It has been a momentous year for Greg Bortz and he now gets the opportunity to address the global racing fraternity on Thursday at the Asian Racing Conference (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
The Asian Racing Conference commenced today (Tuesday) in Japan and runs until Sunday and four South Africans are scheduled to speak, NHA CEO Vee Moodley, MD of SOUTH African Equine Health and Protocols (SAEHP) Adrian Todd, Executive Chairman Of Cape Racing Greg Bortz and CEO of 4Racing Fundi Sithebe.
The speaking starts on Wednesday and ends on Friday and Moodley, Todd and Bortz are all talking in session 6 on Thursday, which is entitled “Developments:Big Changes Across The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Footprint”.
The NHA’s biggest change recently has been the attempt to tackle the abuse of TCO2. This was generally welcomed by trainers but soon led to controversy with some race favourites scratched, leading to unhappiness among punters to the extent that on one occasion it caused the abandonment of a big race meeting. It has also led to confusion as horses who have definitely not been “milkshaked” were often shown to be over the limit. However, recently the number of scratchings due to elevated TCO2 levels has dropped dramatically, with not a single case happening last week. This suggests the NHA are winning the battle against those trying to seek an advantage, while trainers are also playing ball by researching possible reasons for isolated elevated level cases. Moodley will certainly have a lot to speak about on the subject.
Adrian Todd will welcome the opportunity to at last speak about what has happened rather than what he hopes will happen. Direct flights for Equine exports from South Africa to Europe are now a reality with the first one in 14 Years, carrying 32 horses including three racehorses, having landed last weekend in Belgium. Another one is set to follow in September. This has opened great opportunities for SA racehorses to be tested against the best around the world. It is also a great boon for SA breeders, as there will likely be increased support from overseas buyers at our sales, and with owners now also having the potential for lucrative overseas prize money the prices at sales could continue to increase too. It is also good news for overseas breeders as SA buyers will return to some of their sales. Todd will have a lot to divulge on this topic, particularly as the announcement of direct flights led to a wave of optimism accross the board in the SA racing industry.
Greg Bortz gets a first opportunity to speak at the Asian Racing Conference since forming a pertnership with Hollywoodbets and reviving Cape Racing from down and out to thriving in the space of a few months in 2022. This was the single biggest injection of positivity into SA racing in recent times and the industry has been on an upward trend ever since. Bortz and Hollywoodbets are now close to being in control of KZN racing which includes a rescue package that saves it from pending bankruptcy. Bortz’s input is not just about endless money keeping a failing entity going. It incorporates a plan towards self sustainment. In the Cape this includes developing a 365-day-a-year, 24/7 lifestyle and entertainment complex at Kenilworth racecourse, where the sport and stakeholders will benefit, as well as the local community. This development was already well under way last year. The innovative ideas and energy of the partnership, whose unofficial motto is to do rather than talk about doing, should continue in similar vein in KZN. Bortz will no doubt reveal the latest progress and plans in a session that will be much looked forward to at the Asian Racing Conference.
4Racing is also on an innovative streak, including the Betway Summer Cup becoming the richest race in the land with a recently announced R6 million stake. 4Racing’s CEO Fundi Sithebe will be talking in session 9 on Friday, which is entitled “Achieving Wellbeing & Inclusivity From The Track To The Boardroom.”
The feedback the SA speakers bring back from the conference is also looked forward to by industrymen and the racing public alike.
