HISTORY OF SCOTTSVILLE RACECOURSE

Scottsville Racecourse is situated in Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, which lies 80kms north of Durban. The company that controls racing at Scottsville is Gold Circle.

The track is tight and has a circumference of 2300m, a run-in of 550m and a straight course of 1200m. It also has a separate starting chute for races run over 1800m. Scottsville is one of the more challenging tracks around the country with a steep climb for the horses approaching the final 500m. There is also an inside course for races around the bend. For races run over sprint distances there is a downhill section for the first 400m before hitting the incline towards the end, making it a true test for all horses. The ability for horses to race from off the pace is a major advantage at the track, but also if you are too far back, you will find yourself in trouble.

There is very little in terms of advantage with regard to the barrier draw at the track, although when there has been rain outside draws are favourable down the straight.

Scottsville is unique in being the only course in Africa with a casino on the premises. The Golden Horse Casino provides plenty of entertainment after the races and will accommodate you if you’ve had a little too much to drink. Rockafellas is a very smart restaurant looking over the finish that you can attend and enjoy a brilliant 3-course meal and enjoy the racing.

Scottsville has a knack of providing a big upset. The term “horses for courses” applies here, as there are specialists who run much better at Scottsville than anywhere else, while others completely fail to handle the undulating straight.

On the last Saturday in May the track stages its festival of speed, which is by far the biggest day at the track with the headliner being the Group 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint. There are three other Group 1 races - the Allan Robertson Fillies Sprint for two-year-old fillies, the Gold Medallion for two-year-olds and the SA Fillies Sprint. All the races are run over 1200m.

Some of the famous horses to have run and won at Scottsville are Musir, Sledgehammer and the famous Model Man and more recently JJ The Jet Plane, who won the Golden Horse Casino sprint in 2008 and then, after a stint in Dubai and Britain, came back to South Africa to win it again in 2010.

Race Preview

Scottsville, 07.06.2017, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 6:25PM

Race Summary: (13)SHINDEAGEN has obvious claims after being just touched off last time. (8)KATEECADOR has finished clear second in both starts and is another with strong credentials. (14)SO VAIN is also yet to miss the places, but faces some strong rivals. (2)CASABLANCA QUEEN can fill a minor place on form here. (4)DAME COMMANDER, (3)CHICA MUSICA, (16)THE BUNGALOW and (11)RED ENCHANTMENT may be debutantes to follow.

Scottsville, 07.06.2017, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R85.000, 7:00PM

Race Summary: (16)TOM COLLINS was making his debut when meeting a very promising individual and did enough to finish second. He could frank that form as he is a well-bred sort that should only get better. (11)CONCEALED SECRET looks to have a big say as well. He showed good pace in both runs over the minimum trip and could be looking for this. (1)ON YOUR LIFE and (2)VENICE IN MAY should get into it.

Scottsville, 07.06.2017, Race 4, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R85.000, 7:35PM

Race Summary: (16)SONG OF MITU had issues on the Greyville polytrack last time and if judged on her debut run should give good account of herself here. (2)ARRAN ISLES gets to try the straight sprint on the turf and it could be she is looking for. (13)DINNER DATE made good improvement at Greyville with things going wrong and she could prove a danger on that. (3)FASHION QUEST and (1)ARCTIC SWIFT can earn.

Scottsville, 07.06.2017, Race 5, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R85.000, 8:10PM

Race Summary: The form of the raced runners makes this a muddled affair and there are some that have improvement to come and unraced individuals line up. (13)AMBERBELL is a well-bred Silvano filly that may not have shown much on the poly but could make good improvement here. (2)COSIMA and (1)SAPPHIRE PETUNIA have shown but may not have drawn well. (3)UPRISE drops in trip but can get into it.

Scottsville, 07.06.2017, Race 6, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100.000, 8:50PM

Race Summary: The form of the In Full Flight race has proven top class with the Golden Horse 2nd, 3rd and 4th finishers coming from that race. (12)HORSE GUARDS was right there in his first run after rest and gelding and with a repeat should prove a big runner here. (9)RODNEY was a neck behind him and only 0,5kg worse off so should be right there. (2)BISHOP'S BOUNTY and (8)OUR DESTINY deserve respect.

Scottsville, 07.06.2017, Race 7, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R80.000, 9:25PM

Race Summary: (3)MAIN PLAYER met much stronger and could show the strength of that race in no uncertain terms. The way he races he should go the marathon trip. (1)ONE MAN SHOW came from far back to place over this track and trip earlier and showed that potential again when running on after rest last time. (7)SHERIFF HOOD is finally back on turf and could be up to it. (4)BURNT CHERRY can improve.

Scottsville, 07.06.2017, Race 8, Gallops, 1700m, Turf, R92.000, 10:00PM

Race Summary: Rested (2)THE SLADE was not disgraced in feature races in the West Cape. That kind of form should give him a big say especially if having improved after gelding. Anthony Delpech rides (6)NORTHERN CHORUS however and the filly who is a specialist here does race fresh after rest. (1)RUN RHINO RUN has proven form in stronger races but carries top weight. (5)TECHNO CAPTAIN has a say.

Scottsville, 07.06.2017, Race 9, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R85.000, 10:35PM

Race Summary: (13)RIVER GARDEN has run two good races in a row and was ousted by what looked a smart youngster last time. He can score provided he stays the extra. (1)ASYOUPLEASE was not far behind and will be at a peak in his third run after rest. (16)WORLD MISSION is a youngster quickly tried over a trip and could be forward enough. (6)SEATTLE SPELL and (14)ROY'S HOLLYHOCK have definite claims.

Races to be simulcast are as follows:
Race 2 at 6:25pm
Race 3 at 7:00pm
Race 4 at 7:35pm
Race 5 at 8:10pm
Race 6 at 8:50pm
Race 7 at 9:25pm
Race 8 at 10:00pm
Race 9 at 10:35pm

Starter(South Africa)