When experienced horseplayers think back, I wonder what they would consider the most significant changes that have taken place affecting the betting scene, and if the game is more difficult or easier, as a consequence. What got me thinking about this was a fascinating chat with one of the bigger punters from decades ago
Diligently researched ranking lists are useful, albeit inevitably controversial, ways to measure racing ability around the world. The thoughtful team at excellent website thoroughbredracing.com led by super-sussed analyst James Willoughby, are constantly updating their TRC Global Horse Rankings. Their current Top Ten looks like this, (in descending order): Enable, Ghaiyyath, Maximum Security, Stradivarius, Almond
Bohica (s/s 102 +) overcame an extremely wide transit to win the Spring Spree Stakes @ Turffontein on Saturday. This son of Cape Town Noir has found form, pairing good score of 104 and now 102 at his most recent starts. He was chased home by Alramz (s/s 100) who tried gamely but lacked
The saying “things happen in threes” had unusual relevance in the 2020 Gold Cup when the three longest shots in a full field ran 1-2-3 around the Greyville circuit and held that order right to the finish, triggering a record quartet dividend of over 700K! Paths of Victory (traded at 100/1 on Interbet) went
It pays to take special heed of a biased track, as conditions are affected after plenty of rain. That was the case at Kenilworth on Saturday, with the inside portion of the sprint course lengths quicker than the middle/outside, and handy types suited in races around the turns. Gainsford (s/s 83 +) set the
Catch TwentyTwo achieved a neat figure of 95 when winning at Turffontein on Saturday at only his third start. Jockey Craig Zackey positioned the Elusive Fort gelding in the box seat before making an early move past game, pace- setting Red Ten (s/s 91). They went on to win fluently - with further improvement
It was refreshing to hear the candid words of champion jockey Oisin Murphy after he got trapped in a rails pocket which gave Kameko no chance of escape in the Sussex Stakes at the tricky Goodwood track in the UK. He immediately conceded making a “jockey error,” and apologized to connections for the potential
It’s one thing when horses basically run themselves into form and do well. However, it’s quite another skill for a trainer to target a specific race months into the future, cleverly chose the right contests in the build up to protect the horse’s handicap rating and also ensure that the horse peaks for
2020 DURBAN JULY over 2200m @ GREYVILLE GOLDEN DUCAT; 103 – 106 +. Cape Derby winner has done well subsequently up in KZN in the Guineas and Daily News. Consistent and game. Trainer Sands has made a subtle equipment change to his noseband to extract a quicker reaction from this classy middle- distance performer.
Running Brave (speed score 101) looked to be the sole front-runner in the KZN Breeders Mile and duly went all the way under Muzi Yeni. Lone speed horses are a threat at any distance, surface and any track, yet punters were deterred by her modest last two efforts, allowing Paul Matchett’s charge to start