HISTORY OF DURBANVILLE RACECOURSE

Durbanville Racecourse is the second track in Cape Town and is more very much a country course as opposed to the main track in the Cape, Kenilworth. Gold Circle are the controlling body.

Durbanville is a very tight, anti-clockwise course where the fields are small and tend to be on the weaker side. The track serves as a second chance for horses who can’t make the grade at Kenilworth but at the same token provide a test for some horses who try to make it big during Cape Town’s Summer Season.

The track has a circumference of 2000m and a run-in of 600m. There is no straight course at the track therefore also gives some horses a taste of what it’s like to corner a bend during a race. Front runners do well at Durbanville and a runner needs to have a serious turn of foot to make up ground on the leader. In every race, a low number draw is favoured due to the nature of the track. Over 1000m to 1400m races if you are drawn on the outside you have next to no chance of winning.

Durbanville has produced course specialists and also certain trainers have plenty success at the course, more notably Joey Ramsden who gets a few winners at every meeting.

Durbanville doesn’t normally hold any feature races of much significance but this season the Matchem Stakes and the Diana Stakes will be held at the course. Otherwise a high rated handicap is as good as it gets.

Recently, Durbanville saw the last run in the country of National Currency. He went on to win in Dubai and was rated one of the best sprinters the country has ever seen.

Race Preview(DURBANVILLE)

Durbanville, 27.09.2017, Race 1, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80.000, 6:55PM

Race Summary: (8)EVELINA made good improvement from her first to second start and should go close if making further progress. (13)SPAM ALERT displayed a degree of improvement stepped up to 1200m last time and could have more to offer over the extra. The same, however, could be said of (12)MADAME DEFARGE and (14)TALLY-HO. Another likely improver over this trip with the benefit of experience is (7)DEPECHE.

Durbanville, 27.09.2017, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80.000, 7:30PM

Race Summary: Competitive maiden, few with chances. (4)ORAKAL has run well in both starts around the turn and should be involved in the outcome. (12)COMFORTABLY NUMB and (15)THE SUN ALSO RISES finished ahead of (16)TYRANDEUS last time. That trio should improve, although the latter could be forgiven that disappointment and could make amends. Respect (2)TWO BROTHERS, (1)ZANZIBARIAN, (9)MAX POWER and (7)MAGNIFICENT SEVEN.

Durbanville, 27.09.2017, Race 3, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R80.000, 8:05PM

Race Summary: None of these inspire a great deal of confidence. (6)WOODSTOCK FAIRY caught the eye last time and gave the impression she could have more to offer over this trip. (1)DESTINY DUCHESS finished ahead of that rival last time but must confirm over the extra. (2)ONE MORE ROUND has enjoyed racing without blinkers recently and could make the frame again. (8)MARCH AFFAIR and (9)OAKDENE have claims too.

Durbanville, 27.09.2017, Race 4, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R80.000, 8:40PM

Race Summary: (3)ROKATENDA has been threatening to leave the maiden ranks. He has twice finished 2nd over this trip but looks well placed to gain reward for that consistency in this line-up. (2)MISTER COLIN and (4)FUJIN are likely to pose the biggest threat on current form, though (1)PETER THE WAILER could also have a say if effective over this trip. (9)A VISION could also improve going this distance.

Durbanville, 27.09.2017, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80.000, 9:20PM

Race Summary: Last-start maiden winner (1)BRAVE MOVE was most impressive in skating clear over 1400m and should have more to offer, despite returning from a break. Fellow handicap debutante (7)HOPEFUL is also bred to enjoy the extra so can give a good account. (4)LANARK and (2)WINE FESTIVAL have scope, so could also improve over the extra 200m. (8)SUMMER OLIMPICS is not a forlorn hope either.

Durbanville, 27.09.2017, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R96.000, 9:55PM

Race Summary: Star juvenile (5)DUTCH PHILIP may have fitness concerns but his class could prove telling in the outcome of his 3yo and handicap debut. He has good gate speed and will be aided by a No 1 draw. (4)STARFLASH and (1)BLACK CAT BACK are above average so could make their presence felt. (2)OLYMPIAN and (7)AL WAHED are capable on their day, though the same could be said of (3)PERCIVAL. Good race!

Durbanville, 27.09.2017, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R80.000, 10:30PM

Race Summary: Good race. (6)FRESNAYE and (8)LALENA may have only shed their maiden tags last time out but beat what appeared useful fields in just their 2nd outings. Both are open to any amount of improvement so could play leading roles in the outcome. (4)PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ran well on handicap debut last time and should have more to come too. (2)WESTON, (7)MA FORTE and (3)ESSENCEOFLIFE have earning potential.

Durbanville, 27.09.2017, Race 8, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80.000, 11:05PM

Races to be simulcast are as follows:

Race 1 at 6:55pm

Race 2 at 7:30pm

Race 3 at 8:05pm

Race 4 at 8:40pm

Race 5 at 9:20pm

Race 6 at 9:55pm

Race 7 at 10:30pm

Race 8 at 11:05pm

Starter(South Africa)