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The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Race Coast off to a fast start
Little and Fortune light up Scottsville speed fest. Race Coast had a cheering start. The new brand unites the operations of Western Cape's Cape Racing and Gold Circle of KwaZulu-Natal and Durban's Bay of Plenty beach was the sunny venue for the official launch last week. Horses galloped on the sands of the surfers' haunt and racing's great and good proclaimed a new dawn, to the roar of Indian Ocean breakers. Then there was exciting and uplifting racing itself. This was a little out of earshot of the waves – 80km inland to be precise, at Maritzburg for the annual Festival of Speed on Saturday. For every race to the coast there must be a midlands meander. Scottsville racecourse introduced Race Coast in a rather special way, with any number of upbeat stories crammed into its famous four-feature card. Jockeys back in the mix Race Coast represents renewal in racing and you couldn't ask for better redemption stories than those of jockeys Andrew Fortune and Chad Little who have overcome dark times and fought their way back into the winners' circle. Little, back in the irons at the age of 40, found his reward in the shape of a first Grade 1 victory – a battling effort aboard the appropriately named Good For You, trained by Glen Kotzen, in the Gold Medallion for juveniles. Former champion jockey Fortune returned to the saddle at 57 earlier this year, after years in retirement and following unlikely recoveries from drug addiction and weight issues. On Saturday, he won the Grade 2 Golden Horse Sprint on Tenango for trainer Candice Bass-Robinson and his ebullient interview contained this gem of wisdom: 'You've got to turn up for yourself!' Epitomising that philosophy is Sean Tarry, who's diligence has kept him at the top of the training ranks for decades – not least with phenomenal annual success at Scottsville's biggest meeting. This time around, he landed the topliner on the card, the Grade 1 SA Fillies And Mares Sprint, with Mia Moo. More success stories On the four-year-old's back was Callan Murray, a talented young jockey who plied his trade in Australia for a few years – as South African racing looked headed for the knacker's yard – but is back in his homeland after hearing good things about the revival of the game – a la Race Coast. Another welcome stirring in local racing waters has been successful raiding around the country by trainer Alan Greeff from the backwaters of Eastern Cape. His juvenile filly Direct Hit cruised to victory in the ultra-prestigious Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship, remaining unbeaten in four starts. Further landmark events at Scottsville included emerging stallion Canford Cliffs registering his first Grade 1 win, with Direct Hit, and complementing it with a Grade 2, with Tenango. And there were plenty more diverting moments, such as grooms with stage-fright and big cheques and babbling owners regaling us with their inevitable tales of lows and highs in the infernal game. If there was a note of disappointment it was the small crowd at one of the year's major race meetings. But, then again, Race Coast has just got started.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
The merger of KZN's Gold Circle and Cape Racing has birthed Race Coast.
The merger of Gold Circle's operations in KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Racing from the Western Cape has given rise to an exciting new entity known as Race Coast. Founded under the auspices of the uMhlanga-based South African sports betting company Hollywoodbets, this collaboration has been met with resounding support from the nation's leading horse trainers, who believe it represents a bright future for the sport. Prominent South African champion trainer Justin Snaith, along with the globally-renowned horse racing ambassador Mike de Kock and accomplished trainer Dean Kannemeyer, have publicly endorsed Race Coast. Their collective enthusiasm highlights a refreshing wave of optimism within the racing community. The Cape Town-based Snaith emphasised that this initiative promises not only to elevate the standards of racing but also to foster a deeper connection between the sport and its fans. He reflected on the initial success in his province of a similar initiative, RaceCape, initiated by Cape Racing and Hollywoodbets. Snaith is celebrating a half-century of KZN winter season assaults for the famous family operation. His father Chris, still a key member of their team, first raided with a string from the Cape in 1975. 'That structure has proven a tremendous success! It has not only boosted ownership and field sizes in the Western Cape but has also provided trainers with additional funding to enhance their operations. "Now we mark the historic beginnings of Race Coast, which is another generous initiative by Hollywoodbets, aimed at promoting ownership in KwaZulu-Natal and the Cape while boosting the horse population,' said at the launch of Race Coast. Snaith reminded us of the past, recalling that many feared that horse racing in South Africa might not survive after the COVID-19 pandemic. 'However, the dedicated efforts of a few individuals have not only saved the sport but have also paved the way for an exciting future. It is a future that we can shape and reinvent, making it better for all stakeholders involved. "Race Coast marks the beginning of something special for the province and the future of horse racing in South Africa. On behalf of all our owners, staff, and horses, we want to express our sincere gratitude,' he concluded. Mike de Kock, hailed as one of the great trainers of his generation, echoed this sentiment. He expressed confidence that Race Coast would invigorate South African racing and attract a new generation of enthusiasts, emphasising the intrinsic value of promoting racing as both an entertainment platform and a cultural cornerstone. De Kock, who recently joined forces with his son Mathew in a training partnership, said: 'De Kock Racing has been around for a long time, but as a new training partnership, Mathew and I are excited to be involved with the innovators behind Race Coast. "We have already seen the evidence of their vision and commitment, and we have positioned ourselves to grow with them. We look forward to what the future holds.' Three-time Hollywoodbets Durban July winning trainer Kannemeyer said a refreshing wave of enthusiasm and hope have been felt tangibly in the horse racing fraternity. 'The improvement and upliftment have been in bricks and mortar, communication, and incentives and stakes across the spectrum in the Cape, and looking at the rejuvenated Hollywoodbets Greyville landscape. It is a revelation and a passion-driven work-in-progress, in simple terms," he said. "The Hollywoodbets Team have made a difference in a short time, and one gets a very warm feeling that the sport is in good hands. We are all united under the flag of future prosperity, and, on behalf of our owners and the DKR team, I extend sincere onward and upward best wishes to Race Coast.'
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Piet Steyn's gelding Garrix aims for a clean sweep in the Listed Pocket Power Stakes
gelding Garrix The Piet Steyn-trained Vercingetorix gelding Garrix has the look of a winner at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday. Picture: Cape Racing Image: Picture: Cape Racing On Sunday, all eyes will be on Piet Steyn's outstanding three-year-old gelding, Garrix, when the prestigious Listed Pocket Power Stakes unfolds at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Garrix is striving for a remarkable clean sweep of the three-legged Winter Series. After two closely contested victories, Garrix is out to confirm his status against a competitive field over 1,950m. Garrix's trip in the series has already seen him clinch the first leg, the Variety Club Mile, with an effortless performance before edging out fierce contenders Otto Luyken and Mucho Dinero in the nail-biting Gr 3 Legal Eagle Stakes. Although he seems to hold an advantage in form, the stakes are higher as he now carries 57kg, 1.5kg heavier than his main rivals, Otto Luyken and Mucho Dinero, who are braced to take him on once more. Garrix appears to have every attribute necessary to succeed, and with Gavin Lerena in the saddle, this adds a layer of reassurance to the camp. However, punters will consider the weight differentials and the experience factor as Garrix seeks to navigate the unique challenges of the tighter Winter course. As the field narrows to just seven runners, the early pace promises to be a factor with Otto Luyken, who battled valiantly in the Legal Eagle Stakes, maintaining a commanding presence as he attempts to remain consistent, a crucial factor in this match-up. The Justin Snaith-trained pair, Mucho Dinero and Magic Verse are notable threats. Magic Verse was commendable when narrowly defeated by Rascallion in the Gr 2 Premier's Trophy. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Mucho Dinero finished strongly in the Gr 3 Legal Eagle Stakes, closing the gap on his competitors. With the distance extension favouring his staying prowess, he will be a force to be reckoned with. The Futurist enters the contest with a considerable reputation as last year's winner. Last year's victory by an astonishing nine lengths still lingers in the memories. Though inconsistent, The Futurist has shown flashes of brilliance, and could reclaim glory over the Winter course, where he has demonstrated prior success. In Sunday's other feature race, the Listed R200,000 Stormsvlei Stakes for fillies and mares over 1,800m, Beware The Bomb stands out as the serious threat. Beware The Bomb is one of four entries prolific trainer Justin Snaith will field in the seven-runner race. His other entrants are Lady Springfield, Lickety Split and Knockout. Time for Love, a mare trained by the duo of Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix, is sure to give a strong performance. The expectations will be high after an admirable victory in the Ladies Mile (Listed) earlier this month, particularly with the seasoned jockey Lerena on board.
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Selukwe proving patience is a Plattner virtue
Late developer Selukwe has galloped into the Durban July picture. A new video on YouTube takes viewers on a visit to Plattner Racing's Rondeberg training stables in Western Cape. While enjoying the sight of thoroughbreds galloping on magnificent tracks through the West Coast fynbos, or walking on the nearby Atlantic Ocean beach sands, you can listen to trainer Andre Nel explaining the equine philosophy of the woman who made it all possible: Sabine Plattner. 'The horse's welfare is paramount; that takes precedence over everything,' explains Nel, who is private trainer to Plattner. 'Racing is almost a byproduct of what we do here,' adds Nel, gazing bemusedly at the idyllic setting. Plattner – a horse-lover from her earliest days in post-war Germany – frowns on pushing youngsters to perform and has been known to forego major juvenile races and even three-year-old Classics if necessary. As this promo video was being posted to the internet by Cape Racing, a real-life example of the virtue of patience was unfolding thousands of kilometres away at Greyville racecourse in Durban. Selukwe, a five-year-old bred at Plattner's La Plaisance Stud farm in George – 20km down the road from Fancourt golf estate owned by her family – was raising eyebrows by trouncing a classy field in the WSB 1900m. Impressive progression Selukwe was not rushed as a youngster, racing nine times in his first year on the track – with a modest return of one win. Not looking much of a prospect, he was shipped off to Nel's satellite yard in KwaZulu-Natal in search of a change of fortune. Up the coast, under the care of assistant trainer Byron Foster, the penny dropped – as they say in the classics. Since getting his second win – at Scottsville in May 2024 – he has not been out of the prizemoney in 12 outings, culminating in Saturday's Grade 3 triumph. No burnout or staleness there. In his winning interview, Foster said of Selukwe: 'His progression has been very impressive. To say he was going to win a group race nine months ago, you'd have probably said we were off our heads.' He added: 'We've always said, once he gets the pace we'll see a true reflection of his acceleration.' Indeed, it was acceleration – from the back of the field off a wide draw – that so impressed onlookers. And this followed a front-running victory in the recent UmThombothi Stakes in which he effortlessly sped away from rivals at the death. Durban July prospect Such a turn of foot wins Hollywoodbets Durban Julys, so it's a good job the gelding is already nominated for South Africa's premier race, which takes place in eight weeks' time. Saturday's winning odds of 16-1 indicate how unrealistic that nomination looked to punters last week. On the question of the July, the assistant said such decisions were made by Nel and Plattner. When July first declarations closed on Monday morning, Selukwe and Nel stablemate Zeitz were among the 49 names standing their ground. Last week bookmakers were happy to give 250-1 on Selukwe to win the July. On Monday morning the price was 25-1.
