Fourie Barometer 387 (updated on 03/06/2024)

9 more wins needed to break the record

King Sean Of Tarrytown Increases His PMB Gr 1 Count

Sean Tarry and proud son Daniel at Saturday’s Festival Of Speed meeting, a meeting that the Tarry yard have become synonomous with (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Will the leafy residential suburb of Scottsville in Pietermaritzburg have a name change to Tarrytown or will Sean Tarry at least be given the freedom of KZN’s capital city and has his charge Lucky Lad already secured legendary status after producing a number of finishing efforts that are usually beyond the realms of possibility for mortal racehorses?

These are some of the questions that could be asked after The King of Hollywoodbets Scottsville sent out six runners in the annual jackpot of Gr 1 events meeting on Saturday for a return of two wins, three seconds and a third.

He increased his number of Gr 1 wins at the famous Festival Of Speed meeting in Pietermaritzburg to 20 courtesy of two sons of Gimmethegreenlight, two-year-old colt Proceed and three-year-old colt Lucky Lad, who won the Gold Medallion and Golden Horse Sprint respectively, both ridden by Richard Fourie.

Lucky Lad is fast becoming an icon such is his phenomenal finishing speed.

He looked to have no chance entering the last 100m of the 1200m Golden Horse Sprint and even less chance closer to home. but he then turned it on like an express train to just get up in a blanket finish.

The Hollywoodbets Scottsville straight course is perceived to have a draw bias, which is thought by most jockeys to favour low draws.

Although, outside draws are able to win these days, the outside drawn horses tend to track inward which leads to crowding towards the inside.

Fourie was drawn eleven out of 16 in the Golden Horse and found a whole vanguard in front of him on the outside after Lucky Lad, who has never had great gatespeed, had been dropped out as usual.

After switching inward the writing looked to be on the wall for the 18/10 favourite because the gap between the inside horses and the outside horses closed. How was he going to get through?

At the 350m mark Fourie opted to ease his mount and drift outward.
With the chief protagonists either on the inside or drifting that way he saw daylight with about 200m to go.

However, he still had about five lengths to make up on the leader Cruise Control, who was on the inside rail.

Fourie has said in the past that a rider has to keep on riding Lucky Lad hard and he will eventually take off. However, he now looked to have too little ground in which to get the colt going.

By the 100m he still had four lengths to make up on Cruise Control, a former East Cape horse who was bought by the Hollywood Syndicate and was having his fiirst run for Duncan Howells.

He also still had to overtake I Am Giant, another recent Hollywood purchase in training, At My Command and Sun Blushed, who were all closing in on Cruise Control.

By the 50m mark Lucky Lad still had three lengths to make up on Cruise Control and a length and a length-and-a-half on the other pair.

He then suddenly seemed to realise what his task was.

He put his head down, his ears back and produced a breathtaking surge.

He got up on the line to win by a head from At My Command with I Am Giant a short-head further back and a tiring Cruise Control beaten 0,30 lengths.

Sun Blushed was beaten 1,50 lengths and Melech, who was completely outpaced early, flew up on the outside for a two length sixth.

Lucky Lad was bred by Varsfontein Stud and the question now is whether he will line up in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville next weekend.

He did only have to carry 54,5 kg on Saturday off his 121 rating and the presence of the 130 rated Dyce in the field meant he was one of only four horses who was in the handicap.

In the Gr 1 Gold Medallion Proceed also jumped from gate eleven, which was also the same gate Lucky Lad won the Gold Medallion from last year.

The Gimmethegreenlight colt was also dropped out by Fourie, but in a smaller 14 horse field a fortuitous gap opened for him to be driven through and he ran on to beat stablemate Cosmic Speed, who had stuck to the outside of horses throughtout from draw 13, by 0,75 lengths.

The maiden Winds Of Change comes from strong formlines and also showed that wide draws are not unfavourable by finishing a 2,15 length third with One More and Pistol Pete next best.

Proceed is owned and was bred by Laurence Wernars.

In the SA Fillies Sprint Raymond Danielson proved once again that out of the riders in the country who are not considered “top echelon” he by far the most valuable at Gr 1 level. He scored his umpteenth Gr 1 win on the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Trippi filly October Morn. He has ridden this filly twice and has scored a Gr 2 and Gr 1 won on her.

On Saturday, he sat on her from draw three and wisely produced her at the 400m mark because there was still room on the inside.

The Tarry-trained Mrs Browning had been prominent throughout in the centre from draw five.

This pair lcoked horns in the final stages but October Morn got the better of Mrs Browning to score by long head.

The Tarry-trained Winter Greeting stayed on to be beaten 3,45 lengths into third with Time For Orchids and Shantastic next best.

It was yet another Hollywoodbets Scottsville triumph for Avontuur Stud, who bred October Morn in partnership with David Abery, who bravely bought his racing partners in Miss October out a few years ago in order to breed with her and it is paying dividends.

Barend Botes had earlier landed a first Gr 1 success of his 30 year training career when Quid Pro Quo flashed up late to deny the Tarry-trained Rodeo Drive with Symphony In White close up too.

The favourite Gimmie’s Countess was most unlucky, with no way to go on the inside rail until late on and she finished a 0,65 length fourth with the fancied KZN horse Just Reckless fifth after hanging badly outward and costing herself.

Quid Pro Quo is owned and was bred by GC Kalil and is by the Jet Master sire Lance, who was ironically trained by Tarry.

Do Thoroughbred Racehorses Know Where The Finish Line Is?

How did he manage that? Lucky Lad (brown and white colours far side) produced a stunning late surge to win the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint when all had seemed lost. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The legendary Italian horse breeder, Federico Tesio said “The thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended not on experts, technicians or zoologists but on a piece of wood: the winning post of the Derby,if you base your criteria on anything else, you will get something else, not the Thoroughbred.”

But what has never been asked is whether the thoroughbred, being wired to race, instinctively knows where the finish line is, at least on racecourses he or she is familiar with, and does he or she know that his task is to get their first?

When watching Lucky Lad’s finish on Saturday in the Golden Horse Sprint one could not help noticing that this horse seemed to recognise the finish line with about 25 metres to go.

He quite distinctly had a change of resolve at that point.

He had been running on strongly but it looked likely to be one of those frustrating races for favourite backers where the desrved winner’s flying finish was going to come just a touch too late.

However, at the 25m mark he quite clearly puts his head down, his ears back and produces a devastating surge which makes the impossible possible.

There is the well known fact about horse’s incredible capacity to take in their surrounds to the extent that they will spook if there is something unusual on the side of the bridal way they are used to walking on.

Lucky Lad won the Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last year by over five lengths and was eased down and probably given some congratulatory horse-talk by Fourie when crossing the line.

Was there something in his memory bank that enabled him to recognise the finishing line on Saturday?

Well they say what makes involvement with horses fascinating is that they are unable to talk, so one can never stop learning more about them.

However, a question such as the one in this article will probably remain a mystery and even an in depth study into it might not reveal the truth.

However, it certainly seemed beyond coincidence that the most devastating 25m surge of Lucky Lad’s increasingly noteworthy career came when he needed it the most.

You be the judge in the below two videos, the first where you can see the finish from the normal side-on and front-on angle and the second where there is a video included from a drone.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SIDE ON REPLAY

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE DRONE VIEW

KZN Racing On Its Knees, Needs Official Approval Of Takeover

Hollywoodbets have already injected a huge amount into KZN racing, with their sponsorship of the country’s premier race, The Hollywoodbets Durban July, including a stake increase to R5 million (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Hollywoodbets has numerous naming rights for sports teams, stadiums and events, including for the Durban July, and has now made a rescue bid for KZN horse racing with a plan to take over financially stricken Gold Circle.

Published Jun 1, 2024, Independent On Saturday

Durban — Gold Circle’s financial crisis could decimate KwaZulu-Natal’s horse racing industry if a takeover bid by sports betting operator Hollywoodbets is not approved.

Industry experts say thousands of jobs and at least 100 horse races are on the line should approval not be granted, while eThekwini Municipality also stands to lose millions, if not billions, in revenue.

If Hollywoodbets is successful, it will take over Gold Circle’s racing operations at Greyville in Durban and at Scottsville in Pietermaritzburg.

National Horseracing Authority CEO Vee Moodley said it was common knowledge that Gold Circle was in financial distress and should Hollywoodbets, which had made a joint bid with businessman Greg Bortz, succeed, it would revitalise the industry.

He said South Africa currently had three operators in the horse racing industry: Cape Racing owned by Hollywoodbets and Greg Bortz; 4Racing which bailed out Phumelele when they went into business rescue; and Gold Circle. If the current deal went through, the country would have two operators.

“My understanding was at the time this transaction was taking place, Gold Circle only had money to last about 18 months. That was to about, I think, the end of 2025. In a similar vein, Cape Racing was in financial distress. Hollywoodbets took over and they now own and manage Cape Racing. It’s early days, (but) they have resuscitated the business and they saved jobs,” said Moodley.

Gold Circle declined to comment.

The matter is currently before the Competition Commission. If it gets the green light, the KwaZulu-Natal Gambling Board will have the final say on whether or not Hollywoodbets can acquire Gold Circle. Competition Commission of South Africa spokesperson Siyabulela Makunga said that generally they would consider two things: whether it would have any substantial effect on competition and if there were any issues raised around public interest, employment and participation of historically disadvantaged persons.

“If those issues arise, then the commission would propose remedial measures to address them. Then there will be discussions between us and the parties through their lawyers. We would come to some middle ground … we would approve it with specific conditions,” said Makunga.

Hollywoodbets already sponsors and has naming rights to a number of events and venues in KZN like Africa’s premier horse racing event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, the home of rugby and cricket in KZN, Hollywoodbets Kings Park and Hollywoodbets Kingsmead. It also has naming rights at the Greyville and Scottsville racecourses.

Moodley said horse racing was vulnerable because of its business model, which was vastly different to that of other forms of sport.

“The business model of horse racing is highly dependent on wagering. All other forms of sports earn their revenue from media, sponsorships and game ratings, basically intellectual property (IP) rights. Horse racing is different.

“The sponsorship is minimal, media is negligible and IP rights, we have to pay to be on TV. Now when you come to wagering and betting, that has taken a significant drop. As at the end of March 2023, the total gaming revenue in South Africa was R815 billion and horse racing was only R12bn,” said Moodley.

Hollywoodbets consultant Basil Thomas said Gold Circle was in a more precarious position than Cape Racing ever was. Cape Racing had owned immovable assets, whereas Gold Circle rented its property. The ownership of Cape Racing came into effect on December 1, 2023, after Hollywoodbets was initially approached to undertake a “rescue mission” for the organisation when it was just days away from business rescue.

“It has been rejuvenated or resuscitated to a large extent because the facilities, for example, escalators and stabling, had been seriously neglected and in need of being fixed. We’ve spent a lot of money and we are also now obviously funding the operation and it continues to make losses, but we’re trying to bring Cape Racing (on an) even keel with a number of revenue initiatives, particularly that property where we might be able to turn it into more than a race course,” said Thomas.

He said Gold Circle was losing more than R100 million a year.

“It’s projected for their financial year that ends on July 31, their projected losses are R118m. I don’t think they’ll last beyond the end of the year, but to be safe I would say probably by the first quarter 2025 Gold Circle will be insolvent.”

The only way to reduce the losses would be to dramatically reduce the purse sizes in an industry where horse ownership was already a lossmaking business, Thomas said.

“There’s no way of arresting those losses right now without having a serious impact on the whole industry, particularly the horse ownership and breeders and the like because the only effective way you could reduce those losses would be to dramatically reduce the stakes,” he said.

Thomas said “as bizarre as it sounded”, Hollywoodbets only had altruistic reasons for wanting to rescue Gold Circle and take on a loss-making operation. He said horse racing had been a core part of their business since the days when there wasn’t much else to bet on. It was in their DNA and the company felt it was its responsibility to save jobs and keep the industry alive.

“There is (also) some commercial credibility to why we would do this; Gold Circle races 108 times a year and, of course, Hollywoodbets does offer betting on those 108 races. So if Gold Circle was to no longer exist, then there would be 108 events which would not be available for us to offer betting on. Having said that, the loss of that revenue does not exceed the projected cost of operating Gold Circle,” said Thomas.

He said they were prepared to take a chunk of their profitable business and apply it to a non-profitable business to protect jobs and the industry as a whole in terms of breeding, owning and all the related services that go with it.

“We try to be a good corporate citizen and there is nobody else in the queue.”

Thomas said there was nothing unusual in their attempt to save Gold Circle because 4Racing did the same when it took over Phumelele Gaming & Leisure.

“There is nothing to indicate that 4Racing is creating a profit. My understanding is that it’s incurring significant losses. But it is being funded by the Mary Oppenheimer Daughters trust, clearly (by a person) who is very passionate about horse racing and contributed to horse racing. The only way horse racing is going to survive in this country is if there are basically benefactors – not people who want to turn it into a commercial operation.”

Thomas said one of the reasons horse racing had taken a knock was because previously it was the only form of legalised gambling in South Africa, but this was no longer the case.

“It’s now competing with so many other forms of gambling and other forms of entertainment, which are available physically and online and on streaming. People are using their leisure time very differently.”

Sportingbet head of brand Brenton Chelin said horse racing was a key part of the South African betting industry but had been struggling for a number of years. He said Hollywoodbets was the right company to revitalise the industry in KZN.

“Obviously, with them being an operator as well, there is a concern of conflict of interest in the long term, but given what they’ve achieved thus far, I think they will do a good job with KZN racing as they have done with Cape Racing.”

City Of Troy Embarrasses His Doubters

City Of Troy, ridden by Ryan Moore, on their way to winning the Derby. Photograph: John Walton/PA

He seemed to be the favourite based on hype – there were valid excuses for his poor 2000 Guineas run but some were also of the opinion that he did not look the same horse as last year either.

Well he made all of us eat our words (The Turf Talk editor has to include himself as one those who used the word “over-hyped” and he also made comparisons to Celtic Swing, the disappointment of the 1995 classic season)

City Of Troy back off the ropes to win Derby No 10 for believer Aidan O’Brien

Trainer always had faith his Guineas flop could come good

Well-backed Ambiente Friendly comes home as runner-up

Greg Wood at Epsom (The Guardian)

Sat 1 Jun 2024 16.49 BST

It is one of the oldest dictums in racing that you should always forgive a good horse for one bad race, and it paid a rich dividend for favourite-backers at Epsom as Aidan O’Brien’s City Of Troy, beaten out of sight in the 2,000 Guineas last month, rediscovered his exceptional juvenile form to run out a convincing two-and-three-quarter-length winner of the 245th Derby.

“To be honest, it wasn’t very exciting,” Ryan Moore, City Of Troy’s jockey, said, but the punters who kept faith with the 3-1 shot after his flop at Newmarket would surely beg to differ. There was a very early drama as Voyage, the least experienced runner in the field, unshipped Pat Dobbs just after the start, and the loose horse soon worked his way to the front of the field.

A more immediate concern for Moore, who was towards the rear of the field from a tricky draw in stall one, was navigating a passage down the hill towards Tattenham Corner. City Of Troy was racing around a bend for the first time in his life, but he responded instantly as Moore steered around an outsider dropping back through the field, and having turned for home around four lengths behind his stable companions, Los Angeles and Euphoric, needed only a furlong to surge into the lead over two out.

Ambiente Friendly, the second-favourite, soon emerged from the pack to give chase but for practical purposes, the riderless Voyage was the only remaining obstacle to City Of Troy as he came home an easy winner.

Last year’s Derby, when Auguste Rodin bounced back from a 2,000 Guineas blowout of his own, was the obvious place to start the post-race analysis, but City Of Troy’s victory was in many respects an even more remarkable about-turn in form. He showed nothing at Newmarket, and his supporters were in effect staking their cash on O’Brien’s enduring belief in last year’s unbeaten champion juvenile, and the trainer’s conviction too that the Guineas flop was explained by City Of Troy getting upset in the stalls.

“Before he had a chance to get his breath back, he was out and gone,” O’Brien said. “It was two, two and a half weeks before we could put him in the stalls, and we had a FitBit on him and his heart rate went way above 240, standing in the stalls. For us, then we knew what happened at Newmarket. The next day, the FitBit showed he was calmer, a totally different heart profile.

“I think I left him too fresh and wasn’t hard enough on him during the winter. We hadn’t put him into the stalls because we never thought something like that could happen. You’re learning every year but the problem is, with a horse like that to make a mistake, it can cost so much.”

City Of Troy’s victory was a record-extending 10th Derby winner for O’Brien, and the trainer suggested that he is also the best yet, surpassing even his first winner, Galileo, in 2001.

Galileo was Europe’s dominant stallion for nearly 20 years until his death in July 2021, and City Of Troy, a son of Justify, the US Triple Crown winner on dirt in 2018, could yet prove to be equally important to the Coolmore Stud operation that supplies O’Brien with much of his ammunition.

“For us, Justify is the most incredible horse we have had,” O’Brien said. “The great stallion we had was Galileo. Justifys are Galileos with more class, which is a very hard thing to say, but we see it every day. The stride, the minds, the movement of them, they are quicker than Galileos, which makes them unbelievably exciting for us.”

Had City Of Troy lived up to his billing in the 2,000 Guineas last month, the pressure to send him to Doncaster for the final leg of the English Triple Crown would have been immense. With that possibility no longer in play, however, there are all manner of interesting possibilities opening up instead, including the hugely ambitious option of a run on the US dirt on which his sire was so dominant.

“The lads [in the Coolmore syndicate] had it in their heads that he could go to Saratoga, obviously they will think about it and talk between themselves and come back to us with a plan,” O’Brien said of the Travers Stakes on 24 August. “It’s a definite possibility.”

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in early October, for which City Of Troy is now a clear favourite at around 5-1, is another obvious potential target later in the year, while the Breeders’ Cup Classic, on dirt, at Del Mar in early November, is another tantalising possibility.

Galileo made the final start of his career in the Classic at Belmont Park in New York in 2001, finishing sixth of 11 starters. With his superstar status now restored, O’Brien’s 10th winner of Britain’s premier Classic could yet be the one to succeed where his first Derby winner failed.

Green With Envy MR Appeal Dismissed - Deposit Fofeited

Green With Envy touches off Flag Man to win the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The appeal against Daily News 2000 winner Green With Envy’s 127 merit rating has been dismissed with the deposit forfeited. This came as no great surprise because the cold facts of the case pointed to the possibility that he was treated leniently rather than harshly. See the details of the appeal inquiry below.

NHA Press Release

MERIT RATING APPEAL

An independent National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) Merit Rating Appeal panel consisting of Messrs G Soma, K Miedema and A Sewpersad was convened virtually on 3 June 2024. The panel considered a Merit Rating Appeal lodged by Trainer Mr D Kannemeyer against the published adjusted merit rating of GREEN WITH ENVY of 127 (from 123) after his win in the DAILY NEWS 2000 (Grade 1) at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on 25 May 2024.

The Appeal Panel, after careful consideration, unanimously agreed that MID WINTER WIND was a reasonable line horse in this race, as in their opinion, the other reasonable line horse options available, if selected, would have resulted in GREEN WITH ENVY incurring a higher merit rating.

Consequently, the Merit Rating Appeal was dismissed.

The Appeal Panel ruled that the deposit fee in relation to the Appeal be declared forfeit.

One World Is Smashing Records Left, Right And Centre

Worldy becomes One World’s 20th individual winner and is the first leg of a treble for the leading freshman sire at Hollywoodbets Kenulworth on Sunday (Picture: Wayne Marks)

One World just has to produce two more individual winners this season to break his father Captain Al’s freshman sire record of 22 individual two-year-old winners in a season set in the 2004/2005 season.

Another question is has a freshman sire ever scored a treble at one meeting, because that is what One World achieved on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth?

HIs Glen Kotzen-trained son Worldy converted 33/20 odds in the opener under Richard Fourie, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m, and later in a Juvenile Plate over 1400m his Vaughan Marshall-trained son All Out For Six converted 4/1 odds under Ashton Arries, before his Marshall-trained son Lion Rampart obliterated them in the Listed Somerset 1200 under Fourie.

Yet another question is whether One World can break Captain’s overall record for individual two-year-old winners in a season?

Captain Al set this record in 2009 when having 30 individual two-year-old winners of 40 races in one season.

One World currenty has 20 individual winners of 26 races, including two stakes winners of three races.

He looks to be long odds-on to break the freshman sire record.

Breaking the overall record might look unreachable at first glance.

However, it is actually very much reachable.

At this time last year the late Lancaster Bomber, who was subsequently crowned champion freshman sire, had only had nine individual two-year-old winners and he ended the season with 19.

So One World could possibly get the eleven more he needs to break Captain’s Al’s overall record.

Soetendal Six To Impress At CRS Winter Yearling Sale

Lot 104 is a filly by Fire Away and is from the family of Harry’s Charm (Picture: Cape Racing Sales)

Soetendal Estate (as agent) truck six babies to Cape Town each by different stallions. There is a Vercingetorix, Fire Away, Erik the Red, Querari, Hawwaam and Master of my Fate on offer.

Getting proceedings underway is Lot 1, Evan Almighty, by Erik the Red ex three-time winning Fort Wood mare, Estelle, from the famous ‘E’ family.

Lot 33 is a colt by speed sire, Querari out of Lemon Drop Girl – the best of her progeny thus far is Secret Potion, a G2 Oaks winner by Elusive Fort.

Lot 42 is Miss Attitude by freshman sire, Haawwam (Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in SA in 2018/19) out of Money Surger, who won ten races when trained in the Cape by canny horseman, Piet Steyn.

Lot 77 is Three Tulips, a filly by Master of My Fate – the dam, Trimontium, a daughter of top broodmare sire Var, won seven races up to and around a mile and already has three winning progeny on the track.

Vercingetorix’s filly enters the ring as Lot 102. She is out of Champenois, a talented daughter of Visionaire. Second dam, Vin Fizz was an amazing producer. All eight of her foals won and amongst them was G1 star, Piere Jourdan and Champagne Haze who won 15 quality races between them on the Highveld.

And finally, on Soetendal’s roster is Lot 104; Autumn Rush, by Fire Away ex Charmz Luck. This is the same family as Harry’s Charm who crops up as the third dam – she was SA’s Champion Filly and Older Female Sprinter in the mid 90’s.

Julia Pilbeam is your hands-on, go-to link for further enquiries. Her cell phone number is 082 317 9474. Email address to use: admin@soetendal.co.za

DOWNLOAD IMAGES: https://www.caperacingsales.co.za/2024/05/27/crs-winter-yearling-sale-vendor-promotion-soetendal-estate/

ENDS

For racing queries and sales queries, contact Justin Vermaak at justin@caperacing.co.za or Janine van Blerk at janine@caperacing.co.za

Cape Racing Sales Social Media:

Facebook: @caperacingsales

Instagram: @caperacingsales

Twitter: @CapeRacingSales

Website: www.caperacingsales.co.za

Cape Racing Social Media:

Facebook: @CapeRacing1

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Twitter: @caperacing1

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Website: www.caperacing.co.za

Cape Racing Launches The Social Squad - New Syndication Innovation

Cape Racing Launches The Social Squad – Your Gateway To Winning Moments!

As a dynamic addition to their Syndicates division, Cape Racing proudly introduces The Social Squad Syndicate. Committed to propelling the horse racing industry forward, this new venture epitomizes their dedication to innovation and inclusivity.

Designed to unite enthusiasts and seasoned professionals alike, The Social Squad Syndicate offers a unique opportunity for shared ownership and unparalleled engagement within the thrilling world of horse racing.

The Social Squad offers an unmatched experience of ownership, camaraderie, and thrill. With their exclusive membership, you can access a world of excitement, shared victories, and unforgettable moments at the Cape tracks.

How the Social Squad works:

Affordable once-off lease package of R3450 incl VAT per share, valid 1 August – 31 July 2025.

You do not have to pay stabling fees

Purchase one share or multiple shares

Goodsure Insurance is included for the lease period (until 31 July 2025)

⁠75% of the prize money goes to the members of the Social Squad Syndicate (proportional to your share amount)

⁠Payment of the prize money will be paid out at the end of each racing season (31 July)

⁠Receive a Cape Turf Club syndicate badge with the syndicate colours and owner name

⁠Access the Racing Pavilion and Pocket Power Lounge

⁠Parade Ring access on the day of a runner

Current horses in training in the Social Squad are:

NOON DAY GUN: Trained by Paul Reeves. Still a maiden but with strong form lines behind him. He is overdue a win and it shouldn’t be long before he leaves the maiden ranks.

Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) x Jets A Blazing

GRAVITY: Trained by Lunga Gila. Won the Okapi Ladies International and has been improving with every run under the belt. His merit rating is starting to drop to a winning mark and he will

be competitive in his next couple of starts.

⁠Querari (GER) x Earth’s Orbit

GO IT ALONE: Trained by Lunga Gila. His easy victory in April 2024 made him the syndicate’s first winner. A beautiful horse who looks very progressive.

Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) x Alexia

Contact Devon Pretorius for more information:

Email:

devon@caperacing.co.za

WhatsApp: 083 395 9995

Website:

www.socialsquad.co.za

Find them here:

https://www.socialsquad.co.za/

https://www.instagram.com/thesocialsquadsyndicate/

The Social Squad: Your Gateway to Winning Moments in Horseracing!

Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge Is The Race Of The Season

Main Defender will be out to score a second Gr 1 weight for age mile victory of the season (JC Photos)

Saturday’s Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint winner Lucky Lad has been backed up in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge to be run this Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyvillie, where he will clash with the like of Main Defender, Dave The King, See It Again, Sandringham Summit, Cousin Casey, Royal Aussie and Snow Pilot.

R2 000 000 1600m Ref-0
1st R1250000, 2nd R400000, 3rd R200000, 4th R100000, 5th R50000
Hollywoodbets GOLD CHALLENGE (Grade 1)
For Horses at Weight-For-Age
WFA: 2yrs-10.5kgs 3yrs-1.5kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance

1	1	Gimmeanotherchance	58.5	115	A	Craig Zackey	Mike de Kock
2	2	Cousin Casey	60	123	A	S’manga Khumalo	Sean Tarry
3	3	Main Defender	58.5	131	A	Calvin Habib	Tony Peter
4	4	Sandringham Summit	58.5	123	T A	Gavin Lerena	David Nieuwenhuizen
5	5	Itsrainingwilliam	60	108	A	Serino Moodley	Justin Snaith
6	6	Dave The King	60	126	A	Muzi Yeni	Mike de Kock
7	7	Gladatorian	60	120	T A	Sean Veale	Stuart Ferrie
8	8	Royal Aussie	60	124	A	Kabelo Matsunyane	Justin Snaith
9	9	See It Again	60	132	BA	Piere Strydom	Michael Roberts
10	10	Snow Pilot	58.5	120	A	Juan Paul v’d Merwe	Justin Snaith
11	11	Lucky Lad	58.5	124	TBA	Richard Fourie	Sean Tarry
12	12	Al Muthana (AUS)	60	123	A	Tristan Godden	Ricky Maingard
13	13	Bingwa	60	123	BAe	Raymond Danielson	J A Janse van Vuuren
Same Trainer
(1,6) (2,11) (5,8,10)