Zinovi has done well since moving to the Eastern Cape. An accomplished performer on the Highveld, with a career top speed figure of 103 in a Pinnacle Stakes at Turffontein back in April 2024, he then lost his way somewhat towards the end of 2024.
Like so many horses, relocating to the Bay’s milder coastal climes has been the answer. Thoroughbreds thrive under the conditions; the opposition, in general, is weaker and there are decent prizes to be won. Quite a few owners feel they get the best bang for their buck, and have a lot of fun, racing at Fairview.
Zinovi is by Gr1, SA Classic victor, Heavenly Blue (s/s 109), a grey son of Snitzel, who stands in the regions’, Ascot Stud. He won his penultimate start with a score of 94 ++, only getting underway late in a Pinnacle Stakes and based on the ease of this Memorial Mile victory (s/s 98 ++) where he moved through the field with a sharp burst, having been held up at the rear, he may well extend the winning sequence.
Horseplayers who love to follow British racing will relish the York Ebor Festival this week. Some of the best UK thoroughbreds, plus a few international stars, will strut their stuff on the 300-year-old, historic Knavesmire course in big Summer Grade 1’s, with Interbet offering the full bouquet of bets. Either on the new, zero commission Exchange for fixed odds punters, or through the Tote platform for exotic bettors.
As William Derby, Chief Executive of York racecourse said in the Sporting Post, in a ringing endorsement for the pleasures of punting, “Like all things in life, you need to make sure people work within their limits but I think betting is a fantastic pastime that we should be supporting, look to be proud of and educate people on how solving the puzzle of who’s going to win a horse race is an intellectually stimulating pastime that many people love and enjoy.”
Online form resources worth checking include: attheraces.com; racingpost.com & sportinglife.com