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, 14.02.2018, Race 1, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100.000, 6:50PM

Race Summary: (3)DANTE'S ROCK has had a few chances, but finishes off well, and has good prospects here. (4)THEY SAY has fair form, but needs to prove he is as effective on turf. (1)MINALOUSHE VENTURE has the best form, but has to overcome a very wide draw. (2)PRINCE OF PROMISE and (8)DAY'S OF THUNDER are also worthy of inclusion.

Scottsville, 14.02.2018, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R126.750, 7:25PM

Race Summary: Open. (1)MUSCATT is fast, and loves the course and distance. (6)HASHTAG STRAT is also pacy, and carries very low weight with 4kg claimer. (4)VISION TO KILL is best weighted, and another 1000m specialist. (3)ISCA and (5)CAPTAIN'S GIRL cannot be ruled out either.

Scottsville, 14.02.2018, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100.000, 8:00PM

Race Summary: (2)BREAKING BARRIERS seems sure to leave the maiden ranks soon, and would be a narrow first choice. However the same can be said for (1)VICTORIOUS DIVA, and there shouldn't be much between them. (11)LILIBET ran very well second time out, and could trump both, but is also carded on 11 Feb. (9)HIYAAM was quietly fancied on debut, and could make big improvement.

Scottsville, 14.02.2018, Race 4, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 8:35PM

Race Summary: Tough. (6)RYKER is a little above average, and had excuses last time. Should be there. (4)SNIPER SHOT made an encouraging return after gelding, and will be getting into it late. (3)SUNSET EYES is 2/2 with Delpech, and has to be included. (1)VARALLO, (8)HARD TO PLAY, (9)QUEEN'S PLAIN and (10)CUVARA all have claims as well.

Scottsville, 14.02.2018, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100.000, 9:10PM

Race Summary: (5)PEARL GLOW is ultra reliable and from the pole draw sure to be involved in the finish. (10)SUPER SPARKLE caught the eye on local debut, and will prefer the extra. (1)FIORELLA is a decent young filly, and can defy top weight. (6)INGA and (7)MOON PRINCESS have the form to be competitive.

Scottsville, 14.02.2018, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R90.000, 9:50PM

Race Summary: Proper lower division handicap. (2)WAYWOOD was given a lot to do last time, and should be competitive. (4)GIRL IN GOLD has done well in decent female company, and has to be respected. (10)EMPEROR NIARCHOS is never far off, and has Delpech. (6)THE POET has a chance despite bad draw. (7)BLING SWING and (14)FORCEFUL RUSH can upset.

Scottsville, 14.02.2018, Race 7, Gallops, 1950m, Turf, R90.000, 10:25PM

Race Summary: (4)PURE LOGIC finished very strongly last time, and the form has been franked. Hard to beat. (3)VERDIER may now be looking for this trip and can threaten. (6)MIDNIGHT put up a most encouraging post maiden effort over further. (1)MARK MY CARD and (5)AMOR ARDIENTE have both done enough for inclusion as well.

Scottsville, 14.02.2018, Race 8, Gallops, 1950m, Turf, R75.000, 11:00PM

Race Summary: Weak field. (1)BALLYMAINE has won his last two here most impressively, and should go in again. (3)THE MONEY MAN is in top form, and stands out as the obvious danger. (4)CAPRIVI is another with obvious money claims, while (10)SCRIPTWRITER and (5)VIKING RED have upset potential.

Races to be simulcast are as follows:
Race 1 at 6:50pm
Race 2 at 7:25pm
Race 3 at 8:00pm
Race 4 at 8:35pm
Race 5 at 9:10pm
Race 6 at 9:50pm
Race 7 at 10:25pm
Race 8 at 11:00pm

Starter(South Africa)