Latest news with #Greeff
The Herald
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
My Best Shot aims for historic Sophomore Series clean sweep at Fairview
My Best Shot is a rising local champion. His consistent performances at Fairview have made him a fan favourite, and a win in the East Cape Derby would be a significant achievement for his connections and the region. A half-brother to the Eastern Cape's 2022/23 Champion two-year-old colt, Questor, My Best Shot races in the interests of Nick and Val McFall, Messrs GL Blank, G Piha, HN Yutar, D Yutar, and Mr and Mrs AC Greeff . He was purchased for just R120,000 at the Cape Yearling Sale and has provided his connections an enormous amount of fun. 'He's a progressive type with a strong temperament and a good work ethic,' says Greeff. 'He's taken every step in his stride, and we've been pleased with how he's handled each race.' Much of the credit must also go to jockey Richard Fourie, who has partnered with My Best Shot in all but one of his career runs. However, the 2,400m distance of the East Cape Derby is a significant step into uncharted territory. To date, all of My Best Shot's wins have come over either 1,400m or 1,600m. Whether he can stay the testing Derby trip remains to be seen, but his connections are optimistic. 'It's a challenge,' Greeff acknowledges. 'But he's in good shape and we're going to give him every chance.' Should he complete the series sweep, My Best Shot will enter the record books and highlight the value of structured regional racing programmes like the Sophomore Challenge in helping the Eastern Cape to produce competitive and consistent performers. The Derby meeting on May 9, which also features the Dahlia Plate, promises to be one of the highlights of the local horse racing calendar. Public entrance to Fairview Racecourse is free, but if you want to experience the excitement in style, book a VIP hospitality package with 4 Racing. Priced at R350 per person, it includes a buffet lunch, Computaform guide, and a complimentary bottle of wine per table. For more information or to book, email Marilyn Smith at marilyns@ or contact her on WhatsApp at 076 301 5449. This article was sponsored by 4 Racing.
Reuters
05-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
South African rand gains as markets process Trump's policies
JOHANNESBURG, March 5 (Reuters) - South Africa's rand gained on Wednesday, capitalising on pressure faced by the U.S. dollar as markets digested the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's policies. At 1505 GMT, the rand traded at 18.37 against the dollar , about 0.5% stronger than its previous close. The dollar hit three-month lows on Wednesday as the U.S. trade war with its partners developed. It last traded about 1% weaker against a basket of currencies. The Trump administration will make an announcement later on Wednesday regarding U.S. tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico as Trump weighs potential relief for some sectors such as automobiles, the U.S. Commerce Department chief said. "As the dollar has come under broad-based pressure, the rand and other emerging market currencies have capitalised," said Danny Greeff, co-head of Africa at ETM Analytics. Greeff said Trump's policies look to be accelerating the global business cycle towards a downturn and while any consequent sell-off in global equities would hurt higher-risk assets like the rand, the Federal Reserve's expected response would drive U.S. Treasury yields lower and eventually support risk appetite. "It's a matter of timing these dynamics right, and, for now, it seems the market is struggling with that," Greeff added. Like other risk-sensitive currencies, the rand often takes direction from global drivers like U.S. policies in addition to local factors. The domestic economic data calendar was light on Wednesday, the only major release being February's whole economy purchasing managers' index (ZAPMIM=ECI), opens new tab survey, which showed business activity continued to weaken but that the pace of contraction slowed. Next week investors will focus on South Africa's delayed national budget. South Africa's national budget was postponed last month because the two biggest parties in the ruling coalition disagreed over raising value-added tax. On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the blue-chip Top-40 index (.JTOPI), opens new tab closed up about 1.2%. South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond was little changed, with the yield at 9.03%.
