OFF THE RECORD #130
Talking Racing, The South African Way
There has seldom been a better time to be a racing punter. Quality information is readily available and expert opinion is invariably only a click away. Even if you prefer to rely on your own form judgement, there are insights from trainers and jockeys that can make a difference to anybody’s betting day, regardless of your level of expertise.
Racing Today recently launched a live Saturday morning preview to complement its pre-recorded Track Talk interviews and the Weighted To Win tipping show – hosted by Johnny Geroudis, Vikki Lerena and Clyde Basel.
The 4Racing team has also made a success of its informative post-race cutaways, obtaining immediate reactions from the connections of placed runners – including beaten favourites – while also identifying horses to follow, later on the day’s programme.
“It’s all about getting the right comments to the punter so they can make informed decisions,” says Geroudis. “Our Saturday show is designed to be a casual chat where opinions are shared. We try to introduce new, suitable guests every weekend.”
Earlier this year the Race Coast team, who produce the various information clips for racing in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, expanded their major-meeting coverage by introducing a pre-race discussion panel in Afrikaans to complement the established English and isiZulu broadcasts.
The Afrikaans panel was always going to be tricky, as the management and media structures of racing are predominantly English and the handful of participants fluent in Afrikaans were often too reserved or uncomfortable to speak publicly in the language. But Alistair Cohen and host MJ Byleveld put their heads together and found a handful of willing contributors.
The innovation has since developed a casual, chatty identity of its own – exactly as originator Devin Heffer had intended. Following some promising early digital engagement figures, Cohen said this week: “I think we’ve stumbled onto something here!”
As we head into Sunday’s World Pool Gold Cup meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville, with its array of exotic bets, carryovers and massive betting pools, two challenges stand out. Firstly, listen to the available interviews and discussions with an open mind. Don’t just hear what confirms your own opinion. Secondly, use the information wisely by applying it to the bets that best suit your confidence levels.
I was privileged to join this week’s Afrikaans panel alongside Byleveld, jockey Richard Fourie and trainer Elbert Steyn, and we discussed every race on the Gold Cup programme. I was particularly impressed by the willingness of the guests to engage with the host, who has improved markedly as a presenter. Richard and Elbert answered every pertinent question directly and honestly – no messing about – and I am confident viewers will find our collective assessments both enlightening and valuable.
Richard, in particular, is as professional in handling questions as he is riding many of the country’s best horses. Sharp as a tack, he enjoys the banter, relishes speaking the moedertaal and is becoming increasingly adept at Afrikaans racing terminology. Our brief was simply to chat as we would when the cameras are off, so there is plenty of mixing of Afrikaans and English – the South African way. From the finished product, it seems to be the right approach.
There have been a number of queries from English-speaking racing fans who are unable to follow everything in Afrikaans, so I have compiled some of the discussion highlights below. The full recording can be viewed on YouTube.
Race 1
Everyone agreed that the two Hollywoodbets Durban July runners, Isivivane and Zeitz, should prove competitive in this weaker company. Richard believes Isivivane will win. His July merit rating remains unchanged at 108 after finishing a close fifth to Note To Self. Elbert felt his runner, Pay The Palace, had valid excuses last time and could earn a place despite a wide draw.
Race 2
Richard gives his mount, Ferrari Flair, a genuine winning chance despite still being a maiden.
Race 3
Gimme Some Luck is unbeaten, but Richard believes the race revolves around his mount, US Ranger, and World Series. He did add that US Ranger may benefit from being gelded at some stage.
Race 4
There was unanimous agreement that Richard’s mount, Alice B Toklas, will be hard to beat, with Within Reach viewed as the principal danger.
Race 5
Opinions were more divided here. MJK was particularly keen on Bachete ahead of his Grade-winning stablemate Vibe Check. Having previously been trainer Vaughan Marshall’s stable jockey, his opinion is worth noting. Richard rides Red Spice for Elbert and both expressed confidence in this colt’s chances. Neither appeared overly concerned about Bachete.
Race 6
Richard revealed it was a very difficult decision choosing between Buffalo Storm Cody and Questioning, while also giving three other runners, including Jet Force, definite winning claims. Elbert nominated Jet Force as his value bet and mentioned afterwards that he was driving all the way from Cape Town to Durban with his friend, trainer Des McLachlan. Read into that what you will.
Race 7
A unanimous vote for King Pelles as the day’s banker and, quite possibly, a ‘good thing’.
Race 8
Richard discussed both See It Again and Eight On Eighteen. To me, he appeared slightly more confident about See It Again, although that is purely a personal observation. The panel viewed it as a four-horse race, with strong sentiments for The Real Prince.
Race 9
While acknowledging it is a competitive field, Richard reaffirmed his faith in top filly Anotherdanceforme. Strongly fancied.
Race 10
The panel leans towards African Pride and Chapbook.
The Wrap
MJK challenged Richard to ride the Place Accumulator, and he seemed up to the challenge. The panel also advised punters to use the exotic bets wisely. With the three Jackpots (Races 1-4, 5-8 and 7-10) overlapping with the Pick 6, there is an opportunity to structure bets to maximise coverage across all investments. Jackpot Three starts with a carryover of R500,000.
Here is a basic Pick 6 perm, structured from panel’s strongest selections:
3 X 2,4,5,9,11,13 X 2,4,5,7,8,11 X 6 X 1,2,3,4 X 5. (R144)
Here is a Jackpot ONE Perm (Races 1-4), based on covering Pick 6 selections with alternatives:
4,5,6,8,12,13,14 X 3,6,7,11 X 8,13 X 3,6,7 (R168)
Here is a Jackpot TWO Perm (Races 5-8), based on covering Pick 6 selections with alternatives:
FIELD (1-17) x 2,3,4,5,7,8,11 X 6 X 1,2,3,4. (R476)
Here is a Jackpot THREE Perm (Races 7-10), based on covering Pick 6 selections with alternatives:
6,7,11,12 X 1,2,3,4 X 1,5,6,12,13 X 1,3,5,9,11,12,14 (R560)