With rain only forecast for Durban on Saturday evening, the Durban July fathers will be holding thumbs that the weatherman gets his predictions more accurate than sangoma Makhosonke Msomi and his KZN elders’ big race predictions over the years.
Sales, big race entries, regulatory issues, race day meds, Tellytrack, you name it – why is it all so complicated? Jockeys are particularly vulnerable, because they are frequently put on horses that they have never seen before and have no idea of the horse’s medical or even psychological history. Throwing a whole bunch of them together, at speed, with a tar road next to them – well, that just doesn’t seem like a good idea…
Doug Campbell may be be the trainer to follow on Greyville’s new Polytrack. The Richmond based horseman saddled a hat trick of winners at today’s historic opening meeting. Anthony Delpech also rode a hat trick but exotic punters came out second best as it was difficult to find winners
Greyville Racecourse has enjoyed a long and colourful history in the 170 years since the first official meeting there in July 1844.
Just 48 hours after Cheeky Wink’s smart win at Tipperary, the Kieswetter and Heffer families enjoyed another champagne moment at Sandown
Ridgemont’s Rafeef fairytale received more endorsement on the Championships Finale at Turffontein on Saturday when his daughter, Chasing Happiness, ran her eight opponents off their feet to register her second stakes success when winning the TAB Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes
The number of entries compares favourably in quantum with recent years, with 58 first entries received in 2024, 60 in 2023, 68 in 2022, 53 in 2021, 52 in 2020, 49 in 2019, and 69 in 2018
Ironically, it was a colt which provided Alan with a first Gr1 success, this being Alec and Gillian Foster’s homebred Cereus, who landed the 2001 Gold Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville, his victory completing a momentous double on the day, with the Gr2 Golden Slipper having gone the way of juvenile filly Tatler, a great-great-great grandaughter of Sun Lass!
