is down slightly from 106 to 105, while KING REGENT was dropped from 105 to 103.

WSB Sweet Chestnut Stakes (Listed)

HAPPY CHANCE has had her rating raised from 106 to 109 after she won the Listed WSB Sweet Chestnut Stakes for fillies and mares over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday. Here it was runner-up KWINTA’S LIGHT who was deemed to make for the optimum line horse, leaving her unchanged on a rating of 105.

No horse other than the winner was given a rating’s raise, but there were drops for three runners. 3^rd placed ECHO OF LIFE is down slightly from 101 to 100, 4^th finisher YOUNG LOVE drops from 97 to 95, and lastly BROADWAY GIRL is down from 103 to 101.

Darryl Maree leads the Hollywoodbets Racing Stars Punters Challenge Week 5 log after winning week 4.

Grant Knowles Racing Stars First Month Winner, Darryl Maree Leads Second Month

After the curtain came down on a thrilling first month of gruelling competition at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, the great news is that the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge Racing Stars competition, which offers prize money of R111 000, is set to continue through May and June, to a date with destiny on 1 July!

South Africa’s racing presenters, personalities, commentators and journalists compete on every South African race meeting, covering KZN, Western Cape, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape.

A final major day pinnacle showdown is set for Hollywoodbets Durban July day, Saturday 1 July, at the Theatre Of Champions.

Click here every day to see the latest leaderboards.

While there were daily winners of R500 every day of local racing in April – including Racing 240 veteran Cecil Mthembu who topped Sunday’s leaderboard – with four weekly R3000 (shared R2500 for points and R500 for winners) recipients into the bargain, the top five finishers for the month celebrated the R10 000 monthly cash giveaway as the sun set on a great day’s racing in the KZN Capital City on Sunday.

The R10 000 is apportioned amongst the monthly top five on the leaderboard as follows:

1st – R6250 / 2nd – R2000 / 3rd – R1000 / 4th – R500 / 5th – R250

As the proud inaugural winner of Month 1, Grant Knowles received a R6250 cash prize, a special Purple Cap, a Hollywood Star Trophy, and a hamper!

And of course the prestigious title of Racing Stars Champion until the end of next month!

In second, Rouvaun Smit earned a well deserved R2000, with Paul Lafferty banking R1000 in third, Graeme Hawkins the R500 fourth placed cheque, and Neil Pretorius earning R250 for his consistency rewarded in fifth.

The Week 4 winner on points was Darryl Maree, with Devon Pretorius and Chase Liebenberg sharing the R500 cash award for most number of winners for the week.

There are nine weeks left, so there is plenty of opportunity for the stars to shine!

Week 5: 1st May – 7th May

Week 6: 8th May – 14th May

Week 7: 15th May – 21st May

Week 8: 22nd May – 28th May

May Monthly Competition ends on 31st May

Week 9: 29th May – 4th June

Week 10: 5th June – 11th June

Week 11: 12th June – 18th June

Week 12: 19th June – 25th June

Week 13: 26th June – 2nd July

June Monthly Competition ends 30th June

The first day of the 2nd month had the first double header of the Challenge and Weighted To Win’s Darryl Maree won the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth meeting Challenge and Gold Circle presenter, commentator and page designer Devonne Govender won the Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting Challenge.

The Tuesday Vaal Classic meeting Challenge saw Weighted To Win’s Daryn Burroughs being left high and dry on six winners out of six and within grasping distance of a massive payout when the meeting was cancelled due to inclement weather. However, he was awarded the R500 prize as leading tipster on the day.

Today, Nino Podesta tipped seven winners on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth meeting Challenge to walk away with R500.

Darryl Maree leads the week 5 Racing Stars Punters Challenge.

Click here every day to see the latest leaderboards.

The public can join in and challenge the professionals as the competition is hosted within the massively popular Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge platform and the Racing Stars are in position on the daily leaderboard – so it’s a chance for every punter countrywide to pit their individual skills against the professionals!

South Africa’s most popular racing competition pits the skills, wits and form assessment knowledge of players against each other on the designated racemeeting, with the leaderboard being updated after each race.

Players select one horse per race in the free-to-enter challenge and points are allocated for the finishing position, with an additional weighting for a winner based on the Hollywoodbets starting price.

Recently extended to include all local racemeetings, as well as Hong Kong and Singapore, the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge has created a host of big winners.

The game is simple and FREE to play. So take up the challenge and take on the stars today!

All you need to do is login to the Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge website with your Hollywoodbets account.

Pick one horse for each of the races, and click on submit. Points are awarded based on finishing position, and the Hollywoodbets SP of the winner.

Midnight Crystal, seen as a yearling, goes for a hattrick today (BSA).

Turffontein Inside Thursday Formguides And Selections

www.attheraces.com

1 12H35 – 4Racing Welcomes You Maiden Juvenile Plate

After 2 good runs, GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE is going over a preferred distance and should run a big race. FRENCH IMPACT improved in his 2nd start over this course and distance when just in front of BROTHERHOODOFMAGIC who is improving with racing. Both DREAMLAND and SHAMPIMPI did well on debut, will know more about it and will enjoy the extra. CAPTAIN WARA wasn’t disgraced on debut and could make the money.

Top Tip: BROTHERHOODOFMAGIC (1)

Watch out for: DREAMLAND (4)

2 13H10 – 4racing.tv Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies)

This is not a strong field but many are looking to improve over the extra. Respect any money for the 3 first-timers especially WOODLAND GLADE. THAT’S MY BABY attracted money on debut but never got into it – watch. SUGARY SWEET is improving and has the form. GODSPEED and BE REAL are looking for minor money.

Top Tip: THAT’S MY BABY (10)

Watch out for: SUGARY SWEET (7)

3 13H45 – Racing240 For Racing. For You Maiden Juvenile Plate

Both JUST VAR and MOCHA FRAPPE found no support on their respective debuts and performed well. They can only improve but are drawn wide. PRINCEOFGREEN is improving and should be ready to challenge. FEEL ALL RIGHT is looking for money. Respect money for the four debutantes.

Top Tip: JUST VAR (2)

Watch out for: MOCHA FRAPPE (4)

4 14H20 – Play Soccer 6, 10 And 13 Maiden Plate

KING OF THE SEAS is reported to being green in recent workouts. Any ability should still see him take honours. However, strong front runner RAPTOR ISLAND could take advantage of this and establish a winning lead. SAKA GOLD has drawn wide but is looking for Trifecta money along with EFFICIENT TRADER who is capable of better.

Top Tip: SAKA GOLD (2)

Watch out for: RAPTOR ISLAND (1)

5 14H55 – Tab Telebet 0861 000 822 Maiden Plate (F & M)

POURSOMESUGARONME could be suited to this track and from pole position could get her just reward. SOMEDAY MAYBE is improving with racing has has more scope for improvement, however, CHILLI MARMALADE (races before this) was only 1.75 lengths behind her and could challenge. PRIMROSE PATH and UNITED WE STAND are maturing and could get into the money. INEVITABLE has ability but is back from a lengthy layoff – respect any money.

Top Tip: SOMEDAY MAYBE (2)

Watch out for: POURSOMESUGARONME (1)

6 15H30 – Racehorse Owners Association Mr 96 Handicap

Of the 7 runners carded 6 have equally the same chance of success. Great race. WILLOW’S WISH in top form and looking for a hat-trick. OTTO LUYKEN should be on top of him being 1.5kg better off for 1.75 lengths. The latter’s stablemates, FLASHY APACHE and HOME OF THE BRAVE, finished together last time and either could win it. TWIN TURBO will ensure a decent pace and could keep up the gallop. CLIMATE CONTROL could get into the mix.

Top Tip: WILLOW’S WISH (2)

Watch out for: FLASHY APACHE (1)

7 16H00 – betontab.co.za Fm 73 Handicap (F & M)

MIDNIGHT CRYSTAL is bang in form and has a hat-trick chance, however, she is 6kg worse off with PASHASHA for a neck defeat, 4kg worse off with WINNING QUEEN for 1.75 lengths and 7kg worse off with ENGLISH PRIMROSE for 3 lengths. On paper she is held by all three but it doesn’t often work like this. GILDA GRAY has a shout if puts it in.

Top Tip: MIDNIGHT CRYSTAL (2)

Watch out for: PASHASHA (3)

8 16H35 – Next Turffontein Racemeeting Sunday 7 May Mr 75 Handicap

SHARAPOVA won first time back from Cape Town and followed up with a good 2nd in her post-maiden. She has scope for further improvement. CALL ME MASTER will be catching late from a wide draw. TWOSIDESTOASTORY and STANLEY have good P.olytrack form and hoping to bring it to the turf. LIBECCIO braces before this – watch. GREEN SCEPTRE comes off a maiden win but meets stronger.

Top Tip: CALL ME MASTER (1)

Watch out for: SHARAPOVA (3)

One-eyed Mister Monocle at one stage resided in the retired paddock at the Justin Snaith yard but since being given another chance he has won three races, including today under Grant van Niekerk (Picture: Wayne Marks).

Snaith Treble, Van Niekerk Double

Justin Snaith scored a treble at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today and two of them were ridden by Grant van Niekerk.

Snaith goes to 111 wins for the season at a strike rate of 12.88%.

Van Niekerk is on 33 wins at 12.41%.

Handicapping’s aim is to give an equal chance to every horse in the race by allocating a weight to be carried and in theory the horses should be close together at the finish (picture: finishlynx.com)

Today’s Question

When was the first handicap thoroughbred race run?

Answer at bottom of the newsletter.

Turffontein Inside Fields, Thursday

Charles James Fox owned the first winner of a handicap race, a horse called Seagull (Portrait by Karl Anton Hickel, 1794).

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION

The first ever handicap race was won at Ascot in 1790 by Seagull, a horse belonging to the radical leader Charles James Fox. The number of such races increased as bigger crowds demanded races with more than two or three runners. The Goodwood Stakes became the first surviving race of this sort in 1823, followed by the Chester Cup a year later.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 3 May 2023

Peters Family’s Privileged Moment With Hollywood’s 100th

The Genius of a Breeder vs the Human Folly – MRS GERIATRIX

KZN Racing Season Arrives – Full Of Worry And Hope

Hollywoodbets and Greg Bortz have approached the Gold Circle board with a proposal.

De Kock has strong hand in Drill Hall Stakes at Greyville

Trainer has four runners, including Safe Passage and Desert Miracle, in Saturday’s race

Handicapping Ratings Update

Grant Knowles Racing Stars First Month Winner, Darryl Maree Leads Second Month

Click here every day to see the latest leaderboards.

Turffontein Inside Thursday Formguides And Selections

Snaith Treble, Van Niekerk Double

Today’s Question

Turffontein Inside Fields, Thursday

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION