Hot starting line-up
IT’S all systems go for the 27th edition of the prestigious POST Merchants to be run under lights over 1200m at Greyville Racecourse on Friday.
The race, one of the country’s top sprints, has attracted a classy field of 15 sprinters.
It is on the cards that the Pick Six pool will top R1.2 million, says Vee Moodley, the executive director of Sports Betting.
Moodley, who is also of Phumelela Gaming & Leisure, said the Jackpot pool was expected to reach about R700 000 and that punters were expected to spend in the region of R600 000 on the Place Accumulator pool.
“The POST Merchants presents a great opportunity for punters to take doubles, trebles and other bets with the Vodacom Durban July, Africa’s greatest horse race, which is set for July 4 at Greyville Racecourse. The POST Merchants field is packed with quality thoroughbreds,” said Moodley. “The Quartet pool in the POST Merchants will be around R150 000 while the Bipot pool is expected to be in the region of R200 000.”
Moodley said the highly-rated Gauteng thoroughbred, Willow Magic, was bound to take some catching in the big race.
“Willow Magic ran a cracking second to the champion, Legislate, two weeks ago. His trainer, Sean Tarry, will be crowned this season’s champion trainer and Willow Magic’s jockey, Piere ‘Striker’ Strydom, is a world-class rider. The Mike Bass-trained Tevez, Daring Dave from the Justin Snaith yard and Ishpan, trained by the in-form Mike Azzie, should follow Willow Magic home,” said Moodley.
Two of the country’s biggest Indian horse owners – Durban tycoon Roy Moodley and leading Gauteng businessman Satch Mathen – said they were expecting top runs from their POST Merchant’s runners.
Moodley said his thoroughbred, Royal Security Power, was in superb shape and could sneak into the placings at big odds.
Mathen, a co-owner of Willow Magic, said his horse was on his toes and raring to go in the prestigious race.
Fun, food and lucky draw prizes
Apart from the superb racing, POST, Gold Circle Racing & Gaming and Serendipity Tours have organised an allexpenses-paid trip for a lucky person and his or her partner to watch the cream of the world’s horses battle it out for glory in the 2016 Dubai World Cup.
The winner of this exciting competition will dine with some of the world’s finest trainers, jockeys, breeders and owners in the world-class Parade Ring Restaurant at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai in March next year.
The prize is worth R60 000. One lucky reader can also win R60 000 worth of diamond jewellery. See page 4.
A bhangra bash and entertainment by Men In Black and Radio Hindvani are other highlights on what promises to be a magical night at the races. Comedian Carvin Goldstone and Dingalings star Senzo Mthethwa will also perform.
Bunny chow enthusiasts can participate in a bunny chow competition at the course.
The POST Merchants is the seventh race on a nine-race programme. The big race is set for 8.20pm.
The first race will be run at 5pm and the last race will be off at 9.35pm.
(See pages 22 and 24 for POST Merchant tips.)