Picture: Seeking The Stars Wins Last Year’s Matchem Stakes, which will be the highlight of this year’s Hollywoodbets Spring Country Series (Wayne Marks).

Hollywoodbets Spring Country Series launches At Durbanville Next Week

Saddle Cloth Numbers To Be Aligned With Draws In Western Cape Racing

Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge To Be Attached To All Western Cape Meetings

With a history dating back to 1898 and a rustic tranquillity that makes it one of the most scenic racecourses on the African continent, Hollywoodbets Durbanville Racecourse is set to come alive with top flight horses and excited racegoers as the Hollywoodbets Spring Country Series launches on Wednesday, 7 September.

This innovative series casts the spotlight on the ‘Country Course’ from 7 September to 19 October, and incorporates eight must-attend race meetings, highlighted by the running of the traditional Cape summer season launch-pads of the Hollywoodbets Gr3 Matchem Stakes and Gr3 Diana Stakes on Saturday, 1 October. Both features have long and proud histories and are run over the left-handed 1 400m course.

The intimacy and rural ambience of the course lends itself to a day of maximising the thrills of thoroughbred horseracing with a blend of family-oriented activities, including a Durbanville Wine Route experience, authentic South African experiences, competitions and on-course entertainment second to none.

Adding to the splash of colour, Western Cape horseracing will welcome the introduction of barrier draws aligned with distinctive saddle cloths with effect from the Hollywoodbets Durbanville race meeting on 7 September 2022.

In a change from the top-weight-down, or alphabetical order, horses racing in the Cape will now also be carded according to barrier positions, regardless of the allocated weights. In tandem with the implementation of the draw numbering, uniquely assigned saddle cloth colours will be allocated to specific numbers.

The concept, which is used in some international jurisdictions, was introduced in 2019 in KwaZulu-Natal and serves the purpose of making it simple for both new and established racing fans to follow their selections from the saddle cloth number and standardised saddle cloth colour, through to the starting stalls where the number and colour are clearly displayed. This will make it easier to spot your horse from parade ring, to start line to finishing post.

Reserve runners will no longer be allocated a barrier draw, but should there be a scratching, the reserve will automatically take up the barrier gate of the scratched horse that it replaces.

Punters, from the casual through to big spending high rollers, will be looked after with the introduction of the very popular Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge on all Western Cape race meetings.

The Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge is a free-to-enter tipping competition, requiring players to select one horse in each of the carded races on a race day.

The Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge was also recently launched on all Singapore racemeetings.

The bonus jackpot, payable to the player/s who selects all winners on the day, will commence at R200 000 at the launch racemeeting at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on 7 September, and increases by R5 000 every meeting where the jackpot is not won, to a maximum of R500 000.

Daily prize money of R5 000 for each of the scheduled racemeetings will be shared by the top 20 players on the day’s leaderboard, with the winner banking R2 000, the runner-up R1 000, the third-placer R500, with R250 to fourth, R125 awarded to 5th to 10th finisher, and the balance, inclusive of 20th finisher, receiving R50 each.

It’s really quite simple to follow. Points are awarded in accordance with finishing positions i.e. – in a 12-horse field, the winner will be awarded twelve points, runner-up is eleven points and so on, with the last horse being awarded one point.

The winning selection receives a bonus calculated on the Hollywoodbets starting price. Points are awarded according to the price of the winner only. Finding value winners will thus probably be the tactical key to unlocking the treasure chest of the big cash prizes!

Using an example – if the winner of a 12-horse race starts at 12.5/1 (13.5), then the players selecting that horse will be awarded 25.5 points – being 12 plus an additional 13.5 points for the starting price.

Adding to the enjoyment, thrills and rollercoaster ride, the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge website allows players to follow the score as the race day unfolds.

Despite the competition being a test of skill, Lady Luck inevitably plays her part. The game is thus plenty of fun and very rewarding to everyone from the shrewdest form-studier, to those learning the racing ropes, and even budding fans enjoying horseracing for the first time.

All that is required to enter is an active Hollywoodbets account. Players have the option to utilise their own name, or to create a non-de-plume. Entries must be logged by no later than five minutes prior to the opening race on the relevant programme.

Become a part of the enjoyment and fun that only horseracing offers, and find out more about the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge by visiting www.punters.hollywoodbets.net today. Full competition terms and conditions are also available on the website.

The Cape Summer Season will be the national focal point of horseracing from 1 November to 28 February 2023, with high-class feature contests setting the scene for a refreshing return of horse racing to its action-packed best, where the sky is the limit

Picture: Victoria Paige

Victoria Paige Holds The Whiphand

Preview of the Global Team Horse Racing Final At Hollywoodbets Greyville Tomorrow

Andrew Harrison (Gold Circle)

The Global Team Horseracing festival comes to a finale at Hollywoodbets Greyville tonight with the Cape Stingers up against the KwaZulu Royals for trophy honours. Punters are faced with a competitive card with only eight runners in each event but most interest will be in the seventh where some useful fillies and mares line up in the Global Team Horseracing Handicap over 1600m.

Sean Tarry looks to hold the whip hand here with Victoria Paige who was narrowly beaten at long odds in the Off To Stud Handicap last time out and the shorter trip appeared to suit. She also looks to be well in at the weights with her main opposition Monashada and Lyrical Dance given their meeting at level weights in the Gr2 Gold Bracelet.

Kom Naidoo saddles Monashada who has some useful feature race form in top company. She has been trying further but is another that could prefer this shorter trip. Duncan Howells saddles Lyrical Dance who has also been trying further in feature company but could also enjoy this shorter trip. She is smart on her day but looks held at the weights by both Victoria Paige and Monashada although the shorter trip could prove to be a game-breaker for the trio. A dark horse is Dindingew had useful Zimbabwe form where she won eight races before making a modest local debut. She returns from a break from that run and with the stable very much in form she may be one to watch.

The card opener is a tricky affair but Beckoning Beauty loves the poly and carries top weight. Her last two wins have come on the poly but she goes equally well on turf although she got a five-point rise in the handicap for her last win. Miss Magician has been catching up to Beckoning Beauty in the handicap but her best form has also been on the poly. Naidoo saddles two quick fillies in Magicallee and Candy For My Mommy. Magicallee has shown her best recent form on the poly where she shows pace but gets caught out the last bit. Turf may find her out. Candy For My Mommy is quick and has a handy weight. She also goes well on turf.

The lightly raced Kalahari Blue can step up for Johan Janse van Vuuren who shed his maiden at second time of asking when coming off a lengthy break. He meets little of note here. Master Keeku got his just deserts when winning last time out for Yogas Govender. His current form has been firmly franked and he should make a bold bid. Pacific Winter is back on his favoured surface and although he may prefer it a touch shorter the blinkers are back on. Sleek As Silk goes well over course and distance and although taking on males she is lightly raced and should have further improvement to come.

Sean Tarry sends out Expressivity on the third. She takes to the turf but found good market support at second time of asking after making her debut against winners. She is likely to make big improvement. Quanabi goes well over the trip and her best effort has been on the turf. She rates a danger along with Aditi who has been knocking at the door and has a strong money chance.

The fifth could rest between the two lightly raced runners Top Sail and Unique Power.

Top Sail has not been far behind in recent outings and meets little of note while Unique Power has not been far off in the market in his three starts and showed good improvement last run albeit on the poly. He should go close to winning. Geronimo was a beaten even-money shot last run and is a battling maiden but should have a bright chance in this company while Royal Venus takes on males but has shown some ability and has a handy weight which could see her into the money.

The fifth is a tricky handicap. Pedro made steady improvement leading up to his last win and can go in again given the quality of this line-up. Parktown has plenty of ability but is not the easiest ride. He was a close-up second last outing and a repeat can see him home. Beechurst found strong market support last outing but found one better but has obviously come to hand and can go one better.

Alyson Wright holds a strong hand in the sixth with Political Party and Pirate Prince but the former should be one of the better bets on the card. He was a narrowly beaten favourite last run and has come on with each start. He looks ready now from the best of the draw. The filly Devils And Dust takes on males but does show promise. Her two best efforts have been on the poly but this is not a strong field. Street Art raced green on debut and should come on nicely with the experience in an otherwise weak maiden field while Pirate Prince has had two outings for his new stable and did show some improvement last run

In the last, Liketheclappers was a recent maiden winner but was always looking to shirk the issue. He is not the easiest and still green but the stable hold him in high regard. Riccardo has improved with cheek-pieces, goes well this trip and could be dangerous while Coromandel found strong market support last run on the poly and is seldom too far off.

Picture: Electric Gold (JC Photos).

Peter Has High Hopes For Electric Gold/Vanderbilt And Backs Flying The Flag’s Move To Riethuiskraal

Paul Peter has high hopes for two of his success stories this new season, Electric Gold (Flying The Flag) and Vanderbilt (What A Winter), and at the same time has backed the decision to move the Galileo sire Flying The Flag down to Advocate Altus Joubert’s Riethuiskraal Stud in the Western Cape.

Electric Gold has rattled off three wins on the trot since being stepped up to 1600m.

Peter said, “He is a very, very nice horse. We are aiming him at the Dingaans. I think it is an excellent decision to move Flying The Flag down to Riethuiskraal. I rate him as a stallion. All of the Flying The Flags I’ve had have won.”

Electric Gold was bred by Bush Hill Stud and is out of the Goldkeeper mare Gold Lass, who has produced seven winners, including the Peter-trained Grade 3 Epol Magnolia Handicap runner up Ouro.

Peter also trains the four-time winning Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred Flying The Flag mare Roha, who is out of the placed Silvano mare Lalibela, a half-sister to four stakes-placed runners including Dingaans runner up Tigray (Fort Wood). Lalibela has produced the six time-winner and Listed-placed Holy Land as well as seven-time winner Timkat.

Bush Hill Stud’s owner Warwick Render said advocate Joubert plans to send “a bunch” of his mares to Flying The Flag having been given the thumbs up by Peter.

Flying THe Flag’s number of mares had dwindled at Bush Hill over the last couple of seasons.

Joubert bought the farm Riethuiskraal from acclaimed novelist Wilbur Smith in April 2000 and developed it into a stud farm.

Joubert has bred several champions and other outstanding horses, the most notable being National Colour, Crimson Palace, Flirtation and Lambarina.

Meanwhile, Peter said the big horse Vanderbilt would be stepped up in trip to see whether he was a potential Grade 1 WSB Summer Cup horse.

He arrived in his yard a maiden, sent by owners Suzette and Basie Viljoen from the Eastern Cape having started his career in Cape Town.

He is unbeaten in five starts with Peter and appears to be getting better and better.

The handicappers raised him nine points for his 4,25 length win over 1600m last time and he is now merit rated 98.

Peter said, “He is a massive horse, he weights nearly 600kg, so he is filling out now and getting stronger. His family stay (he is a half-brother to the Peter-trained Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara and Equus Horse Of The Year heroine Summer Pudding). The only stamina question is because he is by What A Winter.”

Picture: Lyle Hewitson (right) began churning out winners at the end of last season in Hong Kong for the island’s legendary thirteen-time champion jockey Douglas Whyte (left) (anzbloodstocknews.com)

Hewitson has eyes on returning championship to South Africa

By Alex Wiltshire (ANZbloodstocknews.com)

A decade on from the last of Douglas Whyte’s record 13 jockeys’ championships in Hong Kong, the chatter is growing louder that his fellow countryman – and protege – Lyle Hewitson could potentially return the championship to South African hands as soon as this term.

Three-time South African champion jockey Hewitson has returned to Sha Tin ahead of the season opener on September 11 where – along with fellow South African Jockey Academy alum, Mauritian Karis Teetan – they will be trying to knock stalwarts Zac Purton and Joao Moreira off the top rung. Other competition is set to come from the newly relocated Silvestre de Sousa, leading local hoops Matthew Chadwick, Vincent Ho and Derek Leung and hungry Frenchman Alexis Badel.

From 1991 to 2013, there was only one season in which the fiercely contested championship was not won by a South African. Basil Marcus’ run of seven titles in the 1990s came either side of Tony Cruz’s final championship as a rider in 1994-95, while Robbie Fradd’s success in 1999-2000 marked the bridge between Marcus and Whyte.

Not since Whyte, the Durban Demon, dominated his rivals year upon year has the possibility of a South African as Hong Kong’s champion jockey been a realistic prospect. And fittingly, it is Whyte – now a trainer potentially on the verge of joining Cruz as a premiership-winning rider and handler – who is proving an invaluable asset to Hewitson, with the pair combining for 20 victories last season.

“I’ve formed a great partnership with Dougie,” Hewitson told Asia Bloodstock News from his Sha Tin apartment yesterday. “We have a very good relationship and he has taught me a lot in terms of navigating the Hong Kong race tracks, as well as the way of being and the way of doing here. He’s also reminded me just to trust myself and my judgement and to trust my ability, which every jockey needs to ride with the utmost confidence.

“His guidance has been very important and I just hope I can keep repaying him with a lot of winners.”

Purton finally toppled Whyte in 2013-14 and his battles with Moreira in the years since have become legendary, the fiercest of rivalries that will be dissected for decades to come.

Amidst that fierce battle, the notion of a maiden title for Hewitson might seem like a big leap from finishing 11th in the jockeys’ championship last year with 27 wins to his name, more than 100 behind big guns Purton (136) and Moreira (132). However, those raw figures belie what was a truly remarkable comeback story for the 24-year-old.

Hewitson, whose first stint in Hong Kong saw him amass just three winners in six months after a spluttering start through suspension, was one of the few to be given a second chance in the city. That came after he landed a third South African jockeys’ premiership in the 2020-21 season, again proving one of the brightest young prospects on the international stage.

His new contract began in late November and saw him bring up an early victory on Valiant Elegance (Salade). However, a horrific fall from Amazing Star (Darci Brahma) in the Hong Kong Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) on December 12 saw him sidelined for over a month with a fractured pelvis – a fortunate result given the scale of the incident.

Many jockeys in a similar predicament – not to mention facing strict Covid-19 protocols that remain to this day – would have left Sha Tin and returned home, proud that they gave it their best shot. Not Hewitson.

Instead, he put together a second half of the season that earned the respect of many long-term Hong Kong pundits and has him among the premiership contenders before a race has been run. A never-say-die attitude saw him make it to that 27 figure, a mark that would have seemed impossible in January considering all of the circumstances, and it stamped him as a rider capable of surviving – indeed, thriving – in the harsh jungle that is Hong Kong racing.

“I was very proud of how I managed to finish off the season,” Hewitson said. “I think mainly it goes back to the mental side of things, having had a tough first time around here, having an early winner and then the very next meeting having an injury setback from the fall. To come through that, I still had one quiet month and then was slowly building up through a frustrating run of placings, but to finally have the success in the end, it is something that I’m very proud about. Now it’s just about building on that.

“I learned that I can never doubt my ability and never doubt what I am capable of. At the same time, I know now to trust myself, trust my judgement. And I learnt that I’m mentally very strong and very determined and very positive.”

Measuring success is a difficult metric in Hong Kong, where one person’s gold can be another’s garbage. However, while Hewitson may be a title contender – even if he is on the fringe this season and seen more as a future hope – the rider is much more humble in his assessment.

“I would like to feature nearer to the top of the jockeys rankings,” Hewitson said. “That is first and foremost. It’s always hard to put a numerical figure on it in Hong Kong, but I will have to get plenty of winners under my belt

“From a relationships perspective, though, it would be great to get support from other trainers, to have success for them and to be sought after. That would be a big thing for me. Also, being in the big races is where every jockey wants to see themselves so competing successfully at the highest level and on some very nice horses throughout the season, that would be success for me.”

One of the greatest assets for any Hong Kong rider is the two-month off-season from term’s end in mid-July to the start of the new season in early to mid-September. This year marks one of the longest breaks since moving to an 88-meeting season in the 2016-17 season, although barrier trials are already well underway ahead of Sunday week’s curtain-raiser.

“I enjoyed the off-season, I maintained a decent level of fitness in and out of the gym throughout,” Hewitson said. “That’s been a big thing for me that has helped since getting back into the swing of things with trackwork and trials. I’m feeling good and I’m ready for the season now.

“The first ten days, I went to Spain and really enjoyed the break, just relaxed and made the most of it. Then I went over to the UK where my sisters live and so does my nan. It was great to see them. I also met many from my dad’s side of the family that I’d never met before, so that was really special. It was an amazing experience.

“It’s actually made coming back quite comfortable as I made the most of the break, I got everything I got done that I wanted to get done and I enjoyed every minute of it. Now the focus is back on the season ahead.”

With most of Hong Kong’s 1300-strong horse population back into the daily grind at Sha Tin, it is the perfect time to unearth a potential star for the future. But if Hewitson has found a horse to follow, he is keeping it firmly to himself.

“That’s for me to know and you to find out,” a grinning Hewitson said, having firmly mastered a crucial art for all Hong Kong jockeys – discretion.

Picture: Gavin Lerena rode a double for Corrie Lensley at The Vaal on Tuesday (JC Photos).

Jockey Lerena Gunning For Success In New Season

David Mollett (Business Day)

With a sixth-place finish in the 2021/2022 Jockeys Championship, one would conclude it was a reasonable season — if not an outstanding one — for Gavin Lerena.

That might be an injustice to the 37-year-old rider as his tally of 125 winners from just 709 mounts meant he had a strike rate of nearly one winner for every five mounts. He rode in 700 fewer races than fifth-placed Muzi Yeni.

Lerena, who began the year on a high when winning the Cape Met on Kommetdieding, missed a number of weeks in the campaign due to injury.

So to have a better strike rate than champion Warren Kennedy and only marginally inferior to that of Richard Fourie, it’s understandable the popular Highveld jockey feels things can go better this term.

Interviewed at the recent Equus awards, Lerena said: “I resume riding at the Vaal on August 30 and I’m determined to have a successful season.”

Bookmakers quote him at 40-1 for the title, which is not surprising considering he did not travel much last season and has not signaled he will do so this season.

He had a double for Corrie Lensley on Tuesday, but did not add to his tally today.

That leaves him on nine winners at a strike rate of 19.57%, which is eleven off the pace being set by Kabelo Matsunyane.

Lovely Soqrat Colt Born At Volmoed

This colt by Soqrat (Aus) (Epaulette) was born at Volmoed Stud in Paarl (see above).

He is out of Dark Journey (Black Minnaloushe), who won five times from 1000m to 1400m and was Listed-placed.

Dark Journey is a half-sister to Listed Winter Oaks winner Francia (Dynasty) and also to Earth’s Orbit (Captain Al), a twice Grade 2-placed mare who is the dam of Listed winner Mercury Rising (Gimmethegreenlight).

Picture: Quantum (Ideal World) makes it a quick double for Alec Laird under Kaidan Brewer (JC Photos).

Alec Laird Double

Alec Laird won the first two races at Turffontein Inside today.

He has now had six winners this season at an impressive strike rate of 46.15%.

Today’s Question

What was the great jumps jockey John Francombe’s riposte when told by trainer Ginger McCain after a race, “Francome, you’re the worst ******* jockey in the entire world!”

Picture: John Francome in recent times. (Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos))

Fairview Turf Fields

Hollywoodbets Greyville Turf Friday Night Fields

Today’s Question Answer

When John Francombe was told by Ginger McCain after a race, “Francome, you’re the worst ******* jockey in the entire world!”, Francome looked McCain up and down and replied, “Nah … that’s too much of a coincidence.”

Francome first rode a pony called Black Beauty at the age of six. His first riding successes came as a showjumper, and he was a member of the team that won the European Junior Show Jumping Championship for Great Britain.

Francome’s father secured a meeting with trainer Fred Winter and he became an apprentice in October 1969. His first race ride came at Worcester in December 1969, a race he won riding Multigrey trained by Godfrey Burr.

In February 1970, Francome rode his first of 575 winners for trainer Winter on Osceola at Towcester.

Osbaldeston was an early success story for the Francome/Winter partnership, notching up 17 victories.

Francome won his first British Champion Jump Jockey title in the 1975/76 season. The same year he secured his first Grade 1 victory in the Sun Alliance Chase at Cheltenham with Pengrail. On his way to the 1977/78 British Champion Jump Jockey title, he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Midnight Court. In 1981, he won the Stayers Hurdle on Derring Rose by 30 lengths again for Winter.

One of Francome’s most successful horses was Burrough Hill Lad, trained by Jenny Pitman. Francome won the Welsh Grand National, Hennessy Gold Cup and King George VI Chase on him. At the 1984 Gold Cup, Francome could not ride Burrough Hill Lad due to his retainer with Winter, and finished second with Brown Chamberlin – a horse he had won both the Sun Alliance Chase and Hennessy Gold Cup on.

The colourful Francome, when asked once about Pitman, replied, “She’s about as cuddly as a dead hedgehog. The alsatians in her yard would go around in pairs for protection.”

Alongside riding for Pitman, Francome had success riding for Michael Dickinson, winning the 1982 King George on Wayward and also partnering such horses as Silver Buck, Bregawn and Flatterer.

Whilst many top successes came in Chases, Francome had success over hurdles with Sea Pigeon winning the 1981 Champion Hurdle.

During the 1982 season, Francome stopped riding once he drew level with competitor, Peter Scudamore, in the Jump Jockeys Championship as Scudamore was injured. The two shared the title.

Ten years later he said, “I now regret that decision.” Scudamore had gone on to win seven consecutive titles starting in the 1985/1986 season.

Francome broke Stan Mellor’s record of 1035 wins when being home Don’t Touch at Fontwell in May 1984.

In 1985, Francome retired and had ridden 1,138 winners over jumps in Britain and a total of seven British Champion Jump Jockey Titles.

He had always said he would retire that season but, nevertheless, the decision was hastened by events at Chepstow on April 9, 1985. Having parted company with his mount, The Reject, who fell at the open ditch, Francome found himself briefly ‘hung up’, with his foot jammed in a stirrup iron and the stirrup leather twisted around his shin in such a way that he could not free himself. Thankfully, he managed to avoid a potentially life-threatening situation by seizing the reins before The Reject could gallop off, but thereafter his ‘head wasn’t in the right place’ and he ‘quit there and then’, without giving the decision a second thought. He announced his pending immediate retirement in the jockeys room in words that were apparently not too gentle according to one of the witness, Mark Dixon, the now Summerveld trainer who was riding at that meeting that day.

The John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury was named after him in 2017.

He became a successful author of Dick Francis-type horseracing thrillers and was also a much-loved and entertaining presenter on the Channel 4 racing broadcasts.

Picture: John Francome and Borough Hill Lad (Graham Bradley’s Horse Racing Memories FB)

Turf Talk Newsletter – 1 September 2022