After a whirlwind first six weeks of major change and a variety of exciting innovations in his position as Head of Racing Operations in the Western Cape, Justin Vermaak is looking forward to the first racemeeting in the Hollywoodbets Spring Country Series on Wednesday.
One of the most scenic racetracks in South Africa, appropriately labelled ‘the Country Course’, Hollywoodbets Durbanville hosts the opening meet of the eight programme series that runs from 7 September to 19 October.
Justin and Danielle Vermaak at Saturday evening’s Cape Racing & Breeding Awards (Pic – Cape Racing)
This wonderful time of the year in the fairest Cape is highlighted by the running of the traditional Cape summer season launch-pads of the Hollywoodbets Gr3 Matchem Stakes and Gr3 Diana Stakes on Saturday, 1 October.
Amongst initiatives that include the introduction of a R1000 per race winner incentive for the Grooms, and distinctive barrier draw aligned saddle-cloths, Wednesday’s racemeeting also marks the launch of the RaceCape incentive programme for owners and trainers.
“RaceCape was introduced with the specific aim of incentivising increased racehorse ownership in the Western Cape and boosting field sizes, with its ancillary benefits and spin-offs, and we are thrilled with the response, with the proof of the first pudding in the fields for Wednesday,” an enthusiastic Vermaak told the Sporting Post.
“The average field size is around 40% up on the June/July average, and that was at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth! We are very pleased as having to do eliminations is not something we’d expect at an early Spring meeting at Hollywoodbets Durbanville,” added the man who has presided over the period of the greatest change in double quick time seen in any South African racing jurisdiction in recent memory.
Justin Vermaak confirmed that the R2500 RaceCape appearance fee was split into a R2000 ‘rebate’ to the owner, and a R500 ‘saddling fee’ to the trainer.
“Against the background of our substantial stakes increases, this incentive, coupled amongst other benefits with free stable rental and a travel subsidy for visitors – and an extra R1000 for the visiting owner – means that we have been flooded with enquiries from all over the country.”
This appearance fee is not payable to the winner and last placed horse in each race.
“While the specifics have been published in the programme and the brochure, it must also be noted, for example, that maidens with a merit rating lower than 50 will not qualify for the appearance fee after their sixth start. Those maidens with a merit rating of 50 and above will, however, qualify for the appearance fee, irrespective of starts.”
An enormous incentive is the R10 000 each for the owner and trainer of any visiting winner at any Cape meeting in the summer season, which runs from 1 November to 28 February. This bonus jumps to R50 000 each for the owner and trainer of any visiting winner at one of the nine Summer Festival meetings.
In terms of visitor transport, Vermaak indicated that Cape Racing will be subsidising costs at various levels, dependant on the actual races that the traveller participates in from 1 November to 28 February.
“We will cover 50% of the transport cost for any horse that competes in two races during this period, 75% for any horse that competes in a Listed, Gr3 or Gr2 event, and 100% for any horse that competes in a Gr1 race. These percentages are not cumulative and the highest qualification level will apply. Trainers and owners must kindly note that the transport must be booked through Cape Racing and travel is on one of our authorised floats. The earlier trainers talk to us, the better we can coordinate suitable dates of travel, with maximised horses booked per float,” he explained.
Asked about the funding for the Racecape Incentive Scheme Vermaak said that the finance has included a major cash sponsorship from new local racecourse brand sponsor, Hollywoodbets, to assist in funding.
“The operator will also be contributing in terms of a 5% deduction from the stakes pot which goes directly to the Racecape Incentive Scheme. Going forward, stakeholders will note in the stakes breakdown of each race, that 5% has been deducted from the gross prize, to be placed directly into the scheme, with the other 95% being split proportionately amongst the placed horses.”
Separate to the RaceCape initiative, Cape Racing have increased the stakes pot by 35% as advertised, meaning a cash injection of more than R20 million.
“We have undertaken a review of the 2yo racing roster for example, and tailored it with a cash injection. There is not much time to get the juveniles ready as the first annual 900m dashes for both colts and fillies is at the end of November.These races will lead up to two newly created juvenile events on Guineas Day which is being run on 17 December. The Commonwealth Cup will be run at juvenile plate conditions for colts and geldings while the Summer Coronation will be run for the fillies. These two races will carry a prize of R200 000 each. And probably the most exciting news is the formation of a 3 leg Summer Juvenile Series, which has R1 600 000 on offer – a vast increase from the R525 000 for the three races last season!”
The Cape programme for the period to end February, including all festival meetings, will be published later this week.
The first of nine races at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday is off at 12h20.
All enquiries may be directed to Justin Vermaak on email- [email protected].
