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This week’s handy hint looks at a type of “short form’ analysis that cuts down on the time spent studying the past performances. The idea is to “punt on profile” – choosing a powerful angle or edge and stick to betting only those horses that meet the specific criteria. Doing things this way doesn’t work for exotic wagering where you need to have a well-considered opinion/grade for every horse

“Everything has a story behind it…” says Martin Kalunga, owner of up-and-coming sprinter, Love In Winter who remains a perfect three from three after beating off Tchaikovsky in a thriller at Kenilworth over the past weekend. Indeed, there is a fascinating back story to how the Kalunga family came to participate in horse racing. “We come from nothing and now find ourselves at the top – it’s been a

There is an obvious home ground advantage when wagering at your local track. Even reasonably observant casual fans can form sound opinions if they concentrate only on the small group of horses that race at home base. But with the expansion to round the clock international racing coverage, together with the reduction in local meetings (e.g. Cape racing fans have only 60 scheduled for Kenilworth and Durbanville during 2022)

It may be sacrilege to pick holes in the form of an outstanding filly that has won 9 out of her 11 starts, (including Multiple G1’s) just as the brilliant defending champ of the Schweppes Majorca Stakes, Captain’s Ransom (speed figure 110) has done. Yet she hasn’t quite been at the peak of her powers lately, is awkwardly drawn on the wide outside (10) and is a short- priced

There is no obvious stand out for this year’s Met and sponsors World Sports Betting are offering prices between 7/2 and 5/1 each of four classy horses proven at Grade 1 level: Durban July winner, Kommetdieding, Cape Guineas victor, Double Superlative, Queens Plate boss, Jet Dark and Daily News victor, Linebacker. Kommetdieding is joint favourite at 7/2 with Jet Dark in the ante-post market. This son of Elusive Fort’s

In last year’s G1 Cape Flying Championships, Brett Crawford’s Run Fox Run held off the late dart of a Justin Snaith’s Rio Querari in a dramatic tussle, and fans are expecting similar excitement in 2022, though fast- developing speedball, Real Gone Kid will be Crawford’s representative this time around. A strong field of 14 will load into the starting stalls, and while it is sometimes a mistake to presume

At a scorching hot Kenilworth racecourse, Jet Dark stormed down the inside rail to win the Grade 1 L”Ormarins Queens Plate, for the second year in succession. Described by trainer Justin Snaith as,” a beautiful animal – such a stunning individual” the son of Trippi, bred at Drakenstein Stud, reprised his feat in 2021 to again win the most coveted 1600m race in South Africa. After the Rain, Pomp

Horseplayers can only profit if they make accurate calls about what will happen in future – betting is, after all, an exercise in making predictions. To help form sharp opinions, punters look back at recent past performances trying to uncover something which may prove of value in future. October month, where races were split between Durbanville and Kenilworth, yielded several potentially significant outcomes. To kickstart proceedings, multiple Group 1

Jockey, Devin Ashby completed a tremendous three- timer at Durbanville on Saturday, winning on Bonanza (14/1), Arctic Ice (9/10) and Power Grid (7/2) at accumulated odds of 127/1! Ashby does not get many opportunities in the saddle to ride a single fancied runner, never mind trebles, so this was a rare and entirely well- deserved success given all the effort he has put in physically and mentally over the

Andre Nel has just come off the most successful season for Plattner Racing of individual winners trained, despite the disruptions of Covid and lockdowns. The stable sent out 66 winners from 532 runners at a tick over 12%. Supplemented with 65 seconds and 72 third places, Nel managed the highest percentage place strike rate of all top trainers in South Africa. Nel used to run Sabine Plattner’s thoroughbred breeding

Suzette Viljoen has made a big splash in the three years since becoming an owner of racehorses. From a modest seven winners in 2018/19, to 23 victories in 2019/20, and now surging to the top of the SA Owners ranks with 70 wins (including two coveted Grade 1’s) it has been a meteoric rise for Viljoen, based on a remote Schwarzer- Reneke cattle farm with her husband, Basie. Each

One of the best aspects of horseracing is how the game constantly renews itself. Every year, the cast of characters change with young horses beginning their careers and old stagers bowing out. It’s an exciting time for connections who have laid out capital in buying new stock based on pedigrees and athletic conformation. Hopes and dreams can be dashed however when it soon becomes apparent that they have bought

The pinnacle of South African equine performances for the past season were recognised at the Equus Awards ceremony on Tuesday evening. The verdicts of a judging panel comprising Graeme Hawkins, race-caller Alistair Cohen, vastly experienced print media scribes Andrew Harrison and Jack Milner together with retired trainer and TV presenter Stan Elley were announced “virtually” on specialist racing channel, Tellytrack. A separate article in Goals and Gallops focusses on 2021

Rainbow Bridge, a six-year-old gelding by Ideal World out of the prolific producer, Halfway to Heaven has been named Equus Horse of the Year for 2021. Trained in Cape Town by Eric Sands, he has run 24 times for 11 victories (including 9 Stakes wins) and 11 places (including ten at Stakes level). His earnings are a shade over R8.1 million. Remarkably, Rainbow Bridge has only missed the frame

Complex problem solving is what handicapping is all about. Take this recent race for proven sprinters: If you’d bet on the horse with the best last start speed figure, you’d have lost because the horse is being prepped for an upcoming target and duly ran below best. If you’d picked the most consistent horse, a strong favourite albeit with slightly inferior figures and a hard task at the weights,

A compacted program sees an extraordinary 20 feature races staged around the country this weekend, setting up a buffet where horseplayers can gorge themselves on top quality fare. At Turffontein on Saturday, Hawwaam (speed score 116) and Queen Supreme (s/s 107 +) look much the best and are iron-clad picks to take out the G1 Champions Challenge and G1 Empress Club Stakes respectively.  The other G1 on that card,

Jan and Kate Peskens live on Spring Meadow Stud, an idyllic rural property outside Port Elizabeth surrounded by indigenous milkwood trees and a verdant ridge sheltering them from the Indian Ocean’s brisk winds. Bushbuck stray down through the thickets into the back garden, whilst, upfront stands former Eastern Cape Horse of the Year, Blaze of Fire. He was owned by the Peskens and their charismatic Bushy Park neighbour -

By his own admission a neurotic gambler who suffered from the jitters at the betting windows, Len Ragozin, founder of The Sheets, is nevertheless one of the most pioneering and influential handicappers in America. A maverick denizen of New York’s bohemian Greenwich Village, he built up a reputable turf advisory business, ran his own racing stable and partnered successfully with sharp bettor, Len Friedman to become a wealthy man through

This cryptic sequence of descending numbers, 33 – 21 – 15 – 11 – 8 came out of a study done years ago by Barry Meadow, a successful pro gambler and author of handicapping books. What do these figures signify? Well, they’re the winning percentages of public choices across a huge sample of horse races, from the top choice down to the fifth in the ordinal betting rank. According to

All successful punters have an “edge” – defined as an advantage in the game. That edge may be slim or large, applying to one specific situation or across a broader range of scenarios. In the New Year’s spirit of making resolutions, all horseplayers should try uncover their special “edge”, whatever it may be, and then resolve to make that the focus of their wagering for 2019. By recalling two

Having the courage of your convictions is a vital trait for gamblers. A meek and timid player can never summon up sufficient confidence to bet heavily enough and make a life changing score. Mabel Read is a model example of a fearless plunger, who made sure that she got amply rewarded when her selections were vindicated. Read, an Australian woman, was active in the betting rings back in the

Moving horses around the country to maximise their career requires sharp judgement. Admittedly, it’s sometimes just a desperate last roll of the dice when an infirm battler is banished to a weaker centre to get patched up and try fluke a final win, and we’re all familiar with upper-class horses trekking to KZN for prestigious Stakes races during Winter or heading to Cape Town for the big Summer events.

Kerry Packer, the Australian media tycoon who died in 2005, left an entertaining legacy of gambling tales as one of the highest rolling “whales”” during the 80’s and 90’s. His father, Sir Frank launched his business empire on the back of some extraordinarily successful forays to the races in Tasmania and Sydney, and though conservative Australians were appalled at the way in which these moguls flung cash about, the

Ante post betting holds a special intrigue. With the Summer Cup taking place tomorrow, punters who gazed into their crystal balls months ago, may be holding tickets that now represent exceptionally generous value. Betting any horse race requires the difficult skill of forecasting. Trying to do so well in advance without knowing whether your fancy will even make it into the race, nor what the prevailing conditions will be

In a recent column, the notion of trading volumes being a useful predictor of results was covered. Yet again, it proved a most helpful aid in the quest for finding winners. On the 13th, 14th 15th, 17th and 18th November the highest traded horse of the day on Interbet came home smoking. Ladder Man was the horse to attract the most action of all during the week under review.

Outside of formal education, there are varying ways in which people get to learn things and acquire skills. Scotland and Liverpool’s Bill Shankly, one of the original “school of hard knocks” soccer managers said, “I didn’t have any education, so I had to use my brains.” Often knowledge in a specific field is passed down through generations – just look at South Africa’s current trainer rankings where Justin Snaith,

Betting is a deeply personal activity, and everyone has different ways of going about it. There are form students who try gather as much comprehensive info about each horse as possible, then synthesise that mass of data before making their selections. Other bettors use more mechanical methods and wager automatically based on their preferred system, such as focussing on trainer or jockey stats. Still others depend on received wisdom

It’s been a torrid week for many punters. Thagar Moodley is one of the Interbet traders who so diligently supplies me with material for this Hits and Misses column. Referring to the thwarted coup on Uncle Charlie (40/1 – 4/1) he said, ”I have not seen a horse backed in for so much for a very long time.” Uncle Charlie had finished mid pack in a barrier trial, then

Finding long-shot winners is most gratifying and one of the best ways to suddenly push the betting ledger into the black. Difficult as they may be to pull off, there are a few examples of inspired long-shot plays that connected during the past week. How Does it Taste (33/1 – 12/1) did the business for the in-form Candice Dawson stable in a strong betting race at Turffontein on the

Sometimes the betting market is easy to read with horses either shortening drastically or blowing like gales and drifting out. Occasionally though, punters have to interpret mixed signals as in the strange case of Shezashiningstar at Turffontein on the 27th September. The Oratorio filly was backed ante-post from 10’s into 5’s then drifted right out to 16/1 at the death before prevailing narrowly over Cosmic Mist. Beaten favourite here

Long shots may reveal themselves as plausible contenders in wide open races where anything with a pulse has a chance. Other times, “shrewdies” may have a go against a short- priced favourite they deem vulnerable and take advantage of inflated prices about their fancy. Examples of both these betting scenarios played out this past week. Cyber Law (25/1 into 12/1) was one of many with a shake in a

All punters have to consider the “Anton Marcus factor.” He’s been such a dominant force as one of South Africa’s very best jockeys over the years and has a big influence on fixed price odds and tote dividends. Over the last five years his winning percentage to mounts reads; 27%, 25%, 25%, 27% and 31%. Very impressive! Sunday at Scottsville shaped up as another Marcus benefit day, though Diamondsandpearls,

Favourite backers got on a profitable roll this past week with a succession of well-supported faves arriving safely, which got me mulling over the whole notion of “streaks.” All confirmed gamblers are familiar with them, savouring those spells when they can seemingly do no wrong and betting accounts get bumped up nicely with a sequence of positive results. Conversely, losing runs are wretched and debilitating - punters feel the

After a period where punters generally had the better of things with most heavily supported horses getting the job done, exchanges evened out in the past week with some missed strikes bringing respite to bookies. Backing horses ridden by claiming apprentices carries a unique risk. Sure, the weight off can help and identifying precocious talents worth far more than their claim is a valuable insight, but mistakes can be

Punters were deadly accurate in the big events over the past weekend. Undercover Agent, Yakeen and African Night Sky were heavily traded before winning their respective races. Undercover Agent is yet another Grade 1 success story for late-lamented sire, Captain Al. By scoring in the Gold Challenge he added to trainer Brett Crawford’s excellent record in important Stakes. Undercover Agent was the most traded on Interbet with 4/1 readily

“The trend is your friend” is an adage used by stock –market investors who base their investment decisions on “following the money.” A similar approach can be used by horse-players tracking shifts in the betting odds and trading volumes. Obviously, there is a lot more to in-depth handicapping before arriving at studiously researched form picks with a strong probability of winning, but simply checking out the market action can

Those following the exploits of Aussie superstar Winx, who is rated marginally behind American hero, Arrogate in the World Rankings, would have enjoyed seeing her extend a winning streak to 20 after scoring in a Grade 1 at Randwick. The commentator described her "sailing down the outside" as she beat Happy Clapper by more than a length, using a swift turn of foot to run down the leaders who set off at a

36 year-old jockey Corne Orffer has come a long way since being an energetic teenager in Newcastle,KZN, cavorting around on bicycles with his mates and showing  precocious talent for balanced, horseback riding. He’s just enjoyed a career best 2016/17 season with 69 winners, including a Grade 1 on Captain America in the Rising Sun, two Merchants victories on Search Party, plus piloting juveniles Al Mariarchi and Bold Respect to

Durbanville racetrack to reopen Mark van Deventer Durbanville will soon be staging racing again as a complete overhaul of the course is nearing completion. The first meeting back will take place on Saturday, 23rd September 2017, a couple of weeks later than initially planned. Senior jockeys galloped six horses at the country course on Monday morning and provided complimentary feedback. Bernard Fayd Herbe, Richard Fourie and Grant van Niekerk

Mark van Deventer International champions, Winx and Arrogate experienced mixed fortunes in their weekend races. The Aussie mare blew the start yet produced an extraordinary turn of foot to win the Warwick Stakes for her 18th straight victory, but Arrogate duffed it when beat by stable mate Collected in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Thoroughbreds that love to run, and have the ability to get a trip then

Mark van Deventer Trainer Dan Katz is back on the scoreboard virtually three decades after turning in his license. The 52 year-old Western Cape conditioner saddled Gimmethegreenlight filly, Lalena to win her Maiden at Kenilworth in his new role as businessman Hassen Adam’s trainer. Katz has been promoted to take responsibility for Adams’ string - former boss Darryl Hodgson is now entrusted with oversight for programming both the thoroughbred

The Cape Racing and Breeding Awards for 2017 were held at Molenvliet Estate on Wednesday night with due recognition accorded to deserving nominees. The ceremony is an important precursor to the upcoming National Equus Awards – yet given that 24 of 28 Grade 1 winners and 18 of the top 20 breeders hail from the Western Cape, the distinguished black-tie gathering in the Stellenbosch Winelands carries a cache of

Mark van Deventer Jockey Bernard Fayd’ Herbe is on the disabled list for about a month as he gives an injured shoulder time to heal.  The shoulder had been troubling him for a while and he did not have vigorous use of his arm as a result – a recent MRI scan revealed a tear in the rotator cuff. His doctor has advised rest and physiotherapy to promote recovery.

Come-back jockey Piet Botha’s victory salute and shout of triumph going past the post on Jay Rock provided the most uplifting image at an otherwise gloomy and rain- soaked Kenilworth on Saturday. Botha has been out of race riding since 2010 with injuries and nerve damage to his upper body that bewildered medical specialists. Through an aggravating series of mis-diagnoses, operations and rehab, the prospect of ever returning to

Founder of the Virgin empire, Richard Branson believes in giving manager’s and staff multiple chances. He felt fortunate to have benefitted from being gifted many opportunities to redeem himself, so has passed on that forgiving philosophy to encourage growth and bold performance amongst staff. In the same vein, Cape based jockey Piet Botha is all set to make an unlikely return to the saddle, saying, “I’m exceptionally lucky, to

There were some fantastic performances on Classic Day with Legal Eagle (speed score 115) yet again proving that he is about as good as racehorses get in South Africa when romping in the Grade 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes. The son of Grey's Inn repeatedly runs high class figs in the band between 112-116 and is unstoppable over a mile, being able to race handy at a good gallop then quicken

Grant van Niekerk joins Plattner Racing Mark van Deventer Cape jockey Grant van Niekerk, who lost his job with Bass Racing, will soon be joining Andre Nel as their contracted rider. Nel is the conditioner who takes responsibility for owner Sabine Plattner’s string of thoroughbreds. Van Niekerk was deflated after the powerful Candice Bass Robinson yard took a business decision and released him after Sun Met day. He has kept

“Oh, the places you will go...” Mark van Deventer South African star racehorse, Whisky Baron, bred by the Arrowfield Group and purchased in Australia, is now set to embark on another overseas adventure, going in to quarantine soon via Mauritius. The precise racing itinerary is still to be finalised in collaboration between the Kieswetter family’s Ridgemont Stud - owners of the son of Manhattan Rain, trainer Brett Crawford, and Mike

Western Cape trainer Adam Marcus currently has his string in fine fettle, with five wins and the same number of seconds from the last 30 horses sent out. Punters in tune with Marcus’ hot streak of form were rewarded again yesterday when heavily backed favourites, Prince Alfred and Elegancia got the job done at Kenilworth. “I’m delighted with the performance of my string at the moment.’ the young Milnerton- based

Speedy filly, Live Life and very handsome colt William Longsword won the CTS Sprint and CTS Mile respectively at Kenilworth on Saturday. These richly endowed races for three year olds carried stakes of 500,000 USD each. Qualifying graduates from the 2015 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, the 2015 CTS March Yearling Sale and the 2015 Emperor’s Palace Yearling Sale were eligible. Doing the currency conversions, prize money amounted to around R6,6

Mark van Deventer Staging the Cape Premier Yearling Sale at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town is a massive logistical undertaking. Credit is due to the Cape Thoroughbred Sales team that it proceeded so smoothly, and vendors would be pleased at the final aggregate realised of R155,225,000. Sharp buyers from abroad competed with discerning locals to snaffle the most attractive lots, with the average settling a fraction below 700K

Mark van Deventer Jockey Aldo Domeyer elevated an otherwise mundane midweek meeting at Kenilworth to a remarkable occasion when saluting on all six of his rides at massive accumulative odds of 14 263 – 1. Domeyer has long been one of the Cape’s better race-riders, with Wednesdays fine achievement taking him up to an elite level, as it’s a rare feat for any single rider to absolutely dominate a meeting.

Profiles of all runners in The Sun Met with their best speed figures to date 1. LEGAL EAGLE (Sean Tarry) - 114, 112, 116, 113. Champion for powerful connections. Paired two tremendous figures in Cape. Uses high % stalk and pounce tactics. Favoured by the compressed weight scale for this race. 2. MAC DE LAGO (Weiho Marwing) - 107, 107. Game placing in the July. Faces tough task to win,

Mark van Deventer William Longsword overcame a wide draw and a cross-country posse of top three year olds to win the R1 million (Grade 1) Grand Parade Cape Guineas at Kenilworth on Saturday. Gold Standard chased hard in second with favourite, Table Bay finding only a weak finish after racing upfront to keep third. Long-shot Elevated clunked up ahead of a wall of horses to sneak fourth position. This victory

‘No horse can go as fast as the money you put on it,” is the wise cautionary from Earl Wilson heeded by prudent bettors. However, knowing exactly how fast horses run remains an essential part of the handicapping puzzle and was the key to identifying long-shot Just Sensual as a possible winner of the R1 million World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas. The daughter of Dynasty had finished close up to

Mark van Deventer Illuminator, the inaugural winner of the CTS Million Dollar in January 2016, died of complications from colic on Tuesday. He was found thrashing around in his box last week and swiftly attended to by his groom in the early hours of the morning. Illuminator sustained cuts to his head and leg, and was operated on by 9 a.m. According to distressed part-owner Ian Robinson, the surgery could

Mark van Deventer Disregarded in the betting market at 28-1, Gold Standard swept past the entire field in the Kenilworth straight to score a tremendous win in the 1600m Grade 2 Selangor Cup at Kenilworth over the weekend. The race has historically been used as a key pointer to important Classics like the Guineas and Derby. “Gold Standard is a proper horse and I’ve always rated him,” said proud trainer

  “I hope to get on a roll today,” Justin Snaith declared before racing started on Saturday at Durbanville. Eight races later he had swept half the card, including a 1-2 finish in the Listed Settler’s Trophy with promising staying filly Francia and East Cape Derby winner, Captain Splendid. “Now is the time for us to get those winners – whilst others are just galloping their horses.” Snaith said. Timing

The horse racing industry in South Africa employs, directly or indirectly, around 100 000 people. Core insiders like jockeys, trainers, grooms, vets and equine therapists work specifically with the horses themselves, but many others who derive their income from racing are involved on the betting side. They include bookmakers, tote sellers and call centre operatives who are all in the game to offer punters the facility of having a bet.

When race-goers scan the card for Wednesday’s Kenilworth meeting they will notice the unfamiliar listing of M. Steyn, in-between stalwart brothers, Andries and Piet Steyn. This new trainer willing to take the plunge in a tough profession is young Margot, daughter of Piet, a salt-of-the-earth character in Cape racing. “I realise this is not a game for sissies, and my father asked me if I’m really sure about my decision

What sport means to us ED SMITH When you go to watch a Test, you participate in a ritual that is a part of civilised existence Lunchtime on the Nursery Ground at Lord's: watching sport as a civic activity © Getty ImagesAt the Lord's Test this week I will renew an annual ritual. Every year, before the start of play on the first morning, as the crowd swells and the

The 2015/16 season has just been completed, generating a mass of performance –based statistics. Most of these stats don’t actually add to our body of knowledge - even the most dim-witted horseplayers can distinguish between the very best industry professionals and incompetent battlers, with the data just confirming the obvious. But a more subtle interpretation of the results can help punters make smart betting decisions and land profitable future wagers.

The Equus Awards will be held on 16 August in Johannesburg to honour outstanding achievements in the horseracing industry. On Monday night, Lanzerac Hotel in the Cape Winelands hosted the precursor to the national ceremony with the 2016 Cape Racing and Breeders Awards. Most of the categories had unanimous winners, though a few verdicts generated fierce debate. Juvenile ace, Always In Charge (merit rating 108) from top stud Klawervlei scooped

Neil Bruss setting off to Saudi Arabia Mark van Deventer Trainer Neil Bruss who has worked in many racing jurisdictions during an accomplished career stretching over four decades, is on the move again. He will be going back to Saudi Arabia, lured by tempting financial incentives and disillusioned by prospects in South Africa. A former multiple champion trainer in Zimbabwe, he has operated small strings in a low key manner

The fabulous filly, Inara won yet another Grade 1 when scoring in the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m at Greyville on Saturday. She has now won at the highest level in all major centres which is a notably rare achievement. After recording two wins in Grade 1 contests at the Cape as a three year- old, Inara came off second best behind subsequent easy Met winner, Smart Call

  The long awaited Winter rains have finally hit Cape Town, turning the Kenilworth track soggy over the weekend. The official penetrometer reading was only 23mm at the start of the meeting, disputed by jovial Greg Ennion, “They must have measured the going with an ice-cream stick – it’s already much softer than that.” The Milnerton trainer was to record a long odds double with Jeremy and In Limine -

  Former champion jockey, Basil Marcus is recuperating at home after a serious seizure. No clear diagnosis has been made as yet, but a recent brain scan may provide some clues, according to son Adam, the Cape based trainer. The incident was totally unexpected, with Marcus suddenly collapsing. As Adam related, “We thought he was a goner..., when the ambulance took too long to arrive, I bundled him into my

The trainer has one of the principal roles in horse racing. Winning is the name of the training game and though the complicated means of achieving success require specific expertise, the trainers’ core task is to send out a fit thoroughbred primed to race competitively in an event where it has a realistic chance of doing well for the fee-paying owners. Currently there are around 150 active trainers in South

Whilst accolades were deservedly bestowed on Grade 1 two year old sprint winners The Secret Is Out and Always In Charge at Scottsville on Saturday, trainer Joey Ramsden’s potentially top notch juveniles Miranda Frost and Attenborough were cooling their heels far from the limelight at home base in the Cape. This follows illness and an operation after suspect performances by both the talented progeny of sire Western Winter in recent

Of all the specialist jobs in a niche business like horse racing, being a commentator is perhaps the most scarce skill, with no more than ten people currently occupying that role in South Africa. These rare individuals perch in a small booth, amidst the rafters, high up on the grandstand, using powerful binoculars to spot the racing action, then describing what unfolds during the race to millions of viewing fans

Every day, elite athletes and coaches earn a living by pushing the boundaries of human potential. The dividing line between what was once considered impossible and what is now a prerequisite for success is constantly shifting. Michael Johnson, one of the best athletes that has ever lived, has created a high performance centre that is the world’s leading speed factory. It is here that athletes from all over the world

FIELD SIZE ISSUES AT THE CAPE Race-track operators, Phumelela pulled the plug on a poorly supported Durbanville meeting last week, yet again raising concerns about the viability of staging horse races given dwindling Western Cape field sizes. The target is 12 runner fields, but some Durbanville events were struggling to attract anything close to that number in February. The country course is notoriously biased towards horses racing handy and making

Western Cape Racing – developments.... Kenilworth Racing Chairman, Chris van Niekerk and board director, Hassen Adams outlined visionary plans for the Western Cape at a function staged on Saturday evening at Kenilworth racecourse. Van Niekerk stated that the two primary objectives of the Thoroughbred Horse Racing Trust, which owns Kenilworth Racing, are to enhance the racing experience and ensure that Western Cape racing has a financially sustainable future in perpetuity.

Throughout much of history, the horse has been used to carry people great distances and was a dependable, relatively swift source of transport. Into the modern era, the horse racing industry has evolved into a vast national and international business, and transporting roles have been reversed. Getting horses to and from the races, stud farms or sales has become a specialized undertaking for dedicated personnel representing road transportation companies or

Gulf Storm outduelled fellow Cape Thoroughbred Sales graduates, Brutal Force and Carry On Alice to win the Grade 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Kenilworth. Trained by Brett Crawford and riden by PC Orffer, for whom it was a notable first Grade 1 victory, Gulf Storm surged through in the final strides to edge out the imposing chestnut Brutal Force. Star filly Carry On Alice had raced

Iluminator, from the Glen Puller stable, is the winner of the inaugural running of the CTS Million Dollar over 1400m on the turf, Africa’s richest thoroughbred race. The bay son of Trippi was ridden by Heavelon van der Hoven, a low percentage apprentice who seized a dream opportunity when replacing indisposed senior jockey, Weichong Marwing. Puller is a reticent character, but a highly skilled horseman possessing a special touch with

EQUINE PHOTOGRAPHY   Fancy breaking into equine photography and taking awesome pictures of racehorses in full flight ? That is the dream career switch that Wayne Marks of Baymedia made after 15 years experience as a photojournalist doing corporate gigs and providing glitzy images for the social pages of Johannesburg newspapers. His first move into the realm of sports photography was attending the Nedbank Million Dollar Golf tournament, though he

The running style that a racehorse employs can make a difference to the result. Ernie, who used hold up tactics to win the 1200m Sophomore Sprint at Kenilworth, is a case in point. Earlier in his career, the son of Elusive Fort would press the pace. He showed fair potential racing that way, but his career has really lifted since learning to conserve his natural speed for a sharp late

Becoming a successful jockey is rarely a smooth, linear progression to the top. Instead, stagnation and setbacks are all part of the process - something that Pierre Corne Orffer understands as a journeyman jock, though his current mood is especially perky after winning the KRA Fillies Guineas on Alexis over the weekend at Greyville. English teacher and riding instructor Cecily Kuhn unwittingly launched his riding career when banishing the 11

South African racehorse trainer Mike de Kock may be fervently patriotic, but can never be accused of parochialism. He has almost single-handedly boosted the country’s racing profile by boldly shipping thoroughbreds around the globe, taking on the locals in prestigious races - and winning. Many times champion trainer in SA with more than 100 Grade 1 wins already captured, he has repeatedly plundered big prizes in major Northern hemisphere racing

Newly crowned Cape Jockey of the Year Greg Cheyne also finished third on the National Jockeys log rankings for 2014/2015. This is a fine season -ending achievement, behind new champion Gavin Lerena and former winner S’Manga Khumalo, but ahead of legendary hoops Piere Strydom and Anthony Delpech. Years ago, Cheyne was more of a journeyman jock, having his fair share of winners without threatening at the top echelon of the

Winning trainer Greg Ennion adamantly conveyed a clear message after Eighth Wonder produced an excellent performance to win the Grade 3 Magnum Cape Classic over 1400m at Kenilworth on Saturday, saying, “Don’t write the small guys off!” The economies of scale in the modern training scene make it hard for smaller trainers to prosper, in what has become a “numbers game”. Finding owners is tough and costs keep on escalating.

Right now, one of the hottest jockeys at the Durbanville circuit is Craig du Plooy, who has ridden six winners from the last 30 mounts since early September. Those raw stats do not really convey the remarkable and sudden transformation in the hoop’s career, as he has improved his skills quite dramatically after 25 years in the saddle. The change in fortune is partly a function of opportunity. The local

Breathless Bertie’s shock win at 75 – 1 in the finale at Kenilworth on Wednesday lit up the tote board. The despised long shot paid R11 a place, triggering 13K trifecta and 70K quartet dividends when chased home by other outsiders, Saint Donan and Tell Me More. Such a freak result had many baffled punters ripping up tickets afterwards - equally bewildered Noordhoek beach- based trainer Mike Stewart related the