Trainer Glen Kotzen celebrated an awesome weekend, striking a notable treble in the Racing Association Stakes with Viva Rio, a Grade 2 in Cape Town courtesy of emergent filly, Third Runway and again on Sunday in the Eastern Cape with convincing Algoa Cup victor, Cat Daddy. Chatting to Glen at Fairview, at a table
A keen bettor called Shorty revealed one of his best betting angles to a punting friend which is to focus on recently gelded thoroughbreds. It can be a powerful indicator of improved performance as the horse suddenly becomes more manageable in training, changes physically and is more determined to race than before the operation.
Soqrat ran huge figures of 113 and 114 during his three year-old campaign so his return in a Pinnacle Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday was much anticipated. Ridden confidently to race handy under 62kg’s from a wide draw by Callan Murray, this classy colt had no trouble in holding off Like a Panther’s closing
“Class on the grass” is an enduring racing adage. Punters who swear by this maxim would have collected in both the G3 Diana and Matchem Stakes, where Front and Centre and One World proved best. Front and Centre duly disposed of Freedom Charter as the top two on official ability ratings fought out the
Genuine speedball, Pacific Trader won the G1 Computaform Sprint back in May and he returned after being off track since then to sidle to an un-extended victory in a Pinnacle Stakes at Durbanville on Saturday. He has run super-swift figures of 111 and 113 in the past, though was not required to go as
Claiming races form the bedrock of the American program. Connections set a value to their horse then enter it at an appropriate price level. This is a most effective way to ensure competitive racing as every horse is entered for sale at a specified, and most often, realistic amount determined by the owner/trainer, with
Over the years, this newsletter has focussed mainly on the best performances by South African racehorses. Highlighting thoroughbred merit using speed figures as the measuring tool is useful to all fans of the game, but particularly to help Interbet punters compile a list of horses’ worth following that may carry betting value soon after
Early Spring is an important period for horseplayers with an eye to the future as they monitor the better three year- olds stepping out. Trainer Vaughan Marshall has won many Classic’s over the years and he unveiled two very promising youngsters this week. Black Knap destroyed a Maiden field with an eye-popping speed score
Favourite, Prince of Kahal and Angel’s Power shared honours in the G3 Spring Spree Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday. They each earned speed figures of 103 which was a best effort for Angel’s Power, though Prince of Kahal has run a touch higher (106 – 107) on a few occasions. Both got perfect trips
Whilst big things are happening in the Northern Hemisphere at York (witness wins by stars Enable, Bataash and Japan), Saratoga in the US and in France, August is typically a low-key month in South African racing. This follows the end of season awards and with horses having an easier time of it upon receiving their