King Pelles rules over the Gold Cup market
For decades the Gold Cup at Greyville was famous for its longshot winners. But in recent years the formbook has proven to be a more reliable guide for punters.
When declarations for South Africa's premier marathon horse race were announced this week, bookmakers quickly pegged obvious favourite King Pelles at a prohibitive R1.65 for the Win (and R0.31 the Place!). That would have been unheard of in the days when the punters' game was finding the traditional end-of-season 'roughie'.
Racing being the funny old game it is, though, there'll still be a search for value among the 13 runners before the start at the 3200m pole at Greyville on Sunday 27 July.
Holding Thumbs is well regarded by his trainer Glen Kotzen and has been developing into a decent stayer, so his R4.55 looks fair value – until one scrutinises his most recent run, in the Gold Vase on July day, when he was made to look pedestrian by King Pelles.
Madison Valley ran a commendable fifth in the July and leading jockey Gavin Lerena was encouraged enough by what he felt that day to stick with the four-year-old. That makes his R6.25 Win worth considering.
Shoot The Rapids, a close runner-up in this race last year, has all the stamina needed to outlast his rivals, but hasn't been in the best of form recently.
It might pay to keep a close eye on the Gold Cup betting market over the next week, especially for moves for runners with no proven record the marathon trip. What happens on the gallops seldom stays on the gallops.
Gold Cup betting:
King Pelles – R1.65
Holding Thumbs – R4.55
Madison Valley – R6.25
Future Swing – R8.33
Navajo Nation – R10.00
Shoot The Rapids – R12.50
Nebraas – R12.50
Bournemouth – R14.30
Cape Eagle – R16.67
Blackberry Malt – R16.67
Field Marshall – R33.33
Taxhaven – R40.00
Positive Attitude – R75.00
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The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
King Pelles rules over the Gold Cup market
Search is on for a longshot in SA's premier marathon For decades the Gold Cup at Greyville was famous for its longshot winners. But in recent years the formbook has proven to be a more reliable guide for punters. When declarations for South Africa's premier marathon horse race were announced this week, bookmakers quickly pegged obvious favourite King Pelles at a prohibitive R1.65 for the Win (and R0.31 the Place!). That would have been unheard of in the days when the punters' game was finding the traditional end-of-season 'roughie'. Racing being the funny old game it is, though, there'll still be a search for value among the 13 runners before the start at the 3200m pole at Greyville on Sunday 27 July. Holding Thumbs is well regarded by his trainer Glen Kotzen and has been developing into a decent stayer, so his R4.55 looks fair value – until one scrutinises his most recent run, in the Gold Vase on July day, when he was made to look pedestrian by King Pelles. Madison Valley ran a commendable fifth in the July and leading jockey Gavin Lerena was encouraged enough by what he felt that day to stick with the four-year-old. That makes his R6.25 Win worth considering. Shoot The Rapids, a close runner-up in this race last year, has all the stamina needed to outlast his rivals, but hasn't been in the best of form recently. It might pay to keep a close eye on the Gold Cup betting market over the next week, especially for moves for runners with no proven record the marathon trip. What happens on the gallops seldom stays on the gallops. Gold Cup betting: King Pelles – R1.65 Holding Thumbs – R4.55 Madison Valley – R6.25 Future Swing – R8.33 Navajo Nation – R10.00 Shoot The Rapids – R12.50 Nebraas – R12.50 Bournemouth – R14.30 Cape Eagle – R16.67 Blackberry Malt – R16.67 Field Marshall – R33.33 Taxhaven – R40.00 Positive Attitude – R75.00
The Citizen
6 days ago
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The Real Prince is back for more at Greyville
King Pelles heads the field for the Gold Cup in Durban next week. Three weeks after his Hollywoodbets Durban July victory, The Real Prince will return to the scene of the heroics when he contests the HKJC Champions' Cup at Greyville on 27 July. More often than not Durban July champions are sent on a well-deserved holiday after delivering to their connections the biggest prize in South African racing. However, the July emphatically proved that Khaya Stables and trainer Dean Kannemeyer know the depths of their four-year-old and they clearly reckon he can handle another big day out in top company. Indeed, many pundits thought The Real Prince was short of a run or two before the July. They were dead wrong about that, but he remains lightly raced and might still have a big effort in the tank before taking a breather. Strong opposition It'll need a big effort. At the Grade 1's final declaration stage on Thursday, the unveiled eight opponents included some tough nuts. Three horses who did not run in the July appear to be the main dangers. Top Joburg three-year-old Fire Attack, who suffered a minor training setback before the July and was scratched, is one of them. See It Again is clearly over the hiccup that saw him pulled out of the big one at the last moment. And reigning Horse of the Year Dave The King has kept his powder dry since annexing the Gold Challenge – over slightly less ground at the same venue. Locally trained stalwarts Royal Victory and Gladatorian carry further threats. The Grade 3 World Pool Gold Cup is actually the headline event of the meeting – for historical reasons. King Pelles, who doddled a Gold Cup pointer on July day, will be a warm order among the 13 runners in the country's premier marathon. Last year's narrow runner-up Shoot The Rapids is one of three horses in the Gold Cup from the local yard of Frank Robinson – the others being July fifth-placed Madison Valley and three-year-old improver Field Marshall under a light weight. HKJC Champions' Cup, R1.5m, Grade 1, 1800m 1 The Real Prince 60 125 Dean Kannemeyer Craig Zackey 2 Gladatorian 60 127 Stuart Ferrie Sean Veale 3 Montien 60 126 Piet Botha Tristan Godden 4 Dave The King 60 128 Mike/Mathew de Kock Callan Murray 5 See It Again 60 127 Michael Roberts Keagan de Melo 6 Son Of Raj 60 119 Tony Peter Serino Moodley 7 Royal Victory 60 125 Nathan Kotzen Piere Strydom 8 Fire Attack 58.5 126 Alec Laird Richard Fourie 9 Litigation 60 113 Sean Tarry Gavin Lerena World Pool Gold Cup, R1m, Grade 3, 3200m 1 Shoot The Rapids 57 112 Frank Robinson Sean Veale 2 Madison Valley 58 115 Frank Robinson Gavin Lerena 3 Positive Attitude 54 90 Dennis Bosch Tristan Godden 4 King Pelles 59 118 Gareth van Zyl S'manga Khumalo 5 Nebraas 54.5 103 Sean Tarry Craig Zackey 6 Blackberry Malt 54 97 Glen Kotzen Cole Dicken 7 Future Swing 58.5 115 Justin Snaith Keagan de Melo 8 Cape Eagle 56.5 109 Andre Nel Serino Moodley 9 Taxhaven 54 90 Paul Matchett Philasande Mxoli 10 Bournemouth 57.5 113 Alan Greeff Richard Fourie 11 Holding Thumbs 56.5 110 Glen Kotzen Chad Little 12 Navajo Nation 54.5 104 Weiho Marwing Kobeli Lihaba 13 Field Marshal 54 105 Frank Robinson Callan Murray Mercury Sprint, R1m, Grade 1, 1200m 1 Mia Moo 57.5 117 Sean Tarry Callan Murray 2 Mrs Browning 57.5 115 Sean Tarry Richard Fourie 3 Whistle The Tune 57 112 Candice Dawson Calvin Habib 4 I Am Giant 60 119 Stuart Ferrie Sean Veale 5 Minogue 57.5 108 Candice Dawson Craig Zackey 6 Questioning 60 123 Vaughan Marshall JP v'd Merwe 7 Just Be Lekker 57.5 116 Candice Dawson S'manga Khumalo 8 William Robertson 60 128 Corne Spies Kabelo Matsunyane 9 Buffalo Storm Cody 59.5 113 Tony Peter Gavin Lerena 10 Cats Pajamas 59.5 115 Frank Robinson Piere Strydom 11 Asiye Phambili 57.5 116 Duncan Howells Keagan de Melo 12 Cafe Culture 60 126 Lucinda Woodruff Serino Moodley 13 Tenango 60 126 Candice Bass-Robinson Aldo Domeyer 14 Surjay 60 124 James Crawford Luyolo Mxothwa Reserve runners: 15 Chocolate Soldier 59.5 112 Corne Spies 16 Frozen Fantasy 57 107 Robyn Klaasen
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Mixed Fortunes (and Andrew) at the Durban July
Andrew Fortune's story is well known in racing circles. Preparations for Hollywoodbets Durban July horseracing event at at Greyville in Durban on 30 June 2023. Picture: Nigel Sibanda A highlight of Hollywoodbets Durban July day at Greyville was jockey Andrew Fortune's win in the Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes – which reminded the country of the veteran rider's astonishing career journey. Always a showman and hugely popular with racing fans, Fortune outdid himself as he stood up in the irons and saluted the capacity crowd as his mount Double Grand Slam (15-10 favourite) cruised to victory in the Grade 1, R1.5-million, 1 600 metre contest. As trainer Justin Snaith and owner representatives led the four-year-old filly into the winner's circle before the main grandstand, Fortune waved his crop like an orchestra conductor, milking the applause and cheers for all he was worth. ALSO READ: Somizi arrives in a chopper, stealing the show with eight outfit changes at the Hollywoodbets Durban July From drug addiction to champion jockey Fortune might be in trouble with the stipes for this bit of fun, but they'd have to be hard-hearted to punish the 57-year-old harshly. His story is well known in racing circles. From drug addiction, recovery, to becoming champion jockey, to retiring and being assistant trainer to his wife, to having his weight soar to 80kg, to returning to the saddle with an epic loss of 30kg-plus. Since his amazing return to riding a few months ago, he has registered nearly 40 winners. The Grade 1 trophy on Durban July day was a pinnacle no-one would have contemplated. Sympathy was due current champion jockey Richard Fourie, who has routinely partnered Double Grand Slam, but is contracted to ride for Ridgemont Stud, sponsor of the Garden Province. Fourie was booked aboard Ridgemont's Mon Petit Cherie – who was runner up to Double Grand Slam. READ MORE: 'Shrewdies' to make July Quartet pay big It was Fourie's third second-placing at the meeting, with the biggest disappointment being his narrow defeat on Hollywoodbets Durban July favourite Eight On Eighteen, beaten just 0.25 lengths by The Real Prince. The champ did have the consolation of a win in the Splashout Golden Horseshoe, a Grade 2 juvenile feature, aboard Anotherdanceforme for PE trainer Alan Greeff. By contrast, legendary golfer and racing nut Gary Player would have been a happy chap after the spectacular day at Greyville. He is a part owner – with Drakenstein Stud and Dave MacLean – of Double Grand Slam. He is also a part owner of King Pelles, the four-year-old who dominated the Grade 3 Gold Vase and is now a clear favourite for the Gold Cup later in the month. And he part-owns Gold Vase runner up Holding Thumbs, who runs in his black and white colours.
