SUMMER CUP 2019: RACE SCHEDULE AND TIPS
Whether you’re heading to Turffontein for the biggest day on the Joburg racing calendar, or just looking for a guide to help follow the day, we’ve got you covered.
The first big race day of the season takes place on Saturday 30 November at Turffontein, and its the best way to welcome summer in Jozi. There are 5 cracking group races to savour on the 12 race card, and we’ve got blitz previews and tips for each race. You won’t be far off sound like a know-it-all with this pocket guide to the 2019 Gauteng Summer Cup.
Click on each race to reveal our preview and tips
Race 1
The day starts off with a fairly ordinary Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m. A typical race length for most horses that haven’t won yet, so expected a variety of ability out of this. There are some fancied first timers in the field (often shown in race cards with a ‘#’ besides their name), so tread lightly.
Tip: – Of the raced runners, this one stands out as the value. Last time out over a similar distance it was well beaten into 6th, but only ran 4.10 lengths off the winner. It was green that day and got bumped, so with the same jockey onboard it can improve and finish in the money. I’d suggest a small each way bet. Watch out for odds movements on the un-raced horses, specifically the standout Acorn Alley.
Race 2
Another maiden plate to get you into the day. Besides a couple of fancied principle runners, it looks to be an open affair. The question will be whether you follow the betting and settle for a short price, or stick your head out, opt for a less fancied runner, and try bank some early bucks on the day.
Tip: – This seems to be a two horse race without considering the first timers, the short favourite Mohican being the other contender. Our selection has recently be gelded, and looks set to go close. It will be interesting which of the two start favourite, this may be a guide to the eventual winner. We’re sticking to our guns on this one.
Race 3
Here’s a slightly more interesting maiden plate, given that its over a distance of 2000m. Most horses progress to run these distances once they’ve ‘broken the maiden tag’, but there are a few that are bred to run 2000m+, and they’ll be on show in race 3. Looking out for suited breeding and horses needing extra distance in previous runs is often the way to go.
TIP: – Our preference here is for the favourite, and also the best weighted. The further this horse seems to go the better, and with its stable jock onboard, it looks time for it to break through the maiden ranks.
Race 4 - Magnolia Handicap (Grade 3)
The first graded race of the day features a large field of sprinters who will battle it out up the Turffontein straight for a R200000 prize pool. The draw doesn’t come into play here which helps make it a more level affair. Sprinters tend to carry form more than longer distance horses, so look for the cherry ripe runners to take the trophy on the day.
TIP: – There’s quite a lot of collateral form to look into here, with 8 of these runners having faced each other 3 weeks back, 7 of them finishing within 2.25 lengths of each other. Our choice won that race but was demoted after a post-race objection. This time out, its experience in big races should see it through. It’s another favourite pick for us, not our style, but looks to be the consistent choice on paper. Not an easy race to find a winner.
Race 5 - Merchants (Grade 2)
This runs over the same distance, but a step up in class to Grade 2 company – this will make or break a lot of horses’ chances in this race. There will be seasoned runners used to Grade 1 company and some Grade 3 graduates looking to make it at the next level.
TIP: – Our pick here will need to turn the tables on the favourite based on their previous meeting. It has a slight weight advantage but finished like a steam train to lose by a whisker. Muzi Yeni retains the ride, and on value is a better option.
Race 6 - Dingaans (Grade 2)
This is an exciting race, as it pits the best 3 year old milers in the country against each other. For most of these runners, this will likely be their first graded race as a 3 year old, an age where true champions usually come come to the fore. The betting suggestion there are limited contenders in this race, but can the fancied runners follow suit for the punters?
TIP: – There been a fair bit of odds movement on some runners, and I think there’s value in an
each way bet on the only filly in the race. It’s gone the distanced previously in classy company, and this experience might get her an edge on the field. Other fancied favourites are untested at 1600m. Even a place bet is likely to get you better odds than a win bet on the favourite, so its worth getting on the outsider and shouting the lass home.
Race 7 - Gauteng Summer Cup (Grade 1)
The poster race for the day – a Grade 1 thriller over 2000m. The race is a great indicator of who could be up for a cracking season, and is considered the pinnacle race on the Joburg calendar. Mike de Kock holds an incredibly strong hand with the top 4 in the betting. His training rival Sean Tarry has the defending champ, Tilbury Fort, amongst other contenders, none of which can be written off.
TIP: – One of the 4 year old challengers, and not the most fancied of the de Kock runners, this one is likely to attract betting support closer to race time. It will no doubt be overshadowed by Soqrat and Barahin, but could easily show progression and cause a surprise. Her 4 wins from 5 have all been impressive and the extra 200m from her last victory could be the ideal trip. A great speculative shout for the big race.
Race 8 - Ipi Tombe Challenge (Grade 2)
Fun fact: The race is named after a legendary Zimbabwean mare that was sold for US$ 30 and sent to South Africa amidst Robert Mugabe’s vicious land reform era. She went on to win countless graded races locally, as well as the prestigious Dubai Duty Free Group 1.
This 1600m Grade 2 sees a decent bunch of fillies and mares battle it out, albeit many lacking distance form to be a stand out for punters to rely on. They’ll all have been prepped for this contest, so look out for those who are either looking for further ground as they mature, or those used to 1800m+ who seem to be lacking extra in that last furlong of late.
TIP: – Consistent as ever and came as so close to winning over 1600m on its penultimate run to a far more fancied runner. Smanga Khumalo has hit form just in time for this race day, and he’ll be giving it everything to notch up this filly’s 4th win in just 6 starts.
Race 9
This marathon distance of 3200m tests even a staying horse’s stamina. It becomes a game of tempo and pace, and the patient ones usually prosper. This year’s running sees just one filly taking on the boys, with less than half this field ever having run the distance. Needless to say, it’s going to be a tough one to call.
TIP: – A favourite of the office, this hard knocking mare has plenty of staying race experience, and has come close a few times on the big stage. Bernard Fayd’Herbe is a more than suitable replacement for Hong Kong based champion jockey Lyle Hewitson, and he’s got enough accolades at these distances to steer this mare home.
Race 10
This handicap race over 1600m see a decent bunch of boys looking for a feature race day win. As with most handicaps, you’re looking for horses with scope for improvement or sometimes those that have been running above their capabilities and are now back to more considered company. The betting market shows no real standout fancies, so it’s going to come down to watching the odds change and scanning the form guide.
TIP: – Our fancy and Kings Archer (both top of the betting at time of writing) have met on several occasion and you’d fancy them to fight this one out. Pierre Strydom will need his experience to beat out the 2.5kg apprentice claim on his rival, but should come out on top with its superior distance form.
Race 11
This merit rated 77 handicap for fillies and mare pits some young sprinters up against a couple of older contenders over the exciting 1000m dash. There has been a couple of early market moves, but nothing to really separate the top 3 in the betting. Look to recent progressive form and those that can race handy will be crucial factors in this tight affair over the short trip.
TIP: – Despite being lightly raced, this filly warrants favouritism. A lot of her beaten rivals have come out to win, and I think this could be low-key a great bet on the day. Gavin Lerena will be giving it hammer and tong up the Turfies straight, and I think we could see a fair bit more from this sprinter in the years to come.
Race 12
The last of the day, or has we like to refer to it: The ‘Get Out Of Jail’ Stakes. If you’re up you’re likely less concerned about this race. If you’re chasing, this is the feature race of your betting day.
Back to business, and we’re looking at an extremely open affair with moderate handicappers fighting for a piece of the big day spotlight. Racing under the lights is a consideration, and it’s likely most of these runners will be out after their bedtime. Betting market moves and some shrewd form scanning will separate the winners from the losers in this race.
TIP: – Backing a short price in the last is no fun, and we’re out to end things off with a bang. Dragons breath fire, and fire makes things go bang. Back to reality, this bottom weight filly really hasn’t been far off the pace in much better company previously. This slight drop in class could be the break she needs, and Ryan Munger will be one of few jockeys giving it everything late on Saturday evening. The draw is a concern, but can be overlooked giving the much fancied top weights are also drawn wide.
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