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
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
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
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
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
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
“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
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,
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,
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