Met day 2018 (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
While it may not be as overwhelming or literally intoxicating as it was in bygone years, Met week has dawned as we count the days down to Saturday 30 January and to the running of what will always be the Cape’s flagship race since Hercules won the inaugural running back in 1883.
Tote betting opens on Wednesday and the word is that a R15 million Pick 6 pool is in the offing for Saturday.
In years gone by, local shopping malls would by now have been humming with the noise and buzz of Met fever, with windows enticing the public to buy into the fashion theme and dress up for a wonderful day out.
In years gone by, we would have been talking about the Met gallops last Thursday and debating what we saw, and what we thought we didn’t see.
Flashback – Grant van Niekerk gallops Elusive Silva (photo: Wayne Marks)
In years gone by, we would have been brassing every last remote equine contact on our whatsapp (or is it now telegram?) contact list for a complimentary ticket or two.
And that reminds us of those terrific trackside picnic spots, where we supplied our own lunch and booze and raced like Kings for a day out that usually extended into a throw out evening. All for a fraction of what we spent on the Pick 6!
Happy days (Pic – Kirstie Rutherford)
That’s all been consigned to the scrap heap of history and we are adjusting to the Met 2021 style.
At least still have a bunch of serious horses competing for a place in history – although some believe the eleven horse party to be on the lean side.
Current favourite Belgarion (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Justin Snaith’s Belgarion currently tops the boards with leading SA Bookmakers Hollywoodbets, who have priced up on the full twelve race card.
The supporting Gr1 features are the Majorca Stakes, where Snaith’s Cape Fillies Guineas winner Captain’s Ransom tops the charts, and the Cape Flying Championship, where Tarry star Celtic Sea is the current favourite.
Get all your betting by clicking the image below:
Hollywoodbets are also putting on a special edition of the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge which will give punters the chance to win their share of R1,375 Million in prize money on Met day.
The tote betting facilities for Met Day open on Wednesday 27 January, with the R15 million Pick 6 the big carrot.
The Met quartet pool is projected at R5 million, with the tote putting back a total of R7,2 million in carryover cash into the various bets.
The Sporting Post racecard portal is available if you’d like to pick up a racecard and commence studying for the big day.
