Racing is back at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today for an eight race card.
The first race is off at 12h35 and is also the Bipot opener.
The weather is fine, the going officially ‘good’ and the false rail is set at 5m.
Hollywoodbets Scottsville (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
With one month left in the Hollywoodbets Sizzling Summer Challenge, the competion is hotting up and the form jockeys and trainers can be seen on the leaderboard – click here
“What Hollywoodbets are doing for racing is like a breath of fresh air.” That was the word from leading jockey on the Hollywoodbets KZN Sizzling Summer Challenge jockeys log, Anton Marcus.
Marcus, who is nine points ahead of Warren Kennedy, was happy that he is leading but is wary of the challengers.
“The lead can change in the space of one meeting – anything can happen,” he explained.
Marcus, who has ridden 28 winners from 80 rides in the competition, hopes that he can go all the way and did mention that if he is in contention with a few meetings to go, he will try and get more rides.
Winning Form-sponsored and Championship leading jockey Warren Kennedy said that he will challenge all the way to the last racemeeting, as he is focused on the competition.
“Every horse I ride nationally I try my best to win on. My main aim is the National Championship, but I am also focused on the Challenge,” he explained.
Kennedy, who has 16 winners from his 98 rides in the competition, said that what Hollywoodbets are doing for racing ‘is amazing’.
“It’s very nice.The fields are growing and it’s great for racing,” he explained.
Leading trainer Garth Puller, who has a 52 point lead ahead of trainer Paul Lafferty, is pleased with his results.
Puller, who has had 12 winners from his 84 runner, is pleased that he is at the top of the log and says that being sponsored by Hollywoodbets makes it feel even better.
“It feels really good. I am happy with the results,” said Puller.
Puller is another that is aware that a lead in this competition cannot be taken for granted.
“On a Sunday I have 13 runners, then on a Wednesday I have two – it can change very easily,” Puller explained.
Garth Puller – happy to be in contention (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Puller is another that praised Hollywoodbets for the competition saying that their marketing is outstanding and labelled the competition ‘a fantastic initiative’.
Trainer Paul Lafferty said that the Hollywoodbets Sizzling Summer Challenge is the best thing that has happened to racing.
Lafferty, who has had 8 winners from his 64 runners, said that he doesn’t have the numbers to beat Puller.
“Puller has a lot of horses and is a good trainer. It will be tough but I am trying,” Lafferty explained.
Aside from the trainers log, Lafferty also fills the first position on the horses challenge with Bint El Malak.
The daughter of King’s Chapel won her maiden on the first day of the competition and then went on to finish second twice, and then won again.
Lafferty said that she is in a good place at the moment.
“She’s sound and happy and she will win a few races,” he added..Lafferty said that the best part of this log is the joy the owners feel when they see their horses’ name at the top of the log.
