The opening day of racing on the revamped and upgraded Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack on Wednesday proved a memorable one for all stakeholders, and for the Hollywood Racing team in particular, who celebrated four winners with four different trainers.
After the announcement of the dawn of a new era in KZN racing last Thursday Thursday, following the approval by the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority of the acquisition of Gold Circle by the Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings group, Saturday’s SA Champions Season launch signified a champagne milestone and this was followed in short time by the relaunch of the upgraded polytrack at the Theatre Of Champions on Wednesday.
On an eventful afternoon, the Hollywood Racing team took their lifetime total to 655 winners after they visited the winner’s circle four times.
Great end to a top day! Calvin Habib gives the thumbs up after Ibutho’s courageous win as trainer Alyson Wright and Hollywood Racing Manager Anthony Delpech look on (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Sean Veale booted home the first two legs of a genuine hat-trick when the Peter Muscutt trained Gimemethegreenlight filly Woza Nawe won the third.
Mike and Mathew de Kock saddled Trois Trois Quatre who celebrated a hard earned victory in the fourth. The son of Rafeef got his head down where it mattered most to register his fifth victory.
Apprentice Jacey Botes is growing in confidence and he rode a confident race after a shaky beginning to cap the hat-trick on Eventidor to win the fifth. The son of Elusive Fort is now a five time winner and was good winner for a thrilled Siboniso Ngcobo, who is enjoyed a good run with his small string.
Alyson Wright brought the 7yo soldier Ibutho to races in fine fettle and the gelding clearly grows another leg on the polytrack! The son of Duke Of Marmalade benefitted from a finely judged and supremely determined ride by Calvin Habib to pip Masterbling in a grandstand finish to the last race of the day
Asked by Gallop TV on-course presenter Warren Lenferna whether he would be celebrating after races, Hollywood Racing manager Anthony Delpech said that they were thrilled to have enjoyed a red-letter day on the new racing surface, but would keep the big celebrations for the Gr1 winners!
Dean Kannemeyer, who saddled the good-looking Arvernian Goddess to an overdue second win, summed up the general consensus after the day’s racing.
“It’s wonderful to see that they can now run on from any position. That makes for much fairer racing and it’s encouraging for all stakeholders. Well done to Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets for making these things happen. Racing will be the winner at the end of the day,” added Kannemeyer.
The next KZN racemeeting is at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday where the WSB Gr2 1900 heads the programme. The first race is off at 11h40.
